Technology is putting a modern twist on a fixture that鈥檚 been key to bathrooms around the world for decades. Everywhere except North America, that is, until recently.
Bidet toilets and bidet seats 鈥� common in bathrooms throughout Europe, Asia and elsewhere for years 鈥� spray a small stream of water for personal cleansing, rather than relying on toilet paper. While they haven鈥檛 seen significant acceptance in Canada and the US, that鈥檚 starting to change.
鈥淲ith modern design, and a range of features and price points, bidets toilets and bidet seats have definitely been integrating more into North American homes over the last few years,鈥� says Michelle Braden, Marketing & Communications Manager for .
Buoyed by influencers like the Kardashians, that upward trend got another nudge this past spring, when people grew concerned about the during the initial wave of COVID.
Proponents like that it leaves them feeling fresher and cleaner, but other factors make them appealing too.
While bidet seats do use water to cleanse, it鈥檚 far less than the amount of water used in the creation of toilet paper, so the environmental benefits can be significant. It also prevents people from flushing personal wipes and other items that can cause expensive-to-clear blockages.
Many also find it makes personal hygiene , especially for those with dexterity challenges due to any number of reasons.
Japanese company Toto was the early champion of the bidet, and while they remain an industry leader, others like and have added their own models, providing consumers with an array of options and prices.
鈥淓very brand definitely has its own features and unique selling points,鈥� Braden says, pointing to options ranging from a $250 seat that adapts an existing toilet, to a that includes such comfort features as a heated seat, warm air dryer and illumination for those nighttime visits.
The result is that there鈥檚 a bidet or bidet seat to suit just about every budget (especially considering !).
While most of today鈥檚 seats do require an electrical hookup that powers the different features, for circumstances where that鈥檚 a challenge, a manual pump version of the American Standard SpaLet is also available 鈥� popular with those who are renting their home, for example, and can鈥檛 add an electrical hookup.
To learn more about the possibilities for your bathroom, visit your Splashes showroom today: in at ; in at ; in / Surrey border at ; and in at .
Find inspiration at , , and .
