Why a bidet is better than toilet paper

One of the most real and unforgettable events during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic was the nationwide toilet paper shortage.

When lockdown measures came into effect in March 2020 and citizens were told to stock up on essential supplies, many immediately headed to the nearest supermarket to stock up on toilet paper, leading to massive shortages that lasted for months. But others decided to do the smart thing instead. They bought a bidet.

In a CNN article:¹ James Lin, founder of bidetking.com, a website that sells different types of bidets and accessories, says selling out of all bidets during the pandemic has helped his business grow exponentially. And sales are growing by at least 20% to 30% every year, meaning awareness of this convenient bathroom appliance is growing.

Origin of the bidet – an 18th century invention

A bidet works by sending a small stream of water around a stream to wash away feces left after defecation. Although the exact origins of the bidet are still debated among historians, many believe that the original creators of the device were French.²

The name “bidet” (pronounced “bee-day”) means “pony” in French and was coined in a French publication in 1710. This indicates the straddling position required when using the basic design of this bathroom setup, as if mounting a pony. The first bidets were artisan pottery or porcelain bowls supported by wooden legs.

Interestingly, bidets were more commonly used by the nobility. In addition to the toilet, there is usually a bidet as a separate piece of furniture.³ According to many bidet blogs:⁴

“Wealthy French aristocrats washed themselves after business in porcelain bowls with beautiful inlays and paintings on ornate mahogany chairs.

This was one of the first times in history that a bathroom was nicely designed. Until then, even the world’s wealthiest kings and queens still had to use traditional stone or wood-carved latrines and were lucky if they had a little extra water for plumbing.”

Napoleon Bonaparte even brought his own bidet whenever he traveled. Because it was made of silver rather than porcelain, the silver acts as a natural antibacterial agent, making it clean and hygienic.⁵

Today, bidet design has come a long way. There are still traditional free-standing units, but modern versions can now be attached directly to the toilet. Some are inexpensive, simple handheld sprays that you can point the nozzle at the area you want to clean. Other, more sophisticated, fully automated varieties boast features such as motion-sensing lids, automatic flushing, adjustable water pressure and/or temperature, and odor-neutralizing features.

But while bidets are all the rage in many European countries, most Americans have yet to catch on. Nonetheless, there is progress on this front as many American adults, especially younger generations, show increasing interest in these cleaning devices.

Americans are ‘ignorant but curious’ about bidets

2022 Survey⁶ The Bio Bidet commission from bidet and accessories manufacturer Bemis found that Americans are now becoming more interested in bidets, despite not knowing much about them. A survey of over 1,000 respondents found that only 12% were familiar with bidets, and 71% had never used one. Nonetheless, they noted:⁷

• 60% said they would rather buy a bidet than a non-fungible token (NFT).
• 45% have recently conducted research about different bidet options.
• 44% agree that a bidet is a “stylish and luxurious” addition to their bathroom.
• 60% do not use public toilets to poop. 41% want bidets installed in more public restrooms.

Younger age groups are also more likely to associate bidets with wealth and cleanliness, while older age groups say bidets are “normal.” Younger Americans were also more likely to use or own a bidet. James Amburgey, Business Development Director at Bio Bidet by Bemis, said:

“Bidets are a great hygiene and environmental solution. That’s why we’re so passionate about bidets. This survey shows that even though Americans may not know much about bidets, their association with them is positive, especially among younger generations. “I point out.”⁸

Using a bidet can help you feel clean and refreshed.

But why are bidets so good? Think of it this way. If you accidentally step on dog poop, would you wipe the soles of your shoes with toilet paper? Or do you wash it to make sure all poop residue is removed? We have no doubt that you will be happy with the second option.

A bidet works the same way. Rather than simply wiping the buttocks with paper, a gentle yet strong stream of water is applied to remove any remaining excrement. This is much different than using dry, rough-textured toilet paper, which can scratch your skin’s more sensitive areas (where your skin is more sensitive), especially if used aggressively. Let’s comment on the HuffPost article:⁹ Health and wellness expert Dr Farhan Malik says:

“Spraying water directly after using the bathroom removes residual feces more effectively than using toilet paper alone. This helps prevent skin irritation and inflammation in the genital area. A gentle, focused spray of water can prevent over-wiping or It also reduces pulling, which can cause discomfort.”

In some parts of Europe, it is customary to keep a “bidet towel” in your home bathroom. Basically, it is a washable, reusable towel that is only used to dry the body after washing with a bidet. They are usually hung next to the bidet (away from the handkerchiefs, of course), so there is virtually no need to use toilet paper.

