Should I Switch to a Bidet, Or Stick with Toilet Paper?

Looking back to the early days of the pandemic in 2020, the global toilet paper panic buying spree remains a vivid memory and profoundly altered people’s daily consumption and household habits. Under the pressure of supply shortages, people worried about the spread of the virus while stockpiling goods everywhere; even ordinary toilet paper became scarce, forcing every household to be more frugal and use it sparingly.

This shortage gradually evolved into a widely shared collective memory of the era. Faced with fluctuating supply, more and more Americans began to embrace a more reliable solution for intimate hygiene—the feminine wash.

Meanwhile, the tissue supply crisis continues to cause disruptions years later. In April 2026, a massive tissue warehouse in California—spanning approximately 1.2 million square feet and serving a population of about 500 million—was allegedly destroyed by arson, further exacerbating supply instability and prompting the public to reconsider whether they should reduce their overreliance on toilet paper.

As early as 2020, many households had already begun gradually adopting bidets as a long-term solution, using water-based cleansing to mitigate the risk of toilet paper shortages. In fact, water-based cleansing is not a new concept but a well-established hygiene practice with a history spanning hundreds of years.

1. What Is a Bidet?

A bidet is a basin-style bathroom fixture specifically designed for cleansing the lower body and intimate areas. It uses a stream of water to rinse instead of wiping with toilet paper, significantly reducing the use of toilet paper and wet wipes. Currently, the mainstream models on the market fall into three categories, catering to different household needs:

① Floor Mounted Bidet : A freestanding unit resembling a small toilet, equipped with a hot/cold water faucet. It is installed separately next to the toilet and is specifically designed for intimate hygiene;

② Bidet Toilet Seat : Designed to retrofit standard toilets, it features a retractable, self-cleaning nozzle and a one-touch button for a gentle, female-specific wash mode, offering convenient operation;

③ Handheld Bidet Sprayer : Compact and easy to install, it allows flexible control of water pressure and angle, serving both for post-toilet hygiene and for cleaning the inside of the toilet bowl.

The practice of water-based cleansing originated in 17th-century France and has long been a standard feature in bathrooms across continental Europe, Asia, and many South American countries. In contrast, in the United States, influenced by lifestyle habits, the adoption rate of bidet has long been low; it was only following successive toilet paper supply crises, coupled with increased public awareness of health and environmental issues, that water-based hygiene products gradually found their way into ordinary households. Having explored the definition and long history of feminine washers, let’s now objectively analyze their pros and cons to determine whether they are worth replacing toilet paper and wet wipes.

2. Key Benefits of Using a Bidet

① Energy-efficient and eco-friendly, reducing household costs

Data shows that producing a single roll of toilet paper consumes 37 gallons of water, and American households spend a significant amount on toilet paper each year. In contrast, a bidet uses very little water per flush, eliminates the need to cut down trees or consume paper resources, and is more cost-effective and eco-friendly in the long run.

Additionally, most households use siphon-type toilets with narrow drain pipes, making it easy for large amounts of toilet paper to cause clogs. Switching to water rinsing significantly reduces the amount of paper used, thereby reducing the likelihood of clogs at the source and minimizing repair hassles.

② Thorough Cleaning with Water, Promoting Intimate Health

Dry wiping with toilet paper struggles to thoroughly remove residual waste, and prolonged use can cause friction and redness in the intimate area. The bidet uses warm water for a more thorough cleanse, effectively reducing bacterial growth in the intimate area and lowering the risk of gynecological inflammation and other issues.

Additionally, colorectal surgeons generally recommend that individuals with hemorrhoids or anal discomfort prioritize warm water rinsing. This gentle, non-irritating method significantly aids in both the prevention and relief of anal issues.

③ Simple Operation, Ideal for the Elderly

As physical mobility declines with age, actions like bending over and wiping become strenuous and inconvenient. Bidet are simple and intuitive to operate; users can complete a water rinse while seated, eliminating the cumbersome step of wiping with toilet paper. Compared to smart toilets with complex functions and numerous buttons, basic bidet and handheld bidet sprayer offer intuitive operation with no learning curve, making them more suitable for daily use by the elderly while balancing practicality and convenience.

3. Potential Drawbacks and Risks of Using Bidet

① Gynecological Health Risks for Women

Proper and standardized use is essential to reap the benefits of water cleansing; incorrect operation can actually harm the body’s natural environment. The lactobacilli in the female vagina serve as a natural protective barrier. Improper high-pressure rinsing or reverse rinsing can disrupt this microbial balance, increasing the risk of bacterial vaginosis and gynecological infections during pregnancy.

Because the female urethra, vagina, and anus are located close to one another, cross-contamination is highly likely. Therefore, when using a bidet, women should reduce water pressure, control the spray angle, and strictly follow the “front-to-back” rinsing principle to prevent fecal matter from contaminating the urethra and genital area.

② Inadequate Cleaning Can Lead to Bacterial Growth

Bidets and their nozzles remain damp for extended periods. Without regular cleaning and disinfection, they can accumulate mineral deposits and harbor bacteria; the risk of contamination increases further when shared among multiple users. In daily use, regularly wiping down the main unit and cleaning and disinfecting the nozzle are key to avoiding hygiene issues and ensuring safe use.

4. Summary and Recommendations

Overall, bidets offer significant advantages in terms of environmental sustainability, intimate care, and suitability for specific user groups. They are particularly well-suited for people with limited mobility, the elderly, and those seeking to reduce tissue consumption and achieve higher hygiene standards.

However, water-based cleansing is not without its drawbacks. Women, in particular, must master the correct usage methods, ensuring proper rinsing direction and water pressure. At the same time, it is essential to develop the habit of regular disinfection and cleaning to prevent the device from harboring dirt and bacteria. Whether choosing a bidet or using toilet paper, the key to safeguarding health lies in scientific cleaning practices and a strong emphasis on hygiene, tailored to individual lifestyle habits and home conditions.