Toilet "Rough In" Length

First time bathroom renovators often overlook or incorrectly record the most important measurement when planning to install a new toilet. That measurement is the toilet “rough in.” This refers to both the area where the waste outlet hole is placed to sit beneath the toilet, as well as the rough in measurement, which determines which toilets will or will not work in the space. Usually, this measurement is 12 inches (30.5 cm), but manufacturers also offer toilets to accommodate 10 inch (25.4 cm) and 14 inch (35.6 cm) toilet rough in measurements that may be needed due to construction mistakes or awkward floor joist placement.  To accurately obtain this dimension, start at the back of the toilet and measure the distance to the center of the waste outlet hole on the underside of the bowl.

Things to Consider

When selecting a toilet, determine which particular size fits the household’s wants and needs.  Bowl sizes usually come in two shapes: round or elongated.  While round toilet bowls are more circular, elongated bowls are more oval.  Round toilet bowls are typically found in older toilets, while elongated bowls are a newer development and are considered a more modern look.  Round toilet bowls result in a smaller toilet, which helps conserve bathroom space. Elongated bowls have more capacity, resulting in less chance of clogs or overflowing.

Toilets usually come in a standard height or a comfort height.  Comfort height toilets are usually two or three inches higher than the standard.  Two or three inches may not seem like a big difference, but in fact, the extra height makes it easier for elderly or tall people to get up and down from the toilet.

After the bowl and height size has been determined, select the right toilet color for the style of the bathroom.  White is still the most popular color, but manufacturers offer a wide range from beige, pink, blue, black, green, and more. 

Toilet types

Toilets typically fall under two categories: one or two piece.  A one-piece toilet has its bowl and tank molded together as one seamless fixture.   The two-piece toilet is comprised of a separate bowl and tank which are bolted together during installation.

One-piece toilets have significant advantage in cleanliness as they do not have a gap where the tank and bowl components meet. This eliminates difficulty in cleaning hard-to-reach areas that may harbor germs and stains.  However, parts for one-piece toilets are usually more expensive to replace.

Many homeowners prefer the sleek, low-profile of one-piece toilets as a contrast to the more traditional and taller two-piece toilet. However, two-piece toilets are still more prevalent and offer a larger variety of styles and colors to the buyer.  Comparable two-piece toilets cost less than their one-piece counterparts.

Bidets seats fit two-piece toilets best.  One-piece toilets often have less space to work with between the tank and toilet seat which causes problems for bidets.  Two-piece toilets offer lots of room for bidet seats to fit properly.

Flushing Capability

Nowadays, the maximum amount of water a toilet can use in the US during a flush is 1.6 gallons, which is far less than toilets in the past.  Consider purchasing a toilet that is specially designed to conserve water with a dual-flush mechanism.  Dual flush toilets handle waste differently by giving the user two levels of flushing: less water for liquid waste and a full flush for solid waste.

For years, homes used only one kind of toilet: the gravity-flush toilet. These toilets use the weight of water to provide flushing power. The flushing mechanism is simple, which means these toilets are low maintenance, and gravity-flush toilets are perfectly adequate for many people. However, once toilet manufacturers began looking for ways to conserve water, they devised new ways to create flushing power, which resulted in assisted-flush or pressure-flush toilets. These toilets use air to increase flushing pressure, which results in a more powerful, efficient flush. 

Commercial toilets use a flushometer, a device for flushing toilets and urinals that utilizes pressure from the water supply system rather than the force of gravity to discharge water into the bowl.  It is designed to use less water than conventional flush toilets.

Bidet Faucet

Bidet basins feature a stand-alone design, and are positioned close to the toilet for convenience.  They feature a ceramic or porcelain construction, and installation tends to require extensive plumbing skills.  These units rely on basic plumbing principles to spray water onto the user from below.  They may feature a horizontal spray, which shoots water out from below the rim, or a vertical spray, which travels upwards from the center of the bowl.  Basin-type bidets feature warm water only if they are located close to a hot-water line, and may feature a lever or push-button operating mechanism.  One drawback to these units is that users must travel from the toilet to the bidet, which can lead to awkward or messy situations.

Electronic Bidets Seats

Electronic bidet seats rely on electricity to heat water and to control the desired spray pattern.  Because of the convenience of electric heating, these units do not need to be placed near a hot-water line.  Bidet seats replace standard toilet seats, allowing the toilet to serve as both a toilet and bidet.  There is no need to move from one fixture to another, which helps to increase convenience and keeps messes to a minimum.

Electronic bidet seats can adjust water temperature and pressure based on the demands of each user, and often feature a special blower to dry the skin after each use.  Some include a wireless remote control, as well as a soft-close seat and lid to prevent slams. Others include a heated seat for added comfort during cleansing.

Non-electric Bidets

Non-electric bidets feature a lower cost than basin-type bidets or electronic bidet seats.  Although cold water only options are available, some may also have hot water connections.  The non-electric bidets that have both hot and cold water hookups allow users to experience warm water cleansing without electricity.  The closest hot water source is typically a nearby sink.

Reusing everyday household products can help reduce the need to build landfills and incinerators.

Reusing a product means less energy and raw materials will be used to create new products. Producing new products require energy which uses up valuable resources like oil, coal, timber and so on.

Reuse plastic and paper bags by turning them into trash bags and book covers. Donate old clothes to charities. Newspaper, interesting magazines, and other paper products can be repurposed into wrapping paper or placemats during meals.

When you need to buy something new, go to estate sales, auctions, antique, surplus, and thrift stores. Things like furniture or appliances can be found at a fraction of the cost of buying new at retail stores.

Through repurposing, people can combine vintage styles with the modern and create something new out of something old. Repurposing allows people to use their imagination to create something that fits their personality.

There are many ways to repurpose old fixtures and furniture that are no longer in use. For instance, empty toilet paper rolls that would normally end up in the trash are great for helping to organize loose wires, cords, headphones and more. For small jewelry items and hair clips, try using an ice cube tray as a handy organizer for the dresser. Each cube is a perfect size for small odds and ends, like hair elastics and rings. The tray's rectangular shape will also help it fit nicely in a drawer. These are just a few great ways to reuse common items that you might otherwise throw away.

Composting is nature's process of recycling decomposed organic materials into a rich soil known as compost. Anything that was once living will decompose. Finished compost looks like soil–dark brown, crumbly and smells like a forest floor.

Composting organic products helps reduce landfills and methane gas, one of the most harmful greenhouse gases. Using compost as a soil amendment helps minimize erosion often caused by wind and water run-off. Compost helps increase soil structure and improves nutrient availability to plants. It also supports strong plant growth and is especially beneficial in areas prone to erosion. Composting improves soil porosity and inhibits the spread of plant diseases. It also saves water by helping soil hold moisture and reduces water runoff.

Repair is a method of taking an item, which may appear to have lived its useful life, and fixing it so that it can still be productive. Keeping household goods working is an opportunity to keep products out of the waste stream. The longer a product is kept in working condition, the fewer times it needs to be replaced and the precious resources needed to manufacture a new product are conserved.

Other benefits to fixing things include learning more about how things work, gaining a sense of accomplishment, spending more time bonding with children and family members, and preserving heirloom and unique items. This will help people gain more confidence in repairing higher priced items in the future.

Before purchasing a product, consult reviews from other buyers. Check with the retailer and manufacturer if the warranty includes parts and labor if an item needs repairs.

Things to repair: shoes, clothes, furniture, electronics, appliances, floors, leaky faucets, and toilets.

Return – Avoid buying products with vague or complicated return policies. Buying from companies with a take-back program is extremely important, especially if they have recycling programs. Check with a store’s return policy before purchasing an item.

Some groceries and farmers markets allow refills for customers who want to reuse their jars or containers.

Companies in industries with high product turnover (think electronics and gadgets) often offer return policies that help increase producer responsibility and cut down on e-waste.

Refill – Instead of using single-use and disposable products like plastic water bottles, use refillable items such as beverage containers, printer ink and toner cartridges.

Washing and reusing plastic water bottles reduces waste and landfill crowding, minimizes pollution, and conserves energy. Refilling your plastic water bottle with drinking water is considerably less resource intensive than purchasing commercially purified and bottled water.

Reusing bottles without cleaning them encourages the growth of potentially harmful bacteria. It is essential to clean all plastic water bottles between uses, just like any other food or beverage container.

Purchasing recycled printer toner and ink cartridges reduces air and water pollution associated with landfilling and the incineration or the manufacturing of new cartridges. Makers of remanufactured laser toners usually provide a list of all the benefits that their products can give. Some of these high quality print cartridges are comparable to OEM (original equipment manufacturer) cartridges. Savings on the printing costs are passed down to the consumer and are usually significantly less expensive when compared to newly manufactured products.

Refuse to buy over-packaged, disposable, single-use products. This includes disposable cups, silverware, plastic bags, bottled water, contact lenses, disposable cameras, and more.

To lower the use of plastic waste, carry reusable shopping bags and give up bottled water.

Farmers markets are a great way to buy fresh, local produce without plastic, as long as you remember to bring your own bags. Return containers for berries, cherry tomatoes, etc. to the farmer’s market to be reused.

Buy from bulk food stores where you can get most dry foods as well as some personal care products from bulk bins. This includes grains, pasta, beans, seeds, nuts, all kinds of flour, baking soda, and other dry baking ingredients.

Cut out sodas, juices, and all other plastic-bottled beverages.

Also, avoid frozen convenience foods. This will be the most difficult, but the more we limit our consumption of frozen convenience foods, the less plastic we’ll generate and the healthier we’ll be.

Most households today have both TVs and computers. TVs take up a lot of space and use a lot of energy, even when they’re turned off. Therefore, the money spent on electricity to power multiple devices will add up quite quickly. With the advancements of internet technology, most entertainment media can be found online with a subscription and a lot of times, free!

Getting rid of the TV will also allow people to become more active, sleep better, and spend less money on energy consumption. Without a TV, one can find more productive things to do. Less access to television provides more time to be creative: read more books, play musical instruments, or play games with the family. One of the greatest benefits of not having a television has come in the form of deeper and more meaningful conversations with the people around you.

7. Eat Less Red Meat

The livestock industry is one of the largest contributors to environmental degradation worldwide. Modern practices of raising animals for food contribute to air and water pollution, land degradation, climate change, and loss of biodiversity on a massive scale.

Eating meat in moderation can be a good source of complete protein and key vitamins and nutrients. However, eating too much red meat is especially harmful to human health and contributes to a wide variety of serious health problems such as heart disease, cancer and obesity. Thus, the best way to reduce the health risks is by eating less meat in general.

Giving up meat for one day each week will help reduce the environmental problems associated with the meat industry as well as improve one’s personal health.

