Some people mistake bidets for awkward sinks, drinking fountains, second toilets, or unusual urinals. Others think bidets are used for washing their feet or even keeping their drinks on ice (shower beer, anyone?).
Maybe you’ve heard stories of people accidentally spraying the whole bathroom… and themselves! Or maybe you’ve just seen a cool real estate listing for a master suite complete with his and hers closets and luxury ensuite bath with bidet toilet and wondered, “what is a bidet?”
Bidets are slowly becoming essential parts of modern American bathrooms and have been an essential part of other countries' bathrooms for a long time. We’ll not only explore the question of what are bidets exactly, but also what bidet is right for your budget!
What is a Bidet?
Though there are many shapes, sizes, and types of bidets, all bidets are used for the same purpose: to clean yourself!
A bidet is a specialized bathroom fixture for washing your undercarriage. It’s the primary way that many people around the world clean themselves up after using the toilet. Modern bidets spray a targeted stream of water exactly where you need it, cleaning up even your worst messes gently and easily.
A bidet has traditionally been a separate porcelain fixture that stands near the toilet (this is the awkward-sink variety). To use these standalone bidets, you use the toilet first, then move over to squat or sit on the bidet for cleaning. You most frequently see this type of bidet in Europe.
Then… What is a Bidet Toilet Seat?
These high-tech, toilet and bidet combos are a more recent innovation. They are added onto an existing toilet with a simple DIY installation, replacing the toilet seat. You’ll use the bidet function while still sitting on the toilet – no waddling across the bathroom! A hygienic nozzle extends beneath you to spray, then retracts inside the seat when not in use.
Electronic bidet toilet seats even have integrated water heaters, so you can enjoy warm water washes. Plus, these modern marvels have all sorts of extras like heated seats, night lights, deodorizers, and warm air dryers.
In the 1960s, Arnold Cohen (also known as " Mr. Bidet") assembled the first bidet toilet device, calling it the American Sitzbath. Being truly ahead of its time, his combination bidet/toilet seat was largely dismissed by the American public. In 1980s Japan, however, a manufacturer presented a derivation of Mr. Bidet’s bidet toilet seat… and now over 80% of bathrooms in Japan have one! Because bidet toilet seats are easy to DIY install and don’t require any major renovations, they’ve become some of the most popular bidets in American bathrooms, too.
Other Types of Bidets
Bidet attachments and sprayers are other bidet add-on options for your toilet. Powered only by water pressure, they’re also the most economical. Bidet attachments install underneath your toilet seat instead of replacing it. You control the nozzle spray by turning a dial on the attachment arm.
A hand-held bidet sprayer (also known as a bidet shower or shattaf) is similar to a kitchen sprayer or garden hose. Hold it in your hand, aim in the desired direction, and start washing. This type of bidet is particularly popular in the Asia-Pacific region of the world and among the Muslim community.
Bidet sprayers are usually placed in a holster on the wall or toilet tank. These sprayers are also great multi-purpose tools. They’re convenient for rinsing down shower walls, bathing pets in the tub, or even as diaper sprayers for cleaning cloth diapers.
The Cost of a Bidet
With so many types of bidets, you may be wondering what the best bidet is. Fortunately, the bidet comes in a price range that works with any budget.
At the upper end of the price spectrum, integrated bidet toilets (a bidet combined with the whole toilet fixture, not just the seat) can cost thousands of dollars. Installing a traditional porcelain bidet also gets very pricey, considering that most American bathrooms don’t have the space or plumbing for a separate fixture.
What are good bidets for the budget-minded? Bidet attachments and sprayers are a very affordable way to try a bidet. A basic ambient-temperature bidet attachment will only cost you $50, or you could try a dual-temperature version for $70. If a hand-held bidet is more your style, try an ergonomic, pressure-controlled bidet sprayer for a similar price!
For the best bidet experience without breaking the bank, bidet toilet seats are the way to go. Fully-featured warm water models range in price from under $300 for entry-level models to just over $600 for luxury models with all the bells and whistles.
So the next time you hear someone whisper, “what are bidet toilets?” you’ll have all the answers! You might even decide to add one to your own bathroom.