# Why are butt cleaning toilet attachments not more popular in America/the west? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 7, 2014, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-butt-cleaning-toilet-attachments-not-more-popular-in-america-the-west/680727 "2014-02-07T02:53:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![bldysabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2014, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-butt-cleaning-toilet-attachments-not-more-popular-in-america-the-west/680727/121 "2014-02-09T17:35:07Z")
> [@MissSwitac](#): > > I guess it comes down to actually sitting my rear down and using one. I think I’d rather try the in bowl one anyway. Just concerned with the kid thinking it’s a new spray toy or something. Heh, it’s perfectly cool for you to prefer the non handheld type. I’m just trying to impress upon you that unsanitary-ness shouldn’t be the reason. ---
**Author:** ![bot3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@bot3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bot3)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2014, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-butt-cleaning-toilet-attachments-not-more-popular-in-america-the-west/680727/122 "2014-02-09T19:21:12Z")
> [@MissSwitac](#): > > Daffyd, thanks for letting me know. I went on the Luxe website to compare. The 120 has the self cleaning nozzle feature which I like with the rest of the features as the 110. > > I wonder about the dual nozzle thing with the added front cleaning for women. Does the single nozzle work well enough to reach women’s bits or should I consider an upgrade to the 320? > > (Finding the humor in this thread. Never thought i’d be discussing the ins and outs of cleaning butholes and vulvas with people across the world. :p) I just installed the model 320. I’m waiting for my wife to try it. I’ll let you know what she thinks. What might make a difference is the toilet shape. Round vs elongated. You might have to adjust your sitting position. ---
**Author:** ![bare](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bare/32/471_2.png) [@bare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bare)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2014, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-butt-cleaning-toilet-attachments-not-more-popular-in-america-the-west/680727/123 "2014-02-09T19:28:03Z")
If one were to do a search on bidets, you’d find I was an early convert. I’ve used all types over the years and even tried to market them for a time. People are just downright skeptical and unwilling to even try one. While I do have a toilet mounted bidet, the one I use all the time is a homemade affair, using a readily available “Misty Mate”. [here](http://www.amazon.com/MistyMate-20009-Deluxe-Personal-Mister/dp/B005727E2I/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1391973787&sr=8-2&keywords=misty+mate)I just cut the mister part off and install my homemade wand which is nothing more than a quarter turn ball valve and piece of copper tubing. Misty mate holds about two and a half cups water, plenty for multiple uses before refilling. A couple pumps and it’s good to go. The advantage with my set up is it’s completely portable, 'cause there is no way in hell I’m ever going back to smearing my shit around with toilet paper. If you are a pansy, you could even add your favorite soap or essential oil before screwing the top back on. If you use hot water, it’s a bit of a sensual experience. ---
**Author:** ![bot3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@bot3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bot3)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2014, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-butt-cleaning-toilet-attachments-not-more-popular-in-america-the-west/680727/124 "2014-02-09T19:47:00Z")
> [@bare](#): > > If you are a pansy, you could even add your favorite soap or essential oil before screwing the top back on. If you use hot water, it’s a bit of a sensual experience. I love your ingenuity. It’s a great idea if you have a medical problem. However, I don’t agree with the soap or oil idea. Without rinsing with clean water I would not want a soap or oil residue to stay in that area.I would think it would be even more of a concern for females. ---
**Author:** ![bare](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bare/32/471_2.png) [@bare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bare)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2014, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-butt-cleaning-toilet-attachments-not-more-popular-in-america-the-west/680727/125 "2014-02-09T20:04:46Z")
> [@bot3](#): > > I love your ingenuity. It’s a great idea if you have a medical problem. However, I don’t agree with the soap or oil idea. Without rinsing with clean water I would not want a soap or oil residue to stay in that area.I would think it would be even more of a concern for females. You have a problem with your rosebud smelling like a rose bud? ---