8. Eat Local and Seasonal Food

Eating local and seasonal food is better for the health of humans and the environment. They taste fresher and better than the food that has been shipped from thousands of miles away.

Buying food grown and raised closer to where one lives can help maintain local farmlands. Farmers who run community-supported agriculture programs sell at farmers' markets and provide local restaurants the supplies they need.

Foods like corn were originally available only seasonally but are now produced year round. By eating corn only when it’s in season ensures a high quality product. Produce grown year-round are usually lower in quality and are laden with chemicals.

A macrobiotic diet’s approach is to become sensitive to the actual effects of foods on health and well-being, rather than follow dietary rules and regulations. The macrobiotic diet emphasizes locally grown whole grain cereals, pulses (legumes), vegetables, and fruit combined to form a balanced diet.

9. Preserving Food

Home food preservation is about flavor, quality, and purity. The environmental impact of food preservation is minimal and reduces the waste associated with pre-packed foods.

Canned foods are convenient to use and won't be ruined by prolonged power outages. They can last for up to five years if stored carefully in a cool, dry, dark place.

Freezing food is much quicker than canning and preserves more nutrients and fresh flavor. However, the freezer must maintain a temperature of zero degrees. Even then, the storage life of fruits and vegetables are limited to a year or less.

Food drying is one of the oldest methods of preserving food. Since drying reduces the moisture in foods making them lightweight and convenient to store, it can easily be used in place of other food preservation techniques. In fact, one can even use drying along with other food preservation techniques such as freezing or canning, making the process of food preservation even better. With modern food dehydrators, foods such as fruit leathers, fruit chips, dried nuts and seeds and meat jerky, can all be dried year-round at home.

Preserving food with salt is an ancient human practice that dates back before written records. Beef jerky, pickles, and smoked salmon are all examples of common foods that are preserved using salt. Cut vegetables up in pieces before putting them in the salt water to preserve food by “salt-curing.” Let the vegetables stand in the salt water for at least 10 days in order to "pickle." Fish, pork, beef, or poultry can also be salt-cured and will remain edible indefinitely by removing all the moisture from the meat.

Historically, smoking was performed as a means of preserving food because the smoke itself acts like an acidic coating on the surface of the meat, preventing the growth of bacteria. In modern times, smoking of food is done primarily as a way to enhance food’s flavor and color, rather than preserve it. Smoking and curing food will increase its resiliency and sustains high-quality meat that contains little to no artificial ingredients.

1.  Live Where Public Transportation Is Convenient.

Choosing where to live may be the single most important factor in how much energy is consumed.  A home's location relative to transportation choices has a large impact on energy consumption.  People who live in a more compact, transit-accessible area have more housing and transportation choices compared to those who live in spread-out developments where few or no public transportation options exist besides driving.  Choosing to live in an area with transportation options not only reduces energy consumption, it also can result in significant savings on and transportation costs.

Public transportation reduces the number of cars in street, and thus helps improve air quality, alleviate traffic congestion, and reduce noise.

Vanpooling and cycling can also be used as alternative modes of transportation for individuals.

2. Use Non-Gas Modes of Transportation

Walking will not only improve one’s health, but it can also play an important role in improving our quality of life by protecting and improving the environment and sustaining natural resources.  Walking is highly efficient in its use of urban space and energy in that it rarely causes injury and provides greater personal security.  Walking can also reduce stress, especially if taken at the park.

Riding a bicycle is great for longer distances when walking is just not as efficient.  Cycling produces zero pollutants and does not burn any non-renewable fuels.  Short car trips waste more fuel and create more pollutants than long car trips.

Other gas-free modes of transportation include scooters, roller blades, skateboards, and electric cars and motorcycles.

3.  Get Comfortable at Home Without the HVAC

Find an area in the home where the right mix of temperature, humidity, and breeze creates a comfortable setting.  These comfort zones in the home may change throughout the year, so try finding different locations depending on the weather.  Finding these zones will help reduce the need for heat in the winter and A/C during the summer.  Homes that have more windows to let in fresh air and natural light tend to be more attractive than the contrary.  Fill any hidden gaps and cracks where air may escape from windows, walls, and crawl spaces.  Cover up the windows with shades when it’s too hot outside or let light into the room when it’s cold.

4. Dress Appropriately

Wearing the right clothing is obviously the cheapest, easiest, and fastest way to saving money around the house compared to the amount of money spent on renovating the home.  Insulation of the body is much more cost and energy efficient than insulating a whole room or house. Insulating the body only requires a small layer of air to be heated, while a heating system has to warm all the air in a room to achieve the same result.  Dressing appropriately will reduce energy consumed for heating and cooling.

5. Reduce Material Possessions

Live life with less materialistic things by getting rid what is not being used.  Living lean works well for those who care about the environment and hope to reduce their carbon footprint.  Most people, at least in the United States, would have to admit they have too many material items, yet they keep yearning for more.  Focusing on not junking up Mother Earth helps maintain the minimalist lifestyle.  This lifestyle encourages us to get rid of clutter, use what we have, and pass on to others what we no longer need.  Living with fewer things lowers the energy consumption used to produce and maintain.  The less people consume the less damage there is on the environment. 

Early Morning Dose
At the beginning of the day, many people leave for work or school without eating a proper meal. By mid-morning, people find themselves tired and sometimes unable to stay focused.

Breakfast improves alertness and concentration, helps shed pounds by preventing overeating during the day, and prevents obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. To prepare the body for the day, start by eating carbohydrates for energy and protein for endurance.

Try eating…
- Whole grain bagel with cheese
- Cereal with fruit and yogurt
- Whole grain toast with peanut butter and fruit
- Hard-broiled egg sliced into a whole wheat pita
- Scrambled eggs, toast, and fruit
- Oatmeal with raisins
- Breakfast bars
- Breakfast sandwiches
- Oatmeal packets

Carbohydrates
The best way to maximize the body’s potential for energy is to eat a combination of complex and simple carbohydrates.

Complex carbohydrates, which are slow burning, should make up the bulk of the carbohydrates we eat. They are stored in the muscles and liver for energy and burns slower than simple carbohydrates. Foods containing complex carbohydrates include whole grains and starchy vegetables like potatoes, squash, pumpkins, and carrots.

It is also important our food has lots of fiber to help slow down the process of absorbing complex carbohydrates in our body. Therefore, the body gets a more balanced release of energy as opposed to the quick burst of energy.

Simple carbohydrates with a faster burn can provide an immediate source of energy and can be found in foods like fruits, vegetables, and honey. Simple sugars found in candy bars, soft drinks, and cookies can also provide a quick boost of energy, followed by a crash afterwards.

Fat
Bad fat is usually associated with heart disease, some types of cancer, and chronic illnesses. Saturated fats such as meat, butter, lard, and cream are just a few to avoid. Trans fats found in baked goods, snack foods, fried foods, and margarines, can all increase the risk of heart disease.

Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are two types of unsaturated fatty acids that derive from vegetables and plants. Monounsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature but begin to solidify at cold temperatures. This type of fat is preferable to other types of fat and can be found in olives, olive oil, nuts, peanut oil, canola oil and avocados. Some studies have shown that these kinds of fats can actually lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and maintain HDL (good) cholesterol.

Polyunsaturated fats are also liquid at room temperature. These are found in sesame, corn, cottonseed and soybean oils. This type of fat has also been shown to reduce levels of LDL cholesterol, but too much can also lower your HDL cholesterol.

Fat provides the main fuel source for long duration, low to moderate intensity exercise (endurance sports such as marathons). Even during high intensity exercise, where carbohydrate is the main fuel source, fat is needed to help access the stored carbohydrate (glycogen).

Athletes need to carefully time when they eat fat, how much they eat, and the type of fat they eat. In general, it’s not a good idea to eat fat immediately before or during intense exercise.

Protein
Protein helps regulate the release of energy and maintains cells, assists in muscle growth, transports hormones and vitamins, and preserves lean muscle mass. Proteins are also needed to maintain a good immune system.

Good sources of protein include lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, beans, nuts, soy, and low-fat dairy products.

In diets where the body does not get its usual fuel of carbohydrates and fat, protein provides the body energy.

However, be wary of over-eating since excess protein will be stored as fat. Without exercise, the fat will continue to increase and may also result in osteoporosis and kidney stones.

Water
Two-thirds of your body is made up of water. The fluid helps control body temperature through sweat, moves food through the intestines, and greases the joints. It is also an essential ingredient in the product of energy molecules. If you’re not well hydrated, your body puts its resources into maintaining your water balance instead of into giving you energy.

In general, the Institute of Medicine recommends that women get about 11 cups of water from food and drink each day, and men get about 16 cups daily. 20% of the liquid generally comes from food and the other 80% from drinking water and other beverages. Frozen fruit bars or icy treats are a good idea, especially on a hot and humid day.

Water is especially important after exercising, with certain medicines, and with a high-fiber diet. Avoid soft drinks and carry a water bottle with you on the go.

If you still find yourself sluggish with a well-balanced diet, visit a doctor. Certain diseases, medications, stress, and the lack of sleep or exercise can also contribute to fatigue.

Here are some tips on how to maintain good personal hygiene.

Wash Your Body Thoroughly and Frequently

Shower daily to keep harmful bacteria from manifesting into flus, fevers, and headaches.  Soap and water are essential for keeping the skin clean.  Those who are involved in active sports or work out would do well to take a shower after the activity and be sure to dry with a clean towel.

Skin tends to get drier as one gets older, so use moisturizing lotion or cream to rehydrate the skin. It is better to do this at night after showering since dirt tends to stick to the skin during daily activities.

The genitals and anus need to be cleaned well since the natural secretions of these areas can cause irritation and infection in unhygienic conditions.  Using a bidet seat will help keep private areas clean after using the bathroom.

Hair Hygiene

Washing and conditioning hair with products for one’s hair type are also important parts of a healthy hygiene regimen.  Avoid washing hair too frequently, which can damage the hair and dry out the scalp.  Hair can always be rinsed with water without applying products to rinse away dirt, while allowing natural oils to remain.  Clean combs and brushes at least once a week by washing with soap, water and allowing to air dry.

Oral Hygiene

Maintaining good oral hygiene results in a mouth that looks and smells healthy.  Daily preventive care, including proper brushing and flossing, will help stop problems before they develop and is much less painful, expensive, and worrisome than treating conditions that have been allowed to progress.

Some tips on maintaining good oral hygiene:

- Use the right toothbrush- The ADA (American Dental Association) recommends a soft bristled brush.

- Brush teeth and gums for 2 minutes twice a day.

- Excessive brushing and flossing can irritate the gums and teeth, as well as erode tooth enamel.

