General Discussion

Warpy

(114,616 posts)

53. I think that's it, plus the fact that the bathroom the size of a ballroom

Sun Mar 3, 2013, 03:47 PM

Mar 2013

is a very late arrival into the suburban homestead. Most bathrooms in the early postwar period were tiny, just enough room for toilet, sink and small tub. There just wasn't anywhere to squeeze in a bidet. People with huge bathrooms now usually opt for the free standing shower over a bidet.

One place you see them now is in urban Mexico in the better homes and flats. You can't flush used TP in Mexico, the septic systems are small and not built to handle it. The bidet as alternative to a smelly can of waste soaked tissue next to the toilet is quite popular.

I've lived in a place with a bidet here in the US and found it more useful for its intended purpose in summer and if I was wearing a dress. Pulling jeans over a lily with dew on it was just a little uncomfortable in cold weather.

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Why has the bidet never caught on in America [View all] madville Mar 2013 OP

i don't know if this is true but i have heard because it's not as common JI7 Mar 2013 #1

As a general rule, the bidet disappeared from Europe Democracyinkind Mar 2013 #4

I love them. My relatives in Italy have them in their homes. I use them. I use the southernyankeebelle Mar 2013 #11

You can get bidet attachments for your toilet csziggy Mar 2013 #133

Wow I didn't know that. Thanks for telling me. I'll have to check it out. Do you have southernyankeebelle Mar 2013 #140

There seem to be variations csziggy Mar 2013 #141

They really are the best. Especially when you are in a hurry and you don't have southernyankeebelle Mar 2013 #142

I should check them out more thoroughly csziggy Mar 2013 #143

Well as a heavy person sitting on a bedit sorta you can wash yourself very well and southernyankeebelle Mar 2013 #144

When we built our house we planned for aging csziggy Mar 2013 #145

We moved into my in-laws old house. It needs so much work done we can't afford to southernyankeebelle Mar 2013 #153

Having a paid for house is worth a lot of inconvenience! csziggy Mar 2013 #163

I sure hope so. It always something. southernyankeebelle Mar 2013 #166

Link to one I got from Amazon ($39.95) DeschutesRiver Mar 2013 #164

You are very sweet to give me a link. Yes I will check it out. Am glad you like it. southernyankeebelle Mar 2013 #167

You are most welcome DeschutesRiver Mar 2013 #168

I went and looked at it. I think am going to get it. Thanks again. southernyankeebelle Mar 2013 #171

My husband's family JustAnotherGen Mar 2013 #161

I think its standard. southernyankeebelle Mar 2013 #170

I go to EUrope every year and I see them everywhere I stay. CTyankee Mar 2013 #36

A question of budget, perhaps? Democracyinkind Mar 2013 #43

I think that's it, plus the fact that the bathroom the size of a ballroom Warpy Mar 2013 #53

When I lived in Britain OwnedByCats Mar 2013 #67

when i lived in paris my 1 room + bath apartment had one. i thought it was great HiPointDem Mar 2013 #137

That's been my experience Major Nikon Mar 2013 #116

I find them hard to rinse your mouth with, after you brush your teeth. Katashi_itto Mar 2013 #122

I think they're pretty disgusting. Nine Mar 2013 #2

Many newer ones are built into the seat madville Mar 2013 #5

that's what I meant by "modern" - where the sprayer is higher up Nine Mar 2013 #6

Think, e.g., explosive diarrhea ... Bake Mar 2013 #30

One of my friends has one of these. I tried it ... it was an interesting experience with the RKP5637 Mar 2013 #7

i bought one for $80 on amazon that fits under the seat BREMPRO Mar 2013 #84

With the cost of TP anymore this can be a real cost saver. n/t RKP5637 Mar 2013 #85

I have a question. Jamastiene Mar 2013 #89

Here's the control panel for a typical Japanese toilet-bidet (called a "washlet" in Japan) Art_from_Ark Mar 2013 #105

You use the air dryer ashling Mar 2013 #111

sit for about 30 seconds, drip dry! BREMPRO Mar 2013 #115

The one I have retrofits onto your regular toilet, and there is no dryer. DeschutesRiver Mar 2013 #159

may be a silly question, but how do you dry yourself? Whisp Mar 2013 #109

I bought one on Amazon as well; dh laughed. After using? We bought 2 more for the other toilets. DeschutesRiver Mar 2013 #148

they aren't to be used that way. They don't replace toilet paper. You use the toilet paper first CTyankee Mar 2013 #56

But the premise of a bidet is that toilet paper leaves matter behind. Nine Mar 2013 #57

Perhaps before the general use of commercial tp that was the case with bidets, I don't know. CTyankee Mar 2013 #65

less water than a toilet flush. HiPointDem Mar 2013 #138

Because I can create some real natural disasters with my poo Rex Mar 2013 #149

I assume you have FEMA on speed dial. HappyMe Mar 2013 #151

They have my number blocked. Rex Mar 2013 #152

friends coming over to my house in the late 60s and early 70s cali Mar 2013 #3

But don't you still need toilet paper to dry yourself after the squirt? mainer Mar 2013 #8

