# 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:** 2
**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 28, 2020, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/21 "2020-04-28T23:14:42Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > Don’t you need a power outlet by the toilet to install a seat? It just depends on the bidet. If you want the heating and drying features, then yes. Otherwise, it’s just a Tee off of the supply line. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/22 "2020-04-29T01:04:15Z")
Also, there’s the fun of frightening your friends. An old college buddy went to take a leak and actually _screamed_ when he saw the eerie blue light and heard the hum which started as he opened the half-bath door. I call it my “robot toilet.” One of the Ukulele Lady’s friends admonished her that it was in bad taste to invite one’s guests to “try the bidet.” ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/23 "2020-04-29T01:35:30Z")
> [@Nars\_Glinley](#): > > My wife had her gallbladder removed and has frequent bouts of diarrhea. It’s been a godsend for her. this is why id consider one … mines been gone almost 22 years abdi still have this … ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/24 "2020-04-29T01:49:41Z")
> [@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. Egg-zaktly > [@SanVito](#): > > 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? Double egg-zaktly > [@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. Whatwhatwhatwhat wait what? If you’re using less paper to clean yourself than you would need to dry a bit, then … you’re definitely not clean. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/25 "2020-04-29T02:09:38Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > Don’t you need a power outlet by the toilet to install a seat? I’d have to let you know once I install it but there are cold water ones and those that use hot + cold supply lines without electricity. And of course lots of bathrooms have power nearby, unless your code is extremely out of date they’ll be GFCI outlets. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/26 "2020-04-29T03:08:45Z")
I don’t want one. Due to their mechanics, they feel like a potential avenue to get infections (if female), and [this paper](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21058441) suggests that it is actually the case. > [@](#): > > Normal microflora (Lactobacillus species) was not present in 42.86% of bidet toilet users, compared to 8.77% of non-users. Fecal bacteria were detected in 50 of the 268 cases (18.66%), 46 cases in users (92%) and only 4 cases in non-users (8%). Contamination by other pathogens was 4 to 6 times higher in users than in non-users. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/27 "2020-04-29T05:04:49Z")
> [@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… You probably don’t need to but even so to me that’s not even the point. Aside from the joy of squirting warm water on your bum, it cleans much better. And yes, you will as a side benefit save tp. Here’s the thing these threads bring out, some people will cling to their uncomfortableness of using some ‘feriners’ way of butt-cleaning so will resist mightily. Or maybe they think they are too expensive. Whatever their excuse they just dig their heels in. But if they ever give them a try… Honestly, imho it’s the civilized way to clean that area. Not only that it really feels good. Like a massage. 🙂 ---
**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 29, 2020, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/28 "2020-04-29T14:25:13Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > You probably don’t need to but even so to me that’s not even the point. Aside from the joy of squirting warm water on your bum, it cleans much better. And yes, you will as a side benefit save tp. > > Here’s the thing these threads bring out, some people will cling to their uncomfortableness of using some ‘feriners’ way of butt-cleaning so will resist mightily. Or maybe they think they are too expensive. Whatever their excuse they just dig their heels in. > > But if they ever give them a try… > Honestly, imho it’s the civilized way to clean that area. Not only that it really feels good. Like a massage. 🙂 I don’t think anyone is digging in their heels, it’s just that those of us who have yet to experience the joys of the bidet are trying to understand the allure. The OP is asking if a bidet is better than TP. It very well may be in some ways and not others, and there have been some statements about the TP-saving qualities of a bidet, which I find to be dubious (two squares to dry-off your bidet-ed tender bits?, c-mon!). Most of us here have survived into adulthood without getting our hands soiled each time we wipe and not seeing a huge upside here - TP being relatively easy and inexpensive compared to a bidet install and use. Unless you have experience with this thing, or one is already installed where you live, it’s unlikely you are going to run out and purchase/install one of them. Each to his own and all that, but please don’t pity and look down on us uncivilized paper wipers because we are asking questions about this curious and unfamiliar device. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/29 "2020-04-29T14:36:40Z")
> [@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. Experiment #2: Rub some peanut butter into a shag carpet. Try removing the peanut butter in one area with a paper towel, and in the other area with a stream of water. Compare results. (We have a disused bidet in our master bathroom.) ---
