Bidets are relatively new in the world of bathroom appliances in Australia. They are the newest sensation when it comes to bathroom upgrades. It has been a European norm for quite some time now.

However, people have started to understand the benefits of using them, and many Australians are already shifting to bidet systems for their bathrooms. Many existing users have claimed that using a bidet leaves a clean and fresh feeling in their buttock regions compared to using toilet paper. This is a priceless feeling as many people tend to suffer silently if things do not go well with toilet paper. Read about the advantages of using a bidet further down in this content.

What is a bidet used for?

The main use of bidets is to wash the inner buttock regions, the perineum, the genitalia, and the anus. This is an effective alternative to manually cleaning your backside with tissue paper or similar materials. Certain bidets contain a powerful, focused jet of water that uses pressure to clean these parts. Most other variants are similar to traditional wash basins where you can clean other parts of your body along with the buttocks.

Bidets can be used under any circumstances. However, certain situations are more suited to their use than others. For instance, during the times when things are messy down there, even multiple tissue papers might not be enough. Yes, you can wipe the whole area, but that does not necessarily get rid of the filth — especially the smell. Bidets will introduce much-needed water in those regions and properly clean them.

On top of that, bidets greatly benefit women going through menstruation. The same goes for pregnant women. Wiping the buttocks can get uncomfortable if not risky… for them during such times. In fact, the baby can be affected by this physical pressure. Bidets solve this problem completely and are the ideal choice for women experiencing such circumstances.

What are the advantages of using a bidet?

There are multiple advantages of using a bidet. Ranging from health reasons to ease of use, bidets outperform some of its core competitors. Below is a list of benefits that make bidets superior in the concept of bum-cleaning.

Bidets are significantly more hygienic

There simply is no comparison between bidets and toilet paper when it comes to hygiene. Think for yourself: how would basic wiping ever be enough to completely rid your anus of germs? It is not logical. Using water and soap is absolutely mandatory to kill the germs and keep the area healthy. In fact, studies have found that the bacteria count in your urine is kept within safe limits if you are a continuous bidet user. Hygiene issues should never be taken lightly. Thus, bidets are the way to go.

Bidets limit the spread of germs

Using toilet paper means you are literally in touch with your fecal matter. While this is nothing new, there are ways to avoid this, with bidets being the ideal choice. These appliances ensure there is a gap between the fingers and the anus, which makes it extremely difficult and unlikely for any bacteria to move onto the hand. This reduces the risk of germs spreading to other parts of your body.

Bidets decrease the chance of getting haemorrhoids

Haemorrhoids, also known as piles, are swollen veins that form on the interior lining of the rectum and anus. The low water pressure from bidets can potentially help these painful regions expand and provide relief. Blood circulation is increased in those regions if warm water is used. This is a great preventive measure for future haemorrhoids. In fact, people suffering from chronic anal passage disorders are bound to use bidets, simply because of the mechanism of water flow.

Bidets are environmentally friendly

Toilet paper causes significant harm to the environment in a number of ways. Modern manufacturing processes involve the use of chlorine by-products that cause water and air pollution. Other chemicals are used to wash the paper and make them into soft pieces of tissue. These chemicals do not benefit the environment in any way. On top of that, deforestation is a key concern as all of this paper has a single source: trees. Opting for a bidet basically means you are not actively spending on deforestation.

Bidets raise the standards of your bathroom experience

Bidets can enhance your experience in the bathroom. Many Australian medicals have started to adopt bidets in their general washrooms due to their cleanliness and aesthetics. The very fact that a bathroom offers the chance to wash your buttocks on a bidet is admirable and is perceived as a touch of class.

Bidets are cost-efficient

While using bidets does not necessarily implicate the end of toilet paper, it does decrease their use significantly. If you start saving on toilet paper, you are bound to accumulate a hefty amount by the end of the year. Sounds illogical? We urge you to try it out. Just do a rough estimation of your yearly toilet paper expenses. We believe it will surely be higher than the average cost of a bidet. Furthermore, toilet paper is always in high demand, making it almost impossible to purchase some during trying times, like during the pandemic or after a tropical storm. Get a bidet and stop worrying about these challenging circumstances for good.

