A bidet and a toilet often sit side-by-side.
If you travel overseas, you may have encountered an unusual device in some bathrooms. Unknowing Americans have surmised that perhaps it's a foot bath, a water fountain, a wash basin for lingerie or a second toilet when seeing a bidet for the first time. The bidet, derived from an old French word meaning small horse, hints at how you sit on it. The next time you encounter one of these strange additions to the bathroom, you can approach without curiosity, as you will know exactly what it is and use it.
History
The first written reference to a bidet can be traced back to 1710 in France. At that time, most people only bathed once a week, and the bidet was created for cleansing the private areas. By 1750, it was fitted with a hand pump to spray water upward. With the invention of indoor plumbing, it moved to the bathroom, along with the toilet. It looks very similar to a toilet, but without a seat. Today, there are many different types of bidets: all-in-one toilet with bidet units, bidet attachments that can be fitted to an existing toilet and the traditional unit, which stands alone.
Geographic Distribution
While clearly a rare sight in the United States, bidets are as common as toilet paper in many countries, which is not surprising, as it is often used for the same purpose. Once considered a European cultural feature, bidets are now common on every continent except North America. Sixty percent of Japanese homes are equipped with bidets and 90 percent of Venezuelan homes have them.
Uses
The purpose of the bidet is for cleaning the anal, perianal and genital area whenever such cleansing might be deemed necessary, most usually after using the toilet. It can be especially useful for women during the postpartum period, while menstruating or for cleaning after intercourse. The bidet is helpful in preventing irritation for those experiencing hemorrhoids, diarrhea or rashes. In recent years, the bidet has become more popular with the elderly and others with mobility issues because it is easier to clean themselves while sitting rather than trying to maneuver in a bathtub.
Function
To use, straddle the bidet while facing the wall. Turn on the water, adjust the temperature and increase the pressure until it sprays where you want it. Some bidets do not have jets; use your hands and soap, if desired, to clean yourself. Modern bidets often have air-dryers, in others you might dry with toilet paper or simply air dry. When finished, clean your hands as you would normally.
Environmental Impact
According to the Scientific American article "Wipe or Wash? Do Bidets Save Forest and Water Resources?", using a bidet is good for the environment. The typical bidet uses one-eighth of a gallon of water, while it takes 37 gallons of water to make a single roll of toilet paper. Editor of the website metaefficient.com Justin Thomas would love to see the toilet paper industry eliminated and thinks that a hands-free bidet paired with a composting toilet would be the ideal green bathroom solution.
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