Last Updated on September 23, 2023 by Pro Handyman Australia – Editorial Team

Bidets, a common fixture in bathrooms worldwide, are designed to elevate personal hygiene practices. While bathroom habits often remain undiscussed due to societal taboos, understanding and embracing the benefits of bidets can transform one’s restroom experience. Bidets offer a specialized wash, emitting a focused water stream for optimal cleanliness after toilet use. By significantly reducing toilet paper consumption, they also serve as an eco-friendly solution for those pursuing sustainable living.

The Global Appeal of Bidets

If you’ve ventured beyond the United States, you’ve probably encountered a bidet, often leaving travelers puzzled or intrigued. Predominantly seen across Europe and Asia, these fixtures have been integrated seamlessly into daily routines. Japan, a country that celebrates the art of bathing, has nearly universal adoption of toilets with built-in bidets. These modern hybrids, melding tradition with innovation, are rapidly becoming a staple in luxury hotel bathrooms.

Reaping the Bidet Benefits

If the concept of a bidet feels unfamiliar or even humorous, rest assured, there’s a transformative experience awaiting. As bidets gain traction in North America, the available choices have expanded tremendously. From basic faucet-like designs providing a revitalizing touch to smart toilets equipped with lighting and deodorizers, there’s a bidet for every preference and purpose. As you contemplate enhancing your bathroom, here are six essential insights to guide your bidet purchase journey.

Holistic Benefits of Bidets

It’s often said that the true value of a bidet is best understood once you’ve experienced it firsthand. If you haven’t yet indulged in this luxury, here are compelling reasons to consider:

• Bidets offer an unparalleled fresh and clean sensation, a feeling that mere toilet paper cannot achieve.
• By ensuring thorough cleanliness, bidets promote better health and hygiene.
• Over time, you can realize substantial savings by reducing your toilet paper expenses.
• Embracing bidets is an eco-conscious move, significantly reducing paper consumption.
• With a bidet in place, the likelihood of toilet clogs diminishes, potentially sparing you plumbing woes and associated expenses.

Investing in a Bidet: Cost Considerations

Think of a bidet as an investment, akin to procuring essential household appliances like washing machines or dishwashers. Especially for larger households with frequent usage, durability and resilience should be priorities. Fortunately, the market offers a spectrum of bidet options tailored to fit varied budgets. At the affordable end, there are handheld sprayers that come with the added advantage of hassle-free installation. Premium models, while promising opulence, may require the expertise of a plumber for installation. Yet, for those adept at home improvements, installing a bidet can be a manageable DIY project, further saving on plumbing expenses.

The Environmental Benefits of Bidets

Bidets have found favor among environmentally-aware individuals, primarily because they contribute significantly to conserving trees. This is achieved by reducing the demand and excessive consumption of toilet paper. Beyond just paper conservation, bidets play a pivotal role in water savings. The water utilized in the production of toilet paper is considerable, and that’s not accounting for the copious amounts many people use during showers for cleaning, an activity which a bidet can accomplish more efficiently and thoroughly. Investing in a bidet can be a step towards a more sustainable and environmentally-responsible lifestyle.

Exploring the World of Bidets

Standalone Bidets: A Glimpse of Tradition

The standalone bidet, commonly spotted during travels across Europe and Asia, is the archetype of bidets and dates back centuries. Characterized as separate units distinct from the toilet bowl, they can either sit adjacent to the toilet or be wall-mounted in the manner of urinals. The contemporary standalone variants, fashioned from ceramic, often come equipped with advanced features like water temperature adjustments, self-cleaning capabilities, and heated seating.

Portable Bidets: Convenience on the Go

Suited for frequent travelers, the portable bidet, also referred to as the travel bidet or bidet bottle, offers a compact design. Resembling a water bottle, it has an elongated nozzle that facilitates effective spraying. The simplicity lies in filling it with water and guiding the nozzle to the desired area for cleaning.

