# Are bidets really better than toilet paper? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 27, 2020, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658 "2020-04-27T08:34:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![russian\_heel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f05b48/32.png) [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2020, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/1 "2020-04-27T08:34:45Z")
I’ve been hearing about a growing trend towards these because of the shortage of toilet paper (TP). As a matter of fact my wife bought me a conversion kit several years ago that would turn one of our toilets into one of these because she complained I use too much toilet paper. I have refused to put it in because I thought it was insulting, and yes, I do use a lot of TP because I don’t want SHIT on my fingers! What a monster I must be. I’m sorry I just don’t get how squirting water up my ass is going to be more effective than wiping it with absorbent toilet tissue. Then, how do I wipe the water off my asshole before I put my pants back on? Or is soap used with a bidet? To me this seems like a butt-hole cleaning method used in France, a country known for different views of hygiene that Americans: > **[Lessons in Cleanliness Between French and Americans](https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2013/05/27/are-americans-too-obsessed-with-cleanliness/lessons-in-cleanliness-between-french-and-americans)** > > I've witnessed enough conflicts between American students and their French host families to know that cleanliness is an endless source of cultural misunderstanding. Am I missing out? Sell me on the bidet v toilet paper. Should I install this device my wife bought me? ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2020, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/2 "2020-04-27T09:46:41Z")
Sh\_t yeah. I’m a paper guy, and have no intention to change, but if I _already owned_ a bidet, and it fitted my existing toilet, and didn’t have to pay sh-t loads for installing power and water, then abso - bloody - lutely. Why? Because it’s nice. > [@Sam I Am](#): > > You do not like it, > so you say, > Try it, Try it, > and you may > Try it, Try it, > and you may I say ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2020, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/3 "2020-04-27T11:47:16Z")
I don’t bother to dry; my clothing is absorbent. If my underwear were mylar, that would kind of defeat the point of having underwear. ---
**Author:** ![mandala](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mandala/32/95_2.png) [@mandala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mandala)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2020, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/4 "2020-04-27T11:52:33Z")
Water is definitely a better cleanser than paper. Thought experiment: apply Hershey’s chocolate syrup evenly on your face. Wipe one side with TP (use as much as you want), wash the other side with water (use as much as you want). Compare results. The bidet will save you loads of TP (you just need enough to dry your butt after washing). Go for it. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2020, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/5 "2020-04-27T12:16:53Z")
Some bidet threads already here on The Dope. 2019-06-29 Bidet dreams \>\> [https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=877943&highlight=Bidet](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=877943&highlight=Bidet) 2018-11-10 I love my bidet! Ever try one? \>\> [https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=865359&highlight=Bidet](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=865359&highlight=Bidet) 2016-04-06 How to use a bidet \>\> [https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=789531&highlight=Bidet](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=789531&highlight=Bidet) 2010-09-21 How does a bidet work? \>\> [https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=579138&highlight=Bidet](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=579138&highlight=Bidet) 2009-04-23 Bidet toilet seat or shower toilet \>\> [https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=515142&highlight=Bidet](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=515142&highlight=Bidet) 2006-12-20 Ladies: What good is a bidet, nowadays? \>\> [https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=400998&highlight=Bidet](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=400998&highlight=Bidet) 2005-07-16 How to properly use a bidet. \>\> [https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=325863&highlight=Bidet](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=325863&highlight=Bidet) 2002-06-03 So, … just how do you USE a Bidet? \>\> [https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=118600&highlight=Bidet](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=118600&highlight=Bidet) The two most recent threads are Qadgop’s. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2020, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/6 "2020-04-27T12:20:03Z")
Well, let’s see. If you’ve been gardening, and you want to get the dirt off your hands, do you just rub them with a paper towel? Or wash them with soap and water? ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2020, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/7 "2020-04-27T12:28:26Z")
wikiHow has this, How to Use a Bidet \>\> [How to Use a Bidet: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow](https://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Bidet) Educational. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2020, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/8 "2020-04-27T13:12:24Z")
I bought a seat bidet for around $600. It is worth every penny. Heated seat. Heated water. Heated blow dryer. Dual nozzle. Absolutely awesome. My wife REALLY loves it. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2020, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/9 "2020-04-27T16:26:06Z")
> [@Nars\_Glinley](#): > > I bought a seat bidet for around $600. It is worth every penny. Heated seat. Heated water. Heated blow dryer. Dual nozzle. Absolutely awesome. My wife REALLY loves it. We have two in our house,one for each toilet. (Ours only have one nozzle.) Decadent luxury for the masses. The nozzles have a button that make the nozzle move rapidly back and forth a bit, but you may still have to move yourself around on the seat a little to reach all necessary areas. TMI: I also clench and unclench the rectum repeatedliy so as to further agitate the surface and loosen any remaining bits for the water to wash away. This is very effective.Full disclosure: our bidets don’t always get 100% of everything, so I use one application of toilet paper to dry and also to catch any whispers left over. I wish the water pressure was stronger, but there doesn’t seem to be anything I can do about that. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2020, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/10 "2020-04-27T16:45:17Z")
