On a recent episode of the ‘PROTALK Home Improvement Radio’ show, we were having a discussion of some of the items that in recent times I have seen to be growing in popularity amongst our clients.
While some of the focus certainly was on more modern technology-oriented items such as electrical outlets which have receptacles for the most modern of device chargers, charging stations that pop out of countertops, and the like, one of the items brought up has been around since the late 17th century but has definitely become more and more popular in recent times.
If you have never heard of it before, it is called the ‘bidet’ (pronounced ‘bid-day’).
For lack of a better way to describe it, a bidet is a bathroom fixture used to clean your private areas after using the toilet.
A bidet looks a bit like a low, wide toilet or a sink and sprays water to wash you.
They have been in use for, literally, centuries in Europe and Asia, but they are becoming more popular these days in other parts of the world, including the United States.
There are different types of bidets. Some are separate fixtures that sit next to the toilet, while others are built into the toilet seat or can be attached to a regular toilet. The built-in or attachable types are becoming more common because they are easier to install and take up less space.
The main reason bidets are becoming popular is because they are seen as a more hygienic way to clean yourself. Using water to wash after using the toilet can make you feel cleaner than using toilet paper alone. This can help reduce the risk of infections and irritation, especially for people with sensitive skin.
Another reason people like bidets is that they are better for the environment. Using a bidet means you use less toilet paper, which saves trees and reduces waste. Toilet paper production uses a lot of water and chemicals, so cutting down on its use is good for the planet. Some people also find that they save money over time by buying less toilet paper.
Bidets can also be helpful for people with certain medical conditions. For example, people with hemorrhoids or other issues that make wiping painful often find that using a bidet is more comfortable. Pregnant women and people with mobility issues also benefit from the gentle cleaning a bidet provides.
Using a bidet is simple. If you have a separate bidet, you sit on it facing the controls and turn on the water. You can adjust the temperature and pressure to what feels comfortable. If you have an attachable bidet or a built-in one, you stay on the toilet and use the controls to start the water spray. After you are done, you can dry off with a small amount of toilet paper or a towel.
Some people worry that bidets are messy or hard to use, but with a little practice, they can be very convenient. Modern bidets often come with features like warm water, adjustable sprays, and even dryers, making them even more comfortable and easy to use.
Bidets have also become popular because of their association with luxury and cleanliness. Many high-end hotels and homes have bidets, so they are often seen as a sign of a well-appointed bathroom. As people become more health-conscious and environmentally aware, the demand for bidets has increased.
While on the surface, it may seem like a bit of an amusing subject to talk about, the value the bidet brings from a cleanliness and hygiene standpoint as well as how their environmentally friendly associations can easily be grasped by anyone stopping to think about it for a moment, it is no wonder that this ‘older’ device is one of those items that seems to be gaining steam with their popularity in more modern times.