- Rinse the mouth and toothbrush and let the toothbrush dry.

- Change out the toothbrush once the bristles look frayed or every 3 months.

Hand Hygiene

Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after every meal, as well as after visiting the toilet.  Soaping and rinsing should cover the areas between fingers, nails, and the back of the hand.  If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in some situations, but do not eliminate all types of germs.

Use hands-free fixtures to clean and dry hands, especially in public restrooms where germs are most rampant.

Having dirty nails can lead to many serious diseases and infections.  Fingernails should be kept short, and the undersides should be cleaned frequently with soap and water. Because of their length, longer fingernails can harbor more dirt and bacteria than short nails, thus potentially contributing to the spread of infection.  Avoid biting or chewing nails and never rip or bite a hangnail.  Instead, clip it with a clean, sanitized nail trimmer.  Be sure to always clean and sterilize nail grooming tools before and after every use.

Wear Clean Clothes

Make a habit of changing clothes daily, especially after hot summer days.  Sweat and dirt can lead to unwanted bacteria and eventual sickness.  By ensuring that our body is clean and well presented, we are more assured in projecting a positive body image that reflects our personalities.  Self-esteem, confidence and motivation can all be altered by our body image.  By being well presented, clean and tidy, people can feel more confident, especially in social situations.

Change Out Bed Sheets & Pillow Covers

Humans, on average, spend roughly a third of their lives sleeping.  Therefore, they spend a huge chunk of time in bed.  Dead skin cells, oils, sweat, bodily fluids, and food crumbs will lead to a place where dust mites and bed bugs thrive.  Dust mites, although quite harmless in and of themselves, excrete droppings that are laden with allergens which can cause health complications. When inhaled, these allergens can provoke asthma and rhinitis and may also worsen eczema.

Change the sheets at least once every two weeks, but preferably once every week, in 120-140°F (49-60°C) water to kill bacteria and dust mites.  It is important to wash any soiled sheets promptly. Always wash sheets immediately after night sweats, incontinence, or food stains.

Restoring Toileting Independence

Many seniors enlist the help of caregivers to help them through their daily lives.

With a deteriorating body, good hygiene can be difficult to maintain. Elderly people often experience ailments such as arthritis, bladder infections, vision loss, dementia, and ALS.

For an ALS patient, even the simplest everyday tasks can become quite difficult. It’s hard enough to deal with this disease without having to worry about embarrassing but necessary needs such as personal hygiene in the bathroom. While an ALS patient may need assistance with a lot of everyday tasks, the restroom is one area in which he or she can retain a great deal of independence.

Bidet seats restore toileting independence for seniors by allowing them to maintain their hygiene without having a dedicated caregiver. Bidets can help seniors stay at home longer without having to move into assisted living facilities.

Enhancing Quality of Life
There is a common misconception about how bidets are difficult to operate. There is also a notion that any piece of new technology in an elderly person’s hands will become a struggle. However, bidets are actually really simple to operate.

A bidet’s remote is large, easy to see, and straight to the point. Some washlets will even have customizable presets to simplify the process. Most people prefer a wireless remote over a side-panel because it is easier to operate. Those who are experiencing limited mobility or vision loss can benefit from having a wireless remote, especially during post-surgery recovery.

For a patient with physical disabilities, it is also helpful for the remote to be very simple with large buttons. When muscle control is an issue, navigating through a great deal of small sensitive buttons can be a problem. A basic bidet with simple functions will suffice. While maneuvering toilet paper in delicate areas can be very difficult with deteriorating muscle control, pushing a button is much easier.

Heated Seats, Warm Dryer, and Adjustable Water Temperature

Nobody likes to sit on a cold toilet seat during those long winter months. Having a warm seat will lessen the stress level of those suffering from impaired cognitive abilities like dementia or Alzheimer’s.

The idea of having freezing cold water spray your rear can scare first-time bidet users away, so all electronic bidet seats will have adjustable water temperatures. The whole cleansing process can be completely “hands free.”

Using a bidet’s warm air dryer allows the user to dry off without having to use their hands.

Enema and Wide Spray Wash

Some bidets with a dedicated “enema” wash can help alleviate constipation and stimulate the rectal area to promote bowel movements. The “enema” wash is different from an actual enema in that it uses a high pressure, narrow wash stream to introduce a small amount of water into the anal cavity. When water is introduced to the anal cavity, it gives the user the sensation that they need to defecate. This allows them to “push out” any bits of fecal matter still present in the rectal area. People who suffer from IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) would also benefit from the enema wash.

It is important to clean the anal area thoroughly to get rid of any bacteria that is left behind. If this isn’t done properly, bacteria can grow and spread on the skin which may lead to infections. For women, fecal matter that travels to the vaginal area can cause many uncomfortable infections. The wiping of toilet paper often smears bacteria around rather than cleaning it up. Even when the paper appears clean, bacteria can still be present. A warm stream of water is much more effective for washing bacteria away. A bidet is also more likely to prevent any remaining bacteria from spreading.

Hemorrhoid sufferers will benefit from using a bidet’s wide spray option. The best way to get relief from inflammation with a bidet is to opt for a cool water wash. Most bidets have several temperature settings. With hemorrhoids, anal fissures, or other types of inflammation, you may feel a sense of heat. If you find yourself wishing you could just sit on an ice pack, head to the bidet and try a nice cold water cleanse to help to soothe the irritated area. The intense itching and burning is very uncomfortable for those who have bad hemorrhoids. In fact, it can be quite painful. One way to deal with this is to use a bidet for cleaning the area instead of toilet paper. Toilet paper can feel like sand paper on those inflamed tissues.

Convenience
Modern washlets can be easily installed on most existing residential toilets. This can make the transition towards a bidet seat less frightening than a traditional bidet.

We would suggest having someone else try the bidet out first so senior users would know what to expect beforehand.

Accessories

For added support, seniors can use grab bars and handle bars to help lift themselves off the toilet. It is best to use free standing hand rails, or wall mounted grab bars to prevent incompatibilities with bidet seats. Bidet seats need to be installed over the two bolt holes (where the toilet seat and lid attaches onto the toilet bowl). Because of this, any adaptations using the same two holes will not be able to work with a bidet.

If you’re in the market for a new toilet, look for ADA or “comfort height” models that are taller and raised from the ground up.

Finding the Right Toilet for Your Bathroom

While most modern bidet seats fit residential toilets, some may fit better than others.

Toilets come in two basic forms: the standard two-piece with separate tank and bowl, or the more modern one-piece sculpted unit.

If you have a two-piece toilet, bidet seats are almost guaranteed to fit. Because two-piece toilets usually have an ample amount of space, installation will be easy and there should not be any problems.

If you have a one-piece toilet, your selection may be a bit more limited. If the surface of the bowl remains relatively flat and meets the toilet tank at close to a 90 degree angle, a bidet seat should fit.

However, some one-piece toilets have a slope where the tank meets the bowl. Because of this “French curve,” larger, bulkier, bidets would not work. The Kohler Rialto is a great example of a toilet with extreme “French curves.” Therefore, you would have to find a bidet that is slim in design or one that is made specifically for these types of toilets. The INAX Luscence is a great example of a bidet seat made for these type of toilets.

Measurements

The next step is to determine whether your toilet bowl shape is round or elongated. To do this, grab a measuring tape, put your existing toilet seat and lid down, and find the bolt holes (where the seat attaches to the toilet bowl).

Line A: Bidet seats need a minimum of 1.5 inches of clearance from the center of the toilet seat bolt holes to the front of the toilet tank.

Line B: The distance between the centers of the bolt holes should be between 5 – 7.5 inches.

Line C: For the elongated size, the bowls have a measurement greater than 18 inches from the center of the bolt holes to the front of the bowl. Round bowls have a shorter measurement, usually between 16 – 17.5 inches.

Mounting the Bidet Seat

First and foremost, shut off toilet’s water supply using the external shut-off valve located on the wall behind the left side of the toilet.

Find the two bolt holes and remove the existing toilet seat and lid.

Next, place the mounting bracket onto the bowl and position it over the two mounting holes.

After attaching the mounting bracket to the bowl with the included bolts, slide the bidet seat into the mounting bracket until it locks on.

Connecting the Water Supply
Next, disconnect the supply hose currently connected to your toilet tank from the shutoff valve.

Most bidet seats are supplied with one of two different types of t-valves:

(1) A 7/8 inch t-valve which connects directly to the bottom of the toilet tank or
(2) A ½ inch t-valve which connects directly onto the shut-off valve (a 3/8 inch adapter is also provided if your connection is not ½ inch.)

After installing the t-valve, connect the hoses back to the bidet. Plumber’s tape should be used on the threads to prevent leaks.

After hooking everything up, turn the shut-off valve back on slowly and check for leaks.

Water Filters

Inline water filters, although optional, can help prolong the life of the bidet. Sediment filters help with preventing sand or any other small particles in the water from reaching the bidet. Ion filters add ion particles to the water stream to help discourage bacteria growth. Iodine filters lightly treat the water stream with iodine to improve sterilization.

The filters are “inline water filters that can be easily screwed on to either the t-valve or the bidet seat itself. Filters have a lifespan of 4-6 months. They must be removed or replaced after 6 months.

A filter can be installed in-between the t-valve and the bidet hose.

Connecting to the Electrical Outlet

Next, connect the bidet’s electrical cord to your nearest outlet. Electronic bidet seats need a GFCI outlet near the toilet. The bidet’s electrical cord is usually 4 ft. but you may also use an extension cord if the outlet is further away.

Electric Requirements:
• GFCI Outlet
• 110/120 Volts for the US & 220/240V for most of Europe, Asia, and Australia
• 15 Amps

The whole installation process should take around 30-45 minutes and usually does not require a plumber.

Now sit back, relax, and enjoy!

Don't feel like reading?  Here's a video:

Using a traditional basin-type bidet can be quite inconvenient.  First, you’ll have to do your business on the toilet and use toilet paper to wipe your bottom.  You’ll then have to walk over to a separate bidet fixture and position yourself over it by either facing the water controls or away from it.  A simple “how to use a bidet” search on YouTube will lead you to countless videos of people experiencing bidets for the first time.  The videos always send the same message: bidets are awkward and difficult to use.

The bathrooms is meant to be a relaxing place, so installing a modern bidet seat can easily add comfort to a stress-free environment. Bidet seats are easy to install on most residential toilets and replace your original toilet seat and lid.  When you need to use the toilet, just sit down on the seat and do your business.  Once you need to use the bidet, press the wash button to cleanse the rear.  Then use the dryer to remove any residual moisture from your body.  The whole process is much easier and less awkward than traditional bidets.

We’ve listed some features below to show you how to customize the bidet seat to suit your needs.