Cloth towel madville Mar 2013 #9

Your exactly right. When I used them I took my underwear off and washed myself like a southernyankeebelle Mar 2013 #12

I like them for travelling particularly in warmer weather. They are refreshing. CTyankee Mar 2013 #38

I don't know how they ever got that impression. I never used it other than to wash myself. southernyankeebelle Mar 2013 #51

Ok,with no soap involved, fecal matter is definitely getting on the towel. Lars39 Mar 2013 #22

Not in any detectable amount madville Mar 2013 #23

Oh, right. Not. WinkyDink Mar 2013 #35

Oh, that's just completely revolting. Codeine Mar 2013 #59

You do realize the area is clean when I'm talking about madville Mar 2013 #66

Sorry, but without soap and proper washing it won't be clean. Codeine Mar 2013 #69

but you do use soap. After tp. It's a mini, partial shower between showers...see? CTyankee Mar 2013 #72

Wait... is it soap, water AND tp? Other posters say its just water. So confused nt riderinthestorm Mar 2013 #102

well, I wouldn't use just water. I'd use all three. Personal preference. CTyankee Mar 2013 #107

It's a pressurized jet of water madville Mar 2013 #73

So in your version just h20 is sufficient. That's cool. But others believe tp alone is okay riderinthestorm Mar 2013 #103

The one I used ... built into the toilet, had a heated fan gizzmo that dried you right off RKP5637 Mar 2013 #15

I barely have room for ONE toilet in my bath, much less two. Honeycombe8 Mar 2013 #10

Modern ones are built into the toilet seat madville Mar 2013 #13

you just pat dry with toilet paper which you throw into the toilet. CTyankee Mar 2013 #39

So it's for sanitary reasons & not for saving t.p., seems like. nt Honeycombe8 Mar 2013 #123

maybe at one time when commercial tp wasn't in general use, but today I think it is CTyankee Mar 2013 #124

I hate the sound of it. Getting all wet like that? Esp in the winter? Yuk!nt Honeycombe8 Mar 2013 #125

seems to me that we don't stop washing our hands in the winter, so... CTyankee Mar 2013 #134

well I learn something this morning. Always thought they were just for after sex ! nt Laura PourMeADrink Mar 2013 #14

Is the water heated, or cold? Sheldon Cooper Mar 2013 #16

They can be heated madville Mar 2013 #17

Well, it's good to know you can warm water! Sheldon Cooper Mar 2013 #18

the ones I have encountered have hot and cold water faucets so you can adjust to the CTyankee Mar 2013 #40

Bidet's Ass! Hubert Flottz Mar 2013 #19

Americans like to walk around with stinky butts? sammytko Mar 2013 #20

you're even cleaner when you use a little soap with the water eShirl Mar 2013 #25

Does is it spray with carnuba wax for another 75 cents? eom Kolesar Mar 2013 #26

never used a bidet, wouldn't know. EOM eShirl Mar 2013 #44

It is the wirebrush option you need to stay away from. nt hack89 Mar 2013 #83

You're doin' it wrong. WinkyDink Mar 2013 #33

put in a sprayer and use with regular toilet JCMach1 Mar 2013 #21

Ok, now this has become the funniest thread on DU Lifelong Protester Mar 2013 #121

just use a terry washcloth & soap at the sink (when at home) eShirl Mar 2013 #24

"If you ever sat naked on a hotel bedspread, then you are going to want to hear our next segment" Kolesar Mar 2013 #27

I just brought an attachment for my toilet at the mall that is like a bidet kimbutgar Mar 2013 #28

You have a toilet at the mall? Codeine Mar 2013 #60

It's like the family pew at church. jberryhill Mar 2013 #132

Got ours on Amazon, but it was called a "Luxe" bidet, around that same price too iirc. DeschutesRiver Mar 2013 #160

To low..... whistler162 Mar 2013 #29

I always laugh when the bidet threads come up. Your bathrooms must be a LOT bigger than mine! riderinthestorm Mar 2013 #31

Septic systems benefit from less paper madville Mar 2013 #46

I've never heard that. Do you have a link? I've only heard @ too much h2o as riderinthestorm Mar 2013 #71

I've never lived without either a septic system or well water since I was born decades ago. DeschutesRiver Mar 2013 #165

Paper usage vs. water usage. Don't see the environmental plus for the bidet. And one dries....? WinkyDink Mar 2013 #32

The environmental plus is that it takes trees to make paper of any sort.. supernova Mar 2013 #79

Why, with a sink and a tub/shower, would an AMERICAN bathroom ALSO need a bidet? WinkyDink Mar 2013 #34

I've never had that be the case in all my trips to europe. they're just a nice little refreshing CTyankee Mar 2013 #41

I know, but the OP asked about America. He also ignores the "footprint" style I found in Italy & WinkyDink Mar 2013 #99

Many modern ones are actually built into the seat madville Mar 2013 #50

"Many"? What brands would be included? WinkyDink Mar 2013 #100

They are all over madville Mar 2013 #104

When I was in France, the hotel had one. RebelOne Mar 2013 #37

Regardless of the pros and cons, I think someone with hemorrhoids would find a bidet Cleita Mar 2013 #42

