- The bidet was developed in France in the early 1700s. Early bidets were hand pumped and used in a bedroom. By the 1900s, indoor plumbing was becoming popular so toilets and bidets were installed in bathrooms. Today, bidets are popular and common in many places across the world, with the exception of the United States.
- A bidet uses water to cleanse the genitals and anus after using the toilet, instead of toilet paper. Different styles of bidets include a variety of features. The water may be used as a bath in a basin, or as a stream of water that may be directed on the body to remove waste. Bidets may have controls to change water temperature and pressure. Some bidets come with an air drying system to entirely eliminate the need for toilet paper. A bidet may also have self cleaning properties. Bidets may stand alone, often installed next to a toilet, or can be installed as part of the toilet.
- Bidet use impacts the environment because it reduces consumption of toilet paper. A bidet uses a small amount of water, typically one-eighth of a gallon, to cleanse the body. Toilet paper production uses water, electricity and paper in its manufacture, which cannot be recycled after use.
- Bidets are used for cleanliness. When using toilet paper, your hands may inadvertently come in contact with bacteria from urine or fecal matter. While using a bidet, you do not touch any waste since the bidet washes it away with water.
- Medical conditions that are improved by a sitz bath can be improved by using a bidet. A bidet can be used for sitz baths to increase comfort for elderly patients, postpartum women, patients with hemorrhoids or patients with bowel disease. The gentle water-cleansing of a bidet is ideal for patients with tender skin around the genitals or anus, when using toilet paper might irritate the skin and leave bacteria to enter broken or tender skin.
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