Seat and Lid

Every modern bidet seat has a soft close seat and lid.  No more loud, stressful slams.  If you or any of your family members frequently get up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, you needn’t worry about a slammed seat waking anyone up.  In addition, soft close seats and lids can help prevent cracks on the seat and toilet bowl.

Electronic bidet seats will also have adjustable seat temperatures.  Heated seats add comfort, loosen stiff muscles, and use very little electricity.

Seat Sensors

Washlet bidets can detect when someone is sitting on the seat.  The seat sensor prevents any mishaps that may come from a curious child or other uneducated guest pressing buttons on the remote control.  The functions on the remote will not work unless the bidet senses someone sitting on it so there’s little risk of someone being sprayed on the face.

Nozzle sterilization

When you first sit on the bidet, the seat will “beep” telling you it’s ready to be used.  You’ll notice the nozzles rinse themselves off before and after every use.  This is a standard functionality for all the bidet seats we carry.  Some models, like the Brondell Swash 1000, go even further with a dedicated “sterilize” function which uses a silver oxide nano particles to prevent fungi and bacteria build up.

Front and Rear Wash

Electronic bidet seats have both front feminine and rear cleansing.  Whenever you feel the water is not hitting the right area, you can adjust the nozzle positions by moving the nozzle forward and backward.  During cold winter mornings or hot summer days, you can also change the water temperature to your liking.  If the water pressure is too low or too high, it can also be adjusted to various levels.

Massage, Pulse, Move, and Oscillate

Many electronic bidet seats have added features to go along with the front and rear wash.  The “pulse” and “massaging” functions stimulate the rectum to promote bowel movements.  The “move” and “nozzle oscillation” functions make the wash nozzle oscillate back and forth to clean a larger surface area.

Auto-Wash, 1-Button Wash & Dry, User Presets

Some electronic bidets can be programmed to remember the user’s wants and needs.  For example, the Clean Sense dib-1500R can preset up to 4 different users.  User presets enable quick washing and drying without having to adjust water temperatures and pressures after every use.  The USPA 6800 has a “Auto Wash-N-Dry” option that allows 1 button operation for users with limited mobility.

Child Mode

If your household has small children, some models like the Clean Sense dib-1500R have a dedicated “child” function.  This function reduces the spray pressure and positions the nozzles more forward (like a child would normally sit.)

LED Lights

Models like the Clean Sense dib-1500R and the Blooming NB-R1063 have LED lights.

The Clean Sense dib-1500R has a blue LED light behind the logo at the top of the bidet.  The light turns red when the heated seat is activated.

The Blooming NB-R1063 has an LED night light which illuminates the bowl.  This is a great feature to have when navigating to the toilet at night.  The light turns off once it detects ambient lighting in the room.

Lighting

Use Energy Star rated LED lights in your entire house, especially in your bathroom.  Energy Star rated lights have gone through strict efficiency, quality, and lifetime criteria.  LED lighting reduces energy costs by at least 75% when compared to incandescent lighting.  It also lasts 35-50 times longer than incandescent lighting and about 2-5 times longer than fluorescent while producing less heat than both.

LED lights are free of toxic chemicals. Most conventional fluorescent lighting bulbs contain a multitude of materials like mercury that are dangerous for the environment.  LED lights contain no toxic materials, are 100% recyclable, and will help to reduce your carbon footprint by up to a third.

When deciding on the type of materials to install, know that using a single high-watt bulb to light up a room can be more efficient than using multiple low-watt bulbs.

Ventilation

When renovating your bathroom, be sure to maximize the amount of natural light by using Energy Star rated skylights and widows. 

Energy Star windows and skylights feature invisible glass coatings, vacuum-sealed spaces filled with inert gas between panes, improved framing materials, better weather stripping, and warm edge spacers.   Energy Star qualified windows help keep homes warmer in the winter by keeping radiant heat indoors.  They also reflect solar heat by 70% or more during the summer.  Advanced frames, glass coatings, spacers, and other technologies enable Energy Star qualified windows to keep the inner surface of the glass and frame warmer, reducing the potential for condensation and ensuring a clearer view on winter mornings.

If you’re unable to install a window in your bathroom, install a ventilation fan.  A properly installed ventilation fan in the bathroom wastes less heat than opening a bathroom window.  Fans provide an environmentally friendly way to reduce moisture and lessen the chance of health problems humidity buildup.   Humidity in the bathroom causes mold, mildew, and the deterioration of walls, doors, ceilings, fixtures, and cabinetry.  After showering, leave the fan running for an additional 10 to 15 minutes before shutting it off.  Or, you may turn off the fan once the moisture has cleared from the mirrors.

Insulation

Regardless of insulation type, a low-permeability vapor barrier should be installed on the inside surface of the framing around the bathroom. This helps prevent moisture from condensing in the wall where it rots wood framing and makes insulation less effective.  Insulation should also be placed in the shower walls, as well as under the tub and in the cavities surrounding it.

Insulating hot-water pipes is an easy and inexpensive way to reduce energy costs.  Closed-cell foam is the most commonly used insulation, but fiberglass is another option.  Instantaneous water heaters (tankless units) that heat only when the water is needed at the fixture may be appropriate for a bathroom that gets limited use, such as one in a single-occupant home or vacation cottage.

Other Tips

Install a waste-water recovery system which preheats the shower water with warm water going down the drain.  Hot water always loses energy as it passes through the drain.  Drain-water (or greywater) heat recovery systems will capture this energy to preheat the cold water entering the water heater or other fixtures such as the dishwasher, sink, or washing machine.

Install solar panels for heating and electricity. If you use a lot of electricity and have a really high electric bill, you are likely to save a lot with solar right away. People who have smaller electric bills might not see substantial savings until a few years out.  Solar electricity power plants and personal solar panels produce zero emissions and have no adverse effects on the environment.  The creation of solar power is unobtrusive and is generated from photovoltaic panels that sit on top of the roofs of buildings.

Remember to unplug any electronics that are not in use since many devices like cell phone chargers or TVs continue to draw power when turned off. 

Use nightlights with sensors in the bathroom where you need just enough lighting to see where you are going.  The sensor will shut the nightlight off when it’s bright enough to see normally.  The Blooming NB-R1063 has an LED nightlight which senses ambient lighting.  Once your bathroom lights are turned on, the NB-R1063’s LED nightlight turns off.

The Sink

• Install low-flow faucet aerators. Low-flow faucets generally use approximately 30 percent less water than standard faucets, according to ConsumerReports.org. Making use of aerators allows air to mix in the water stream to create more volume with less waste. To keep the faucets at their peak performance, these aerators require clearing or replacing when clogged with particles in the water, but the expense compares favorably to the savings. In some cases, existing faucets can be adapted to install low flow aerators.

• Fix a Leak Week is celebrated annually on March 18-24 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This particular week was set to remind Americans to check their household fixtures and irrigation systems for leaks. Fixing a leak can account for, on average, 10,000 gallons of water wasted in the home every year. Enough to fill a backyard swimming pool.

• Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and shaving. Save time and water by brushing your teeth while you shower. Also, fill the sink with a few inches of warm water. This will rinse your razor just as well as running water, with far less waste.

The Shower

• Installing a low flow shower head in your home shower is one of the most effective ways to reduce water use. Low flow shower heads are inexpensive, especially when compared to other energy-reducing options for a home, such as installing solar panels or purchasing energy efficient appliances.

• Long, extensive showers can use as much water as taking a bath. By limiting the amount of time you spend showering to 5 minutes, you’ll use significantly less water.

• According to the EPA, a showerhead leaking at 10 drips per minute wastes more than 500 gallons per year. That’s enough water to wash 60 loads of dishes in your dishwasher.

• Put a bucket in the shower while waiting for the water to warm up. Use the water you catch for watering plants, cleaning, or flushing the toilet.

The Toilet

• Get a low-flow, 1.6 gallon per flush toilet. Or preferably a WaterSense-certified high efficiency toilet (1.28 gpf).

• Installing a dual flush toilet will allow you to use less water when flushing after you urinate. The second button will allow more water to flush the toilet after bowel movements.

• To reduce the amount of water used with each flush, place an inch or two of sand and pebbles inside two plastic water bottles. Fill the bottles with water, screw the lids on, and put them in your toilet tank safely away from any operating mechanisms. You can also use things like an old brick placed within the toilet tank to decrease the reservoir size. Doing this simple trick can save ten or more gallons of water per day.

• Usually, the signs that your toilet needs repair are audible, clear and wet. A toilet that turns on and off without being flushed or the sound of running water inside the tank when it’s not being used are both signs of a toilet that is leaking water. To check for toilet leaks, put food coloring in your toilet tank. If the coloring seeps into the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a leak. Fixing it can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.

• A common culprit of toilet leaks is an aged flapper. Replacing the flapper is inexpensive, and can be done easily.

• Double check the water level in the tank. The water level in the tank may be set at the wrong level. Too little and there will be insufficient water for a proper flush. Too high and you risk the water running over the top of the overflow tube.

Other Tips

• Insulate your pipes. It’s easy and inexpensive with pre-slit foam pipe insulation. You’ll get hot water faster, plus avoid wasting water while you wait at the faucet. Non-insulated hot water pipes reduce water heat by 2 to 4 degrees, causing your water heater to work harder and use more electricity or gas. Insulate all hot water pipes, especially the first three feet of pipe that exits your hot water heater. Once your hot water heater pipes have been properly insulated, you can turn down the hot water thermostat about 5 degrees. The result will be cheaper utility bills without sacrificing water heat.

• A big movement in the green industry is installing greywater systems. Greywater is wastewater generated from laundry, dishwashing, and bathing. It can then be recycled for uses such as landscape irrigation and constructed wetlands. Greywater systems can also reduce water consumption by watering plants or flushing toilets. Biological contamination is avoided by using a cleaning tank to filter harmful bacterial and particles coming through the water like soap scum and human hair. Be sure to check with your state government on laws pertaining to greywater systems before installation.

Here are some tips for creating your dream bathroom while improving your health and saving the environment at the same time.

Countertops

Most common countertops are built using solid surface materials like plastic laminate, tile, and granite. Because they often use a petroleum base, solid machine-able counter materials are not ecologically friendly. Granite countertops, despite their great looks, are not sustainable due to the quarrying process and the high energy consumption used when shipping this heavy item.

The ideal countertop material would have a solid, nonporous surface that is stain and scratch proof. Of course, it would also be beautiful, inexpensive and available in a wide variety of colors. Recycled glass / lightweight cast concrete, recycled glass ceramic tiles and recycled plastic are excellent environmental choices for durable, nontoxic, resource efficient countertops.