> [@mandala](#): > > Water is definitely a better cleanser than paper. Thought experiment: apply Hershey’s chocolate syrup evenly on your face. Wipe one side with TP (use as much as you want), wash the other side with water (use as much as you want). Compare results. > The bidet will save you loads of TP (you just need enough to dry your butt after washing). Go for it. So, you still need to use TP, but instead of it being used to clean, you use it to dry off, right? I am not seeing how it will save you loads of TP - ISTM you will need at least as much if not more TP to dry off everything as opposed to a wad of TP strategically stroked across a small area. I dunno. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2020, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/11 "2020-04-27T17:12:30Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > So, you still need to use TP, but instead of it being used to clean, you use it to dry off, right? I am not seeing how it will save you loads of TP - ISTM you will need at least as much if not more TP to dry off everything as opposed to a wad of TP strategically stroked across a small area. I dunno. Two squares of TP is plenty to dry off and catch any “whispers” left over. Maybe your normal routine without a bidet only requires two squares, but most people use substantially more. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2020, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/12 "2020-04-27T18:51:27Z")
> [@Melbourne](#): > > Sh\_t yeah. > > I’m a paper guy, and have no intention to change, but if I _already owned_ a bidet, and it fitted my existing toilet, and didn’t have to pay sh-t loads for installing power and water, then abso - bloody - lutely. > > Why? Because it’s nice. The seats are cheap and easy to install. I feel like a bandwagoner, I wanted to get one for the longest time, we were just waiting to move, then everyone bought them and they went out of stock. Amazon even removed the listing of the one I wanted, instead of merely marking it OOS. But I just checked and score! in stock. I’m doing it. While we’re on TMI, if you’re questioning the utility, then clearly you’ve never dealt with IBS, Crohn’s, etc. Even expensive toilet paper might as well be sandpaper after awhile. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2020, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/13 "2020-04-27T18:56:54Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > While we’re on TMI, if you’re questioning the utility, then clearly you’ve never dealt with IBS, Crohn’s, etc. Even expensive toilet paper might as well be sandpaper after awhile. My wife had her gallbladder removed and has frequent bouts of diarrhea. It’s been a godsend for her. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2020, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/14 "2020-04-27T19:36:33Z")
> [@Nars\_Glinley](#): > > My wife had her gallbladder removed and has frequent bouts of diarrhea. It’s been a godsend for her. Hmmm, my wife has frequent diarrhea. I wonder if she’d want a bidet? I’ll have to ask her. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2020, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/15 "2020-04-27T19:50:48Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > Hmmm, my wife has frequent diarrhea. I wonder if she’d want a bidet? I’ll have to ask her. If you were in the SW Oklahoma area, I’d invite you over. The only downside to ours (beside the cost) is the split second of cool water sprayed at your butt. I also had to have someone install a GFCI outlet near the toilet. I think I could have done it but my wife thought it was worth the $75 to have our handyman do it. ---
**Author:** ![tim-n-va](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim-n-va/32/3001_2.png) [@tim-n-va](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim-n-va)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2020, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/16 "2020-04-27T19:58:30Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > Hmmm, my wife has frequent diarrhea. I wonder if she’d want a bidet? I’ll have to ask her. Not a doctor but she might need something to bind with excess bike. My doctor prescribed cholestyramine. ---
**Author:** ![tim-n-va](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim-n-va/32/3001_2.png) [@tim-n-va](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim-n-va)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2020, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/17 "2020-04-27T20:11:36Z")
> [@tim-n-va](#): > > Not a doctor but she might need something to bind with excess _ **bike** _. My doctor prescribed cholestyramine. Should have been “bile”, missed the edit window. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2020, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/18 "2020-04-28T21:44:05Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > I have refused to put it in because I thought it was insulting, and yes, I do use a lot of TP because I don’t want SHIT on my fingers! What a monster I must be. > > I’m sorry I just don’t get how squirting water up my ass is going to be more effective than wiping it with absorbent toilet tissue. If you did get shit on your fingers, would you clean them off by wiping them with paper, or would you use water? Water is a _much_ better cleanser! Bidets will get your butt cleaner, too. It doesn’t squirt “up your ass”, it squirts _at_ your ass. Water doesn’t go inside your butt with a bidet any more than toilet paper goes inside when you wipe. It cleans off the exterior. > [@](#): > > Then, how do I wipe the water off my asshole before I put my pants back on? With a little bit of toilet paper. But a lot less than you’d need before. Like, maybe 3-4 squares total. > [@](#): > > Am I missing out? Sell me on the bidet v toilet paper. Should I install this device my wife bought me? You are missing out. Everyone I know who installed a bidet marvels that they didn’t do it sooner. Don’t be offended. It’s not a personal failing to need to wash your butt. Everybody poops, and this is just a _better way_ to clean up afterward than paper. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2020, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/19 "2020-04-28T22:32:19Z")
> [@iamthewalrus\_3](#): > > Water doesn’t go inside your butt with a bidet any more than toilet paper goes inside when you wipe. It cleans off the exterior. Of course if you’re dealing with hemorrhoids, you’ll probably want both water and your fingers inside the swelling at least a little bit. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2020, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/20 "2020-04-28T23:12:17Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > The seats are cheap and easy to install. Don’t you need a power outlet by the toilet to install a seat? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658.md?page=2)