A lota is a small handheld water vessel used to wash yourself after using the toilet. It looks similar to a teapot or watering can, with a spout that lets you pour water with one hand while cleaning with the other. Millions of people across South Asia, the Middle East, and beyond use one daily, and the technique is straightforward once you know the basics.
What You Need Before You Start
A lota can be made of plastic, metal, or even clay. Early versions were terracotta, and traditional ones are often copper or brass. Plastic lotas are the most common today because they’re cheap, lightweight, and easy to keep by the toilet. Any vessel with a spout that lets you control the flow of water will work.
Fill your lota with clean water at a comfortable lukewarm temperature before you sit down. Water above 120°F can scald sensitive skin, so if you’re filling from a hot tap, test it on your wrist first. Most people simply fill from the bathroom sink or a nearby tap. Having the lota ready and within arm’s reach saves you from awkward maneuvering mid-process.
Step-by-Step Technique
After you’ve finished on the toilet, stay seated. Pick up the lota with your right hand and reach behind you. Tilt the spout so water pours gently over the area you need to clean. Your left hand does the actual washing. This division of labor, right hand for pouring and left hand for cleaning, is a deeply rooted cultural and religious practice. In Islamic tradition and across South Asian cultures, the right hand is kept clean for eating and greeting, while the left hand handles personal hygiene.
Pour water continuously while you wash. A steady stream is more effective at removing residue than splashing water on and off. Use your fingers to gently rub the area clean, letting the flowing water carry everything away. You don’t need to use a lot of pressure. The combination of water and light friction does the work.
Start from front to back. If you need to clean both the front and back, wash the front area first, then move to the back. This order keeps your hand cleaner for longer and reduces the chance of spreading bacteria forward, which is especially important for women.
Keep pouring and washing until the area feels clean and the water runs clear. For most people, one full lota of water is enough, but there’s no harm in refilling if you need to. The goal is simple: no residue, no odor.
Drying Off and Washing Your Hands
Once you’re done, pat the area dry with toilet paper or a dedicated towel. Some people use a small amount of toilet paper first to remove excess water, then let things air-dry. Either approach works. The key is not to leave the skin damp, as prolonged moisture can cause irritation.
Wash your left hand thoroughly with soap and water afterward. Then wash both hands as you normally would. This step isn’t optional. Water alone cleans the body well, but your hands need soap to remove any bacteria picked up during the process.
Controlling the Mess
The biggest concern for first-time users is splashing water everywhere. A few adjustments make this much easier. Tilt the lota slowly so the water flows in a controlled stream rather than a sudden pour. Position the spout close to your body rather than holding it far away. Sitting slightly forward on the seat gives your hand more room to work behind you and keeps the water flowing into the bowl rather than onto the floor.
If you find you’re consistently getting water on the seat or floor, try using less water per pour and making more passes. You can also keep a small towel nearby to wipe up any drips. After a few days of practice, most people develop a feel for the angle and flow rate that works for them.
How a Lota Compares to Other Options
A lota does the same job as a handheld bidet sprayer (sometimes called a “bum gun”) but without any plumbing. Bidet sprayers attach to your toilet’s water supply and deliver a pressurized stream, which some people prefer for its force and convenience. The trade-off is installation. In some countries, connecting a sprayer to domestic water mains in a regulation-compliant way can be complicated or require a plumber.
A lota needs no installation at all. You fill it, you use it, you rinse it out. Portable squeeze-bottle bidets offer a similar no-plumbing option, and some people prefer them because you can fill them with warm water and control the pressure by squeezing. But a traditional lota with a spout gives you a more natural, gravity-fed flow that’s easier to control with one hand.
Compared to toilet paper alone, washing with water is significantly more effective at removing bacteria and residue. Many people who switch to water-based cleaning find it more comfortable, especially if they deal with irritation, hemorrhoids, or sensitive skin. Using a lota doesn’t mean you have to give up toilet paper entirely. A common approach is to use a small amount of paper for the initial wipe, then follow up with water for a thorough clean.
Keeping Your Lota Clean
Rinse the lota inside and out after each use. Once a week, wash it with soap or a mild disinfectant. Plastic lotas can develop a film over time if not cleaned regularly, so if yours starts to look cloudy, scrub the interior with a bottle brush. Copper and brass lotas naturally resist bacterial growth better than plastic, which is one reason traditional materials remain popular. If you notice any cracks or rough spots inside a plastic lota, replace it, as bacteria can collect in damaged surfaces.
Store the lota upside down or on its side so water drains out completely between uses. A lota that sits with stagnant water in it between bathroom trips is a breeding ground for bacteria you don’t want near sensitive skin.