Okay, so here’s the deal — it’s really not that complicated. Although it feels foreign to anyone used to a flushing toilet and toilet paper, there is a different method out there; maybe even a better one. A bidet can be used to clean private parts in the nether region, including the buttocks and genitals for all sexes. There are some modern adaptations to the original bidet that we’ll discuss a little later, but for now we’ll stick with the classic version that sits alongside the toilet as a separate unit. After using the toilet in the regular way or when you feel the need for a refreshing clean for any other reason, the user moves over to the bidet. You can face the stream of water, straddling the bidet, to wash the front side. Or, you can maintain a seated position in order to wash the backside. With the push of a button, the bidet will provide a stream of water that washes the area. Different systems offer varying amounts of pressure, so some work quickly and others take a bit longer. One of the most common questions about bidet use is whether you still use toilet paper to wipe or dry. The answer is mostly no, at least if you’re using a bidet in a traditional way. If the bidet is doing its job, the area will be clean after use. However, if you don’t feel it did an efficient job, you can still wipe with toilet paper. It is important to dry yourself after using a bidet so moisture doesn’t get trapped in the folds of your skin, which can cause skin irritation and medical issues. When it comes to dabbing off water, you have a few options. You can use a small amount of toilet paper to do the job. In Europe and other locations, bidet owners typically designate certain small cloths as ‘bidet towels’ used for the sole purpose of drying intimate areas after using the bidet. The most convenient and waste-free option is to use the drying feature built into many bidets. This setting provides a stream of air that dries the area without the need to dab. HOW DOES ONE USE A BIDET?
TYPES OF BIDET MODELS
There are three basic types of bidets. The first is the standalone unit we’ve already covered. This is the most expensive option, both for the unit itself and for the additional plumbing work required to hook it up. A standalone bidet also requires more space, so it may not fit all bathrooms. However, these units offer the largest range of features, from direction control to the option of using cold or hot water. Standard bidets may have one nozzle, meant for washing the posterior, or there may be two separate nozzles, aimed at cleaning the front and back separately. You may also see a combined unit that performs both tasks. Advanced bidet technology also provides different water spray patterns so you can choose from oscillating, pulsating, steady, or circular sprays. In addition to the standalone units, there are bidet seats that replace the standard toilet seat. These units provide many of the same features as a bidet without requiring a bathroom renovation. For example, you may find models that provide a remote, directional control for jets, temperature options, and pressure variations. Some also feature heated seats. TUSHY is one such brand of aftermarket bidet that’s on a mission to convert one household at a time by emphasizing that bidets eliminate up to 80% of toilet paper use. Miki Agrawal, Founder & Chief Creative Officer of TUSHY, hopes to take bidets mainstream. “Bidets are cheaper, healthier, and better for the planet” than toilet paper, says Miki. “TUSHY’s goal has always been to save the 15 million trees that are getting flushed down every year, save billions of gallons of water required to make the toilet paper and actually help clean bottoms properly, once and for all.” Finally, there is a bidet attachment you can connect to your plumbing. This device can be mounted anywhere in the bathroom as long as it can reach a plumbing attachment. Rather than providing a water stream from beneath the toilet lid, these attachments are more like hand-held sprayer, similar to those found on a kitchen sink.
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May 2024
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