Types of Bidets and Their Use

Few people realize that the history of the bidet spans more than two centuries and is an integral part of personal hygiene across the globe.  Originating in France, at a time when full body bathing was inconvenient for most, and done barely once a week, the bidet was invented to cleanse the ‘private’ areas of the body in-between the full body baths.

With today’s advanced knowledge of bacterium and methods of contamination, the bidet serves more purposes than originally intended.  For instance, it reduces the incidences of bladder and urinary tract infections; aids in the treatment and healing of hemorrhoids;  assists new mothers in the healing process; reduces consumption of paper products and thereby helps to save the forests;  aids seniors in maintaining good health and personal independence and more.

For anyone who doesn’t already have a bidet in their home and knows they need one, we’ll start by reviewing the four basic options available.

1.  Bidet attachments – The bidet toilet seat attachment represents the least expensive and most efficient method of installing bidets in your home.  They can be attached to any commode, and the installation can be completed in as little as 30 minutes.  No need for a contractor, plumber or other type of professional in order to accomplish your goal.

2.  Hand-held bidet sprayers – Hand-held bidet sprayers (diaper sprayer / shattaf) are convenient and easy to use offering a hygienic cleansing experience right in the palm of your hand.

3.  Non-electric bidets – Easy to install, the non electric bidets come as a complete toilet seat or can be attached in between the toilet and the seat. This type of bidet is real value for money as it requires no electricity and still gets the job done. These bidets are hooked on to the existing bathroom pipes and can use both hot and cold water,  depending on how you set it up.

4.  Free standing bidets – This option is typically reserved for consumers with large, spacious bathrooms and the disposable income to afford both the appliance and the professional installation.  The free standing models are usually made of porcelain and tend to require equally as much space as the existing commode.  Additional plumbing is required for the bidet to be fully operational.

With the many options available today in the bidet industry, anyone can make the healthier choice to have better hygiene.