“The shelves were bare, my friends.”
All across the country, toilet paper aisles show the same bleak scene: everything gone except for the econo-stuff. Let’s be real: no one wants the shreds. While it’s heartening to see people are duly preparing for self-quarantine to contain the coronavirus, there is a more environmentally sustainable solution that is helpful for septic tanks, sewer systems, and personal hygiene alike: the humble bidet.
Bidets are a standard fixture in continental Europe. I remember my first encounter with one on a high school trip to Spain, being completely confounded by its purpose. A sink for someone small? A foot wash? Finally, the explanation came from our teacher, with some considerable embarrassment. But really, there is no need to be embarrassed about maintaining good personal hygiene, and as fears of the virus accelerate it’s always a good idea to reduce germ contact.
Bidets are either standalone bathroom fixtures that directly clean intimate areas with jets of water, which reduces the necessary amount of toilet paper. Personal hygiene is improved and maintained more accurately and easily with a combination of bidet use and toilet paper, greatly reducing chances of hemorrhoids and genital health issues. Bidet fixtures are standard encounters in hospitals and medical centers due to their efficiency in maintaining hygienic standards.
From an environmental standpoint, bidets can reduce the need for toilet paper. Considering that an average person uses only 1⁄8 US gal (0.5 l) of water for cleansing by using a bidet, much less water is used than for making toilet paper. An article in Scientific American concluded that using a bidet is “much less stressful on the environment than using paper.
Scientific American has also reported that if the US switched to using bidets, 15 million trees could be saved every year. Their popularity is rising with aging seniors, new mothers, and those with physical disabilities.
Most American homes have no bidets (or even room for their installation) and cannot handle the plumbing renovation required, so luckily there are several attachments one can purchase that do the same job. It is now time to consider saving trees, septic tanks, the sanity of grocery store stockers, and perhaps even your own body. Here are three recommendations:
- Pressure + angle control for a targeted spray
- Includes everything for an easy install in under 10 minutes
- Requires NO electricity or plumbing
- Self-cleaning nozzle
- 60-day risk-free guarantee
- Free shipping
- Over 3000 5-star reviews
TUSHY fits all standard toilets and some one-piece toilets and runs just $79.
Greenco Bidet Fresh Water Spray
- Durable high quality toilet seat attachment bidet for optimum personal hygiene
- Easy do-it-yourself installation with no special tools required, detailed instructions Included
- Easy-access control dial for instant pressure and nozzle adjustment. Non electric
- Adjustable, retractable spray nozzle for your best cleansing experience. Made of durable high quality plastic that does not rust.
Stay clean out there, everyone! For your health!