Kan Dail
Do you have a bidet in your bathroom? If you don’t currently, you might soon in the future. While there will always be bathrooms without bidets, it’s likely that these devices will soon become the new normal.
Why is this the case?
Why Bidets Are Becoming More Popular
When we analyze the increasing popularity of bidets, we find the following motivational factors:
- Varieties and options. The term “bidet” now refers to an ever-expanding range of bathroom hygiene products, which can serve almost every conceivable need. According to BidetMate, the most traditional type of bidet is a standalone bidet, which functions as a separate appliance in a bathroom. But these days, you’re more likely to find bidets in the form of secondary nozzles attached to existing toilet structures and toilet seats. There are countless options available in terms of nozzle size and scope, temperature and pressure controls, and extra features like toilet seat heating. No matter your preferences, you can find something that suits you.
- Accessibility and customizability. There’s also much more accessibility and customizability for bidets than ever before. You don’t need to completely redo the plumbing of your bathroom to install one; you can usually just take advantage of whatever you currently have. Also, you can meticulously control your overall experience, adjusting the stream of water to serve your exact needs.
- The toilet paper shortage and new perspectives. Bidets started to rise in popularity in the United States a few years ago, when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak. There are a few reasons for this, including the running toilet paper shortage and the fact that people were spending much more time at home. After trying out this type of device in a moment of sheer desperation, people began to realize just how beneficial they are.
- Word of mouth. Popularity has a self-perpetuating effect; with more people buying and using bidets, more people are hearing about these devices and are getting the motivation to purchase them for themselves.
Of course, the biggest reason why bidets are becoming more popular is because they are strictly advantageous over using toilet paper, and for several reasons:
- Cleaner, faster. There’s no doubt that using a bidet gets you cleaner than using toilet paper; this should be obvious if you’ve ever compared wiping off your hands with a napkin to cleaning them with water. There’s simply no substitute for cleaning yourself with water. Using a bidet is also typically a faster and more efficient overall experience.
- Environmental benefits. Switching to a bidet means dramatically reducing your use of toilet paper, thereby reducing your environmental impact. It’s true that these devices do use some water, but generally, they’re considered environmentally sustainable.
- Cost savings. Most people save money when they start using a bidet. Depending on how much toilet paper you were using previously, you could end up saving several hundred dollars every year. Even if you spring for an expensive model, your bidet will likely pay for itself in the first few years.
- Health benefits. Some people move away from using toilet paper to get the health benefits of using a bidet. People who use this device are much less likely to suffer from hemorrhoids and certain other health complications.
The Slow Shift to the New Normal
So what does the shift to the new normal of bidet usage look like?
- Private spaces. We’re already seeing the first stages of this development, with more people adopting bidets in their private spaces. Some people are very vocal about this, while others are more reserved, but it’s clear that more people in the United States are buying and using these devices in their home bathrooms.
- Public spaces. Public bidets aren’t common in the U.S. and will probably remain uncommon in the near future. But at a certain point, more people will start demanding access to bidets in public spaces; forward thinking businesses will begin to install them, and then it’s a matter of time before the practice spreads to other areas.
- The new normal. Once bidets are commonly found in public bathrooms around the country, we can expect them to be readily accepted as the new normal. Toilet paper consumption will dramatically decline, and all of us will have much more comfortable bathroom experiences.
It’s hard to say exactly how and when this shift is going to manifest. We’re already several years into a new wave of bidet popularity, and with the market still increasing, this momentum is unlikely to die off anytime soon.
Are You Hesitant to Try a Bidet?
Not everyone is excited to read an article like this. If you don’t like the idea of using a bidet, and you’re hesitant to even try one, you might be concerned about this hostile cultural takeover.
But fear not:
- You’ll always have alternative options. First, no one is ever going to force you to use a bidet. Almost anywhere you use the bathroom, toilet paper is going to be available, and you’ll have alternative options to suit your personal preferences.
- Most bidets have customization settings. You should also keep in mind that most bidets have customization settings that allow you to adjust the direction, temperature, and pressure of the water. You can optimize your experience for comfort, however you define it.
- Bidets are probably more comfortable than you think. Many people who have never used this type of device make false assumptions about how it feels. If you’re like most people, cleaning yourself with water is much more comfortable than you imagine.
- Bidets are inexpensive and easy to install. Even if you’re not totally sold on the concept, bidets are inexpensive and easy to install.
- You might wonder why you didn’t make the change sooner. You never know how you’re going to feel about using a bidet until you actually try one.
In the next several years, we will likely start seeing more public spaces adopting bidets – though it might be a decade or longer before most of the country is willing to make this transition. Still, there’s nothing stopping you from being an early adopter, so if you want to see what all the fuss is about, simply purchase a bidet of your own!