BATHROOM TRENDS ALERT LET’S TALK BIDETS
The first reference to a bidet as we know it today dates back to the early 1700’s, when it became a popular way to cleanse private parts in between weekly bathing. Starting in France, the product was quickly adopted by Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Japan. Its popularity has also spread to Venezuela, Argentina, Uruguay, Greece, Turkey, and Egypt. Yet the idea of a bidet still leaves North Americans feeling a bit puzzled about their benefits and how to even use them. Seriously, just look at social media and chat rooms to find countless questions about these basic, yet seemingly exotic, porcelain wonders.
Typically reserved for the wealthiest households, bidets were first seen in Europe in the early 18th century and became a popular option for the elite over the next few decades. This was the time of chamber pots, so bidets were commonly seen in the bedroom next to the pot. When a user finished their chamber pot business, he or she would then straddle the water-filled bidet to clean up. The word bidet means small horse in French so if you can imagine mounting a horse, you can visualize the experience. Around 1750 new advancements added a hand pump, which allowed the user to pump water from the bowl through a hose for easier and more sanitary washing. Next came the free standing bidet. This model came along in the early 1900’s when indoor plumbing improved to the point that bathrooms became common in households. They are still the type most commonly seen throughout Europe and Asia, and offer an automatic water stream rather than requiring a manual pump. HISTORY OF BIDETS
So let’s talk about the what, how, and whys of bidets.
In short, a bidet is a device that provides a stream of water for cleaning up after doing your bathroom business. They come in many forms, with the most common being a standalone device that’s shaped like a toilet but is equipped with a water jet for cleanup. In most places, a bidet is a separate unit from the toilet. WHAT IS A BIDET?
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