The skepticism surrounding the bidet and its functioning is bizarre at best. America is one of few countries around the world that continues to use toilet paper in the place of a bidet or health faucet.
Along with the toilet paper, they bring a whole lot of skepticism to the table. Questions regarding the bidet’s sanitation are commonplace. But, the most curious question still remains – does the poop get everywhere?
The simple answer is no; the poop does not splash around everywhere. It is a misconception that the bidet sprays water in a manner that leaves water and fecal matter all over one’s backside and bathroom floor.
What else about the bidet is a complete myth? Let’s find out!
Are They Unsanitary?
As mentioned, the bidet does not splatter fecal matter everywhere. On the contrary, it directly (more efficiently) dislodges any trace of poop from the anus without getting it everywhere.
The question of the bidet being unsanitary is usually pulled up when comparing it to toilet paper. But, the arguments against this train of thought are well-established.
When attempting to get poop off your foot, you don’t use toilet paper. Instead, you use water and soap to get the dirty feeling off.
It’s a similar concept to poop and water. When wiped off with tissue paper, there could possibly be certain chunks left behind or spread across the anus. It is easy to clean away the anus and remove any trace of fecal matter with a bidet!
Through sheer logic, it should be impossible for bidets to be unsanitary. With free-flowing water and self-cleaning mechanisms, its toilet paper that brings up the uncomfortable questions first,
Advantages of a Bidet
Instead of appealing verbally, the best way to showcase the bidet’s argument is to see it in action. But, what are the advantages you’re going to see?
Better Hygiene
As mentioned earlier, the running water in a bidet makes it easier to clean and leaves behind no fecal matter. The same goes for pee or any other bodily function. It simply washes away the evidence. They don’t spray the poop everywhere!
It’s not only about the fecal matter; it is easier for menstruating women to let the sensitive spray clean the area for them. Since there are options for temperature, a warm spray can make the ache go down.
Pregnant women who can barely reach their areas will benefit from a bidet. It can reach places their hands aren’t able to at the moment.
Convenience
Bidets are extremely convenient fixtures in your bathroom. Once you’re done, you could either switch to the second smaller bidet or use the spray (automated or health faucet) to clean up. It is often automatic and has a motion sensor to prevent your clothes from getting drenched.
People that are in ill health appreciate the automatic cleaner. Their limited mobility may not allow for tissue paper to be sufficient as a cleaner.
The same goes for pregnant women, just having given birth and otherwise injured. A bidet is a lot more useful than a wet wipe. Using wipes with potentially harmful chemicals to clean up is inviting a UTI.
Anal Health
A bidet is very useful if you have a problem such as hemorrhoids, sores, fissures, or other gastrointestinal problems. They prevent the anus from getting too sore from the rough texture of the tissue paper and soothe any other pains that might have cropped up.
Despite being the receptacle for bodily function, the anus is still very sensitive and requires just as much care as any other sensitive part of your body. Rough tissue paper and friction can cause tears, sores, blisters, and more.
Such issues are bound to get more complicated as infections of the tiny cut on the anus are more likely not to heal quickly.
Environmentally Friendly
With a bidet, you only use a token amount of tissue paper to dry up. Considering the whopping 36.5 billion rolls of tissue paper Americans use a year, it is good to switch to a bidet.
While it seems odd that a bidet is more environmentally friendly than a bunch of tissue paper, you need to remember that the tissue paper you use daily to wipe up fecal matter comes from trees.
Toilet rolls take a lot of money, water, electricity, and space to create. The packaging alone could kill the planet slowly and mercilessly. So, do what’s best for the environment and toss your toilet paper out the window!
They are Not Complicated
Bidets come in many shapes and sizes – built-in, handheld, motion sensing, separate, etc. None of these versions requires elaborate plumbing experience to install in a home. It uses the same standard outlets that your shower or tap might’ve been.
Depending on what you prefer, you can quickly and easily get a bidet involved and working. It’s the living without it that’s hard.
Pamper-Time
High-end or hi-tech bidets come with a lot of different functions and abilities. If it’s a cold day, you can warm up the toilet seats and opt for a warm splash of water instead. Afterwards, it’ll gently blow warm air while you relax.
Some even have a musical function. If you don’t like bodily sounds during defecation, you can activate the music that drowns out the noise.
Who wouldn’t want to be pampered like that?
How Do They Work?
While the true working of the bidet is a bit complicated, here’s a simple version. The wand that sticks out shoots out a thin but highly pressurized stream of what at an angle. When it hits at that angle, all the fecal matter and sensitivity get dealt with and end up straight in the bowl.
If the stream isn’t hitting the spot it needs to, you can either adjust your position slightly or adjust the wand itself! On the good bidets, the water pressure is also adjustable!
The wand of a bidet is automatically self-cleaning. Despite its many claims that it is self-cleaning, it’s also best to scrub it along with the rest of the toilet. But there will never be any poop on the wand.
Related Questions
1. Why are they not used in the USA?
Bidets are widely used in some form or the other all over the world. Japan, India, France, and many other countries across Europe switched to the bidet a long time ago. But, by the time the bidet returned to America, it was too late.
People assumed much the same as those today. It was perceived as dirty and useless. When attempts were made to bring it back into American society, the public held onto their toilet paper usage culture and gave up the bidet entirely.
Today, American society is too used to the concept of toilet paper. So, bidets are fascinating but not a permanent change. Many didn’t grow up with a bidet after all!
So, it boils down to habit. Americans are used to using toilet paper, and they don’t want the fancy bidet.
2. Is the water fresh every time?
Bidets are all about keeping you clean and hygienic, so the water that sprays from the wand is fresh every time. Much like the sink, there’s not a single time the was isn’t clean. Despite the seemingly excessive water usage, bidets are still more environmentally friendly.
3. Are bidets dangerous?
For the most part, bidets are completely safe – not just for the environment. However, if the pressure is too much, a bidet can hurt the sensitive skin of the anus. Since it does clean such a sensitive area – bidet cause infections are causes of worry!
Apart from the truly awful stinging, the fecal matter can quickly infect the wound in such a sensitive area, so be careful when adjusting the pressure based on the recommendation of your body.
4. Does the fan dry you off?
The little fan that goes off in the end to air you out after being cleaned is perhaps the greatest feeling ever. A slightly warm wave of air keeps your private parts nice and comfortable but does not do much in the way of drying you out.
Since the fan doesn’t dry you off, you’ll need to use the slightest amount of toilet paper to be able to slip into your clothes. But, the amount of toilet paper required is so little compared to the regular amount – you’ll be saving money and the environment!
See Also: 6 Best Bidets With Dryer
5. What if I stand up while it’s spraying?
While it’s recommended that you remain seated until the bidet is done, sometimes you might just have to get up before it can be done. In those cases, the best bidets will simply stop spraying. Most come equipped with motion sensors, so they immediately stop the water.
Even if they didn’t, the spray of the wand isn’t high enough to warrant clothes getting wet. It would simply fall back into the toilet bowl without anything to clean.
6. How long does it take?
The length of the spray depends entirely on how you adjust it. Some bidets spray for 60 whole seconds as that’s what owners like. But, you could just increase the water pressure and go for half the time!
See Also:
Toto Washlet A100 Review – Read This First!
How Long Does A Bidet Last?
Can Bidets Be Shared? Read This First!
5 Best Bidet For Heavy Person