**Author:** ![bot3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@bot3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bot3)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2014, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-butt-cleaning-toilet-attachments-not-more-popular-in-america-the-west/680727/126 "2014-02-09T20:08:00Z")
Umm…A rose by any other name…😉 ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2014, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-butt-cleaning-toilet-attachments-not-more-popular-in-america-the-west/680727/127 "2014-02-09T20:15:09Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > As shown, it would be COLD water. No thank you. > > I have used, and wish to own, a bidet toilet seat that heats water and sprays the anus. ^^^ this. At home, I’m able to make use of other plumbing fixtures which produce heated water. In public restrooms, doing so would probably be rather upsetting to others as they came in. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2014, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-butt-cleaning-toilet-attachments-not-more-popular-in-america-the-west/680727/128 "2014-02-09T20:16:39Z")
> [@bot3](#): > > To those who think it doesn’t help clean. To put it very grossly, think of this way. Would you be willing to have sex with your partner if just after having a crap he/she only used TP. Especially if a bidet was available? It’s a thorough cleaning with soap and water or it’s nothing. I’ve never dated anyone who didn’t operate under these rules. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2014, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-butt-cleaning-toilet-attachments-not-more-popular-in-america-the-west/680727/129 "2014-02-09T20:36:21Z")
My concern is that splashing water is going to spread germs and there is no rational way a self cleaning one can compensate for this unless it goes through a bleach cycle. You can buy cleansing wipes that would IMO be more sanitary on every level. ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2014, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-butt-cleaning-toilet-attachments-not-more-popular-in-america-the-west/680727/130 "2014-02-09T21:06:48Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > My concern is that splashing water is going to spread germs and there is no rational way a self cleaning one can compensate for this unless it goes through a bleach cycle. You can buy cleansing wipes that would IMO be more sanitary on every level. Except then you’re increasing waste in general. And I can tell you from experience that you don’t want to find out your allergic to something in those wipes. It doesn’t splash - at least no more than urine splashing into the bowl. The stream that comes out is fairly strong, but then it’s just dripping down into the bowl. And I clean the bidet with my regular weekly cleaning of the toilet. If it was growing nasties in the nozzle, I suspect I’d have gotten a UTI in the last year, because I can get one of those at the drop of a hat. ---
**Author:** ![dada2fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ccd318/32.png) [@dada2fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dada2fish)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2014, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-butt-cleaning-toilet-attachments-not-more-popular-in-america-the-west/680727/131 "2014-02-09T21:17:11Z")
> [@bot3](#): > > I just installed the model 320. I’m waiting for my wife to try it. I’ll let you know what she thinks. What might make a difference is the toilet shape. Round vs elongated. You might have to adjust your sitting position. Anxiously waiting on the cleanliness rating of Mrs. bot3’s girlie bits. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2014, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-butt-cleaning-toilet-attachments-not-more-popular-in-america-the-west/680727/132 "2014-02-09T21:29:52Z")
> [@Lsura](#): > > Except then you’re increasing waste in general. And I can tell you from experience that you don’t want to find out your allergic to something in those wipes. > > It doesn’t splash - at least no more than urine splashing into the bowl. The stream that comes out is fairly strong, but then it’s just dripping down into the bowl. And I clean the bidet with my regular weekly cleaning of the toilet. If it was growing nasties in the nozzle, I suspect I’d have gotten a UTI in the last year, because I can get one of those at the drop of a hat. When you flush the toilet it creates a [plume of bacteria](http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2004/07/01/1143577.htm) capable of getting on your toothbrush and every other item in the bathroom. Good reason to keep the lid down. The bidet is pretty much at ground zero. And it’s not blowing smoke up one’s wazoo it’s spraying water which is flinging bacteria everywhere. So the anus is slightly cleaner and everything else down there gets a shit shower. Pass. Yes, you could have an allergic reaction to soap. That’s going to happen in the shower or from laundered clothes. That’s not an argument. Change brands. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2014, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-butt-cleaning-toilet-attachments-not-more-popular-in-america-the-west/680727/133 "2014-02-10T02:28:58Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > no, I don’t consider rinsing with water an act that improves cleanliness as it pertains to feces. I would never wash my hands with just water or take a shower with just water. If I’m having a crappy day then I wet the toilet paper and put soap on it. You’re not comparing like for like… After you’ve had a crap, do you wash your hands or wipe them with paper? Which is going to be better at getting them clean? ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2014, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-butt-cleaning-toilet-attachments-not-more-popular-in-america-the-west/680727/134 "2014-02-10T07:10:52Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > It’s a thorough cleaning with soap and water or it’s nothing. Not even toilet paper? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2014, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-butt-cleaning-toilet-attachments-not-more-popular-in-america-the-west/680727/135 "2014-02-10T08:01:22Z")
> [@bengangmo](#): > > You’re not comparing like for like… > > After you’ve had a crap, do you wash your hands or wipe them with paper? > > Which is going to be better at getting them clean? I use soap and water. Water alone is not sufficient for washing hands. It’s not even a question. A bidet provides some improvement over paper but it also has the potential to spread germs. For intimate contact with other people (ie; sex) a bidet is not sufficient. ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2014, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-butt-cleaning-toilet-attachments-not-more-popular-in-america-the-west/680727/136 "2014-02-11T20:12:25Z")
This thread inspired me to buy one of those cheapie bidet seats from Amazon, the Neo 110. It was about $25, cold water only. I installed it a couple of days ago (easy, took about 10 minutes). I had used heated bidets in Japan before, but didn’t really want to spend $300 on one. We live in Missouri, and our tap water is very cold, just above freezing. First, I would like to address this whole “your ass can’t feel cold” idea. Bullshit. That water is freezing, and a bit shocking. BUT. I like the seat, anyway. It takes a bit of getting used to, yes. You’re really only blasted with ice water for a few seconds, though, and then your butt hole is all nice and clean, and really the whole experience is much more pleasant than wiping. Y’all should try it. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2014, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-butt-cleaning-toilet-attachments-not-more-popular-in-america-the-west/680727/137 "2014-02-11T21:02:22Z")
Currently on [Woot!](http://tools.woot.com/plus/brondell-bidets-gasp-whoa-what-th-1). StG ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2014, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-butt-cleaning-toilet-attachments-not-more-popular-in-america-the-west/680727/138 "2014-02-11T23:02:11Z")
> [@Renee](#): > > This thread inspired me to buy one of those cheapie bidet seats from Amazon, the Neo 110. It was about $25, cold water only. I installed it a couple of days ago (easy, took about 10 minutes). I had used heated bidets in Japan before, but didn’t really want to spend $300 on one. We live in Missouri, and our tap water is very cold, just above freezing. If you’re clever at plumbing, you could install a mixing faucet to feed it - though you’d have to run it ahead of time to get it to an acceptable temperature. > [@](#): > > First, I would like to address this whole “your ass can’t feel cold” idea. Bullshit. That water is freezing, and a bit shocking. BUT. I like the seat, anyway. It takes a bit of getting used to, yes. You’re really only blasted with ice water for a few seconds, though, and then your butt hole is all nice and clean, and really the whole experience is much more pleasant than wiping. Y’all should try it. Yeah, I haven’t measure the temperature of my cold water, but it can’t be above 50 degrees. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2014, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-butt-cleaning-toilet-attachments-not-more-popular-in-america-the-west/680727/139 "2014-02-11T23:54:52Z")
Has no one else trained their bowels? 0600: Drop a crap. 0610: Take a shower. Repeat tomorrow. Winky stays fresh as a daffodil. No need for hoses, streams, heaters or nozzles. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2014, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-butt-cleaning-toilet-attachments-not-more-popular-in-america-the-west/680727/140 "2014-02-12T00:02:26Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > If you’re clever at plumbing, you could install a mixing faucet to feed it - though you’d have to run it ahead of time to get it to an acceptable temperature. Yeah, and therein lies the problem. If you run the thing in advance, it’s going to spray all over your bathroom; there is no way to keep it in the toilet without an ass on it to block the water. They do make ones that have mixers in them (this assumes you have a hot water line close enough to the toilet.) I think we can deal with the cold water, but electric ones seem more practical than ones with mixers. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-butt-cleaning-toilet-attachments-not-more-popular-in-america-the-west/680727.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-butt-cleaning-toilet-attachments-not-more-popular-in-america-the-west/680727.md?page=8)