I was in Japan a few years ago where every toilet I met had a bidet. Since I was feeling a lot cleaner, I recently decided to try a bidet attachment at my home in Texas.
Bidets spray water to clean the user's bottom. Some bidets have dryers and other advanced features like remote control, adjustable nozzle, different spray types, deodorant, and temperature control.
While the bidet can be built into the toilet, a bidet attachment can be added to an existing toilet in about an hour or less. I have e.gTUSHY spa bidet accessories,which is equipped with temperature control, adjustable pressure, a self-cleaning nozzle and a hot water connection. It cost me $119.
A bidet is worthwhile – financially, ecologically and medically
A bidet accessory is definitely worth it when it comes to toilet paper savings, reduced environmental impact and health benefits. Let's break this down:
Financial advantages of a bidet
If you use a bidet, you don't need toilet paper — or at least not that much. Some bidets come with an air dryer, but even if yours doesn't, you have several options: you can wait a minute after the water has completely cleaned you, and then let it air dry naturally. You can pat yourself dry with a towel like you do when you get out of the shower. Or you can use a few squares of toilet paper.
AccordinglyHistory of Toilet Paper:
“Currently, the United States spends more than $6 billion a year on toilet paper — more than any other country in the world. Americans consume an average of 57 squares a day and 50 pounds a year.”
An average family of four uses approx$150 for toilet paper per person yearright A TUSHY bidet costs around $100 (the exact price depends on the specific model you choose). That means you can easily recoup the cost of the bidet in a year.
Environmental benefits of a bidet
According to Justin Thomas atTreehugger.com:
“We use 36.5 billion rolls of toilet paper each year in the United States, which is equivalent to crushing at least 15 million trees. This also requires 473,587,500,000 gallons of water to make paper and 253,000 tons of chlorine for bleaching purposes.”
Thomas says if you're worried about a bidet's water and power consumption, don't worry! The resource loss likely pales in comparison to the water and electricity used in the manufacture and delivery of toilet paper.
Remember that it takes 37 liters of water to make just one roll of toilet paper, while TUSHY needs half a liter of water to clean each time.
Additionally, it takes 1.5 pounds of wood to make each roll of toilet paper. Most of the wood comes from a forest in Canada. That's a lot of unnecessary logging to clear our pimples!
It is clear that the bidet is the eco-friendly bathroom choice. (And be sure to read my post on other emails.)Shared bathroom ideaswhich will help you save energy and money.)
Would you like to be even more environmentally friendly? read my post,The 9 best toilets for saving water in 2022to find out which toilet with bidet saves the most water.
Health benefits of a bidet
Many women with vulvar and vaginal sensitivity claim that using the bidet is far more soothing than toilet paper, which can be irritating. If you have irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn's disease, you may need to use toilet paper more frequently, which can cause severe irritation. The bidet can clean you without wiping it.
A bidet can also help pregnant women who have trouble reaching their private parts. The same applies to seniors or people with restricted mobility. Next, aInvestigationfound that people with hemorrhoids and urogenital problems prefer to use a bidet.
Why TUSHY bidet accessories are worthwhile
It is possible to purchase a bidet toilet or even a bidet accessory costing as much as $2,500. But I didn't need any frills. My goal was simply to have an eco-friendly bathroom and feel a lot cleaner.
With these dimensions, the TUSHY bidet accessory is more than worth it to me.
There are two basic models: TUSHY Classic and TUSHY Spa.Both models fit over your existing toilet seat and have a nice control panel that lets you adjust the pressure and control the nozzle.
TUSHY Classic bidet accessories
TUSHY Classic connects only to the toilet, so it delivers water at the same temperature as the water going into the toilet. You can get it for $89.
TUSHY Spa bidet accessories
The main difference between the two models is that the TUSHY Spa has a hot water accessory that can be connected to the hot water under your sink. This allows you to control the temperature of the spray.
Check out my post for more information on choosing the right bidet.How to find a bidet that fits your toilet.
Why I love my bidet
The main reason I love the bidet and it's worth it to me is because it just makes me feel super clean. It's like a little bath for my ass.
Before visiting Japan, I had never given much thought to why most developing countries didn't have the same toilet paper obsession as we do in the US.
As soon as I tried a bidet, I suddenly realized that wiping with toilet paper is a bit... well, scary! I mean, could you really clean everything down there? At TUSHY, I know it's me!
It also looks beautiful on the toilet and makes me feel like I'm back in Japan where water is revered. The Japanese have built cleanliness into everything they do, tooJapanese baths. (Did you know that in Japan people wash themselves while bathing?)ForYou're bleeding? If the bidet is clean enough for the Japanese, it's good enough for me too!
Also, the bidet in my bathroom makes me feel like it's a very special place. I'm trying to add some elements of a spa to my bathroom decor and having a bidet in it is definitely one of them. (Discover12 elements in a bathroom spaher.)
Installing TUSHY
According to the TUSHY company, it only takes 10 minutes to install the bidet on your toilet. I'd say it depends on a few things: 1) how old are your pipes and 2) are you handy with your hands?
My house was built in the 1970's and our pipes are from that era. You're a little unconventional. And no, I'm not really skilled. However, it took me two attempts to install TUSHY: one alone and one with my husband. Even with the extra help, it took us 70 minutes to get it right.
While the TUSHY Classic is easier to install, I wanted connection to the hot water. I realized that to do this I had to run a pipe from the toilet to the sink. Even though the sink in my downstairs bathroom is directly across from the toilet, I wasn't sure how to route the hose out of sight. (I'm sure a plumber could figure that out.)
Instead, I decided to install TUSHY in our upstairs bathroom where the toilet is next to the sink. We drilled a hole and routed the pipe from the TUSHY bidet attachment to the hot water valve under the sink.
I have to say I've read many other reviews online and most people seem to be able to complete the install in about 30 minutes. So installation is not my forte. Oh yeah.
One more thing: make sure you have a standard toilet. (Check out my post on standard toilet seat shapes,Round or elongated toilet seat for a baby's bottom?to find out which one is the right choice for you.)
If you have an unusual shape - extra long, extra deep - I'm not sure the TUSHY would fit right.
Why do Americans even use toilet paper?
You might think Adam and Eve existed with Charmin roles alongside, but you're wrong. In fact, since ancient times, people have used anything that came in handy to cleanse themselves after getting rid of it. Sometimes they used shells, clay, coconuts or newspapers.
Like everything else in the US,acceptance of toilet paperthe result of a successful marketing campaign. A version was first introduced in 1857, but the product was not accepted until the late 19th century when flush toilets were installed in homes. The turning point came in 1958 with the launch of the Charmin brand, which was marketed with the illustration of a beautiful woman. The product has decreased.
TUSHY can change your life!
Once you install TUSHY, you can expect a hilarious feeling. It's like you've discovered a whole new way of being in the world, only nobody knows about it but you and your family or your roommates.
You just took that particularly dizzying step. You just learned a new secret that will get you through your days. You might even feel a little cocky, more than just a little more glamour!
Step forward with your newfound power and enjoy the rush of moving through life with a truly clean hand for the first time!