Spray or Handheld Bidets: Flexibility at its Best

Primarily comprising a hose tethered to the toilet’s plumbing with a sprayer at its terminal end, the spray bidet provides users with considerable flexibility in water direction. It incorporates mechanisms for water pressure regulation, making it especially user-friendly. This type is particularly advantageous for individuals with mobility constraints or the elderly, promoting autonomy during bathroom use. Advanced models even offer dual feeds for easy toggling between warm and cold water streams.

Built-in or Toilet Seat Bidets: An All-in-One Solution

Merging the functionality of a toilet seat and a bidet, built-in or combo toilets simplify the decision-making process. They incorporate angled spray jets to ensure a thorough clean after restroom use. The modern-day versions are not just functional but also luxurious, boasting amenities such as warm air drying, adjustable water pressure, heated seating, and even musical features to enhance the user experience. However, their dependence on electricity might be a consideration for potential buyers.

Bidet Attachments: Efficacy on a Budget

If budget constraints are paramount but the desire for the rudimentary bidet experience persists, bidet attachments offer a practical solution. Designed to snugly fit beneath the toilet seats of pre-existing bowls, they might not possess the advanced attributes like temperature modulation found in upscale models. Nonetheless, they are cost-effective and echo the primary advantages intrinsic to the conventional bidet.

Things to Consider before buying a Bidet

Space Considerations for Bidets

It’s essential to acknowledge that while bidets aren’t overly bulky, they do demand a certain amount of space in the bathroom. A bidet could slightly increase your bathroom’s spatial footprint. If you’re pressed for space, you might want to consider more space-saving options like bidet seats equipped with remote or touchless controls, or even handheld models. Should you lean towards using a bidet attachment, always prioritize size and fit.

Selecting the Right Bidet Shape

Paying attention to the shape of your toilet is crucial when choosing a bidet. Bidets typically come in two main designs – elongated or round. To determine which you need, you can visually assess your toilet, but it’s always a good practice to take precise measurements. When measuring from the front edge to the back mounting hole, round models usually range from 16.6 to 17.75 inches, while the elongated models span between 18 and 19.5 inches.

Maintaining and Cleaning Your Bidet

Fortuitously, bidets are not labor-intensive when it comes to cleaning. A simple routine of wiping them down with a moist cloth and your preferred cleaning agent should suffice. If you’re leveraging the advantages of an electronic bidet, you might find the self-cleaning feature for the spray nozzle particularly useful. Nonetheless, periodic thorough cleaning of the nozzle, perhaps with a mild solution and an old toothbrush, remains essential. Given that the bidet is intertwined with the toilet system, always be vigilant about checking hoses and connections for any leakages. For added peace of mind, investing in water leak detectors can keep you promptly informed of any unexpected leaks.

Conclusion

The age-old debate on whether to embrace the bidet in one’s bathroom is now, more than ever, leaning towards a unanimous ‘yes.’ As we’ve explored, the bidet is not merely a fancy bathroom fixture reserved for lavish hotels or European escapades. It’s an ingenious, eco-friendly solution that promises both personal and environmental benefits.

From a hygiene perspective, bidets offer an unparalleled cleanliness level that traditional toilet paper cannot match. Their precise water streams ensure thorough cleansing, promoting better skin health and reducing potential irritations. For those who prioritize personal hygiene, the bidet is undeniably a game-changer.

Environmentally, with concerns over deforestation and water conservation reaching fever pitch, the bidet stands as a beacon of sustainability. Its potential to drastically reduce our dependence on toilet paper means fewer trees felled for production and less water wasted in the paper manufacturing process. Moreover, the reduction in water usage for post-toilet showers further underscores the bidet’s green credentials.

Financially, while the initial investment might seem steep, in the long run, a bidet could result in significant savings. Cutting back on toilet paper purchases and plumbing issues, combined with the longevity of most bidet models, means the bidet can, over time, pay for itself.

However, like any purchase, the decision to buy a bidet is personal. What works for one household might not for another. But with the compelling benefits laid out – from heightened hygiene to environmental conservation and long-term savings – the scales seem to tip heavily in favor of this bathroom innovation.

So, should you invest in a bidet? If you value a blend of personal cleanliness, eco-conscious living, and long-term savings, the answer seems crystal clear.