The bidet originated in 17th-century France, named after the French word for "pony" because users straddled the basin like a horse, initially as standalone wooden furniture for intimate cleansing between infrequent full baths, becoming a symbol of status for the aristocracy before evolving with plumbing into modern bathroom fixtures found globally, notes Bidets Online, Bidet Warehouse, and this YouTube video.
There are very strict rules on what is termed 'backflow prevention' and of course any ablution sanitaryware is high risk. Toilets and bidets are classed as category 5, the highest risk of cross contamination to a water supply as stated within the Water Regulations.
Originating in 18th-century France, bidets have evolved globally into high-tech fixtures, especially in Asia. Their widespread use abroad has influenced growing interest in the U.S.
The bidet has roots in France but has been greatly popularized by Japanese innovation. It was invented in the early 18th century in France, where it was a small basin used by the aristocracy for personal hygiene. The word "bidet" itself is French, meaning "little horse," which refers to the way it was straddled.
Because they're not very sanitary. You have to clean them just as if they are any another toilet/ toilet handles…. in your home. They also produce too much extra fecal contagion filled bathroom surfaces, and the air….( needs to be constantly sanit...
Although bidets have been around for a long time, their popularity has been less than predicted. One of the biggest reasons why bidets have fallen out of favour is because of the invention of the toilet paper. The traditions of cleaning the rear end with dry paper has stuck, and bidets have failed to catch on.
Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Jordan and other countries will use a small shower for rinsing off after you do your business. Most of these cultures believe that you can get your bum cleaner with water than you can with toilet paper which is why they chose that option.
You don't have to wipe after using a bidet, as the water cleans you, but many people dab dry with a small amount of toilet paper or a dedicated cloth for comfort and to feel completely dry, while some bidets have warm air dryers to eliminate paper use entirely. The main goal is cleanliness, and while the bidet does the washing, a quick pat-dry ensures you're fresh, often requiring far less paper than traditional wiping.
Muslims use bidets (or similar water-cleaning methods like a lota) because Islam emphasizes thorough cleanliness, viewing water as a purifying element for hygiene after using the toilet, a practice rooted in religious teachings (Istinja) that go beyond wiping with paper to ensure true purity, making bidets a practical, effective, and religiously consistent choice.
Bidet cons include potential for skin irritation from overuse, the learning curve for adjusting to water pressure and direction, installation costs and complexity (especially for heated/electric models), potential for water leaks or malfunctions, and a possible cultural discomfort or stigma for some users and guests. Some cheaper models may only offer cold water, while more advanced ones require power and professional plumbing, creating upfront investment hurdles.
Bidets are more hygienic.
Bidets allow for nearly hands-free cleaning of the genitals and anus after toileting or intimacy. Water is used to thoroughly clean skin surfaces and crevices rather than wiping, which can lead to the spread of fecal matter and bacteria.
About 70% of the world uses water for cleansing after using the toilet, often with bidets, handheld sprayers (bum guns), or simple jugs, while others use reusable cloths, natural materials like leaves, or even hands, viewing it as cleaner than paper, especially in Asia, the Middle East, South America, and parts of Europe. Only about 30% rely primarily on toilet paper due to cultural traditions, resource availability, and a preference for water's effectiveness and lower environmental impact.
If you've recently considered upgrading your bathroom with a Japanese-style smart toilet or bidet, you're not alone. These high-tech fixtures offering features like heated seats, adjustable water sprays, and even air drying have become increasingly popular across the UK.
Ask for bidet permission
This fixture is very much a personal care item. And some homeowners might not be keen to let a guest mess around with it, especially a first-timer. So when you see a bidet and feel like trying it out, take the homeowner aside first. Then politely ask if guests are allowed to bidet or not.
Cleaning the anus after defecation using the bidets contributes to hand hygiene and local comfort, and it may be effective against constipation. However, excessive bidet use potentially causes anal pruritus and anal incontinence (AI).
According to Islamic Sharia, it is permissible for a husband and wife to bathe together. This permissibility is evidenced by many Hadiths, one of which is narrated by 'Aishah (RA), the wife of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). She mentions that she and the Prophet (S) used to bathe from a single vessel.
Cultural Differences in Toilet Paper Usage
In Asia, bidets are a popular alternative to toilet paper. In the Middle East, water is used for personal hygiene after using the toilet. In Africa, the usage of toilet paper is not as common and many people resort to alternatives such as wiping with water or cloths.
The bidet is common in predominantly Catholic countries where water is considered essential for anal cleansing, and in some traditionally Orthodox and Lutheran countries, such as Greece and Finland, respectively, where bidet showers are common.
Eating any food while on the toilet is forbidden. After defecating, the anus must be washed with water using the left hand, or an odd number of smooth stones or pebbles called jamrah or hijaarah (Sahih Al-Bukhari 161, Book 4, Hadith 27). Many jurists agree that toilet paper suffices in place of these stones.
A: The bidet has separate hot and cold water inputs. Usually you'd connect the hot water supply from the hot water output under the sink near the toilet. If for some reason there's no available hot water, you can just leave it unplugged and cover the hot water input with the screw-on cap that comes with the product.
Drying methods after using a bidet
In many Amish homes, rags are a common toilet paper alternative. These rags are typically old clothes that have been worn out. After simple processing, they become practical cleaning tools.
"If (someone) has a bowel movement and it's so clean and well-formed that it doesn't leave any residue and just sinks, that is actually a very healthy bowel movement," says De Latour.
If you feel better with a daily showering routine, go for it. If you would rather skip some days, that's OK, but never go more than two or three days without washing your body with soap.