Pros & Cons of Bidets
With the toilet paper crisis of 2020, many people have chosen to invest in bidets for their homes. These toilet accessories are popular in Europe as well as in various countries throughout Asia and South America. In the United States, we’ve been slow to follow this trend. It wasn’t until COVID-19 that people in the US started to give the hygienic tool any serious consideration. Check out the trends for yourself!
As you can see, popularity rose pretty quickly. It’s safe to say that panic over the coronavirus pandemic started to set in early March 2020. Shelves were bare, and people were running out of toilet paper. Other than toilet paper, there really aren’t any safe options for wiping. If you can’t wipe, then the logical next best option is a bidet.
What Exactly is a Bidet
A bidet is a toilet-like bowl or system of washing your nether regions after going to the bathroom. By washing away the excrement, it reduces your need to use toilet paper. Simply wash away and pat dry with a towel.
Now, there are multiple types of bidets.
Standalone Bidets
This bidet is separate from the actual toilet. Traditionally, there isn’t a toilet seat, but you can choose to face towards or away from the faucet. You can also adjust the temperature of the water.
Modern Bidets
This bidet is a compact version that includes the bidet feature with the toilet. After going to the bathroom, you simply have to press a button. Water will then come out from underneath the backend of the toilet seat to spray your area. Modern bidet toilets have a variety of features, including water temperature adjustment and pressure controls. While you can get a modern bidet that comes with your toilet, there are bidets you can add onto your toilet as an accessory if it didn’t originally come with one.
Bidet Showers
A bidet shower has a hose and spray handle that you maneuver to clean yourself. Typically, these come as add-on accessories for your toilet.
Now that you understand what exactly a bidet is, the various types, and how they work, we can talk about the pros and cons.
Pros of Bidets
- Saves trees—Did you know that 36.5 billion rolls of toilet paper go to waste in the US every year?
- Improves Hygiene, and you’ll feel super clean.
- Helps avoid irritation for people with sensitive skin.
- Less toilet clogs.
- Usually comes with warranties.
Cons of Bidets
- Standalone bidets take up more bathroom space.
- May require minor renovations to install.
- Risk wetting your clothes (if you’re not careful!)
- Can be tricky for first-time users to operate.
- Uneven nozzles may lead to infections in females.
In the Pros list, we mentioned how bidets can save trees. This is true, but only if you’re patting yourself dry correctly. Many people still use toilet paper to dry below the belt. By doing so, they’re still adding to the extensive amount of toilet paper that goes to waste. If you choose to install a bidet and are concerned about environmental impact, we suggest using small cloth towels. Have a stack of these towelettes nearby so they’re accessible as well as a laundry basket with a lid where they can be put after being used. This way, towels won’t be used more than once and personal hygiene can be properly maintained.
Think You’re Ready for a Bidet?
At Shamrock Plumbing, we’re always here to support your needs. Should you decide to install a bidet and need any plumbing adjustments or standalone bidet installation help, we are here for you. Simply give us a call at 801-505-9505