Why You Should Consider a Bidet

A bidet is a specialized bathroom fixture found in many countries outside the United States. This water-jet device gained popularity in American homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, due to widespread toilet paper shortages. However, even after the toilet paper supply chain stabilized, many new bidet users did not return to using only toilet paper.

As more people discover the benefits of bidets and easy-to-install bidet attachments become more widely available, they are becoming more common in bathrooms across the country. Given that bidets offer many benefits in terms of hygiene, environment, and cost, it seems that the bidet trend is here to stay.

Health and hygiene benefits

Bidets offer many health and hygiene benefits beyond simply reducing toilet paper usage. The gentle water spray not only cleans genital areas more effectively, but is also particularly beneficial for those with sensitive skin who cannot use toilet paper due to discomfort or rashes. Additionally, bidets can help those with specific health conditions such as hemorrhoids, post-surgery recovery, and mobility issues. A clinical trial found that regular bidet use also improved the quality of life of adults with impaired functional status.

Environmental benefits

Switching to a bidet could contribute to a more sustainable approach to personal hygiene. The primary environmental benefit of using a bidet is reduced toilet paper consumption. The average American uses more than 140 rolls of toilet paper per year, four times the global average. Reducing toilet paper usage has several secondary benefits. First, using less toilet paper reduces the need for virgin softwood pulp and reduces the waste generated in toilet paper production. Most toilet paper rolls are made from virgin softwood pulp, primarily harvested from forests in the southeastern United States and the Canadian boreal forest. Approximately 68 million trees are cut down each year to produce paper products in the United States, including toilet paper. Additionally, making toilet paper from virgin pulp uses nearly twice as much water as recycling paper. It also produces twice as many harmful air pollutants.

Bidets use only water for cleaning. Wastewater from bidets is treated the same way as standard toilet wastewater in municipal sewer systems or septic tanks. Reducing toilet paper use also reduces the burden on waste management systems.

It’s also important to consider your area’s water supply: if you live in an area that experiences drought or water restrictions, a bidet may be less sensible.

Cost savings

Bidets also save money, primarily by reducing toilet paper usage. As of June 2022, the average cost per unit of toilet paper was $8.91. Unit sizes can vary. Some toilet papers come in packs of four, and larger packs, like the ones you can get at Costco or Amazon, come in 30-roll units. A 30-count unit of Amazon Basics 2-ply toilet paper costs $23.95. That’s about 80 cents per roll. That may not sound like much, but if the average American uses 140 rolls, that price adds up to $112 per year. That expense increases for larger households. Using a bidet can significantly reduce or even eliminate the need for toilet paper. Additionally, bidets can save on plumbing costs by reducing the risk of clogs and other costly repairs. Although an initial investment is required to purchase a bidet or attachment, the cost is comparable to that of a standard toilet.

How do bidets work?

A bidet is designed to clean the genital area with a gentle stream of water. There are different types of bidets, from stand-alone units to attachments that can be connected to an existing toilet. Both types have a nozzle that extends to spray water while the user sits or straddles the unit to clean the genital area. Some bidets have adjustable water pressure and temperature settings.

Do bidets really eliminate the need for toilet paper?

While bidets significantly reduce toilet paper usage, they don’t necessarily eliminate it for everyone. Some may prefer to use a small amount of paper to dry themselves.

Can I install a bidet seat without a plumber?

Yes, there are bidet seats and attachments designed for DIY installation, so you can usually install one without hiring a professional plumber.

Do bidet seats require electricity?

While some bidet seats require electricity to operate additional features like water heating, others are purely mechanical and do not require electricity.

Ready to give bidets a try? Here’s a quick rundown of our favorite bidets: