The Bathroom Habit Italians Use Every Day That Americans Find Gross

And why this cultural staple reveals a very different view of hygiene, intimacy, and what “clean” really means

Walk into a typical Italian bathroom, and you’ll likely notice something unfamiliar, even unsettling, to American eyes. It isn’t the tile work, or the absence of a bathtub, or even the bidet — although that’s part of it.

It’s the presence of a product that is both incredibly personal and incredibly normalized in Italian homes.

Something Americans rarely talk about, let alone use.

A separate bottle of soap specifically labeled for intimate hygiene.

Not antibacterial hand soap. Not body wash. A daily-use, pH-balanced sapone intimo — often floral-scented, sometimes herbal, and nearly always used without shame or discomfort.

For Americans, the idea of needing separate soap for genital washing can feel taboo, overly clinical, or even vaguely inappropriate. But in Italy, it’s just good manners.

This cultural divide over a bathroom product — and what it represents — tells a much bigger story about how Italians approach cleanliness, health, and the body itself.

Here’s why this daily habit remains common across generations in Italy, and why Americans continue to avoid it entirely.

Quick Easy Tips

When traveling, keep an open mind about local bathroom habits—it’s part of cultural immersion.

If you’re curious about trying unfamiliar products, start in a hotel or guesthouse where they are commonly provided.

Don’t judge by first impressions; what seems unusual at first may actually feel practical after a few uses.

Research before you go—knowing what to expect helps avoid surprises.

If you’re uncomfortable, adapt gradually or stick with familiar routines while respecting local customs.

One controversial aspect is the divide between cleanliness standards in Europe and the U.S. Italians, for example, often see daily use of products like the bidet as essential to hygiene, while many Americans find the idea unnecessary or even off-putting. This clash exposes how much cultural norms shape perceptions of what is “clean.”

Another debate revolves around modernity versus tradition. Some Americans assume products like the bidet are old-fashioned or inconvenient, yet in Italy they are a symbol of practicality and self-care. Critics in the U.S. argue that toilet paper alone is sufficient, while Italians counter that their approach is healthier, more sustainable, and ultimately more hygienic.

Finally, there’s an environmental dimension. Advocates note that widespread use of bidets reduces toilet paper consumption, saving trees and cutting waste. Skeptics, however, question the water usage and installation costs. This ongoing discussion shows how something as private as bathroom habits can reflect broader societal values around health, comfort, and sustainability.

1. It’s a Sign of Personal Respect — Not Shame

In the United States, conversations about hygiene “down there” are usually framed around odor, embarrassment, or hidden problems. Products are marketed in ways that suggest dysfunction — something to be fixed or corrected.

In Italy, it’s the opposite. Using sapone intimo is not about insecurity. It’s about self-respect.

Parents teach teenagers early on that washing the most sensitive parts of the body isn’t something to fear or hide. It’s an extension of grooming, like brushing your teeth or trimming your nails.

There is no shame in it. In fact, not doing it regularly might be considered unhygienic — even rude, especially in shared households.

2. It’s Gender-Neutral — Not a “Women’s Product”

In the U.S., intimate wash is typically marketed to women — often with vague messaging around “freshness” and “confidence,” usually avoiding the actual word “vagina.”

In Italy, while women are the main target audience, men’s intimate washes are also sold in most pharmacies and supermarkets.

Some are unscented. Others are infused with chamomile or sage. Many are labeled with the pH range they’re designed for, and users — male and female — actually care.

It’s a standard product. Not a niche item. And it’s used by people of all ages, without awkwardness.

3. It’s Sold Openly — Not Hidden Behind a Pharmacy Counter

Walk into an Italian supermercato or pharmacy, and you’ll see shelves of intimate soap near the shampoo and toothpaste. Brands like Chilly, Neutro Roberts, and Lactacyd are displayed just like any other personal care product.

In the U.S., these products are often relegated to a corner of the “feminine hygiene” aisle — surrounded by pads, tampons, and scented sprays that many consider problematic or outdated.

Italian packaging is different, too. It’s straightforward, clinical, even elegant. There’s little effort to make the product feel like a secret.

Because in Italy, it’s not one.

4. It’s Tied to Water-Based Cleansing — Not Wipes or Sprays

Another major difference lies in how cleanliness is achieved.

Many Americans rely on dry methods — flushable wipes, sprays, powders, or simply toilet paper. Water, when used, is part of the shower routine but not always targeted.

