Bidets and Washlets: Why Water Beats Toilet Paper

More and more households are ditching the old toilet paper pyramid on the stock shelf. In its place, people are switching to water-based cleaning systems such as bidets and so-called washlets. What used to sound like a luxury borrowed from Japanese hotels turns out to be simply more practical day to day, more hygienic, and, over time, even cheaper.

Why water actually cleans your bottom more thoroughly

If we are being honest, it becomes obvious quickly: rubbing with dry paper is not a particularly sensible way to clean. We would not treat any other part of the body that way. Nobody would wipe their face with a dry tissue after a workout and declare, “Done, clean.”

Yet that is effectively what happens when we go to the toilet. Toilet paper mainly wipes, smears and shifts things around. Microscopic residue can remain on the skin, creating ideal conditions for bacteria and irritating an already sensitive area.

"Water rinses residue away instead of rubbing it in - that is the key difference from paper."

Doctors repeatedly point out that people who regularly experience burning, itching or small tears around the anus are often either not cleaning thoroughly enough, or they are cleaning too aggressively. Water loosens residue without friction and without leaving behind tiny paper fibres that can stick to the skin.

Particularly gentle for sensitive skin

Anyone with haemorrhoids, anal fissures, or recovering after surgery knows the issue: each trip to the toilet can become miserable because paper further aggravates inflamed skin. Even a few wipes may cause significant pain.

A gentle stream of water noticeably relieves the area. There is no need to rub the skin; cleaning becomes almost contact-free. Many people who switch to a bidet say that symptoms they had simply put up with for years suddenly disappeared.

There is also another factor: modern systems work largely without touch. Hands come into contact with potentially contaminated surfaces less often, which reduces the risk of spreading germs around the home - particularly relevant during flu waves or bouts of stomach bugs.

What modern bidets and washlets can do

A bidet today no longer means a lonely porcelain basin next to the toilet - something that, in many bathrooms, would simply waste space. The technology now sits directly in the toilet seat or as an attachment fitted to an existing loo.

• Adjustable water pressure - from very gentle to a stronger jet
• Temperature control - pleasantly warm instead of an icy shock
• Warm-air dryer - get dry without paper at all
• Self-cleaning nozzles - hygienic cleaning after every use
• Eco mode - lower electricity and water use in everyday life

These features can sound technical at first, but they quickly feel completely normal in practice. Children, older people, and anyone with limited mobility benefit most: there is less awkward twisting, it is easier to reach difficult areas, and it helps people stay independent.

"Many users report: after a few days, toilet paper on its own suddenly feels old-fashioned and inadequate."

The environmental footprint of toilet paper - an awkward topic

A roll of toilet paper in the bathroom looks harmless, but it carries a sizeable environmental footprint. Worldwide, billions of rolls are used every year - and all of them have to be manufactured, packaged and transported first.

What is wrapped up in a single roll of toilet paper

Aspect	Impact from toilet paper
Raw material	Millions of trees felled each year
Water use	Large volumes of water used in paper production
Chemicals	Bleaches, additives and dyes
Transport	Lorry transport, long supply chains, packaging waste

Bleaching is especially problematic: it produces substances that burden rivers and lakes and can accumulate in ecosystems. The softer, whiter and more “luxurious” the paper, the more intensive the process often is.

Switching to water removes most of this production chain. The water used for rinsing does the cleaning at the same time. Studies show that over a bidet’s lifespan, households can save considerable water and energy compared with the ongoing demands of continuous paper production.

How Japan reinvented the bathroom

In Japan, washlets have been part of everyday life for decades. In many homes, a high-tech toilet is as normal as an electric kettle is in the UK. Hot water, precisely aimed nozzles, a heated seat, warm-air drying - all of it comes in one device.

Japanese manufacturers have shown that hygiene, comfort and sustainability can work together. What once sounded like a gimmick has now set standards worldwide. In new builds across Asia - and increasingly in North America and parts of Europe - toilets with integrated bidet functions are more often being planned in from the start.

Retrofitting instead of a full renovation

If you do not want to completely refurbish your bathroom, you still do not have to go without. Most bidet attachments fit standard toilets and are installed between the ceramic pan and the seat. Often, a simple T-piece at the isolation valve is enough to connect the water supply.

For electric models with warm water and a dryer, all you usually need is a nearby socket. Anyone handy can fit one in about an hour. If you are unsure, an installer can do it - the work is typically straightforward.

"The real hurdle is rarely the technology, but the step of questioning a long-established habit."

Does it really make financial sense?

Another factor is cost. At first glance, a bidet attachment or a washlet can look like an expensive indulgence. But looking at what households spend on toilet paper over the years changes the picture dramatically.

Many households get through several rolls each week, especially with children at home. Over a year, that can quickly add up to hundreds of pounds. Premium paper, scented rolls or recycled options - it all costs money and disappears down the drain within seconds.

A basic, non-electric bidet often costs less than a big supermarket shop. Even high-end washlets can pay for themselves within a few months to a few years, depending on household size and previous usage.

• No more stockpiling rolls
• Less storage space needed
• No delivery issues like those seen in crisis periods
• Lower ongoing costs in the long run

What does the switch feel like in everyday life?

The biggest worry for many people considering it is: “Isn’t that a bit weird?” Experience from countries where bidets are widely used shows a clear pattern: after a short adjustment period, water stops feeling unfamiliar and starts feeling like the obvious choice.

Most users say that within a few days they find their preferred settings for pressure and temperature. Cleaning takes little longer than using paper, but the fresh feeling lasts noticeably longer.

Some people initially use a small piece of paper to dry off; later, many switch entirely to warm air or a separate towel for intimate use. Either way, consumption drops dramatically.

What should beginners look out for?

If you are thinking about switching, a few points can make it easier to get started:

• Choose an entry-level model where both pressure and spray direction are easy to adjust
• Ease in slowly: test with low pressure first
• Give children a short explanation, ideally in a playful way
• If you have sensitive skin, opt for lukewarm temperatures
• Rinse the nozzles regularly and clean the unit according to the instructions

If you have particularly sensitive skin, it can be worth speaking with your GP or a colorectal specialist. Many clinicians welcome the move to water and can advise on additional ways to ease symptoms.

More than a trend: a new understanding of cleanliness

When it comes to the toilet, we often rely on habits we barely question. Toilet paper feels “normal” because we grew up with it. But once you compare deliberately, the difference is clear: water cleans more thoroughly, is kinder to the skin, reduces waste and saves money over time.

In a way, moving to a bidet or washlet fits a wider shift. Many people now pay closer attention to ingredients in food, indoor air quality, or more sustainable household products. Intimate hygiene is a logical part of that: fewer chemicals, less friction, fewer disposables - and more genuine cleanliness.

If you are willing to re-examine old routines, the bathroom becomes one of the most effective places to improve comfort, hygiene and sustainability in daily life. Leaving behind toilet paper alone is therefore less a radical break and more a sensible next step.