Is A Bidet Right For You? What To Consider Before You Buy

The layout of bathrooms can vary significantly, but compared to sinks, showers and toilets themselves, bidets are strangely either a must-have part of your bathroom or not even considered, with little overlap in between.

Thanks to the development of bidet toilet seats and electronic bidets more broadly, this is beginning to change somewhat, and many homeowners who may not have thought a bidet was right for them now have a lot of options that at least make it worth considering.

To know if a bidet is right for you, here is a brief guide to their positives, negatives, why they are a must-have in some places and not others, and what else you need to consider before planning an installation.

 

What Is A Bidet?

A bidet is an alternative to toilet paper, where you clean yourself using a jet of water either built into the toilet itself, attached to the toilet seat or as part of a standalone bowl unit.

Bidets have existed in one form or another for centuries, and have become a notoriously regional part of bathrooms. Some people swear by their hygiene and health benefits whilst others remain unconvinced.

It is worth seeing both sides here, as well as why they may be a must-have for some people and less desirable for others.

 

What Are The Biggest Positives Of Using A Bidet?

Effectiveness, efficient usage of water and improved comfort can make bidets essential, and most people who try and get used to one very quickly wonder how they ever did without it.

Here are some of the biggest reasons why.

 

More Hygienic Cleaning

The biggest reason to choose a bidet is that it is simply a better option than using toilet paper, the most common alternative.

Aside from the fact that you do not need to touch body waste with your hands, bidets also do a better job of reducing the spread of germs that emerge from it.

Often you can feel the benefits after you use it. People often feel fresher after using a bidet compared to toilet paper.

 

Environmentally Friendly

Toilet paper is inherently very wasteful, and whilst water is needed to run a bidet, it is a significantly lower amount than that used to manufacture toilet rolls.

A single roll takes up to 37 gallons of water to produce, according to Scientific American, and the process of flushing it can cause major issues for sewage systems.

 

More Independent

Because you do not need to move your hand to wipe, a bidet can help if you have accessibility needs that often require alterations to your personal care.

 

Are There Any Downsides to Using A Bidet?

• Higher initial cost, as the bidet technology tends to require additional installation and adjustment from professionals.
• Not every bathroom plumbing system will initially support a bidet, requiring additional adjustments.
• Bidets need to be cleaned regularly in order to avoid potential hygiene issues.
• They are initially quite difficult to use and feel quite unusual, although both aspects change very quickly.