Another "Why can't America be more like..." thread. Well, it HAS been a couple days since the last. cherokeeprogressive Mar 2013 #45

Well, see, that's how message boards work. People discuss things and Lex Mar 2013 #47

I'm sorry you are angry about this thread madville Mar 2013 #49

I had some people get REALLY mad at me a few years ago when I posted a bidet thread. CTyankee Mar 2013 #55

Pretty sure libodem Mar 2013 #48

Americans prefer to have Smoke blown up their Asses formercia Mar 2013 #52

K&R !!! n/t RKP5637 Mar 2013 #126

After childbirth, the hospitals give out squirt bottles. LeftInTX Mar 2013 #54

Those things pipi_k Mar 2013 #61

Beats me, because pipi_k Mar 2013 #58

A dab of hand lotion on the TP helps formercia Mar 2013 #62

wet wipes are a good solution, ifyou don't mind the extra expense. CTyankee Mar 2013 #64

the shower shouldn't be the only place you can wash your ass. datasuspect Mar 2013 #63

It amazes me how many people hate the idea madville Mar 2013 #68

Maybe this thread has helped clear up misunderstandings about bidets. A lot of Americans never CTyankee Mar 2013 #70

Probably because wiping with toilet paper doesn't create horrible diseases lunatica Mar 2013 #74

Are we REALLY!! having a bidet vs. TP thread in GD? Really???? Bake Mar 2013 #75

Thanks for joining in! madville Mar 2013 #77

Yeah, and here I am kicking it back to the top of the page. Bake Mar 2013 #78

OMG, my first real belly laugh of the day! This could go EPIC!!! CTyankee Mar 2013 #80

Somebody needs to post the SNL skit about the hotel bidets!! Bake Mar 2013 #82

that's ok, this is just as funny on its own... CTyankee Mar 2013 #87

And another thing, why don't you just write the word appropriate? Saboburns Mar 2013 #88

Indeed, it's a topic I never expected here 2naSalit Mar 2013 #90

Because Congress affords us a nearly unlimited supply of rumpswabs. (nt) Lizzie Poppet Mar 2013 #76

I guess you can soap it up under the bidet Rosa Luxemburg Mar 2013 #81

Ours has a heated seat. Bosso 63 Mar 2013 #86

Redd Foxx weighs in: TheManInTheMac Mar 2013 #91

It's great! We have one upi402 Mar 2013 #92

Toilets with spray attachments are commonplace in Japan, even in budget hotels Lydia Leftcoast Mar 2013 #93

Japanese people are very into cleanliness but I don't think it's about germs. Bonobo Mar 2013 #94

I saw a movie that took place in the postwar period, when Japan was very poor, and the children Lydia Leftcoast Mar 2013 #96

Interesting. Bonobo Mar 2013 #97

Interesting, a coworker who grew up in China said the house cleaning they do for New Years was the bettyellen Mar 2013 #101

It pisses people off, maybe? Jumpin Jack Fletch Mar 2013 #95

Because in the US it could set our pubies on fire me b zola Mar 2013 #98

R. Crumb's "Tommy The Toilet" has Koch Industries back(side)! stlsaxman Mar 2013 #106

R.Crumb olddots Mar 2013 #136

Because, Stryder Mar 2013 #108

Can't you use both a bidet and T P? Tikki Mar 2013 #110

Of course. This whole discussion gets a bit silly. CTyankee Mar 2013 #112

A house I rented in New Orleans had one. bluedigger Mar 2013 #113

I have a bidet and now would never want to live without one cynannmarie Mar 2013 #114

Any time I ever tried to use one, water ended up all over the room MadrasT Mar 2013 #117

LOL! HappyMe Mar 2013 #147

I know someone in Europe that has one that uses it as a magazine holder Renew Deal Mar 2013 #118

I've seen that reaction pecwae Mar 2013 #119

I use flushable baby wipes. Learned it from Howard Stern. cbdo2007 Mar 2013 #120

'CAUSE IT'S THE DANGDEST WORST DRINKIN' FOUNTAIN EVER INVENTED! rdharma Mar 2013 #127

The short answer is space Travelman Mar 2013 #128

The for modern designs are built into a toilet seat madville Mar 2013 #129

I understand that Travelman Mar 2013 #130

according to this, it depends on where in europe you're talking about. HiPointDem Mar 2013 #139

LOL moose65 Mar 2013 #131

I had one in Brazil BainsBane Mar 2013 #135

And we're STILL discussing bidets in GD ... Bake Mar 2013 #146

Because popular standards of personal hygiene are not the greatest, IMO. closeupready Mar 2013 #150

Because we are AMERICANS! and our s**t don't STINK! ret5hd Mar 2013 #154

I never had even heard of this convenience until I started learning how to speak French. Nika Mar 2013 #155

Because its not sanitary. darkangel218 Mar 2013 #156

Now, this is a first for me! Sissyk Mar 2013 #157

I haven't used dry TP in many years. aaaaaa5a Mar 2013 #158

People are simply waiting for the three seashells. IveWornAHundredPants Mar 2013 #162

I love the bidet! Solly Mack Mar 2013 #169