The Pros and Cons of Bidets and How They Work

In recent years, the pros and cons of bidets have become a hot topic of discussion as toilet paper shortages, sustainability goals, and modern bathroom upgrades collide.

Most (if not all) of us have essentially grown up using just toilet paper when cleaning up after ourselves in the loo. Making the switch from traditional toilet paper to a warm water spray, however, can boost personal hygiene, soothe sensitive skin and reduce paper waste. The cherry on top of this bathroom revolution? It does it all while adding spa-like comfort with heated seats and warm-air drying. All that being said, every bathroom is different: smaller spaces, cold water plumbing and bidet installation complexities can complicate the switch.

Whether you attach a bidet seat to your existing toilet or install a standalone model, getting a sense of how things work will help you decide if a bidet fits your daily bathroom routine.

So, What Exactly Is a Bidet?

Bidets come in several forms, all using a focused water wash to replace – or at least reduce – traditional toilet paper.

• Standalone bidet – The traditional bidet is a low basin next to the toilet; you straddle it and use taps to control water pressure and temperature for a thorough rinse.
• Bidet seat – A full replacement toilet seat with built-in spray nozzle, heated seat and electronic control panel that allows you to set water temperature, nozzle angle and warm-air drying.
• Bidet attachment/clip-on – A slim nozzle plate that fits under your existing toilet seat and draws water from the same supply; pressure is adjusted with a side lever.
• The bidet/toilet combo – An all-in-one option with integrated toilet bowl and bidet functions. These often with self-cleaning nozzles, a remote control and adjustable water pressure.
• Travel bidet – A portable squeeze bottle or battery-powered sprayer for on-the-go, perfect for sensitive skin or camping.

Understanding how bidet toilets spray water, heat it and fit in your bathroom will help you choose the bidet that’s right for you and your budget.

Now that we know what a bidet is, let’s now look at the pros and cons that bidets offer as an alternative to toilet paper.

Bidet Pro #1: Better Personal Hygiene & Sensitive-Skin Care

A bidet’s warm water stream lifts residue much better than abrasive toilet paper, so you’re cleaner in seconds. By rinsing rather than rubbing, you reduce skin irritation, itching and micro-tears, so for people with sensitive skin, haemorrhoids or in postpartum recovery, it’s an instant win.

Adjustable water pressure lets each user customise the wash, while self-cleaning nozzles keep the spray clean. Dermatologists say removing bacteria with water reduces the risk of infection and odour. Because you pat dry, or use built-in warm-air drying, you also cut paper fibres that can cling to sensitive areas, minimising health concerns and maximising everyday personal hygiene with ease.

Bidet Pro #2: Heated Seats and Other Key Benefits At a Glance

Switching to a bidet gives you more than cleanliness; it gives you comfort, savings and sustainability in your daily bathroom routine. Some of the key, day-to-day benefits include:

• Reduced toilet paper usage: Results in lower shopping bills and less storage space needed.
• Eco-friendly water usage: Bider water consumption is more eco-friendly than water use in the manufacture of traditional toilet paper.
• The luxurious bathroom experience: Nothing better in the morning than the feel of a heated seat and warm water!
• No bathroom renos necessary: Simply fit the bidet attachment to your existing toilet seat.
• User-friendly operation: Accessible spray nozzle controls help users with mobility issues clean comfortably without straining.

Together, these benefits make modern bidets a practical upgrade for any household.

Bidet Pro #3: Long-Term Savings & Sustainability

The average household flushes away countless rolls of toilet paper over the course of a year. However, a bidet’s water wash costs pennies by comparison.

Using a bidet can cut toilet-paper use by up to 80%. You can also dramatically cut your weekly shopping spend by reducing the number of rolls you buy and freeing up cupboard space. Fewer trees cut down, bleached and shipped lead to a lighter carbon footprint and less waste in the landfill.

The extra water consumption when using a bidet is minimal: half a litre per wash, compared to the 10-15 litres required to make a single roll of paper. Add that to durable nozzles and low-watt heated seats, and you enjoy long-term savings without sacrificing daily comfort.

Bidet Con #1: Bidet Installation Challenges & Space Requirements

Now, for the potential drawbacks of installing and using a bidet.

Fitting a bidet is not always as simple as just swapping one toilet seat for another. Electric models need a licensed electrician to install a nearby power point rated for damp zones. And under Australian standard AS/NZS 3500.1, you must have a licensed plumber install a suitable high-hazard back-flow device when connecting to a potable water supply.

Older bathrooms sometimes lack the clearance to slip a T-valve behind the cistern, and tight layouts leave little room for bulky bidet seats to lift or close. Traditional standalone bidets require dedicated waste and supply lines, plus enough bathroom space for comfortable straddling.

Before installing a bidet toilet, make sure you have a plumber measure clearances, check water pressure and confirm existing bathroom fixtures won’t obstruct hoses or nozzle movement.

Bidet Con #2: Learning Curve & Behavioural Change

Swapping toilet paper for a water wash requires relearning a daily habit, especially when it’s a habit you’ve relied on all your life.

First-time users might find themselves:

• Fumbling with the control panel on a bidet seat.
• Hovering with uncertainty over the nozzle.
• Misjudging the water pressure and sending a rogue water stream across the toilet seat.

Getting the angle right and deciding to air-dry or pat dry can feel awkward, especially in a busy bathroom routine. Older relatives or guests used to a standard toilet may avoid using a bidet, causing frustration.

Until muscle memory develops, the extra seconds spent adjusting temperature, flow and nozzle position can feel a bit disconcerting.

Bidet Con #3: Plumbing & Temperature Limitations

Just like oil and water or Blur and Oasis, residential plumbing isn’t always compatible with a bidet’s typical water demands.

Older pipes can’t deliver stable water pressure, which means that the nozzle spray is prone to pulsing rather than delivering a smooth, gentle stream. Many people find cold-water-only attachments bracing in the cool of winter, and understandably so. However, linking to the hot-water line means long waits for a warm water flow if the run from the heater is long.

Some bathrooms don’t have a nearby power point, so a feature-rich bidet seat requires expensive wiring. If the toilet is against the wall, there’s likely not enough space to thread the hoses or fit a T-valve, so you have to compromise with bathroom fixtures and precise water temperature control.

Spray Or Wipe? Making The Right Call

In the end, the pros and cons of bidets ultimately come down to your priorities.

Are personal hygiene, sensitive-skin comfort and reduced toilet-paper use at the top of your list? In that case, a bidet seat or attachment can change your daily bathroom routine without taking up extra floor space. But upfront costs, learning curves and plumbing quirks might make you stick to traditional toilet paper for now.

Measure your bathroom, your existing toilet layout and local water pressure before you invest and budget for professional installation if electrics or hot-water lines are involved.

Choose wisely and you’ll get a cleaner finish, a greener footprint and, quite possibly, a happier bottom.

Please note: Thanks for reading our blog “The Pros and Cons of Bidets and How They Work”. This information is provided for advice purposes only. Regulations differ from state to state, so please consult your local authorities or an industry professional before proceeding with any work. See our Terms & Conditions here.