Bidets in America-Is a bidet in your future?

By Jennifer

It should be. And here is why.

While not as commonplace in the USA as in other countries, the bidet in America is seeing a rise in popularity. This handy plumbing device (pronounced bih-DAY) makes sense to average American households looking for a fresh new take on personal hygiene and a way to cut down on, if not eliminate, the use of toilet paper. In the near future, you may find a bidet in your bathroom. Why? Because more and more people are choosing to use them!

Bidets offer a number of benefits over traditional toilets. They're more sanitary, for one thing. And they can save you money on toilet paper in the long run.

So if you're looking for a way to upgrade your bathroom, consider installing a bidet. You might be surprised at how much you like it!

Many Americans are adding bidets to their bathrooms.

In recently built homes in America, there is a greater appearance of built-in traditional bidet toilets--however, bidet fixtures can also be attached to existing plumbing to serve the same purpose.

These attachments can be quickly and easily added to your traditional toilet, transforming it into a bidet. The combination of your standard toilet and an easy-to-install bidet hose and sprayer revolutionizes a simple trip to the toilet into a shower to wash your private parts.

Bidets are slowly becoming more popular in North American cultures now. The main reason for this shift is because people are now understanding the benefits of using a bidet. These benefits include a decrease in the common cold, fewer cases of urinary tract infections, and increased hygiene.

LESS toilet paper!

Remember the toilet paper shortages of 2020? Remember the panic buying and the subsequent run on toilet paper. Stores were running out of stock, and people are scrambling to find any roll they could... There's no need to stockpile toilet paper with a bidet!In addition to offering greater coverage than toilet paper, it is also far gentler on the nether regions and is especially comfortable for anyone suffering from hemorrhoids or fissures who seek a gentle cleansing. Proponents believe a bidet in your bathroom provides a superior cleaning experience compared to toilet paper.

Mobility issues?

For those with mobility issues such as arthritis, using a bidet offers an ease in washing. If one has difficulties reaching to wipe, the bidet makes gaining access to and cleaning those hard-to-reach areas so much easier as there's less wrist action involved. Not to mention the fact that warm water spray feels so much better for tushy washing than to wipe dry paper. Just position yourself over the stream of water and let it do its job!

That Cleaner Feeling!

There are many factors to consider when thinking through a bidet purchase for your bathroom and an important point is that a bidet prevents the spread of bacteria and germs that can happen when using toilet paper. Certainly, it is easier on the hands as you only have to use the bidet attachment and not all that messy toilet paper or wet wipes.

Unlike a toilet, which uses water to flush waste away, a bidet uses a stream of water to cleanse the area. Many people believe that bidets are more hygienic than toilets, as they provide a more thorough cleaning. Some studies have even shown that they can help to reduce the risk of UTIs.

They also reduce the risk of clogging the toilet bowl with toilet paper thus lessening the possibility of expensive plumbing emergencies or unpleasant struggles with a plunger.

The Bidet Boom!

There are many more features and reasons that most Americans would love a bidet, including:

Bidets are environmentally friendly: Toilet paper manufacturing requires trees, chemicals, and lots of water and energy. A bidet is a paperless toilet that uses less water and zero trees.

Saving money: The average household spends hundreds of dollars on toilet paper each year, so a bidet could improve your bottom line over the long term even after the upfront investment.

Gentle on plumbing: bidets are considerably easier on your pipes and septic tanks because there is much less toilet paper clogging up the system. A septic tank is a key component of a home's wastewater management system. The tank collects and stores wastewater from toilets, showers, and sinks. As the wastewater decomposes, it forms a layer of sludge at the bottom of the tank. When this sludge isn't properly removed, it can eventually clog the tank and cause serious problems. One way to help prevent septic tank problems is to use a bidet. Bidets are easy on septic tanks because they use very little water. Most models use less than 1 gallon of water per flush, compared to the 3-5 gallons used by a typical toilet. In addition, they don't require the use of harsh chemicals or cleaners.

Types of bidets

Handheld bidet sprayer

This is a versatile solution that can fit your existing toilet. Most models include a valve that controls the water pressure, as well as a regulator to control the amount of water released. Many handheld bidet sprayers also have a pause button, which allows you to temporarily stop the flow of water. This can be helpful when you need to move the sprayer around or when you want to conserve water. Handheld sprayers are an alternative to traditional toilet paper and can be used by people of all ages and genders.

Travel bidet

A travel bidet is a small, portable device that can be used to clean yourself after using the toilet. Because they do not require water or electricity, travel bidets can be used anywhere. Most of these consist of a bottle or container filled with sterile water, as well as a nozzle or sprayer for directing the water.

Bidet seat/toilet seat bidet

Bidet seats are becoming a very popular solution that can replace your current toilet seat. You simply must have an electrical outlet nearby and the bidet seat connects with your water supply. Fun fact: about 76% of Japanese households have bidet seats! The American Bidet Company was one of the first to seek a patent on this device by combing the seat with a spritzing function.