In Italian homes, the bidet is central. It’s used daily, if not multiple times a day. And alongside it sits the intimate soap, applied by hand with water, not wiped with a cloth or sprayed from a can.

This emphasis on rinsing — with warm water and pH-friendly soap — is what Italians consider true cleanliness. Wipes? To them, it’s like trying to clean your dishes with a napkin.

5. It’s Routine — Not a Special Treatment

Americans sometimes associate intimate cleansing with being on your period, post-workout, or recovering from an infection.

In Italy, it’s routine. Daily. As unremarkable as washing your face.

It’s not treated as something “extra.” It’s part of morning and evening rituals. Some Italians even bring small bottles with them while traveling, just as they would pack deodorant or toothbrushes.

There’s no announcement about it. No explanation. You just do it.

6. It’s Not Overpowering or Scented for the Wrong Reasons

American “feminine” products are often overloaded with floral perfumes that mask, rather than cleanse. Many gynecologists in the U.S. warn against using anything scented near sensitive areas, and with good reason — these formulas can cause irritation or throw off natural balance.

In contrast, Italian intimate washes are almost always labeled “delicate,” and many are fragrance-free or lightly herbal.

They’re formulated with lactic acid or chamomile, designed to support natural skin balance rather than overwrite it. And because the bidet includes rinsing thoroughly, there’s no lingering residue.

The goal isn’t to smell like roses. It’s to feel clean, naturally.

7. It Reflects a Broader Cultural Comfort With the Body

At the core of this daily habit is something bigger than hygiene.

It’s about how Italians relate to their bodies. There is less awkwardness, less taboo, and far less fear around nudity, grooming, or cleanliness.

From co-ed beaches to shared bathrooms in family homes, the body is not hidden or over-sanitized. It is cared for.

This comfort shows up in daily habits — like using the bidet, choosing better fabrics, or prioritizing gut health.

For Americans raised with more prudish or performance-based ideas about hygiene, the Italian model feels radical.

But it’s not. It’s just realistic.

8. It’s Generational — Passed Down Without Hesitation

Italian mothers and grandmothers openly recommend specific brands. Fathers buy it for sons without flinching. Pharmacists answer questions about it the same way they’d talk about toothpaste.

This intergenerational transfer of knowledge keeps the habit alive.

In contrast, many American teens grow up with vague warnings about “down there,” but few practical instructions on what actually helps. The silence around this part of the body often breeds confusion — or avoidance.

In Italy, kids learn early: this soap is for that purpose. And that purpose matters.

9. It’s Still Common in 2025 — Not a Fading Trend

Despite shifts toward minimalist skincare and fragrance-free trends globally, intimate soaps remain a staple in most Italian bathrooms.

They have adapted — with organic lines, vegan formulas, and dermatologically tested labels. But the habit hasn’t disappeared.

Supermarkets carry at least four or five brands. Pharmacies carry more. Online retailers in Italy offer travel-size versions, subscription boxes, and even formulations for different seasons.

It’s not a flash-in-the-pan wellness fad. It’s a long-standing tradition.

What Americans Consider “Too Much” — Italians See as Basic Care

To many American visitors, the idea of applying special soap to intimate areas daily sounds like overkill. It might even trigger concerns about over-washing or doing damage.

But for Italians, it’s the opposite.

Skipping this part of your routine would feel incomplete, even disrespectful to yourself and your household.

This isn’t about shame or performance. It’s not about “smelling fresh” for someone else. It’s not even about being visibly clean.

It’s about internal discipline. Personal respect. Quiet standards.

And that makes this one bathroom product — so often ignored or avoided in the U.S. — a surprisingly intimate look at the broader differences between Italian and American ideas of hygiene, dignity, and daily life.

Final Thoughts

Bathroom routines may seem like small details, but they reveal striking cultural contrasts. What Italians view as normal, even essential, many Americans consider strange or uncomfortable. These differences are a reminder that daily life is shaped as much by tradition as by practicality.

For travelers, confronting these habits firsthand can feel awkward, yet it also provides a window into how another culture prioritizes health and cleanliness. Instead of judging, approaching with curiosity can turn discomfort into insight.

Ultimately, the story of this bathroom product isn’t just about hygiene—it’s about perspective. By recognizing and respecting cultural differences, we open ourselves to learning not only new practices but also new ways of understanding comfort, health, and sustainability.