TEACH ME HOW TO "BIDET"

By Megan Sorrell Steed

It’s 2020, and the world is shutting down.

Supermarket shelves are stripped bare, and one of the most essential household items has become scarcer than a parking spot on Black Friday.

Yep, you know it—good ol' toilet paper.

Scoring a roll of Charmin felt like hitting the jackpot in a hygiene-based lottery.

Fast forward to today, and while life has (mostly) returned to normal, our toilet paper anxiety is flaring up again. Why? Because this week, we saw it happen again during the dockworker strike. This hit like a bad case of déjà vu.

Like my mother always said, it's best to be prepared and stay ahead of the game.

During a recent Zoom call, I joked with my colleagues in Japan and Germany about the great toilet paper scavenger hunt.

They looked at me like I had two heads.

Apparently the rest of the world doesn't quite panic over toilet paper the way we do in the United States.?

They have a formula for less toilet paper use, greater sustainability, that many consider more sanitary.

Although the strike is ending, this issue may come up again.

Maybe it’s time to look into a different kind of toilet.

It’s called a bidet.

Let’s face it—we spend a significant chunk of our time using the toilet.? So why wouldn’t we opt in for one that makes the whole process that much nicer?? Why hasn’t something as popular in the rest of the world, like the bidet, caught on in the United States?

There’s a reason we take showers, after all. Think of a bidet as a mini-shower (and yes, you can adjust the temperature on most!) to leave you feeling fresh and squeaky clean.

After digging into it a bit, it started to make sense.

First, it comes down to how our bathrooms are built. The postwar construction boom in the U.S. led to bathroom systems that just weren’t designed to accommodate bidets. And, as the saying goes, "If it ain’t broke, why fix it?"

We also can’t have this discussion without talking about the simplicity of toilet paper.??

It’s easy to use and disposable - that type of convenience flushes the thought of a bidet right down the toilet.

And we can’t forget about squeamishness.

Americans can be a bit squeamish when it comes to the idea of using a bidet—something that still feels a little foreign to many.?

Some people might even feel a bit uncomfortable talking about it. At least for me, it’s not the first thing I think of to bring up at the dinner table.

But once you get past that initial hesitation, you might just find it’s the thing you’ve been missing your whole life.

Here’s why the bidet deserves a spot in your bathroom:

• More hygienic: Bidets are far more sanitary than toilet paper. By removing more waste and bacteria, they reduce irritation and minimize the amount of bacteria that comes into contact with your body.
• Environmentally friendly: Bidets significantly cut down on paper usage, helping to conserve resources and reduce deforestation. Plus, they use less water than a toilet flush.
• Cost-effective: While the initial investment might be higher, bidets save you money in the long run by reducing your reliance on toilet paper.
• Cool features: Modern bidets come with all sorts of fun extras—heated seats, adjustable water pressure, and even built-in deodorizers!

I’m proud to work for a company like LIXIL with a family of brands that empowers everyone to create their own ideal bathroom.

For 150 years, American Standard has been doing exactly that—designing all kinds of bathroom experiences for all kinds of people.

As you’re thinking about your own private sanctuary, think about installing the SpaLet? Bidet Toilet Seat in your own home.?

It offers enhanced hygiene and personal comfort, it’s easy to install, simple to use, and available in three affordable models to meet your cleanliness expectations.?

And there’s no need to worry about any more toilet paper shortages.

Now that I’ve taught you, isn’t it time that you learned how to bidet in your own house?

Megan Sorrell Steed is the Leader, Brand Marketing at LIXIL Americas. She champions marketing initiatives and activities for LIXIL's iconic brands, including American Standard, GROHE, DXV and INAX. For more information about bidets or other LIXIL products, connect with Megan on LinkedIn.