It’s safe to say that pooping can be … well, a bit messy at times. Wiping with dry toilet paper in an attempt to clean unseen areas can be an exercise in frustration. There has to be a better way, right?
Allow us to introduce you to the bidet, a power washer for your bottom. Gastroenterologist Christine Lee, MD, explains how this bathroom apparatus can get the job done.
What is a bidet?
A bidet (pronounced “bih-DAY”) is a plumbing fixture designed to clean your rear. It goes to work washing your lower region after you urinate or have a bowel movement, eliminating the need for toilet paper.
Some bidets attach to your toilet, either affixed to the side of the bowl or with a detachable hose. Other bidets are standalone fixtures that resemble a low sink.
Bidets are commonplace in many areas of the world — including nations in Asia, Europe and South America, as well as northern Africa — and appear to be gaining popularity in the United States.
Are bidets sanitary?
Bidets can arguably be considered more sanitary than traditional bottom-cleaning methods.
Quite simply, a bidet can provide a better hygiene experience compared to toilet paper. It starts with the basic fact that water can top a few squares of dry TP in removing trace amounts of fecal matter after you poop.
Wiping with toilet paper also poses a potential risk of getting fecal matter on your hands or nails: “Proper handwashing hygiene is necessary to avoid the spread of germs — and that’s especially true after wiping,” says Dr. Lee.
(On a side note, scrub your hands with soap and water for 30 seconds even if you use a bidet. It’s just proper hygiene when using the restroom.)
Can bidets cause infections?
Correct usage of a bidet is important to avoid vaginal or urinary tract infections from bacteria such as E. coli. (A UTI from a bidet is less of a concern for people who have a penis. But if you have a vagina, your urethra — where pee exits your body — is closer to your anus.)
Using a bidet safely in that case comes down to one main issue: How the water flows.
“The water from your bidet should flow front to back, just like wiping from front to back,” notes Dr. Lee.
It’s also important to have the proper water pressure and angle of the water stream to avoid forcing water into the vagina. “A bidet is meant to clean the outside of your body, not the inside,” he adds.
5 benefits of bidets
A “cleaner” cleaning process is the main benefit of a bidet, but it offers other advantages, too. The wide-ranging list includes:
- Being gentler on your skin. Wiping can cause chafing and tiny cuts — a concern that’s washed away with a bidet, says Dr. Lee. (On that note, bidets can also be more comfortable to use if you have hemorrhoids and fissures.)
- A more user-friendly experience. The setup of a bidet can make cleaning your backside easier if you have mobility issues, arthritis or difficulties reaching to wipe.
- Being eco-conscious. Toilet paper manufacturing requires trees, as well as chemicals and lots of water and energy. Using a bidet eliminates the expenditure of those resources for TP.
- Saving money. The average household spends hundreds of dollars on TP each year, so a bidet could improve your bottom line over the long term even after the upfront investment. (Plus, you’ll dodge future panics over the availability of toilet paper.)
- Fewer plunger incidents. If you’re not using wads of toilet paper, you won’t have to worry about TP clogging your toilet.
Tips to safely use a bidet
Read your bidet manual and follow the directions on proper cleaning and maintaining it.
“Proper operation is important,” states Dr. Lee. “If the water heater malfunctions, the water could deliver scalding hot or shockingly cold water.”
And don’t assume that it’s OK for the bidet to get dirty because it’s only cleaning your butt. If your bidet gets contaminated, those germs can find a way into the urinary tract, vagina or cracks in your skin.
“If bacteria or virus particles get into the water tank or on the nozzle, everyone who uses it can be exposed,” warns Dr. Lee. “Don’t touch the tip of the nozzle to your body and follow the manufacturer’s manual. Keeping the bidet clean and properly maintained is key.”
Based on the limited research regarding bidets, it’s generally considered safe and effective as a hygiene aid. It’s important to follow usage instructions, though, particularly with jet stream pressure and water temperature.
“But if it’s working properly and you clean and sanitize it regularly, a bidet is a good alternative option for many people,” says Dr. Lee.
Lee, Christine. “Why Bidets Are Sanitary (and Safe) to Use.” Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, 19 Mar. 2023, health.clevelandclinic.org/is-using-a-bidet-healthy.