Bidets reduce the cost of plumbing repairs

Using a bidet means you would not be flushing toilet paper every time you go to the bathroom. This reduces the chances of the toilet getting clogged. Imagine the discomfort when the water level starts to rise instead of dropping after you hit the flush. Clogged toilets do that and create an almighty mess in the process. Expensive plumbing repairs usually follow. Bidets negate the use of toilet paper altogether. This way, there is almost zero possibility of your toilet getting clogged any time soon.

Types of bidets

There are six different types of bidets that are in mass use these days. There are no standard shapes for these appliances, so do not be surprised if you come across a fancy one. Chances are it will fall into one of the categories mentioned below.

#1 Standalone bidets

Standalone bidets, as the name suggests, are separate bathroom appliances that are self-contained and used independently. Historically, these were the very first variants to have been introduced to the public. Although they look like toilets, they are not. You only use them after finishing on the toilet. There is no automated cleaning mechanism involved in standalone bidets. They basically represent a basin of water where you can submerge your buttocks and manually wipe them clean.

Most bathrooms featuring standalone bidets have them placed right beside the toilet. There are two variants available in general: wall mount and floor mount. The latter takes up more space compared to the former. Furthermore, these bidets need to be installed while the overall plumbing works of the washroom are being done, most especially when the toilet is being installed. A single unit costs between $250 to $750.

#2 Portable travel bidets

Although portable bidets sound strange and quite disgusting, that is not the case by any means. Portable or travel bidets are small bottles or containers that store water. These devices come with a nozzle that can spray the fluid sharply into a particular point. They can not control or sustain the water’s temperature, but you can add warm water manually when needed.

Portable bidets come in two variants as well: electric and non-electric. The former are usually battery-operated and can spurt the water out on their own, unlike the latter. In either case, the benefits are worthwhile if you are on the go. Travelers form a large part of the portable bidet’s customer base. Their prices range between $10 to $50.

#3 Handheld bidet sprayers

The prime difference between handheld bidet sprayers and travel bidets is portability. You can not detach the handheld sprayers and take them with you on your travels. They are connected to the plumbing line but not to the interior of the toilet seat. You will find them as independent appliances and will need to dedicate one hand to operate them. They greatly resemble kitchen faucet sprayers but with different things to clean. In fact, you would not have to shift on your toilet seat to adjust to the water spray. As it’s handheld, you can aim the jet wherever you need. Their prices range between $30 to $70.

#4 Add-on bidet attachments

As the name suggests, add-on bidet attachments are connected underneath the toilet seat. They are the most affordable of the lot, although that does mean they lack a few features the others have. Examples include seat temperature adjustment, availability of a remote controller, and a few more. Although they are not electronic devices, they can supply warm water if set up accordingly. The cost of a bidet attachment is around $119.

#5 Add-on bidet toilet seats

Add-on bidet toilet seats are attached to the toilet after replacing the existing seat. They are specialized toilet seats that have a spray jet attached underneath. Despite them being slightly on the expensive end, the utility they provide makes them worth having. They come in two basic variants: non-electric and electric. The electric version usually has seat warming and air drying features. They also come with remote controllers of different types, like handheld or wall-mounted. A non-electric version would cost around $149, while the more expensive electric version’s price stands at around $799.

#6 Smart toilet suites with built-in bidet

This final variant is similar to add-on bidet attachments as the bidet is connected to the bottom of the toilet seat. However, the entire toilet is one device in this case, making them the most expensive of the lot. The benefit of owning one of these is that the build consistency is accurate as they come from the same manufacturer. Additionally, they contain more features than the rest as there is more possibility to sync the toilet and bidet when made together. A smart toilet suite costs around $3,499.

How do I choose a bidet?

Choose a bidet based on the condition of your existing bathroom. If you want a complete renovation, go for the bidet toilet suite. In case you do not want to change the toilet as a whole, choose the add-on bidet toilet seat or simply the add-on bidet attachment. On the contrary, if you want to keep your existing toilet untouched, you can opt for a standalone bidet or handheld bidet sprayer. Finally, if you intend to be on the run, portable travel bidets are ideal for you. Thus, it really depends on your necessity and preference.

The time is now!

Australians are riding the new wave of innovations at an intense pace. The introduction of feature-filled bidets is one of the many technological advancements that we should embrace and start implementing in our lives. The many health and financial benefits of bidets are unavoidable and should be taken with seriousness.