You Googled it because you’re about to fly and don’t want bathroom surprises. Smart. Here’s the straight answer: yes, Dubai uses toilet paper in most places you’ll visit-but the standard across the UAE is to clean with water using a handheld bidet spray (often called a shattaf) next to the toilet. You’ll see both. Your job is to know what to expect in hotels, malls, airports, and more-and how to handle it like you’ve lived there for years.
- TL;DR: Most hotels, malls, and Dubai Airport stock toilet paper, and every modern restroom has a water spray.
- Some public toilets run out of paper at peak times. Carry tissues or a small pack of toilet paper, just in case.
- It’s fine to flush toilet paper in modern Dubai plumbing. If a bin is provided with a sign, use it.
- Bidet sprays are powerful-test gently first. Dry with paper or tissues afterward.
- Respect local etiquette: keep floors dry, don’t squat on a Western seat, and use bins for sanitary products.
What you’re probably here to get done:
- Get a clear yes/no on toilet paper in Dubai-and where it’s reliably available.
- Learn how to use the bidet spray without making a mess (or soaking your clothes).
- Know what to pack so you never get stuck.
- Understand small etiquette rules to avoid awkward moments.
- Handle special cases: mosques, petrol stations, metro, road trips, periods, kids, accessibility.
Quick answer, context, and where to expect toilet paper in Dubai
Short answer first: Yes-Dubai toilet paper is common, especially in places tourists go-hotels, Dubai Airport (DXB), Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, JBR, and most major attractions. You’ll also find the standard UAE setup: a handheld bidet spray beside nearly every toilet in modern buildings.
Here’s the breakdown by place, as of 2025:
- Hotels (3-5 star): Expect toilet paper, a bidet spray, and often a bidet or washlet-style features in higher-end rooms. Housekeeping restocks daily.
- Dubai Airport (DXB and DWC): Modern restrooms with paper and water sprays, high turnover, and regular cleaning. Family rooms and accessible stalls are available.
- Shopping malls and tourist sites: Almost always stocked. During busy evenings/weekends, a dispenser might be empty-attendants refill often, but not instantly.
- Restaurants and cafes: Most mid-range and upscale places stock toilet paper. Small, crowded, or very casual spots might rely on the bidet spray; carry tissues.
- Public beaches and parks: Facilities vary. Newer blocks tend to have paper; older or high-traffic ones sometimes don’t.
- Mosques: Typically spotless and equipped for water-based cleaning. Paper may or may not be there. Bring tissues if you’re not used to water-only.
- Petrol stations and highway stops: Often just the essentials-a toilet, a spray, a sink. Paper is hit-or-miss. Your pocket pack saves the day here.
- Offices and residences: Water spray is the norm, paper depends on the building and whoever stocks it.
Why the water spray? Across the Gulf and much of Asia, water is considered the hygienic standard. In Dubai’s international spaces, both options sit side by side. You choose water, paper, or both.
Plumbing note: In modern Dubai buildings, it’s usually fine to flush toilet paper. If you see a sign asking you to bin paper, do that. Some older or heavily used public restrooms use bins to prevent blockages.
Toilet types you’ll see:
- Western seated toilets: The norm in malls, hotels, airports, restaurants.
- Squat toilets: Less common in tourist areas, but you’ll meet one occasionally in older public facilities and some petrol stations. There’s usually at least one Western stall nearby.
Cleanliness standards are high in Dubai’s big venues. Mall and airport teams clean constantly. Still, late evenings or major events can stretch staffing-hence the “carry tissues” mantra.
Evidence you can trust: Dubai Airports lists restroom facilities with accessibility features and frequent cleaning. Hotels advertise Western-style bathrooms as standard. And if you browse any major supermarket in Dubai (Carrefour, Union Coop, Spinneys), the shelf space devoted to toilet paper and tissues tells the story too.
How to handle bathrooms in Dubai: step-by-step, etiquette, and gear
New to the bidet spray? Here’s the fuss-free, no-splash method. Practice once and you’ll be fine.
Using the handheld bidet spray (shattaf), step-by-step:
- Locate the spray. It’s usually holstered on the wall next to the toilet with a small lever or trigger.
- Test the pressure first. Point it into the bowl and squeeze lightly. Some units are gentle; some are power washers. Start soft.
