Bidets are bathroom plumbing fixtures designed for the purposes of washing a human’s genital or anal area. Typically located next to a toilet for cleaning the body after use, bidets consist of a spray nozzle located within the basin and valves for adjusting and controlling the water temperature and power.
To use a bidet, users have the option to straddle the bidet by facing the wall and valve controls, or to sit facing outward. Bidets have long been popular throughout southern Europe and South America, but have also become common for aging populations that need greater assistance in the bathroom. Bidet-like spray features have also begun to be incorporated into some high end tech-enabled toilets.
Bidets originated in France in the 17th century as a washing basin for the private areas. Over time, they became popular in European aristocratic households. While initially separate fixtures, by the 20th century, bidets started integrating with toilets in some regions, offering both washing and flushing capabilities. Different cultures embraced bidets at varied paces, with some nations adopting them widely, like Japan and Italy, while others remained more resistant. Their primary role has always been to enhance personal hygiene after using the toilet.
Bidets are becoming smarter and more widespread. Current designs incorporate features like adjustable water temperature, pressure control, and even air-drying. Some bidets now offer self-cleaning nozzles and UV sanitization. Their eco-friendliness, reducing the need for toilet paper, is driving their global adoption. However, challenges lie in cultural acceptance and installation costs, especially in regions where bidets aren't traditional. As sustainability and hygiene take center stage in bathroom design, bidets are positioned to play a more dominant role in modern sanitation practices.
First, one uses a toilet before using a bidet. The next step is to position oneself hovering over the bidet and facing the controls, although standalone bidets allow for one squat facing away. Turn on the hot water if there is an option for it and turn on the spray, cleaning private areas with the jet. It is important to configure the settings and valves so the stream does not spray too intensely or at the wrong location. The last step is to dry oneself and wash hands.
The primary use of a bidet is to clean off the private parts of a person after he or she has used the toilet. A bidet can feature a vertical jet for an easier wash process (sprayed stream of water) and can come in various shapes and sizes. It is considered to be the primary method of cleaning oneself around the world with standalone bidets most commonly found throughout Europe.
The reason Americans do not use bidets is founded in the continuation of tradition rather than a rational reasoning. The bidet originated in France in the 1700s and was adopted by many, but not the English due to unfriendly relations of the time. American colonists took with them the traditions and habits of the English, which excluded the use of bidets. As such, there maintains a sense of unfamiliarity Americans have with bidets that ultimately is the cause of their lack of use.
