If your travels have ever taken you to Europe, you might have noticed that bathrooms in countries like Italy and Portugal are more often than not equipped with an additional fixture. Typically located next to the toilet, bidets are a common sight in many parts of the world. If you’ve never used one, you’re probably wondering whether it’s worth all the hype. The short answer is: yes. However, if you’re curious about the long answer and all the perks that adding a bidet to your bathroom can have, read on.
Boosted hygiene
The most straightforward benefit of installing bidets is improving your hygiene. Probably no one would argue that toilet paper is not exactly the most effective way to clean ourselves. The residue it leaves behind not only makes you feel dirty but can even pose the risk of UTIs. Using the clean water of a bidet will, on the other hand, make you feel like you’ve taken a shower: you’ll not only feel clean but be clean. In addition, with a bidet, your hands will remain free of contamination, as well. While you should naturally wash your hands after using the toilet, it can still help prevent the spread of bacteria.
A new level of comfort
We live in the 21st century, so why should you feel uncomfortable and dirty after using the toilet when there’s a solution to it? As we said, the use of a bidet will elevate your hygiene. Better hygiene will quite simply make you feel better. Using a gentle stream of water to clean yourself instead of rubbing your sensitive areas with the harsh surface of toilet paper also sounds like a much more pleasant experience. But the benefit of comfort may prove even more essential if you’re struggling with hemorrhoids or any other condition that causes you great pains. It will also mean a lot when you have diarrhea, and frequent cleaning with toilet paper becomes not only uncomfortable but also wasteful.
Better for the environment
Today, we cannot disregard the environmental implications of our living spaces and everyday habits. Disposable products may be convenient for us to use, but they are unsustainable in the long run. Switching the multitude of rolls of toilet paper your family uses every week to this simple device removes a lot of wastefulness from the equation. The fact of the matter is that the amount of water your bidet will use doesn’t compare to the amount of water involved in toilet paper production, so eco-conscious individuals might want to give bidets some serious thought.
Essential for those with limited mobility
While for some people, a bidet is a nice perk to have, for others, it can be a life-changing bathroom addition. To those for whom reaching back can prove to be a problem, such as the elderly, pregnant, and those with limited mobility, a bidet addition will not only increase their hygiene but will also improve their sense of independence. If you believe that your life quality could be improved by such an addition, but you’re reluctant to start a bathroom renovation or have no space for a new fixture, you’ll be delighted to find out that today, bidets also come in “compact” form. Instead of installing a whole new fixture, you can opt for bidet toilet seats and leverage this handy addition even in a small bathroom.
Cheaper in the long term
We already mentioned that a bidet will cut down on your toilet paper use. That is not only great news for the environment but your wallet as well. Toilet paper might not look like your biggest household expense, but rest assured, it adds up. According to statistics, you will spend thousands of dollars on this commodity over your lifetime. With wood pulp shortage continuing to be a worldwide problem, prices are only expected to increase. Needless to say, investing in a bidet will save you money in the long term, even with the added water use.
The importance of correct use
Even despite the advantages, you may have your doubts about using this fixture for a variety of reasons. Some people are wondering just how hygienic the use of such a fixture can be, while others don’t find the idea of exposing their sensitive areas to the hot water of the nozzle appealing. Picking a modern bidet for your household—and using it correctly—will remove some of these concerns from the equation. With smart temperature control, you won’t be scalding yourself. Make sure the water pressure is never too high so as not to cause damage to your bottom. As for the dangers of contracting diseases through the pathogens that may reside in a bidet; those concerns mostly relate to public fixtures. As long as you know how to use your bidet correctly and regularly clean and maintain it, you will be fine. Most bidets are equipped with a self-cleaning function, too.
Purchasing a bidet is a small price to pay for better personal hygiene and improved life quality. You’ll wonder how you ever got by without it once you start using it.