Flooring
Finding the right eco-friendly product for flooring can be a daunting task, but luckily there are several good options available.

Reclaimed hardwood floors are a great option since they can be periodically refinished and resealed, increasing their practicality. Since demand for reclaimed hardwood has increased, most flooring stores carry the product without having to put down a special order.

Bamboo flooring is a great eco-friendly option since the plant is a highly renewable resource that is able to mature within three to five years. It is also relatively easy to maintain by sweeping, vacuuming, and occasionally mopping. There are certain types of bamboo that can be extremely strong, hard, and durable. Natural, un-carbonized bamboo can be as durable as red oak. Strand woven bamboo can be manufactured even harder than that.

Linoleum flooring is tough and can last for decades if taken care of properly. It is made of non-toxic materials that do not persist in the environment and are biodegradable. Among the “greenest” of floors, linoleum is made from natural materials: linseed oil, resins, recycled wood flour, cork dust, limestone and mineral pigments, mounted on jute backing. Linoleum flooring offers easy maintenance because it does not require regular polishing or refinishing like hardwood flooring. It is water resistance and can be used on bathroom floors in place of ceramic tiles.

Recycled glass flooring can add a unique design to any bathroom with its many colors and can be arranged in simple or intricate patterns. Glass tiles are resistant to stains, mold, mildew, chemical damage, and aren’t porous. They can easily be cleaned with warm water and a mild vinegar solution to remove soap scum buildup. Glass tiles use roughly half the amount of energy to produce than it does to make ceramic tiles in the same size.

Rubber floors are highly resilient and can handle heavy wear. For households with lots of traffic from children and pets, rubber flooring is a practical option. In addition, studded rubber provides more grip than smooth rubber, making it safer for people with disabilities to move around and reduce slippage. Natural rubber floors are a renewable resource. Recycled rubber floors remanufactured from post-consumer products like old car tires are even more ecological.

Paint
When painting the walls choose products with low volatile organic compounds (VOC).

A paint consists of a resin (or binder), a carrier, and pigments that gives the paint its color. Once the paint is applied to a surface, the carrier evaporates, leaving behind the solid coating. The carrier is usually a VOC. VOCs are linked to a range of health problems, including some serious diseases. Benzene, for example, is one of several VOCs that are known to cause cancer. Other health effects besides cancer include kidney damage, liver damage, damage to the central nervous system (including the brain, as well as more minor complaints like headaches and eye, throat and nose irritation.

Today, many American companies shower us with “green” messages which can be confusing or misleading. When purchasing the most ecological paint, do your research. For a paint to actually call itself "low-VOC," the EPA requires that it have no more than 250 grams per liter of VOCs for flat and latex paint (oil-based paints) can have up to 380 g/l. (some places, like California, have even stricter standards). To call itself VOC-free, paint can have no more than 5 g/l of VOCs. Many ecological paint products now use water-based formulas, significantly reducing the solvents to low and zero VOC. The colors are derived from natural pigments, as well as other natural ingredients such as china clay, lime putty, and linseed oil.

Fixtures
With so many fixtures in the bathroom, green products can get pretty expensive. Spending more on a few highly efficient fixtures initially can save you money in the long run.

For sinks and bath tubs, use natural ceramic & non-toxic cement products like Lithistone.

When deciding on faucets and shower heads look for eco-friendly, low-flow products that have little to no lead. Products labeled “Watersense” are EPA-approved to use less water than those that are not. Most manufacturers are phasing out their older high-lead products and replacing them with new low-lead versions.

For toilet seats, look for toilets with the dual-flush system – one which uses less water for urinating and a second for bowel movements.

Our next blog post will have more information on eco-friendly toilets and water saving techniques.

Accessories
Avoid using vinyl shower curtains since they contain harmful chemicals like phthalates, oranotins, toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, and methyl isobutyl ketone. These chemicals can cause headaches, nausea, and damage the liver, central nervous system, respiratory and reproductive system. Instead, use PVC (polyvinyl chloride)-free plastic or hemp.

Use recycled glass as wall decorations for mirrors and backsplashes.

Digestive Health
While bidet seats can’t help what you put into your body, they do ease the “coming out” process of the foods you do consume.

Constipation is common among many Americans, especially women who are pregnant. Many electronic bidet seats
today have “massage” and “pulsate” functions to help stimulate the rectum to ease constipation and promote bowel movements. The “enema” wash on some bidets offers a warm stream of water that goes directly to the rectum into the lower colon. For a few moments, the warm water loosens the hard feces from walls of the colon and is then defecated back into the toilet.

When the food we eat does not sit well, diarrhea would set in and we’d have to run to the bathroom without looking like a fool. Bidets can help cleanse your bottom thoroughly without having to wipe multiple times with toilet paper. Not only would use less toilet paper, you’d be saving water by not having to shower after messy bowel movements.

Hemorrhoids are also very common, especially during pregnancy and after childbirth. The pain is caused from increased pressure when the veins swell, making them very painful. Bidets are a well-known tool for easing the suffering caused by hemorrhoids. Any time there is inflammation around the anal area, a bidet can be used to ease the pain, cleanse the area, and control inflammation. Using toilet paper to wipe is much more painful and does not clean as effectively. Bidets can also help with anal fissures, j-pouch, colitis, and more. Save your bum from being rubbed raw by using a bidet instead.

Feminine Hygiene 
For women, menstrual periods often produce feelings of being unclean. Washing your private areas with water can help cleanse the area of any particles that may be harmful to the body, especially among expecting mothers.

Using a bidet can ensure cleanliness before, during, and after childbirth. During childbirth, there can be a lot of discharge and bleeding. Wiping with dry toilet paper may just spread the mess, while a bidet does a much better job of washing the area. After childbirth, using a bidet can also be a comfortable way to recover from stitches or tears in the vaginal area. A cool, gentle stream of water is ideal for the healing process. Most modern bidets have a “feminine wash,” a useful tool in maintaining good vaginal health.

Bidets can also help with feminine hygiene before and after sex. Washing yourself can remove bacteria and other things from your skin, decreasing the risk of other infections from occurring.

Children Using Bidets
A bidet is even gentle enough for a child to use. Children always seem to be getting into dirty or unclean situations. The “child” function offers a softer spray and the nozzle positioning allows the child to sit as they would normally without falling into the toilet bowl. Small children often have trouble balancing on the toilet while reaching around to wipe with toilet paper, but a bidet seat negates this by helping them stay clean with a push of a button. With proper adult supervision, teaching a child how to use a bidet can instill the importance of personal hygiene.

Benefits for the Elderly
Bidet seats offer a hands free device, giving seniors the independence and dignity they deserve. Many elderly folks have a weakened immune system, and hygiene becomes an increased concern for this reason as well. Bidets provide the water pressure necessary to clean the genital and rectal areas thoroughly. Bidets are useful tools for people suffering from ALS and Parkinson’s and those with limited mobility as well. Bidets users are able to cleanse and dry with a touch of a button while not having to reach around to wipe with toilet paper.

Healthy Living for the Whole Family
Bidets can help with improving personal hygiene of any regular person. Areas like the anus have hundreds of sensitive nerves and very fine wrinkles. Even the gentlest toilet paper can’t clean these delicate tissues effectively. Wiping with dry paper will cause irritation and leave residue that in time, will cause bacterial growth leading to infections. Using a bidet can help stop the spread of germs like urinary tract infections (UTI), vaginal infections, and infections around the anal area. A thorough cleanse with water will help mitigate these concerns.

Majority of infectious diseases are passed by human contact. After using the bathroom, almost half of all humans do not wash their hands properly. Using a bidet ensures hands-free cleaning and drying. It will significantly reduce or eliminate contamination caused by the spreading of germs and bacteria from the restroom. This is especially important for people working in restaurants, hotels, hospitals, and assisted care facilities.

Have you experienced any other health benefits from using bidets?  Leave a comment below!  We'd love to hear your stories.

While the idea of a bidet may scare some at first, they soon realize what they’ve been missing out on. Not only do they clean you much more effectively than toilet paper, they are more environmentally friendly.

Here are some other misconceptions about bidets and why they aren’t as weird as you originally thought:

2) The Water stream is cold & uncomfortable.
All electronic bidet seats have warm water and heated seats. The bidet’s remote control allows you to adjust the temperature for maximum comfort. Warm water relaxes the muscles and will clean you so thoroughly you’ll feel like you’ve just taken a shower.

3) The water comes from the toilet tank and is unsanitary.
Bidet seats get water from the shut-off valve situated next to your toilet BEFORE it reaches the toilet tank. The bidet will not draw water from within the toilet tank itself. The only thing that touches you is clean, pure water.

4) Using toilet paper is cleaner and cheaper. 
After using the toilet, people usually need to wipe multiple times with toilet paper to feel somewhat clean. Even then, you may not get to the harder to reach areas. Bidets seats use pure water to wash your sensitive areas and are much more hygienic. Toilet paper, on the other hand, is rough and may contain chemicals that can result in skin and gynecological infections.

Fun fact: One tree produces about 100 lbs. of toilet paper and about 83 million rolls are produced per day. The world consumes around 27,000 trees daily just on toilet paper!

In actuality, bidets can help save the environment by lessening toilet paper consumption. Not only is it more hygienic for our bodies, you’ll be saving more money in the long run each time by spending less on toilet paper.

5) Water is being wasted.
Ever notice how much water is being used whenever you flush the toilet? It’s a lot – around 1.6 gallons per flush. Bidet seats on average use about half a gallon of water a day, which pales in comparison to the amount you use after every shower.

Another fun fact: manufacturing toilet paper involves using massive amounts of water – close to 500 billion gallons of water a year to produce. So not only will you save water by using less, you’ll be saving the environment by purchasing less toilet paper.

Think of buying a bidet as both an investment for your health as well as the environment.

6) They don’t fit my toilet.

Modern bidet seats can be installed on most residential toilets. Not only will they fit, but they’ll add a nice “luxury” feel to your restroom too.

Some bidet seats fit better than others, but for the most part fitment should not be an issue. For more information on compatibility, please refer to our fitment guide.

7) Installation is difficult.
In the past, people who wanted a bidet installed would have to accommodate an additional fixture. Now, modern bidets replace your toilet seat and lid and use the same two mounting holes to attach to the toilet bowl. The mounting bracket used to install the bidet needs a flat surface, which is typical for all 2 piece toilets and most 1 piece toilets in residential homes. You will only need a single cold water connection from the supply line that is already going to your toilet tank. The bidet seat needs to be plugged in to a standard GFCI electrical outlet.

For more information on how to install a bidet, check out this great video on the subject:

8) Bidets are too complicated to use.
Bidet seats are as simple to operate as they are to install.