**Author:** ![Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mundane_super_hero/32/6304_2.png) [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mundane_Super_Hero)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/30 "2020-04-29T14:46:21Z")
Better? A bidet is one thing, TP is another. It’s better than grabbing your knees and having a midget blast you with a super-soaker… ---
**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 29, 2020, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/31 "2020-04-29T14:53:15Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > …there have been some statements about the TP-saving qualities of a bidet, which I find to be dubious (two squares to dry-off your bidet-ed tender bits?, c-mon!)… So on the one hand, we have several people who use bidets regularly saying that they need only 2-4 squares. And on the other hand, we have someone with no bidet experience saying they think the number is much higher. I guess we’ll never know who’s right. > [@hogarth](#): > > Experiment #2: > Rub some peanut butter into a shag carpet. Try removing the peanut butter in one area with a paper towel, and in the other area with a stream of water. Compare results. Unless your poop is strangely hydrophobic, I’m not sure that’s a valid comparison. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/32 "2020-04-29T15:09:06Z")
I knew bidets were a good thing due to a history of extensive European travel. “Wow…why don’t we dumb Americans have this available?” Those of us who’ve visited Japan, where they’re every damn place, needed even less convincing. If bidets had appeared on our shores concurrently with the French fried potato, or even sushi, the U.S. would be a happier place. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/33 "2020-04-29T17:16:25Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > But if they ever give them a try… Well, there’s the problem. I’ve asked this before in more than one of the other bidet threads: Where the fuck does an American _try_ one?? ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/34 "2020-04-29T17:42:57Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > Rub some peanut butter into a shag carpet. I think I know everything I care to about you now. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/35 "2020-04-29T18:46:56Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > Well, there’s the problem. I’ve asked this before in more than one of the other bidet threads: > > Where the fuck does an American _try_ one?? I went to Vancouver, BC. Easy peasy. At least it used to be. And the medical literature’s consensus about bidets and BV isn’t settled yet. Larger studies have subsequently been done where further analysis of data shows many cases of reverse causation; many women with BV issues reported having been using bidets to help improve those issues. More research is needed ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/36 "2020-04-29T18:54:39Z")
> [@keep taking prozac?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keep-taking-prozac/115595/16): > > If bidets had appeared on our shores concurrently with the French fried potato, or even sushi, the U.S. would be a happier place. Next you’ll be telling us we need to go Metric! (Pffft, ya’ dang commie!) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/37 "2020-04-29T20:11:42Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > I went to Vancouver, BC. Easy peasy. At least it used to be. I’ve been there, but the hotel room we stayed in wasn’t equipped with one. This was well before this board became abundant with bidet threads, so it wasn’t on my mental list of things to ask about ahead of time. Nice town, but a long way from home, and I’m unlikely to visit it again. Montreal’s considerably closer, but even it is a bit of a hike, and further than I’d travel just to try out a bidet. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/38 "2020-04-29T21:50:55Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > Well, there’s the problem. I’ve asked this before in more than one of the other bidet threads: > > Where the fuck does an American _try_ one?? [Here’s](https://blog.bidetsplus.com/blog/nyc-hotel-offers-bidet-seats-in-every-room/) a blog post from BidetsPlus from 2013 that lists hotels across the country that have them installed, including New York, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. I’ll be you can find somewhere to try one. 🙂 If you decide to go for it, keep BidetsPlus in mind. They often have good sales. That’s where I bought mine last November. (Love it!) ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/39 "2020-04-29T22:25:13Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > Well, there’s the problem. I’ve asked this before in more than one of the other bidet threads: > > Where the fuck does an American _try_ one?? Most every medium to large city has a kitchen and bath store. Stores that retail decorative plumbing supplies. They almost always have one in their restrooms for people to try (then buy!). Just google “(your town) kitchen and bath”. ---
**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 29, 2020, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/40 "2020-04-29T22:57:47Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > Most every medium to large city has a kitchen and bath store. Stores that retail decorative plumbing supplies. They almost always have one in their restrooms for people to try (then buy!). Just google “(your town) kitchen and bath”. There we go - a fine suggestion! That and **Bullitt** ’s educational link, and now I feel prepared to be amazed. I will report back here if I ever get to do this! Of course, I will have to time this around my morning cup of coffee. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658.md?page=3)