# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2020, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/61 "2020-06-15T18:53:00Z")
We’re finally jumping on the bandwagon. I added a mid-range no-electric-required one to my Amazon wish list, as well as a 400+ Toto one. My wonderful spouse ordered the lower-end one, to be installed in the main floor powder room. It arrived - and it turns out it needs extra high seat bumpers, which are en route. So I should know in a few more days whether I like it. I hope so… I’ve told him that if we like this one, the higher-end one must be in place in the master bath by next winter as I’m up for colonoscopy #8 then… ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2020, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/62 "2020-06-15T20:33:30Z")
When I came home after having shattered my femur, they took off my bidet attachment in order to install grab bars. I miss that thing so much. I just wish someone would design one with a joy stick so I could aim instead of wriggling around, first world problem to be sure. ---
**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:** [June 15, 2020, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/63 "2020-06-15T21:19:13Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > I just wish someone would design one with a joy stick so I could aim instead of wriggling around, first world problem to be sure. I never knew I needed this until now. That would be great fun. Pew pew pew!! ---
**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:** [June 15, 2020, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/64 "2020-06-15T23:10:50Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > I never knew I needed this until now. That would be great fun. Pew pew pew!! That’s right! Be Captain Kirk, blasting those Klingons circling . . . Oh, never mind. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/65 "2020-06-16T04:46:24Z")
Someone up thread did mention a Super Soaker… ---
**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:** [June 16, 2020, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/66 "2020-06-16T05:11:39Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > When I came home after having shattered my femur, they took off my bidet attachment in order to install grab bars. I miss that thing so much. I just wish someone would design one with a joy stick so I could aim instead of wriggling around, first world problem to be sure. Depending on preferences, maybe gives a whole new meaning to “joy stick”. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/67 "2020-06-16T18:55:38Z")
Once this pandemic is over I’m going to take a field trip to this local bath & kitchen joint that installs bidet toilet seats in their own public bathroom stalls. I want to try one after reading this thread. Having a butt washed with water does feel way cleaner than smearing poop all over with TP. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2020, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/68 "2020-06-22T02:54:28Z")
I just got one of the Clear Rear models that attaches to my existing toilet. It is simply awesome. And I think my girlfriend likes it even more. I hear a little squeal of fun whenever she’s in there. Using less than half the TP as I only have to dry up a bit. To the OP, it doesn’t actually shoot water up your ass. Unless you set the pressure high enough and position yourself for it. So…um, yeah. Whatever you enjoy. I fucking love this thing and only cost 30 bucks ---
**Author:** ![si\_blakely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@si\_blakely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/si_blakely)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2020, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/69 "2020-06-22T04:57:57Z")
This may be more than anyone wants to know - but I’ve wanted a bidet for a while, for a number of reasons, one of which is the cumulative impact of fissures and hemorrhoids make complete cleaning a protracted affair. Since my wife refuses to purchase wet wipes any more (due to the waste and disposal issues), a bidet seemed the best approach. But in the mean time, I have discovered a new use for my aqueous cream, which I use as soap in the shower and moisturizer afterwards, to help my eczema. After using toilet paper in the usual fashion, apply a small amount of aqueous cream to some toilet paper, and use that. It isn’t wet enough to cause the paper to disintegrate. The cream helps to shift any clinging material in the same way that a wet wipe or spray of water would, but is still just a flushable piece of toilet paper. A couple more dry wipes to remove any excess, and you are good to go. ---
**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:** [June 22, 2020, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/70 "2020-06-22T05:52:39Z")
> [@si\_blakely](#): > > aqueous cream, which I use … to help my eczema. Sorry for the hijack, but may I enquire which one you use and whether you find it effective? I also suffer from eczema from time to time. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![si\_blakely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@si\_blakely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/si_blakely)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2020, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/71 "2020-06-22T07:37:36Z")
I was using Sorbolene for about 5 years. Most of the time it kept things under control. Occasionally I have to use a steroid cream on small patches for a couple of weeks at a time. Because I get it by prescription I didn’t really have any choice when the health authority changed it for a generic **Cetomacrogol & Glycerol Cream** a few months back. It seems ok, but the pump nozzle isn’t quite as good on the new bottle. Only time will tell if it is as good for my skin. Before that I used E45, which was good, but expensive. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2020, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/72 "2020-06-22T22:12:04Z")
Sometimes you work up a thirst after a difficult bowel movement. You can use your bidet as a water fountain in those instances. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats2)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2020, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/73 "2020-06-23T00:26:05Z")
In every apartment I’ve lived in, the sink is within reach of the toilet. I’ve taken to wetting toilet paper before I use it, and it does fine. No need to spend extra big bucks for a bidet. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2020, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/74 "2020-06-23T17:18:02Z")
Update on ours: I had added [this one](https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00P2XZIP2/?coliid=I3D6YI1FSDAMY9&colid=29ZT2A2SSTAG5&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it) to my Amazon list, as well as [this one](https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00UCIOX12/?coliid=I2PRA77NIE94MG&colid=29ZT2A2SSTAG5&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1) for if we liked the lower-end one. My dear spouse decided to get the non-wired one for us to put in the powder room, since we spend most of the day on that floor of the house - plus, the fancier one requires an electrical connection and there’s no plug near the powder room toilet. He installed it over the weekend - and we’ve both put it through its paces, and are pleased. To the point where my husband is all for splurging on the 400 dollar one for the master bath; I kept saying “we could just get another one like this one” and he kept insisting “You’re worth it, and our anniversary and your birthday are coming up”. I finally said “YOU want the fancier one now, right?” and he laughed and agreed. For a female just urinating, it’s more trouble than it’s worth - you use as much TP drying off, as you’d use without the bidet. But for #2, it definitely improves things. Not a perfect clean, depending on, well, the Bristol rating, but it definitely reduces the need for toilet paper by about 90% even then. The water is cool but not frigid. I don’t know that it’ll be that much cooler even in the winter, since it’ll come from pipes that run through interior walls. The Toto seat is currently backordered (ahem) - so I may have to look for another brand that someone mentioned a while back. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2020, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/75 "2020-06-23T17:19:45Z")
I wonder if the spendier ones with remotes allow for aiming via the remote? ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2020, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/76 "2020-06-23T19:00:27Z")
Yes. Yes, she does. I speak with some authority here :). Of interest: someone posted a link here about issues with the girly bits and normal flora with frequent use of bidet attachments. Evidently it’s a real potential issue - so I’m careful to avoid “ground zero”, so to speak. There are other articles studying whether such attachments are contaminated in hospital settings (answer: ewwww, best avoided), and whether there’s any link to preterm labor (answer: no). ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2020, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/77 "2020-06-23T22:11:49Z")
Pro tip: if you give your balloon knot a little spray before you evacuate, it’ll make it less likely anything can adhere. ---
**Author:** ![JpnDude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/838e76/32.png) [@JpnDude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JpnDude)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2020, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/78 "2020-06-25T02:31:17Z")
I’ve been using one since 2000 when I moved into my new place here in Japan. I’ve never gone back since. After the “rinsing” and “air drying”, a quick wipe with a few squares of toilet paper has been enough to keep me clean. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2020, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/79 "2020-06-25T02:38:17Z")
As I heard once, I forget from whom, if you step in dog crap you use a hose not TP. Why would your butt be any different? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2020, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658/80 "2020-06-25T02:52:19Z")
I tried to blow my nose with a bidet once. Didn’t work out all that well. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-bidets-really-better-than-toilet-paper/852658.md?page=5)