You’ll no longer have to use those “old school” faucet type bidets that are notoriously difficult to use and are just plain ugly. Originally with faucet type bidets, you would have to get up, walk over to separate fixture, crouch awkwardly, and adjust your body for the water to hit the right spot.

With a modern bidet seat, you can use the toilet and then wash yourself without having to get up and walk to a separate fixture. Just sit down, do your business, and clean up with a simple press of a button. If you have guests over, they can continue to use the toilet like any other restroom.

9) Bidets are expensive.
When bidet seats first hit the market, the only options were expensive Japanese brands like TOTO. While they are high in quality, there are many more affordable options these days.

Non-electric bidets are perfect for individuals who need basic cleansing functions without all the complicated gadgetry in an electronic bidet. Non-electric bidet attachments and seats can range from $40-$200. Non-electrics are great for price-conscious consumers.

Electronic bidets are great for people looking to add that luxury feel without having to spend thousands of dollars. High quality bidet seats can range anywhere from $200-$800.

The Brondell Swash 1000 and Swash 900 are a leap forward for Brondell in terms of overall quality and craftsmanship.  Manufactured in Korea by the top-notch Coway company, the Swash 1000 and Swash 900 feature tankless on-demand water heating systems, stainless steel nozzles for hygiene, a special wide spray function, and the industry’s only lid strong enough to sit on when closed.  If you want top of the line, look no further than the Brondell Swash 1000.

Here at iHeartBidets.com, we’ve had the pleasure of testing a brand new Brondell Swash 1000 and to put it simply – we’re impressed.  The wireless remote control feel great in the hand and attractive on the wall.  The buttons are laid out in a logical manner and you never feel overloaded with functions.  The wide spray action is unique to the new Brondell Swash lineup and provides for a more complete wash area.

A common complaint that we hear from customers is that they wish they could sit on the lid of their bidet seat when it is closed, like a normal toilet seat.  Typically, this is NOT recommended for any bidet seat, but the Brondell Swash 1000 and Swash 900 have introduced the first product designed to do just that.  The lid is contoured down, close to the seat and is strong enough to support the weight of an average adult.  A very convenient feature that is often overlooked.

The wash functions on the Brondell Swash 1000 are smooth and quieter than your average bidet seat.  The seat itself is very solid and you get the sense that you are sitting on a quality piece of technology.

If you’re the type of person that values quality and craftsmanship, do yourself a favor and try the Brondell Swash 1000.  It is covered by Brondell’s 3 year limited warranty and is included in BidetKing.com’s 30 Day Risk-Free Trial program.  You simply can’t lose.

Shop the new Brondell Swash line at BidetKing.com.

The USPA 6800 bidet is a bargain at $499.95 because it’s packed with every feature imaginable from a heated seat and warm air dryer to a deodorizer and special IIP pulsation function for constipation.   The USPA 6800 bidet has dual nozzles for added hygiene and comes with an upgraded water heater that provides an astonishing 45 seconds of warm water with only 600W of power.

The USPA 6800 bidet toilet seat not only performs like a champ, but is also a joy to look at.  When you open the lid, the back panel of the bidet seat is hidden to give it clean, crisp design lines.  This streamlined design matches the decor of any bathroom and also provides peace of mind with its 3 year limited warranty.

Shop the USPA 6800 at BidetKing.com

Just ask Argentinian soccer legend Diego Maradona what he and his team would love to have in South Africa at this year’s World Cup.

Luxury e-bidet toilet seats.

“The manager of the High Performance Centre in Pretoria, Colin Stier, maintained that the request from Maradona had culminated in two whole bathrooms being changed.

“[Bidets] are quite common in Argentina but hard to get hold of here,” Stier said, according to The Daily Mail.

“In the end we managed to track down a seat which has bidet nozzles, but to make it fit we ended up having to replace the whole bathroom too.”

We love it.

But, hopefully you won’t have to replace your whole bathroom.

Why would I need a water filter?

An analogy we like to use to help explain the concept of using a water filter for your electronic bidet seat is that of an oil change for an automobile.  It’s easy preventative maintenance that can help prolong the life of your fancy new toilet seat bidet.  The water filters used with bidet seats are “inline” water filters that are installed on the water supply line feeding the bidet.  In simpler terms, it filters the water that goes into the bidet seat.

Isn’t my tap water clean enough?  

For the most part, yes, your tap water is clean enough for bidet seat use.  The trouble is that over time, especially in areas with particularly ‘hard’ water, calcium deposits and other minute solids can build up inside the bidet seat’s water reservoir and nozzles – thereby reducing the spray pressure and/or clogging the nozzles.  Tiny dirt, sand, and rust particles also have a chance of being passed through the water stream so it’s highly recommended by all bidet toilet seat manufacturers to use water filters.

How long do water filters last? How often should I replace them?

Water filters have a life span of 4-8 months depending on usage.  As a rule of thumb, we recommend replacing them every 6 months.

Are they easy to install?

Very.  Water filters are simply screwed on or off the water supply hose that feeds into your bidet seat.  Installation takes a couple of minutes at the most.

I see many different types of water filters online, what are the differences?

Carbon – Carbon filters remove solids and chlorine from the water stream.

Sediment – Recent studies have shown that removing chlorine from the water stream actually allows for algae growth inside the bidet seat. Sediment filters are packed with a synthetic polyester that filters out solids, but allows chlorine to pass through.  Available at BidetKing.com.

Iodine – Iodine filters remove solids and chlorine from the water stream while also adding trace amounts of iodine to provide sterilization.

Ion – Ion filters remove solids and add ions to the water stream to discourage bacteria and improve hygiene. Available at BidetKing.com.

If I buy a bidet toilet seat, will I still need toilet paper?

Although toilet seat bidets eliminate the need to wipe with toilet paper, it is not likely to completely eliminate the need for toilet paper for a number of reasons.

1. Warm Air Dryer – On just about every bidet seat on the market, the warm air-dryer function is relatively weak.  It feels like a hair blow dryer on a very low setting.  As a result, it would require the user to sit there for 2-3 minutes before being completely dried.  For most people, this is too long and they would rather use a couple sheets of toilet paper to dab dry.  (The electronic bidet seat with the strongest warm-air dryer that we’ve found, is the Brondell Swash 1000)
2. Guests – Despite our best efforts to spread the goodness of bidets, the vast majority of our country is still unfamiliar with/weirded out by bidet toilet seats (crazy, we know).  It’s best to keep a roll handy for our unenlightened guests.
3. Misc – What if you need to blow your nose while you’re sitting on the toilet? There’s no button on the bidet seat remote for that!

Washlet bidet seats can drastically reduce the amount of toilet paper your family consumes, but are unlikely to eliminate the need for TP completely.  For folks suffering from limited mobility issues, bidet seats and their warm air dryers can offer a toilet paper / reach free solution.  But for most, toilet paper is still used – just in smaller quantities.

#1 Do bidet toilet seats require electricity? What kind of electrical outlet?

Yes and no.  Electronic Bidet Seatslike the Blooming NB-R1063andBio Bidet BB-1000require a GFCI outlet of at least 15 amps.  GFCI outlets are outlets specially designed for use in bathrooms and other areas where water contact is an issue.

There are also non-electric bidet seats that don’t require an electrical outlet, like the Bio Bidet BB-i3000.  They are still able to provide many of the same hygienic benefits as their electronic counterparts, but aren’t capable of the luxury functions like heated seat /warm-air drying.

For more information, check out our infographic below...

The bidet shown in the clip is the classic French style vertical spray bidet.  The water stream is normally directed vertically (although sometimes horizontally) which requires the user to squat over the bidet.  They’re antiquated and don’t offer the multitude of features that electronic toilet seat bidets provide, but are still great conversation pieces.

Check out the hilarity below:

In the world of bidet toilet seats, it’s not often that we come across a seat that surprises us.  Most seats available on the market today have roughly the same features, same overall design, and are relatively on par with each other in terms of quality.  About once every year or so we come across a bidet seat that makes us take a step back and say, “Hey, I think we got ourselves a good one here!” Last year, it was the Clean Sense dib line with its affordable inline water heater.  The year before that, it was the COCO 6035R that wowed us with its overall aesthetics and continuous heating system.  This year? It’s the Blooming NB-R1060.

First, a little background information on Blooming Bidet.  The Blooming line of bidet toilet seats is produced by NCM Corporation in South Korea.  Blooming has been selling their electronic bidet seats successfully in Japan for years. NCM Corp. is South Korea’s largest exporter of toilet seat bidets and has been manufacturing well known brands like Sanyo for the last 20 years.  The quality of Blooming bidet seats rivals that of much more expensive Japanese brands (*achem* TOTO*achem*), but without the hefty price tag.

The previous line of Blooming bidet toilet seats, including the NB-520, NB-560, NB-570, and NB-R770, were great quality seats with a host of functions, but had 1 major flaw.  They were kind of bulky in the rear and only fit 2 piece toilets.  If you have a 2 piece toilet, great! Otherwise, you were a little SOL. Enter, the new Blooming NB-R1060.

The NB-R1060 bidet seat is such a great value because it takes all of Blooming’s wonderful features and quality and stuffs them into a beautiful, sleek package.  It rivals the Infinity bidet toilet seats in terms of aesthetics and is on par with INAX, TOTO, and Japanese brands in terms of top-notch quality materials and construction. It features a very small footprint like the Brondell Swash 1000 and also has a rounded back which allows it to be installed on most 1 piece toilets – including some models with those pesky french curves.

As with all of Blooming’s toilet seat bidets, the NB-R1060 features their trademark Aluminum Coated Nozzles and Luminous LED Night Light.

If we haven’t already said that the Blooming NB-R1060 has great quality – it does.  The seat and lid are the strongest that we’ve seen on the market next to INAX.  They have a great, heavy feel to them and don’t bend when you apply lots of pressure.  We tested it by closing the seat and lid and sitting on it.  At 180lbs, I didn’t feel any “give” whatsoever.

Functionally, the Blooming NB-R1060 performs as well as any other bidet seat on the market.  The wireless remote also has a nice heavy feel to it and is easy to use. The only feature that truly stands out is its warm air dryer.  Compared to other seats on the market, the NB-R1060 has one of the strongest warm air dryers that we’ve experienced.  This is especially useful for folks with limited mobility or anyone wishing to rid themselves of toilet paper completely.  Keep in mind – it will still take up to 1-2 minutes to be fully dried.

