The bidet has been a conversation topic in the bathroom design industry for a few years now. In the United States, it is fairly uncommon to find a bidet in the average bathroom design. However, they have been seen in more and more bathrooms in the past few years. Why is that? Design professionals and even the average homeowner has been discussing whether or not it is time to make the switch to bidets. This guide will discuss the benefits of using a bidet, and why Americans are starting to make the switch.
Why is the Bidet Becoming More Popular?
Bidets have been quite common and popular in European countries for quite some time at this point. Dating back to The 18th century, you can find bidets in various different bathrooms both residential and commercial. However, bidets have slowly been making their way into the United States in the past few years. Although they have been resisted by Americans for a while, many Americans are starting to realize the benefits of a bidet and why it can be included in a personal bathroom design. There are a few reasons as to why bidets are becoming more popular in the United states, many of them having to do with cleanliness in terms of both personal and environmental impact.
Environmental Impact of Using Toilet Paper
One of the main reasons as to why many Americans are switching over to a bidet, is the environmental impact that toilet paper has. As climate change and deforestation become more of a concern for the average American, many have become more conscious about their contribution to these issues. By using less toilet paper, the demand for it will drop, and deforestation will become slightly less of an issue. By switching to a bidet, less toilet paper will be used and the average person will feel more comfortable with the impact they are having on conservation, no matter how small.
In addition to the concern about the environment, there are a few other reasons as to why people are being more open to the use of a bidet. The main reason is the use of flushable wipes. In recent years flushable wipes have been an issue in terms of clogging toilets and creating problems in and outside of the home. This is something that many people have noticed and are trying to actively stop in order to prevent any more problems in this regard.
Bidets for Personal Hygiene
Of course, one of the major reasons as to why Americans are moving more towards bidets, is due to personal hygiene and cleanliness. After the covid-19 pandemic, people around the world have become more conscious about the importance of cleanliness and how it relates to health. In addition to that, toilet paper shortages have also made Americans more aware of how they should allocate resources in terms of hygienic products. Because bidets are becoming more accessible and affordable, this was an easy choice for many Americans to make. Again, they are still relatively uncommon, but rising in popularity fairly quickly.
How Many American Households Have Bidets?
The bidet is still relatively uncommon in the United states, but it is becoming more and more popular by the year. A recent study suggests that about 12% of Americans have regular access to a bidet. Although this number is still relatively small, it is still surprisingly large considering that the average American has still never even used a bidet once in their life. In recent years, bidets have become more and more accessible and very easy to find. In addition to that, bidets are becoming more affordable over time and easy to install as well.
Origin of the Bidet
The bidet originated in France in the 1600s. They remained fairly common in European countries for the next several centuries, up until the modern day. It is thought to have escaped the Americas, due to American soldiers during World War II abroad seeing a bidet for the first time in Europe and associating it with debauchery. This negative association with the bidet prevented America from adopting the bidet for quite a while.
Bidet Technology Over the Years
The original bidet looked much different from the bidet you will see in a bathroom today. The original design of the bidet resembled a small tub like fixture that was located next to the toilet. The user of the bidet would straddle themselves on the tub, in order to wash themselves more effectively. It was typically made of wood and wicker, with leather being involved sometimes. Because water usually had to be hauled around for bathroom use, this made the bidet much more attractive, especially for higher class individuals.
About a century later, technology was introduced which allowed bidets to manually pump water with a handle instead of doing it directly with your hands. This was pretty innovative at the time, as indoor plumbing was still not very common at all, even for the higher class individuals. As indoor plumbing became more common in the 1800s, plumbed bidets became much more common as well. This is true not only for noble or higher class people, but for the common person as well. Bidets would soon reach across Europe, Asia and even Latin America.
Introduction of the Modern Bidet to America
The modern bidet has been slowly making its way into America over the past decade or two. The American resistance to the bidet was fueled by a few things. The first is the success of the wet wipe. In the early 2000s, wet wipes were introduced as an alternative to toilet paper, in order to prevent deforestation and limit the amount of toilet paper usage among the average American. The wet wipe industry exploded into a multi-billion dollar industry that really nobody saw coming. However, these wet wipes created massive problems with our sewer systems, making people more aware of the problems they cause and why using them might be doing more harm than good.
This finally encouraged people to start considering the implementation of a bidet in their personal bathroom. However, Americans weren't fully convinced of a whole entire bidet Incorporated in their bathroom design. This encouraged some companies to come out with small attachments that could attach to the inside of a toilet instead of a whole entire bidet itself. These attachments are relatively affordable and very easy to install by the average person. Many people in the industry believe that these small attachments are the middle step between toilet paper and the full incorporation of a bidet.
The Bidet in Current Day America
As previously mentioned, the bidet is still relatively uncommon in American households, sitting at about 12%. However, with the introduction of the small attachments that perform similar functions as a bidet, it seems that America is moving closer and closer to implementing the full day fixture into their bathrooms. The modern bidet looks very similar to a toilet, with a few key differences that separate the two. a bidet will look similar to a toilet, but the function is different. A bidet will have backwash and front wash features that spray a gentle stream of water upwards. Many bidets will also give you an option to adjust the water pressure and temperature as well. Some bidets will also have oscillation features as well.
Modern bidets will also have a drying feature, essentially eliminating the use of any type of toilet paper or cloth. Of course, if you need either one of these it is recommended that you do so, most of this being personal preference. Depending on the specific bidet in question, it can also have a heated seat, soft closing lid or a variety of other amazing features. Again, you'll be hard pressed to find a bidet in the average American bathroom, but these attractive features and the effectiveness of the bidet as a whole are becoming much more popular among the average American citizen.
How Much Does a Bidet Generally Cost?
The cost of a bidet can vary widely based on several factors. Basic bidet attachments that can be added to existing toilets tend to be more budget friendly, with prices ranging from around $30 to $150. These attachments provide features like water pressure adjustments and simple cleansing options. On the other hand, standalone bidet fixtures, which require separate plumbing and installation, can range from $300 to $1000 or more. These bidets often offer a wider range of features, such as heated seats, customizable spray patterns, and air drying functions. High-end electronic bidet seats with advanced features like remote controls, warm water, and heated air can start from $400 and go upwards of $1500 or more.
It's important to consider the long-term benefits when evaluating the price of a bidet. While the upfront cost might be higher compared to traditional toilet paper, bidets are more environmentally friendly and can lead to significant savings in the long run due to reduced paper usage. Additionally, bidets can provide enhanced cleanliness and personal hygiene, which can have both health and comfort benefits. When budgeting for a bidet, it's crucial to research the options available, evaluate the features that align with your needs, and consider the potential cost savings over time.
Additional Benefits of Bidets
There are several different benefits of bidets that should absolutely factor into the shift towards including them in the modern American bathroom. First and foremost, a bidet will absolutely reduce waste significantly. it will help conserve water as well as eliminate the need for as much toilet paper that is currently used with toilets today. Another main factor that plays into this, is the significant reduction in the amount of money being spent for energy costs, water bills and similar financial factors. On top of that, bidets will also help you save time. All of these are incredibly important to factor into the inclusion of a bidet in your home.
Final Thoughts
Bidets are inevitably going to make their way into America as a main bathroom fixture, both commercially and residential. With all of the benefits offered by bidets, it is hard to imagine they will stay in the current state they are in globally.