The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted people to take a second look at aspects of their lives previously taken for granted, such as telecommuting, on-line schooling and washing hands.

And with toilet paper in chronic short supply, many consumers are giving the bidet serious consideration as an addition or upgrade for their home bathrooms. And why not? Bidets are commonly found in Europe, Asia, and South America. Although they have never been a widespread fixture in the United States, some studies suggest that may be about to change.

Bidets originated in 17th century France and are a part of daily life in many parts of the world. In fact, only 30 percent of the world population regularly relies on toilet paper.

Bidets are also quickly gaining popularity among American consumers. A 2019 National Kitchen & Bath Association survey of interior designs revealed that a bidet-enabled toilet was one of the most requested features to include in new and remodeled bathrooms.

In the past, most smaller bathrooms lacked the square footage to devote to a stand-alone bidet, but recent innovations have allowed bidets to be integrated with traditional toilets, thus, solving the space dilemma. Today’s bidets have a sleek, minimalist look that is at home with traditional, contemporary and transitional décors, making the bidet a stylish choice for any fashion-forward design space.

In addition, modern bidets offer a host of luxurious options such as endless warm water, LED lighting and heated seats that make the bidet a very welcome addition to the bathroom indeed.

Other factors

While the toilet paper shortage maybe a short-term problem, the environmental impact is not. Nearly 27,000 trees are cut down every day to meet the global demand for toilet paper, which can exceed 34 million rolls daily. The average person will require the equivalent of 384 trees to meet their lifetime supply of toilet paper. Bidets can eliminate the need for toilet paper entirely, particularly those models with built-in dryers.

Bidets also conserve water resources. The average bidet requires just 1/8 of a gallon of water per use while the production process of creating toilet paper consumers 37 gallons for a single roll. Bidets also promote a more healthy and sanitary living standard, with users reporting an overall decline in skin irritations, hemorrhoid and urinary tract infections.

The Muse iWash by ICERA is a great example of a bidet that meets the needs of today’s consumers. As a combination toilet and bidet, this integrated unit supplies all the functions of both fixtures without sacrificing valuable floor space.

The Muse iWash is a high-efficiency toilet with 1.28 gallons per flush utilizing the best of ICERA’s advanced plumbing technology. A host of personal features include a heated seat, built-in deodorizer, an in-bowl LED nightlight, and a convenient wall-mount remote control. The bidet system comes with two user presets to save individual settings and ensure a repeat performance every time. 

The Muse iWash also features a bowl-cleansing pre-mist that is activated when the seat is occupied and automatically flushes when vacated, creating a cleaner, touch-free bathroom experience. Like all ICERA products, the Muse iWash is crafted of vitreous china and protected with MicroGlaze, an antimicrobial finish for easy cleaning and durable good looks. 

TOTO has been a leader in bidet design for more than 40 years. The company’s newest offering combines the toilet and bidet into one wall-mounted unit for the maximum in space-saving efficiency and eye-catching design.

The RW WASHLET + RP Wall-Hung Toilet saves up to 9 inches of floor space in small bathrooms and powder rooms where every inch counts. With a clean, modern aesthetic and skirted design, this unit pairs form and function for the ultimate in personal cleaning and hygiene. A subtle wave design adds interest to the lid, while a seamless connection between the two units leaves no unsightly or protruding supply lines. 

The high-efficiency RW WASHLET + RP Wall-Hung Toilet makes full use of TOTO’s advanced technology, including the Dynamax Tornado Flush system and chemical-free EWATER+ cleaning solution.

The WASHLET system provides front and rear warm water washing with fully adjustable temperature and pressure controls, heated seated, automatic air deodorizer, and two user presets. Other thoughtful features include an auto flush for hands-free function, pre-mist of the bowl before each use, and a beautiful matte silver wall-mounted push plate. Designed to hold up to 880 pounds, the unit may be installed at a 15-19 inch mounting height for easy accessibility.

For those who want to add a bidet without doing any remodeling, installing a bidet seat to their existing toilet is a smart and simple solution.

ICERA’s S-11 iWash Electronic Bidet Seat is one of the most innovative models on the market.

“This is the only standalone seat where you can just attach it to your existing toilet and you’re immediately good to go as long as you have the correct electrical components already in your bathroom,” said Rachel Tufono, ICERA’s inside sales manager. “This makes it very easy and very accessible for people who aren’t willing to replace their entire toilet. This is kind of a way to step your toe into the world of bidets, and it offers a lot more features than a regular floor-standing bidet.”

The electronic S-11 was designed with comfort, hygiene and accessibility in mind. It is sized to fit most standard elongated toilets with a slim profile only 5 inches high. Its stainless-steel nozzle is self-cleaning and fully adjustable with front and rear oscillating cleansing sprays.

With its tankless design, the S-11 is especially notable for its unlimited warm water supply. Users never have to wait for water to heat or worry about it suddenly turning cold. The user’s preferred water temperature will remain in force as long as needed with the help of ICERA’s instant ceramic water heating system.

Users enjoy a range of customizable options with the S-11, including seat and dryer temperatures, spray options, nozzle position and water pressure. All are easily controlled by a wall-mounted remote control with memory for two customized settings.

As bidets continue to grow in popularity in the United States, top manufacturers will lead the way with design innovations and performance enhancements. It is too soon to know if the most recent rise in interest is a consumer-driven shift sparked by the pandemic and related concerns, or if the increasing acceptance of bidets is a cultural evolution as America joins the rest of the world in discovering the joys of the bidet in the bathroom. 

For more information on these bidet options, visit icerausa.com and totousa.com.