It’s about time; they are better for the environment and for your bottoms.
Mark Frauenfelder of BoingBoing asks Why didn’t bidets catch on in the United States? He writes:
Frauenfelder points to a video on Tech Insider that pretty much tells the story of where the bidet came from and why North Americans don’t use them:
Bidet used by Yvonne, wife of Le Corbusier in Paris/ Lloyd Alter/CC BY 2.0
TreeHugger types should appreciate the environmental benefits:
It does seem that they are catching on; according to USA Today, “Bidet seats and bidet toilets in the U.S. are currently a $106 million category expected to grow 15 percent annually through 2021.”
Lloyd Alter/ toto toilet with washlet/CC BY 2.0
You don’t have to spend $7,000 on a Kohler Numi or $1200 on a TOTO Washlet like I did; there are non-electric versions like Mark Frauenfelder uses for under fifty bucks. Most North American bathrooms don’t have electric outlets by the toilet, so this is the easiest kind to install, although it can be a bit cold on the tush.
Three years ago I asked Is 2017 the year of the bidet? Perhaps I was just too early. Perhaps 2019 is finally the breakthrough year.