“Bidet users frequently report feelings of improved hygiene and cleanliness. Overall, bidet users emphasize feeling refreshed and energized after using the device.” Malik says:¹⁰

Using a bidet also reduces the risk of getting feces on your hands. In a 2022 study¹¹ Results conducted by Japanese researchers showed that the number of microorganisms transferred to hands after defecation was significantly lower when wiping with a bidet than when wiping with toilet paper. According to research:

“Microbial contamination on hands after defecation is estimated to have a significant impact on the spread of intestinal infections such as norovirus gastroenteritis, hepatitis A, salmonella infection, Clostridioides difficile-related infection, and enterohemorrhagic E. coli infection.

For example, cases have occurred when food handlers who were infected or asymptomatically infected with norovirus did not sufficiently wash or disinfect their hands after using the restroom and then handled food. In most cases, outbreaks of group diarrhea are often caused by contamination of hands.

Based on a basic understanding of how pathogens are transmitted through the fecal-oral route, maintaining hand hygiene after defecation was considered to be of utmost importance, and preventing fecal contamination of hands after defecation was also considered important. As much as possible.

In this study, using a bidet toilet proved to be effective in reducing microbial contamination of fingers after defecation. “We provide evidence that bidet toilets are effective in preventing the spread of enteric infections.”¹²

Toilet paper is not sanitary or eco-friendly.

Did you know that humanity uses 42 million tons, or 184 billion rolls, of toilet paper every year? To produce this amount, 712 million trees are cut down, 1.165 billion tons of water and 78 million tons of oil are used.¹³ This means that forests are destroyed, millions of animals lose their homes, and we produce products that are literally flushed down the toilet.

Additionally, toilet paper is bleached to give it a “hygienic” appearance. Paper made from trees is generally brown and turns yellow over time. To prevent this, the paper industry uses chlorine and chlorine dioxide in toilet paper bleach.

As a result, carcinogenic chemicals such as furans and dioxins are produced. Whenever these substances are flushed down the toilet, they end up contaminating not only our waterways, but also our soil, air, and food supply. According to a fact sheet from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):¹⁴

“Dioxins and furans can cause a variety of health effects. The best known of the dioxin/furan family are 2,3,7,8 TCDD, which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified as a possible People exposed to and furan experienced changes in hormone levels.

Large amounts of dioxin caused a skin disease called chloracne. Animal studies have shown that animals exposed to dioxins and furans experience changes in their hormonal systems, changes in fetal development, reduced fertility, and immune system suppression.”

‘Forever chemicals’ are hidden in toilet paper

Perfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS) and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS) are endocrine-disrupting chemicals widely used in manufacturing processes. Also known as “forever chemicals,” these products are used in commercial applications for their stain-resistant, water- and oil-resistant properties.

However, PFAS have been linked to a variety of adverse health effects, including hormonal and metabolic disorders. It has also been found to interfere with fertility, growth, and development in young children.¹⁵ PFAS are now ubiquitous, so it’s no surprise that toilet paper also contains these toxic chemicals.

2023 study¹⁶ We looked at how toilet paper use contributes to PFAS in wastewater. Researchers analyzed toilet paper and wastewater sludge for 34 types of PFAS and found six types in the toilet paper samples. These include:

“In both toilet paper and wastewater sludge, 6:2 fluorotelomeric phosphate diester (6:2 diPAP) was the most widely detected PFAS, and toilet paper use was estimated to contribute 6.4 to 80 μg/person/year of 6:2 diPAP. “Our results for wastewater-water systems suggest that toilet paper should be considered a potential major source of PFAS entering wastewater treatment systems.” the researchers said.¹⁷

Recently, Mamavation also conducted a report on PFAS contamination in toilet paper. They tested different brands for PFAS and found traces of these persistent chemicals in four out of 17 products. You can learn more about the report in this article.

Bidet provides excellent cleaning and comfort.

Although bidets are clearly a way to pursue a more hygienic and environmentally friendly bathroom routine, many people still have trouble adopting this habit. One reason is that you are worried about water splashing on the floor. Water may splash on the floor or clothes, creating a mess.

But this is a basic problem with an easy solution. You only need to make minor adjustments to your bidet device to avoid confusion. This is not a problem as long as you also follow proper bathroom etiquette.

However, these minor drawbacks are nothing when you consider the long-term benefits you can get from a bidet. Plus, the money you save on toilet paper can quickly pay for itself by using a bidet. You can rest assured that you will help reduce pollution while saving valuable environmental resources.

“Often, bidet sales spread through word of mouth. When one person switches to a new method of bathroom hygiene, friends and family want to join the club. And many of those customers are not just temporary, they are often established.” CNN notes.¹⁸