I never thought I would be someone to say, “I own a bidet.” NEVER. I always thought they were unappealing, even if I never used one.
When I visited Japan, all public bathrooms had bidets attached to their toilets. I must warn you: This post will either be TMI, gross to some, or both. I mean, I will literally be talking bloody hell and shit here. After all, I’m discussing bidet pros and cons here.
Anyway, back to my trip to Japan. Like I said, all the public toilets had a bidet attached. I never wanted to use one because, in my mind, the thought of someone else’s fecal debris or residue accidentally getting splashed back onto the nozzle that sprays out “clean water” disgusted me. Warned you this would be a shitty post, and I’m not even done yet.
However, however!!! Please keep reading; it will get cleaner, I promise!! I kept coming across an ad for a bidet. Curious, I clicked on it and noticed I could purchase a bidet with an FSA card, a flexible spending account card (through work as a health benefit).
This I have, and I consistently deposit money from my paycheck biweekly, tax-free (if you’d like to read more about how I’m saving money and on taxes, click here to read my blog post). Although the title of this card says flexible, my work has it where I need to spend my balance by July. If I don’t, I lose that money. Unfortunately, it does not roll over. That’s how my company works. I don’t know how it is for other companies.
I thought, “Wow, that’s cool that I can purchase a bidet with my FSA card.” Still, I wasn’t interested.
It wasn’t until I got my period. I would get heavy periods (later, finding out I had a benign tumor the size of a lime on my right ovary). There was a point I wore period panties, a cup, and a pad all at once, and still leaked through.
After I removed my right ovary, I stopped wearing tampons or cups. I only feel comfortable wearing pads now. Needless to say, it gets messy. Sometimes, I wish I had a sprayer like I initially intended to install on my toilet.
It must have been in the winter. I remember thinking, “How could I get warm water if I installed a sprayer?” I thought about the bidet again. When I returned to check the one I saw on Instagram, the bidet was sold out! That’s when I knew I had to have it. So I waited…and every time I got my period, I wanted a bidet even more.
Now, hear me out. I have a bathroom in my room, so the thought of using a bidet doesn’t gross me out as much anymore. I don’t share my bathroom with my kids unless, obviously, they can use my toilet.
This post will be all about bidet pros and cons.
All right, so let’s get right into it and talk Bidet Pros and Cons:
Pros
Eco-Friendly
I used to use wet wipes. However, I stopped because I would forget not to flush them down the toilet.
This is where things get TMI again. I would first clean with regular toilet tissue and then finish with wet wipes. After that, I’d discard the wipes in my waste basket (if I remembered).
Eventually, I started to forget and dispose of everything in my toilet, which caused it to clog. I paid a plumber to snake my toilet, but eventually, I bought my own snake because I kept forgetting.
Having a bidet has eliminated my use of wet wipes because, although they say they’re flushable, they’re not. Most plumbing professionals would agree that they’re not flushable.
I found that a bidet also cleans much nicer than wipes, too.
Menstrual Hygiene
As I mentioned above, I used to get heavy periods. I found that having a bidet that offers a “front” wash feature helped me feel cleaner throughout the day. A quick wash during bathroom breaks also helps me feel refreshed.
Alternative to Showers After
As you know, I liked using wet wipes. However, my preference would be to take a shower afterward. Since that isn’t always a choice, having a bidet helps me feel clean again, close to a shower. This is a definite plus in my book.
Reduced Toilet Paper Use
I didn’t think about this, but I use less toilet tissue after getting my bidet. My fear of clogging the toilet again has been eliminated.
I also know I’m not dependent on toilet tissue, which is nice, because remember the pandemic when people were bulk buying toilet tissue and there was a scarcity?
Helps with Constipation
I think it helped me with constipation. This will get gross again, but sometimes when the spray is at the right angle and pressure, it helps me get my constipation moving. I found that out by surprise. Now, if I’m feeling a little constipated, I will sit on my bidet and position the nozzle and pressure in a way that will help me get started. Gross…I know, but no one will talk about these things, so how would anyone know?
Cons
Learning Curve
There is a learning curve to using a bidet—well, for me at least. Like I said, I learned by accident that the right pressure and angle can help with constipation.
Maintenance
Bidets do require regular upkeep and cleaning. Unfortunately, there are a lot more crevices and surfaces to clean. Surface-level cleaning is pretty straightforward. However, deep cleaning will involve detaching parts to do more thorough cleaning beneath the surface.
Some Bidets Require Electricity
When I decided to purchase a bidet, I wanted one with everything. Everything meant a warm seat and warm water. Wanting features of warmth meant it needed electricity. Thankfully, my bathroom is super small, with just a toilet and sink. I connected my bidet with an extension cord to an outlet by my sink.
Initial Cost
Getting a bidet can be pretty pricey. The most inexpensive one can run around $250, but I’ve seen some over $1000!
Installation Effort
You will need to either get it installed or install it yourself. It does take a little plumbing. I was able to install mine in less than 30 minutes. Some people, I’ve read, could install theirs in 15 minutes. You will need to either have it installed or install it yourself. The installation does require some plumbing work. I completed mine in less than 30 minutes, and I’ve read that some people can do it in as little as 15 minutes. I had difficulty positioning the seat correctly; I still believe it needs adjustment.
Additionally, I had to redo the plumbing since I didn’t set it up correctly the first time. I also needed to purchase an extension cord from a hardware store. I chose one designed for small appliances and suitable for outdoor use.
Now that I’ve discussed bidet pros and cons, if you’re still interested, here’s what to consider when purchasing a bidet:
Oscillating Spray
I love this feature and didn’t even know it was an option until I read the manual (always read the manual that comes with it).
Dryer
Because my bidet is electric (plugs into an outlet), I can dry myself with the built-in dryer and adjust the temperature.
Seat Warmer
Again, because mine is electric, it’s nice to have my seat warm when using it.
Warm Water
The electric bidet provides all of the warm features. Honestly, I don’t know how to remove these features if I wanted to.
Self-Cleaning: I don’t know if this is because mine is electric, but my bidet sprays itself after each use.
Adjustable Angles: I’m able to change the nozzle at different angles, which is super helpful
Adjustable Water Pressure: This is super helpful because I am able to adjust the water pressure.
Remote Control
My bidet comes with a remote, which I also find helpful because I installed it on the wall for easier access, instead of looking down at the side of the toilet seat, like some bidets.
Lid Opening/Closing
I have a soft-close lid. It doesn’t close independently, but I can gently nudge it to close without a loud slam of the lid. Some bidets offer automatic lid opening and closing.
Type of Toilet: Round versus Elongated
I have a round toilet. Generally speaking, a round toilet is shorter and looks, well… round. Whereas an elongated toilet looks oval. I think most people have round toilets, as those sizes get sold out the most. Check the dimensions of both your toilet and the bidet you’re thinking of purchasing to make sure they fit.
Personalized Settings for Shared Bidets
I’ve read that some bidets offer personalized settings if you share your bidet with others. If that’s the case, this would be a great feature.
I don’t want to suggest the brand I purchased because the water and seat’s heat isn’t consistent, the nozzle’s positioning is off, and the remote doesn’t work consistently. I think it was a nice beginner bidet, but I would have chosen a more reputable brand that has been in the business for a while, like Toto.
Below are some electric and non-electric options that may best suit your needs. I’ve also included some handheld sprayers in case you’re still not sold on an actual bidet.
There you have it, my list of bidet pros and cons.
As always, thanks for reading.
Love, Sutivi.
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