As bidets gain mainstream popularity, questions about how they work, including where the water comes from, naturally follow.
The bathroom fixture is new to many of us, and we’d probably like assurance that the water used in the process is fresh. Is it?
Bidet water comes from your home’s clean water supply, which supplies other areas of the home as well, like the dishwasher and kitchen sink. It is sanitary water that comes from the regular water supply, not the toilet bowl.
Because bidets are unfamiliar to many of us, there are many misconceptions about their cleanliness, their safety, and whether they’re worth using.
So, if you want to know about any of these things, you’re in the right place!
Here’s Where Bidet Water Comes From
The water from a bidet is the same water used in other areas of a home, such as the kitchen sink and shower.
Additional areas include the bathroom sink, the washing machine, and the refrigerator.
The plumbing for this water supply is the same plumbing (Link) that the bidet accesses for clean water.
In addition to this, the water that comes out of the bidet also goes through filtration or a sterilization system. Bidets also have a way to clean themselves.
They have automatic self-cleaning nozzles that help to ensure that there is no contamination. It’s essential to know that this water is not recycled toilet water.
This is a big misconception about bidets that is simply not true. You can fully trust that water from the bidet is clean.
Bidets Are Undeniably Sanitary
Bidets are specially designed to deliver clean, uncontaminated water to the skin first. There is no need to worry about the water becoming contaminated before it touches your skin.
It comes directly from the clean water supply to your skin, and then it flushes away with the remaining water in the toilet bowl.
Bidets Have Water Filtration Capabilities
Though bidet water is sanitary, some may still want to take measures to add another layer of cleanliness. Luckily, there are ways to add extra filtration capabilities to your bidet for your peace of mind. (Link)
In doing this, you can further eliminate bacteria and other particles that are not filtered through our traditional water supply system.
Some of these particles include:
- Sediment
- Dirt
- Sand
- Rust
Many bidet models already come with this feature, but not all of them do. So, if this is something that you value, make sure that the bidet you purchase either comes with this feature or is able to support it as an add on.
If you aren’t too keen on shelling out cash for extra bidet features, there’s no need to worry. You can be rest assured that your bidet water is already safe and poses very low to no risk of contamination.
Does The Water From Bidets Cause UTIs?
Bidets do not cause UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections). In fact, they help prevent UTIs (Link) from occurring.
The stream of water helps remove excess bacteria from the rear and reduces the spread of bacterium. Since the bacteria is washed away efficiently, it is not able to access the urethra and cause a UTI.
When it comes to cleanliness, toilet paper does not compare to the bidet; wiping with toilet paper often leaves behind unwanted bacteria (Link).
Are Cold Water Bidets Uncomfortable?
Some users of bidets may find cold water uncomfortable. Luckily, most electronic bidet seats and modern bidets have a feature that allows the user to adjust the water’s temperature to a comfortable level.
Generally, the water from a cold water bidet is at room temperature, since there is no system that chills the water.
Some may not have any issue with the temperature of the water.
Are Cold Water Bidets Just As Good As Warm Water Bidets?
Cold-water bidets work just as well as warm water bidets. The warm water may offer some people the illusion of a ‘cleaner’ feeling and may feel more soothing, but when it comes to a bidet’s function, the temperature (Link) has little to do with it.
How Does A Bidet Get Warm Water?
Some bidets come with a temperature control mechanism to allow you to select your most comfortable water temperature.
The majority of temperature-controlled bidets utilize an electric water heater. But this is not the only way that bidets produce warm water.
Non-electric bidets operate in a different way. Here are the steps below:
- Cold-water is drained from the tank.
- The tank is filled with warm water from the home’s clean water supply.
- The water is sprayed out in a stream for cleaning purposes.
Because of their dual function, these non-electric bidets require access to both hot water and cold-water connections.
Do Bidets Have Many Benefits?
There are many benefits to using bidets rather than wiping with toilet paper.
Read below to find out a few of the benefits of using a bidet.
- Pain Relief– Not only do bidets reduce the chance of developing UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections), there is also evidence that bidets can help alleviate pain (Link) and swelling and prevent hemorrhoids and yeast infections. (Link)
- Infection Control– Expectant mothers may also reap the benefits from bidets as a preventative tool (Link) against infections. In the final weeks of pregnancy, some women may experience a decline in mobility and have trouble wiping effectively. A bidet would completely eliminate that struggle.
- Better Hygiene– Bidets increase their users’ level of hygiene by ensuring that fecal bacteria are rinsed away and not spread onto the hands.(Link). This is especially important for senior citizens or those with disabilities, as they often deal with toileting issues. In addition, bidets eliminate skin irritation and subsequent infections that can come from wiping incorrectly after using the restroom.
- Easier Potty Training– Not only do bidets offer a hands-free solution (Link) to using the toilet; they are also helpful in a household with children. Instead of dealing with the annoyance of wiping with toilet paper, parents can teach their kids to use the bidet to clean themselves up after a number two.
Bidet Features You Should Know About
Bidets can range from very basic to super fancy. Because of this, it’s important to know about the features that come with bidets.
This way, you can be better equipped to choose a bidet that meets your specific needs.
See below for some interesting bidet features, including:
- Foot sensor which flushes automatically when your foot is in a certain position.
- Water pressure which allows the user to control the force at which the water sprays.
- A drying option which dries you off after your skin has been sprayed.
- Heated Seat for comfort as you do your business.
- Water Temperature dial that lets you control the temperature.
Making The Switch Can Save You Money!
Given all of the obvious benefits of the bidet, you’d think that it’d cost you financially, but on the contrary, using a bidet can actually save you money over time!
It is estimated that the average household of 2 adults uses nine toilet paper rolls in just 2 weeks!
That’s an average (Link) of ten dollars a month per person, which adds up to 300 dollars (Link) a year, just on toilet paper. For a family of four, it doubles!
Using a bidet would eliminate this expense, saving you hundreds per year.
Conclusion
Now you know where bidet water comes from and why it’s a better overall toileting option than using toilet paper only.
Many people who make the switch to a bidet only have one regret, that they didn’t make the switch sooner!
Sources:
www.bidetking.com / www.justbidet.com / www.hellotushy.com / www.yahoo.com / www.biobidet.com / www.bidetbutler.com / www.healthline.com / www.today.com