Bidets, the Ultimate Toilet Upgrade
You may be hearing a lot about bidets right now, and there are plenty of reasons why. They’ve come in handy for amplified cleanliness during the Covid-19 era, and they’ve also filled a gap when it comes to international toilet paper shortages. Bidets have been popular all over the world for over 300 years.
It’s taken Americans in particular a while to catch on partly due to the idea that bidets are a luxury item that isn’t accessible to everyone. However, with the wide range of products on the market these days, a bidet is something that pretty much anyone can afford. With the many perks that make bidets superior to other cleaning methods, it might be a product you can’t afford not to have.
With bidet purchases skyrocketing due to added benefits not only during Covid-19 but all the time, the United States might finally be making the plunge (pun intended) into the bidet market. You’ve been hearing all about them, but you still might be asking yourself, what exactly is a bidet? How does it work? Where can I get one?
Good news, bidets aren’t some mystical product from a faraway land. In fact, you can easily have one installed in your own home or even convert your current toilet to function like a bidet. But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s start with the basics.
What is a bidet?
Bidets can either be a totally separate bathroom fixture, almost like a small sink next to the toilet, or something that attaches to your current toilet to help you clean up after going to the bathroom. Bidets use the same water that comes out of your faucet to create a stream that rinses you off so you don’t have to wipe with toilet paper. Think of it like a shower for your bottom but without the hassle of actually having to take a full shower.
While all of this may sound strange to people who aren’t used to it, a bidet is actually cleaner than using toilet paper. The bidet’s stream gets you totally clean as opposed to just smearing a mess around, and water is much more gentle on your skin than toilet paper is. Using a bidet can also lead to less rashes, hemorrhoids and UTIs. Contrary to popular belief, wipes aren’t a better option, either. They can still seriously irritate your skin, they’re just as bad for the environment as toilet paper, if not worse, and they can pose a major threat to your plumbing. Always remember that “flushable” wipes are not actually flushable.
How do they work?
Despite their reputation, bidets aren’t just for the wealthy. They come in a range of types and prices that make them widely affordable. Cutting toilet paper out of your daily routine can also save a staggering amount of money in the long run. Americans use about 34 million rolls of toilet paper a day, and a bidet can lower that usage by as much as 80%. And, using less paper and creating less waste can make a major difference for the environment overall.
Cheaper bidet options attach to your toilet and recreate the classic bidet’s spritzing function. Bidet conversion kits are simple to install, easy to use and they get the job done. You can also purchase a bidet toilet seat that replaces your current seat and offers all of the luxury of a regular bidet.
Standalone bidets can be mechanical units that utilize the water pressure and temperature of your home’s plumbing, or electric units with motors inside that control the water. You can even opt for a smart bidet that comes with an electric seat, numerous cleaning options, colored lights–the possibilities are endless.
Where can I get one?
As the popularity of bidets grows, so does their availability. You can find multiple bidet options and conversion kits at most of your local hardware stores, as well as on countless websites online.
Lenox is proud to carry and recommend Toto toilets, a high-end Japanese brand that offers toilets and bidets that span a wide range of prices. If you decide to go with Toto, we’d be glad to help you select and install the best option for your home. If you track down another option that suits you better, no problem! Our team will install and service any bidet you’d like.
We’ve made it through a tough year, so why not treat yourself and your entire family to an affordable yet luxurious upgrade? Bidets are cleaner, less wasteful and cheaper in the long run. If you want to stick with the tried and true porcelain throne and toilet paper combo, we respect that; we just hope that you learned something from our bidet breakdown.
When it comes to bidets, our last piece of advice is this: you won’t truly know how much better they are until you give one a try. If you’re interested in upgrading your bathroom or you need something fixed, visit our Toilet Plumbing page to learn more.