Negatives – In testing, we found two drawbacks that may deter some folks from owning this bidet seat.  First, is the absence of an enema wash function.  The enema function is useful for folks suffering from constipation, but the NB-R1060 only has the rear wash and feminine bidet functions.  The second drawback is the lack of an inline heater / continuous heating system.  Although Blooming has suggested that it will be implementing an inline heater for this model in the future, the current NB-R1060 uses a “tank-type” heater.  This means that if you wash with warm water, the stream will begin turning cooler after 25-30 seconds of wash.  For the 90% of people who only wash for 20 seconds or less, this is a non-issue.   For others, it’s a deal breaker.  Personally, we here at BidetKing.com don’t mind it at all.  It simply signals to us that we’re clean =).

We love the Blooming NB-R1060 bidet toilet seat and think you will too.  Scroll down for some real-life pictures of the model we used to test.  Enjoy, and don’t forget to visit BidetKing.com for the best bidet deals on the internet!

Bidet toilet seats are a great way to cut down on toilet paper use.  Instead of having to wipe several times with toilet paper, clean yourself with a warm aerated stream of fresh water.  When you’re done, use a couple sheets to dab dry or activate the seat’s warm air dryer and enjoy the breeze.

Are all electronic bidet seats equally energy efficient?  No – although all bidet seats will help you cut down on toilet paper use, they are not all created equally.  For the most energy efficient solution, choose a bidet seat with an inline water heater rather than the conventional water tank.  Electronic bidet seats with inline water heaters like the Clean Sense and Brondell brands do not heat the water until you are using the wash.   They draw a higher wattage while in use (1200-1300w), but are still much more energy efficient because they don’t constantly heat a tank of water.  Also, no tank means that the warm water supply is basically endless.

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The Clean Sense dib-1500/1500R - There’s no better value available on the market today. The Clean Sense line of advanced electronic bidet toilet seats is known for its unbeatable combination of quality and value. Their bidet seats feature energy efficient, tankless water heating systems that heat the water stream instantaneously as you begin washing. This means that the Clean Sense dib-1500 series can provide a virtually endless supply of warm water and improved energy efficiency because the heating element is not on continuously.  In the next year, you will begin seeing the rest of the Luxury bidet manufacturers moving toward this design.  Clean Sense has been doing it for 4 years.  The Clean Sense bidet seats pack all the features of $500+ brands into a $400 package. There’s a reason they remain BidetKing.com’s #1 selling bidet toilet seat. Shop Clean Sense.

The Bio Bidet BB-400 – As a leader in the US bidet toilet seat market for years, Bio Bidet values quality above all else.  The Bio Bidet BB-400 is a fully featured luxury bidet with a sturdy toilet seat.  Like it’s big brother, the BB-1000, the BB-400 has a heavier seat than most other bidets in its class.  The cleaning action of the Bio Bidet BB-400 is also unique in that it feels as if there’s extra aeration in the stream – very nice.  The BB-400 is priced higher than the Brondell Swash 300 and CleanSense dib-1500 offerings with a similar list of features, but if a stronger, beefier seat is a priority for you – there’s none better.Shop Bio Bidet.

The Infinity XLC-3000 - Infinity seats are the epitome of luxury bidets.  Their shapely curves enhance the decor of any bathroom and their wide array of standard functions cannot be beat. Infinity believes that its bidet seats should include ALL premium functions (warm air dryer, deodorizer, catch plate, energy saving mode) coupled with new ceramic heating technology.  Compare the Infinity XLC-3000 with the INAX Luscense and you’ll see that for a much lower price point, you’re getting the added benefits of instant and endless warm water supply.  Great value in a luxurious package – doesn’t get much better than that. Shop Infinity.

Meet Buddha.

Buddha (not his real name) is a good friend of BidetKing.com.  He supports the blog, enjoys bathroom humor, and is the newest advocate of our “Spreading the goodness of bidets” movement.  Buddha is typically a pretty bright fellow, but surprisingly he wasn’t always a fan of bidets.

Buddha was your classic, “I’ve been wiping my own butt with toilet paper for over 2 decades now, why the heck would I start spraying it with water – that’s weird” bidet hater.  Yup, he wanted no part of aerated streams of water gently, yet thoroughly cleansing his rear.  He preferred toilet paper.  Buddha had a perfectly valid point at the time – he’s gotten this far in life without needing a bidet, why would he want to start using one now? Why indeed.

Last week, Buddha fell victim to an unfortunate accident that left him with a broken right hand (his dominant hand).  He struggled with a swollen hand for most of the week until he finally went to the doctor’s office and was outfitted with a rigid cast.  Cast in hand, Buddha fumbled through the bulk of his daily activities without major issue.  He could drive, type on a computer, and even play a little ping-pong.  But, when nature came calling – Buddha was lost.

Buddha didn’t anticipate the difficulty he would have wiping himself with a cast on.  It’s bulky, rigid, and doesn’t allow for wrist movement.  He tried using his left hand, but without any practice his wipes were crude and off the mark.

The next day, Buddha came by the office and made an unusual request, “Hey…uh…can I use your toilet?” Most businesses are put off by this sort of inquiry but here at BidetKing.com, we relish it (we have a CleanSense dib-1500r bidet seat installed on the toilet).  “Of course Buddha, try not to smile when you come out.”  Needless to say, Buddha came out giggling like a school girl.

Moral of the story: Electronic bidet toilet seats are great for persons with limited mobility.  And if someone doesn’t believe in the benefits of bidet use, break their hand.

Final score:

Bidets 1, Buddha 0

CleanSense dib-1500

When you shop for an electronic bidet toilet seat, you’re basically paying for features.  Most baseline bidet seats come with the 3 different wash modes with nozzle adjustment, adjustable water temperature, heated seat, soft-close lid, energy-saving mode, and self-cleaning nozzles.  Seats with these baseline features like the Brondell Swash 900, Bio Bidet BB-600 are priced around the $400 mark.  Not a bad deal if you don’t need additional bidet functions.

Well, what if you want a warm air dryer? Or a deodorizer? Finding a bidet seat with these premium features will generally cost you another $50-$100 each depending on the brand.  For example, the Brondell Swash 900 ($399.95) is basically the same bidet seat as the Brondell Swash 1000 with the addition of a warm air dryer and a deodorizer.  The price? $599.  See how it works? You’re basically paying $100 for each of these extra features when you upgrade to a higher model.  If you want a wireless remote, it’s often a $50 premium like the Bio Bidet BB-1000 and Infinity XLC-3000.

So what does all this have to do with the CleanSense dib-1500 being the best overall value?  Simple.  The dib-1500 is packed with all the premium features, but sold at a baseline price of $359.95.  Yup.  The CleanSense dib-1500 has all the luxury bidet features you could think of (except for the wireless remote) including warm air dryer, deodorizer, and tankless water heating.  All at a price comparable to the Bio Bidet BB-400 and BB-600 which only include the baseline functions.  Plus, if you want the convenience of a wireless remote, the dib-1500R model is only $40 more.  Value, indeed.

Congratulations CleanSense! The dib-1500 is truly 2009′s bidet toilet seat with the Best Overall Value.

Want to buy? Check out our site, BidetKing.com for the lowest prices and best service on the internet!

Bio Bidet’s BB-50 Simplet

In evaluating standard bidets, we here at iHeartBidets.com value simplicity, ease of use, and affordability above all else.  Most people shopping for standard bidets are looking for a simple solution that won’t break the bank.  They want to feel cleaner and use less toilet paper, but aren’t quite ready or don’t need a full scale electronic bidet toilet seat.  For them – we present the Bio Bidet BB-50 Simplet.  The BB-50 Simplet led the standard bidet category in both ease of use with its new pressure stepping control knob, and affordability at just $69.  Great for anyone new to the bidet scene, the BB-50 is one of the best values out there and comes backed by a 12 month warranty from Bio Bidet.  Check out its full list of features below:

• Continuous Natural Water Stream
• No electricity or battery required
• Connects dirtily to fresh water line
• Simple yet practical
• Quality stainless parts
• NEW: Unified ABS valve for better regulated water stream
  - new ABS unified valve system instead of valve with tubing for better durability
• NEW: Removable nozzle for better hygiene
  - nozzle can be easily replaced by user just by sliding it out of brackets for
  better personal hygiene.
• NEW: Splash Guarded Nozzle
  - new splash guard is added to nozzle
• NEW: P.S.P.C (Positive Stepping Pressure Control)
  -new pressure control with variable stepping knob.  Stepping control knob allows easier pressure control.
• NEW: Double sided body panel
  -Bottom body panel is added to better protect tubing from ware and tare and easy cleaning

Blooming Bidet’s Luminous LED & Help Alarm

As we shared in our 9/22 post on Fast and Furious Toilet Seats, Blooming outfits each of its bidet toilet seats with their trademark Luminous LED.  This feature essentially makes nightlights in your bathroom obsolete as the bidet seat shines a soft blue glow into your toilet when lighting conditions are darkened.  What we did not mention, was Blooming’s Help Alarm function.  When pressed, the Blooming bidet emits an alarm buzzing noise used to alert a caretaker for assistance.  Perfect for elderly or physically challenged individuals who require aid in their daily routines.  Never be left stranded on the toilet again.  Shop Blooming’s Collection.

So if Google went all out to provide these nifty, eco-friendly benefits for its employees, how do you think they outfitted the bathrooms?  You guessed it.  High-tech, electronic bidets seats for everyone.

The system, understood to be made in Korea, is among a range of perks at the ‘Googleplex – the company’s sprawling campus on the fringe of San Francisco. Others include a continuous supply of free food from the all-day canteen, and access to the communal bicycles that litter the grounds.

“I think it aids productivity,” one company employee said of the robo-bidet. “You come out of there ready to face work, clean as the day God made ya.”

To read the full article on how Google provides electronic bidet seats for its employees, click here.

I think urbandictionary.com defines it most eloquently:

“fecal particles which cling to bottox hair after excretion”

Yup.  And they’re often accompanied by their bad news pals – bits of toilet paper.  Like a jealous ex-boyfriend, Clingons insist on showing up at the worst times, often crashing parties and interrupting hot dates.  Definitely not the kind of crowd you want to be associating with.

But, what can we do? It’s not like we can blast them into space with phase cannons from the Starship Enterprise.

Enter, theUSPA 6800.  This bad boy electronic bidet seat hates Clingons.  It takes pleasure in vaporizing those little turds into oblivion with its aerated water stream and IIP (Intensive Impulse Pulsation) system.  Never get mixed up with the wrong crowds again.  Get a USPA bidet and keep your rear free of Clingons forever.

Ok, so I want to buy a Portable Travel Bidet. Where do I start?

Portable travel bidets are great for those of us who wish we could take the benefits of our home bidets with us on the road.  They’re also convenient to use at home for persons with limited mobility or anyone hesitant about installing a full bidet system. The most popular types of travel bidets are battery-powered, plastic units that are compact enough to be gripped by people of all ages.  You simply fill the reservoir with cold or warm water from a tap and you’re ready to go.  No more need for toilet paper even when you’re away from home. Feel fresh and clean anywhere, anytime!

