You’re traveling and you really need to go to the bathroom. You ask for permission in a restaurant or house, but as you enter you realize that there is a toilet and, to one side, almost symmetrically, a second toilet, but with taps. It’s as if the toilet had shrunk without warning. Confused, you go for the safe option while fixing your gaze on the other piece of furniture.
That other toilet, with a tap fitted but no lid, has a shallower bowl and, at the back, has the same connections as a regular toilet. That’s called a bidet, and it has a very peculiar use, as it works to keep you clean without the need to take off all your clothes. However, there is a lot of history behind this product.
What is the bidet and who invented it?
The bathroom bidet is a piece of sanitary equipment used for personal hygiene, specifically for cleaning the intimate areas after using the toilet. Although its design varies, it is generally a bowl or basin with a tap that allows water to be released. Its use in Mexico is not so common, but in countries or geographical areas such as Europe and Asia it is widely used. You could say that it is a replacement for toilet paper.
Perhaps because it is so unusual in our country, you are wondering how it is really used. You should know that perhaps the explanation is graphic, so you will need to use your imagination. The first thing is to sit down just as you would on your toilet. Once seated, you should turn on the tap; there are models that allow you to adjust the water pressure and temperature, just like on any sink, and clean your private parts. When you’re done, just dry off any excess water with paper or a towel.
The origin of the bidet is unclear, as there is no consensus on who invented it. Some specialists claim that it was the knights of the Crusades who returned from Jerusalem and who had a bowl for the same use; others say that during the 17th century it was invented for horsemen who spent a lot of time on their horses, and this was a way of soothing their “noble parts” sore from the constant use of the saddle.
One of the most accepted origins is the one that mentions that the bidet was invented in the 18th century, in France, although its purpose was different. It is agreed that it is for cleaning the private parts, only that it was used before and after sexual intercourse, which made it quickly popular. In the beginning, they were made of wood; later, the material was combined with marble and other textures. Over time, they acquired power, water temperatures and even heating of the base.
And you may not know it, but the bidet is compulsory in some countries such as Italy, Portugal and Spain. In fact, some Italians believe that this bathroom fixture is a sign of good luck and prosperity. It is also common in Greece and Finland. In Asia, it is commonly found in Japan, Bangladesh, Thailand, India and South Korea.
Advantages and disadvantages of the bidet
Advantages
- Greater cleanliness compared to toilet paper.
- Decreases the consumption of toilet paper, reducing deforestation.
- Reduces the risk of hemorrhoids and other related conditions, as well as irritation and infections in anal and genital areas.
- In the long term, it reduces spending on toilet paper.
- Lower maintenance cost compared to paper systems.
- Provides a superior feeling of freshness and cleanliness.
Disadvantages
- Requires learning and initial set up.
- Water consumption, although less than paper production.
- May not be suitable for people with certain physical disabilities.
- Heavy initial investment.
- Requires additional space in the bathroom, almost impossible for many current apartments.