Bidet attachments

This is a bidet solution that will fit between your toilet seat and toilet. There is a wide range of prices from the exclusive Toto brand to more inexpensive models such as The Tushy.

Stand Alone Bidets

This bidet is a bathroom fixture that is separate from your toilet. They are becoming a rising trend in bathrooms around the world these days. Many models are available--some even come with a heated seat!

Toilets With Built-In Bidet

Also called "cleansing toilets", these are becoming more and more popular around the world.

Women and bidets?

A bidet can actually provide several benefits for vaginal health--and health is the most important thing!

The spray of a bidet is a pleasant way to clean up during your period and provides a healthier alternative to wet wipes, which often contain ingredients that can be irritating to sensitive skin. A bidet is also a convenient way to clean out a menstrual cup.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common issue for people of all ages, but they are especially common in women. In fact, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases estimates that 50-60% of women will experience a UTI at some point in their lifetime. While there are a number of ways to treat UTIs, one of the best preventive measures is to use a bidet. When used properly, bidets can help to cleanse and freshen the area around the urethra, which helps to reduce the risk of bacteria entering the urinary tract. In addition, they can also help to reduce irritation and inflammation in the genital area, which can further reduce the likelihood of developing a UTI. Most women are taught to urinate after sex to prevent a UTI, and a bidet comes in handy in this instance, too, providing a quick cleanup after sex without the need to take a shower or a bath.
For many women, pregnancy is a time of great joy and excitement. However, it can also be a time of discomfort and inconvenience. One common pregnancy-related issue is managing personal hygiene, particularly during the later stages of pregnancy when the belly is large and unwieldy. In such cases, a bidet can be an extremely helpful tool. By using a stream of water to cleanse the area, a bidet can provide a much more thorough and gentle cleaning than toilet paper alone. Additionally, they can help to reduce pregnancy-related constipation by stimulating bowel movements. Often appearing during pregnancy, hemorrhoids can be soothed with the use of a bidet. For all these reasons, bidets can be an invaluable asset for pregnant women.
The calming water of a bidet is especially needed after giving birth, making a potentially painful bathroom experience much more comfortable in the first few weeks after labor. Akin to a sitz bath, the water pressure from your bidet seat can soothe after the pain of delivery.
Some new parents even use a bidet to clean their babies’ cloth diapers, giving them easy access for washing right over the toilet--so much more sanitary with a bidet than a sink!
When your little ones are ready for potty training, helping them wash off with a bidet sprayer can be much easier than struggling with paper.

History of the bidet

The word bidet actually means "pony" or "small horse" in French, as using a bidet is similar to straddling a pony. They first appeared in France in the 1600s/1700s as a washing basin for your private parts. It was considered a second step after the chamber pot and both items were kept in the bedroom. But using water for washing has been around long before that...

The Middle East, South Asia, and other regions of the world had been using small vessels of water long before bidets appeared.

The invention of indoor plumbing in the 19th century led to the use of toilets and bidets among the upper class only. Bidets started to become popular in Northern Europe, Western Europe, Latin America, and South Korea.

In places like Japan, almost every home has a bidet and you can also find them in hotels and public facilities there. Toto, a Japanese company, has made some of its bidets electric! In fact, Toto of Japan was the first company to combine a toilet and a bidet which also dries after washing. Some even have seat warmers!

In some countries like Japan and Italy where bidets are practically in every home, it would seem almost barbaric to not have a bidet in your bathroom!

Some unusual facts about bidets

The first time Americans encountered bidets was during World War ii when American soldiers saw them in French brothels! Unfortunately, they developed something of a stigma at that time what with the association with sex work. Bidets in the bathroom were even regarded as almost a symbol of sin at one point as they were thought to be used as a form of birth control.

Bidets are often thought of as a luxury, but they can actually be quite beneficial for the environment. For one thing, they can help to save water. According to Scientific American, manufacturing one roll of toilet paper requires 37 gallons of water and some bidets, by comparison, use one-eighth of a gallon per flush. A typical toilet uses about 1.6 gallons of water per flush, while a bidet only uses about ½ gallon. This can add up to significant savings over time, especially if multiple people are using the bidet. In addition, they can help to reduce the amount of toilet paper that is used. There's also a lot of chlorine used in the making of toilet paper which is a huge stress on the environment. Finally, bidets are generally made from ceramic or porcelain, which is both environmentally friendly materials. For all these reasons, bidets can be a great addition to your home.

Never going back

Many Americans who have used bidets have enthusiastically adopted their new lifestyle of bidet cleansing and will not go back to toilet paper or wet wipes because overall, in addition to the sanitary and environmental benefits, it really just feels better! Refreshing and pleasant and good for the environment. This combination is a win-win!

Editors note: if you do not have the means to have your plumbing updated, think about this excellent option: easily install a bidet to your current commode. See the Purrfectzone Solution for more information.

TRY PURRFECTZONE BIDET!

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