- Position yourself. Stay seated on a Western toilet, lean slightly forward, and angle the nozzle from the back or side. If you’re using a squat toilet, aim from the front, angled downward.
- Spray briefly. Short bursts avoid soaking everything. You don’t need much.
- Pat dry. Use toilet paper or tissues to dry. You can combine both methods: water to clean, paper to dry.
- Holster the spray. Don’t drop it on the floor. Make sure it isn’t dripping on the seat.
- Check the floor. If you splashed, a couple of paper towels or toilet paper squares help keep it tidy for the next person.
Drying options:
- Toilet paper or pocket tissues are the easiest. Keep a pack in your bag.
- Some locals prefer a small cotton handkerchief as a sustainable backup; wash it later at your hotel.
Etiquette and unspoken rules that matter in Dubai:
- Keep the floor dry. If your spray technique gets the floor wet, wipe it quickly. Slippery floors are a hazard and considered inconsiderate.
- Don’t squat on a Western toilet seat. If there’s a squat toilet, use that for squatting. Signs sometimes show a red X over heels on seats-follow it.
- Use bins for sanitary products. Never flush pads, tampons, or wipes-even “flushable” wipes. You’ll usually find a small covered bin.
- Left-hand sensitivity: In Gulf culture, the left hand is traditionally used for personal hygiene and the right hand for eating. No one’s policing your bathroom technique, but avoid offering food or a handshake with a visibly wet or damp hand. Dry well.
- Modesty in mosque facilities: Ablution (wudu) areas are for ritual washing. Keep it respectful and don’t splash around. If you’re visiting a mosque, carry tissues; paper might not be a priority there.
- Family and accessible stalls: Dubai is good about accessibility. Use these only if you need them-parents with kids, wheelchair users, or those needing space and support bars.
What to pack so you’re never stuck:
- Pocket tissue packs (3-4 packs for a day of sightseeing).
- A small roll of travel-size toilet paper if you’re taking long road trips or staying off the main tourist grid.
- Zip pouch with a few folded paper towels-great for drying seats or floors quickly.
- Travel-size hand sanitizer and wet wipes (for hands, not for flushing).
- For periods: spare pads/tampons and a few opaque disposal bags in case a bin is missing or full.
How to avoid common mistakes:
- Don’t blast full pressure on the spray. Test it first, then use short pulses.
- Don’t assume every stall has paper. Always carry your own backup.
- Don’t flush wipes. Even if plumbing can take it, custodians hate it. The next person might be you.
- Don’t leave puddles. If you splashed, blot it quickly. You’ll earn silent gratitude.
Women-specific tips from real travel experience:
- White trousers + high-pressure spray = risky combo. Sit, lean, and use minimal water. Dry properly before standing.
- Public restroom doors in malls often open inward; give yourself a second to make sure clothes aren’t touching a damp floor.
- Pack a spare pair of underwear in a thin zip bag for long days. You won’t need it-until you do.
- During your period, expect bins in hotel and mall stalls. In smaller sites, carry a couple of scented disposal bags.
With kids:
- Stick to mall and attraction restrooms when possible. They’re cleaner and have changing tables.
- Teach a simple spray rule: one short burst, then paper to dry. You’ll save everyone’s shoes.
Scenarios, pricing, shopping words, checklist, and mini‑FAQ
Real-world scenarios you’re likely to face, solved fast:
If the stall has no paper:
- Use the bidet spray and your pocket tissues to dry. If you have wet wipes, use them on your hands after, not for flushing.
- If you’re already mid-situation, check the next stall for a dispenser-many restrooms have a shared dispenser area by the sinks too.
If the spray is super strong:
- Point into the bowl and pulse test first. Angle the nozzle close to your body before a short burst to reduce splashback.
- If it’s still too strong, moisten a wad of toilet paper with the tiniest burst of water and use that.
If the floor is wet:
- It’s often just water from cleaning or the spray-normal in Dubai. Step carefully, keep hems clear, and grab a different stall if you can.
- A couple of paper towels from your pouch help dry the spot you need.
If there’s a squat toilet only:
- Face the hooded side, plant your feet flat, heels down. Keep clothing forward and out of the splash zone.
- Use the spray or water bucket provided; dry with your tissues.
If signage says “Do not flush paper”:
- Follow the sign-use the bin. These notices are usually there for a reason specific to that building’s plumbing.
Buying paper and supplies in Dubai (2025):
- Where: Carrefour, Spinneys, Waitrose, Union Coop, and neighborhood groceries sell toilet paper, tissues, and wet wipes. Petrol station mini-marts stock pocket packs.
- Price snapshot: A 10-12 roll pack of standard toilet paper runs roughly AED 12-25 depending on brand and ply. Pocket tissue 6-packs are often AED 4-9. Travel wet wipes (10-20 count) are usually AED 4-12.
- Popular brands: Fine, Kleenex, Paseo, Softy, and plenty of store brands.
Useful words on packaging and signs:
- Toilet paper: “Toilet Paper” or “Bathroom Tissue” on English labels; in Arabic you might see “ورق الحمام” (waraq al-hammam).
- Tissues: “Tissues” or “Facial Tissues” in English; “مناديل” (manadeel) in Arabic; many people simply say “tissue.”
- Bidet spray: Often called “shattaf” (شطاف) locally.
- Bin: “Trash” or “Waste”; in Arabic, “سلة المهملات” (sallat al-muhmalat), but you’ll recognize the icon.
Cheat‑sheet: quick rules of thumb
- In hotels/malls/airport: Expect paper + spray. Still, keep a tissue pack in your pocket.
- On beaches/parks/petrol stations: Spray for sure; paper is a maybe. Bring your own.
- Flush paper unless a sign says not to. Wipes and sanitary items go in bins only.
- Test spray pressure first. Dry before you stand up.
- Leave it tidy. Wipe splashes. Close the lid before you flush if there’s a sign for it.
Mini‑FAQ
- Does Dubai use toilet paper? Yes. Most tourist-facing places stock it. Water sprays are standard everywhere.
- Can I flush toilet paper in Dubai? In modern buildings, yes. If a sign asks you to use the bin, follow it.
- Will I find toilet paper in mosques? Sometimes, but expect water as the default. Carry tissues.
- What about Dubai Metro stations? Station restrooms vary; many are clean with sprays; paper can run out. Keep pocket tissues handy.
- Is the water safe for intimate cleaning? It’s tap water. For external rinsing, it’s fine. Dry properly after.
- What if I don’t want to use the spray? Use paper only. Plenty of locals and visitors do exactly that.
- Are there diapers or period products in public bathrooms? You’ll find bins in most stalls. Products are sold widely in supermarkets and pharmacies; vending machines are uncommon.
- Any accessibility notes? Many malls and attractions have accessible stalls with support bars and lower-pressure sprays. Dubai is generally good on accessibility; ask staff if you need the nearest facility.
- Do high-end places have Japanese washlets? Some luxury hotels and private homes do, but it’s not yet the norm. Expect a handheld spray more often.
- Will I offend anyone by using paper? No. Choose the method you prefer and dispose properly.
Checklist: pack and prep for Dubai bathrooms
- Pocket tissues (always on you)
- Small roll of travel TP (for road trips or remote stops)
- Sanitizer gel or spray
- Two paper towels in a zip bag (for seats/floors)
- Disposable bags (for period products or wipe disposal)
- Optional: a spare underwear pouch for long touring days
Next steps and troubleshooting by traveler type
- Short city break (hotels and malls): You’ll be fine with pocket tissues. Expect paper almost everywhere you go. Learn the spray, but you might barely need it.
- Beach and outdoor days: Pack extra tissues, sanitizer, and a small trash bag. Facilities are decent but busier.
- Road trips and petrol stations: Bring a travel roll, tissues, wipes, and patience. Use the spray for cleaning, tissues for drying.
- Family with kids: Stick to big mall restrooms when possible. Use family rooms for changing. Teach the one-burst spray rule.
- During your period: Carry your preferred products and disposal bags. Bins are common but can be full at peak times.
- Mobility or sensory needs: Ask staff for the closest accessible restroom-malls and attractions usually have good options. Test the spray pressure gently; if it’s too strong, skip it and use paper.
One last practical tip: If you ever walk into a stall and everything’s damp, don’t panic-it’s usually just the spray, not a cleanliness red flag. Pick a drier stall or blot the area you need. Dubai’s bathroom culture blends high standards with water-based habits. Bring a little backup, respect the space, and you’ll be perfectly at home.
Dubai Escort