Would You Use a Bidet?

By Linda Merrill, Networx

Most Americans have only seen a bidet (derived from the French word for pony) in hotel rooms in Europe and other parts of the world. Likely as not, most of those travelers did not actually give it a “test ride.” It’s not clear why the bidet isn’t as popular in America or Britain as it is in other parts of the world; however, many high-end hotels do install bidets for the comfort of their international guests.

Pro-bidet communities feel it’s the ultimate in cleanliness and sanitation and foe-bidet forces believe it to be less sanitary than the standard use of toilet paper.

Interestingly, it’s the environment that is bringing the bidet into more common usage, and the use is apparently growing. According to Treehugger.com, “We use 36.5 billions rolls of toilet paper in the U.S. each year, this represents at least 15 million trees pulped. This also involves 473,587,500,000 gallons of water to produce the paper and 253,000 tons of chlorine for bleaching purposes. The manufacturing process requires about 17.3 terawatts of electricity annually. Also, there is the energy and materials involved in packaging and transporting the toilet paper to households across the country.”

One might ask if the extra water used by a bidet is environmentally worthwhile, however, the numbers above seem to answer that question. It appears to be an ecologically-sound bathroom renovation choice.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Marie R.

9:20AM PDT on Jul 8, 2011

I lived in Europe for many years and used a bidet all the time. It was fantastic, and I wish I had one now. I'm amazed about the comment that it was "nasty"! It's WATER, and is much cleaner than using toilet paper.

send a green star

Emily D.

8:41PM PDT on Jul 6, 2011

i would totally use one but i never have

Prochi T.

12:42PM PDT on Jul 6, 2011

Yes

Jeramie D.

9:18AM PDT on Jul 6, 2011

My Toto toilet is also a bidet and I love it so much. Plus, I love the heated seat. Once you have the help of water to keep clean, it is hard to go back. Children have used my toilets and loved them. Boys usually go tell their parents. Funny.

Michele W.

9:59AM PDT on Jun 26, 2011

Thank you

Sydney P.

7:55PM PDT on Jun 22, 2011

Nasty! I would never...

Sandra W.

9:37AM PDT on Jun 19, 2011

I love the bidet that is incorporated into the toilet seat :)

Melissa B.

11:41AM PDT on Jun 16, 2011

Kate B.