Why You Should Buy a Bidet

In the United States, bidets are rarely used and often considered luxury amenities, although they are standard in other parts of the world. They can conserve toilet paper and gallons of water by replacing frequent showering. Bidets are used for post-toilet personal hygiene as an add-on toilet appliance or a stand-alone fixture equipped with a water stream for personal cleaning after toileting.

Green Advantages

According to the eco-conscious community, bidets help conserve trees by reducing the manufacture and overuse of toilet paper. Bidets can also save countless gallons of water used while showering when only a bidet may be necessary at times.

Bidets are a common sight in bathrooms throughout Europe and Asia. In Japan, where bathing is a revered ritual, nearly every home boasts a toilet with a built-in bidet, a modern hybrid that's become a must-have amenity in many luxury hotel bathrooms.

Types of Bidets

While the numerous advantages of a bidet may sound appealing, installing an additional standalone fixture in your bathroom may be out of the question. Fortunately, some options don't require a complete remodel, including "smart toilets" with built-in bidet functions. You'll also find several high-quality seats and handheld attachments on the market that provide add-on bidet functions to an existing toilet.

1. Toilets With Integrated Bidets

   Many high-tech or smart toilets incorporate a bidet attachment function and pampering features such as built-in deodorizers, sensor-activated lid openers, and hands-free automatic flushers.
   

2. Bidet Seats

   Easy to install and simple to use, a bidet seat instantly converts your toilet into a high-tech throne. With electronic models, the touch of a button extends a small nozzle beneath you that sprays a comfortable stream of warm, aerated water. When you’re done, the nozzle automatically cleans itself before retracting back into its sleeve. 

   Many models also have heated seats and air dryers, while some boast energy-efficient tankless water heating systems. Several eco-conscious, non-electric bidet seats are also available. These require only water pressure to operate and tend to be less expensive than their electric and battery-operated counterparts.
   

3. Bidet Attachments

   Bidet attachments are affordable, easy-to-install products mounted to the underside of an existing toilet seat and require no batteries or electricity. They connect to your toilet's fresh water supply line and feature front, rear, and nozzle cleaning modes. However, do keep in mind that the water isn't heated.
   

4. Handheld Bidets

   Similar in price to bidet attachments, these models resemble handheld shower sprays. They can be installed on virtually any toilet with an external water supply.
   

5. Standalone Bidet

   Standalone bidets are the original bidets and resemble porcelain toilets but do not have a lid or reservoir. They are typically placed next to toilets. Most feature water jets controlled by knobs for pressure and water temperature. These are a costlier option and require a larger bathroom footprint for installation.