How do I choose which one is right for me?

After much research, we found one to be the most effective:

Many travel bidets are sold under different names, but their functions remain the same.  The deluxe model comes with two wash speeds for those who like a choice, two nozzles, and a 1 year warranty.  Those who prefer a stronger spray should choose the deluxe model.

But there are so many brands available online, how do I choose the most reliable?

Luckily for you, we did the hard work for you. The Palm travel bidet is backed by an established name in the industry – not just your average dealer printing their own labels.  Watch out for these cheaper models often found on auction sites.

What is that, like a rave or something?  No…

Nocturia is the need to get up during the night in order to urinate, thus interrupting sleep. Its occurrence is more frequent in the elderly. Nocturia could result simply from too much liquid intake before going to bed (usually the case in the young), or it could be a symptom of a larger problem, such as sleep apnea,hyperparathyroidism^[1], chronic renal failure, urinary incontinence, Interstitial Cystitis, diabetes, heart failure, benign prostatic hyperplasia, Ureteral Pelvic Junction Obstruction^[2] or prostate cancer. -wikipedia.com

Suffering from nocturia means that you’re getting up frequently during the night to go pee.  As stated above, it could result from a number of different causes, but one thing that everyone can agree on is how annoying it is of an ailment.   You have to drag your groggy-self out of your warm, comfortable bed, stumble to the bathroom hoping you don’t trip on anything, and then blind yourself with the bathroom light as you find well-needed relief.

So, how can an electronic bidet seat ease my nocturia pains? Well, it won’t help you pee less frequently-but, what it can do is help alleviate the discomfort of having to blind yourself whenever you need to pee at night.  What? How? Several models of electronic bidet seats on the market today feature LEDs that light up the seat in the dark.  They’re bright enough to replace your nightlight, yet gentle enough to preserve your night vision.  No more bumping into and tripping over edges/corners/debris on your way back to bed because you’re blinded from the abrasive bathroom light.

The best example of this technology comes from NCM USA and their Blooming line of luxury bidet seats.  Just check this picture out:

Right?!! How cool is that?  Pictured above is the Blooming NB-R770(we no longer carry this model; the NB-R1063 is the new flagship model from Blooming) Blooming’s high-end bidet seat that features a wireless remote control, a special aluminum coated nozzle, and of course its “Luminous LED” technology.  The soft blue glow appears only when the seat senses darkened lighting conditions so it doesn’t waste energy.  Blooming’s entire line of electronic bidet seats feature this Luminous LED technology as a standard option.

Although Blooming is at the forefront of this light-up bidet seat trend, other brands like CleanSense also provide a nightlight for its users.  The CleanSense dib-1500 and dib-1500R both have LEDs at the head of the units which create a soft blue glow at night similar to Blooming.  But, instead of lighting up the toilet bowl, the CleanSense bidet seat LED lights up the top of the unit.  Either way, the effect is the same: no more night blindness, no more missed toilet bowls (read: messy boys).

Well, if your hangovers are anything like mine, you know that you’re already dreading the infamous “alcohol shits”.  Better known as diarrhea or ‘mud-butt’, this condition involves the sufferer experiencing an upset stomach that usually lasts the entire next day.  You feel the need to empty your bowels several times over the course of that day and by the third time – that charmin ultra soft toilet paper you bought starts to feel like the wood chips it was made from. You know what I mean.  To make matters worse, don’t hangover shits always tend to be messier?  Your headache is already killing you – the last thing you want to deal with is toilet paper.

Enter: bidets.  Bidet owners can attest to what I’m saying, but bidets basically take the ‘dread’ out of your hangover routines.  Having to squeeze one out no longer seems like such a daunting task because you don’t have to deal with the cleanup.  No more mud-butts, no more ripped toilet paper, no more soreness.  It’s just you and the toilet – in harmony.  Electronic bidet seats even offer you the option of air drying your rear after you’re done for a truly toilet paper freeexperience.  Don’t you owe it to yourself to take care of your butt?  Buy a bidetand the next time you’re hungover you’ll thank me.  By buying me a beer.

On a side note, ever wonder why hangovers cause diarrhea?

Chronic diarrhea can be caused by chronic ethanol ingestion.[6] Consumption of alcohol affects the body’s capability to absorb water – this is often a symptom that accompanies a hangover after a heavy drinking session. The alcohol itself is absorbed in the intestines and as the intestinal cells absorb it, the toxicity causes these cells to lose their ability to absorb water. This leads to an outpouring of fluid from the intestinal lining, which is in turn poorly absorbed. The diarrhea usually lasts for several hours until the alcohol is detoxified and removed from the digestive system. Symptoms range from person to person and are influenced by both the amount consumed as well as physiological differences. Alcohol-induced diarrhea is often accompanied by “the follow through” which is a feeling that the patient is going to break wind (flatulence) instead becomes an uncontrolled episode of diarrhea.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diarrhea#Alcohol

The dib-1500R, like with most qualityelectronic bidet seats at the price range, is manufactured in Korea.  It is produced by the Daewon Bidet company in Incheon who has a reputation for building quality bidet seats since 1980.

The main thing to take away from the CleanSense bidet series is its unbelievable value for its price point.  The dib-1500R is currently CleanSense’s flagship bidet seat and is selling for $379.95 at, BidetKing.com.  If we compare its list of features with other top of the line, remote controlled bidet seats like the Bio-Bidet 1000, INAX Luscence, and Infinity XLC-3000, we see that we are getting a great value.  Its list of features include Adjustable Nozzle Position, Seat Sensor, Seat Warmer, User Presets, Self-Diagnosis, Smart Energy Save, Detachable Main Body for Cleaning, Low Noise Motor Pump, Warm Air Dry, Deodorization, Bubble Wash, Child Settings, Pulse, and Massage Modes.

Installation of the dib-1500R was a snap.  All electronic bidet seats on the market today are pretty much installed the same way and the dib was no exception.  The mounting bracket is bolted on to the toilet mounting holes and the dib-1500R slides on for easy detach-ability.   The cleaning action of the dib-1500R’s aerated stream is nice as well.  The nozzle position and water temperature are easily adjustable and even the massage mode has different settings. The bidet function (feminine cleaning) is also very effective as the nozzle has 4 spray holes for a nice, even wash.

Another feature that sets the dib-1500R apart is the ability to program up to 4 User Presets.  What does this mean? Well it’s comparable to luxury car seats that allow drivers to program their seat positions whenever they enter the car.  By setting your user preset, the dib-1500R will automatically adjust the nozzle position, water temperature, and water pressure to your liking once you select your saved preset.  It saves you time and prevents any unpleasant surprises in the case that your spouse enjoys a high pressure, cold wash.

Having used the CleanSense dib-1500R bidet seat for a while now, I’ve also noticed a couple minor drawbacks.  I’m not sure if it’s because my toilet is especially small for a round shaped toilet, but the front lip of the dib-1500R bidet seat hangs slightly over the front edge of my toilet bowl.   It doesn’t cause any issues in terms of function, but it slightly detracts from the bidet’s overall aesthetic appearance.  In contrast, the Bio Bidet BB-800 I reviewed earlier sat perfectly flush on the toilet bowl.  The dib-1500R toilet seat is also a bit ‘light’ in comparison with some other electronic bidet seats.  Although weight doesn’t necessarily denote quality, it’d be nice if the toilet seat itself had a heavier feel to it.  But like I said, the quality is definitely there and I haven’t had any issues with breakage/cracking/malfunctions.

The dib-1500 series also features a neat little blue LED light at the top of the seat.  It’s great as a nightlight when you need to use the bathroom but don’t want to turn on the bathroom lights. If you prefer bidet seats with side control panel over a wireless remote, go for the CleanSense dib-1500 and save $30.  The side panel is sleek and easy to use, but the dib-1500 does not have the ability to set user presets.

Overall, I’d rate the dib-1500R a 9/10 for its unbelievable value as a top of the line bidet seat.  If not for the two drawbacks I listed above, it would’ve gotten a 10.

The toilet we chose to “bidet equip” in my parents’ house was beige in color and elongated in shape.  They had a two piece toilet so fit wasn’t going to be an issue.  We ordered the bidet from our sponsorBidetKing.com(shameless plug) and it arrived in a nice big cardboard box (duh) after a week.

The box looked pretty legit, but you’d expect that from a well equipped $400 electronic bidet seat. Bio Bidet is a major player in the US electronic bidet seat market and has a headquarters here in the states.  Their bidets are definitely Korean made though, and that’s a good thing.  Korean bidet brands are known to be made with great quality – comparable to their Japanese counterparts, but much more affordable.  Compare this seat to the TOTO S400 Washlet which goes for damn near $700.

Anyways, after we finished unpacking everything (there’s not that much) we laid all the parts out.  These lower res pictures doesn’t do the bidet seat justice but you can feel the quality of it.  The finish was impeccably smooth and the bidet seat in general just had a nice and heavy, quality feel to it.

You can see the BB-800 here with its included parts:

• (2) Water connection hoses
• (1) T-valve connector
• (2) Plastic mounting bolts/washers/nuts
• (1) Plastic mounting bracket (with metal 2 frames)
• (1) Spanner tool (like a janky wrench)
• (1) 3/8′ to 1/2″ metal adapter (didn’t need it)
• (1) Quick user guide
• (1) User manual

Installation was a breeze and took about 30 mins with a break in the middle.  I’ll be posting the fullstep-by-step electronic bidet seat installation guide here soon enough as proof, but just take my word for it.  To install, you need a wrench (preferably one that locks) and plumbers tape.  To give you an idea of how easy these things are to install, I didn’t even use a wrench on this bad boy.  The spanner tool that they included with the kit was more than enough.

Using the Bio Bidet BB-800 for the first time was great.  I’ve had the CleanSense dib-1500Rinstalled on my own toilet for quite some time now, and the BB-800 is definitely on par with that bidet seat in terms of both overall craftsmanship, and cleaning action.  The nozzle on the BB-800 is very similar to the dib-1500 in that it is a single nozzle that is used for the various cleaning actions (with different holes for the feminine clean/enema function).  Nature wasn’t calling at the time of installation, but I did sit down and let Bio Bidet’s pride and joy massage me for a minute.  Felt great  .

The control panel on the BB-800 is sleek and stylish.  It’s extremely intuitive and my mom had no problems figuring out which buttons did what (keep reading).  The buttons feel nice to the touch and the lights are easy to read.  The 1-page quick guide is very clear and comes with a suction cup to mount near your bidet in case you forget what the Turbo button does.  Oh, that turbo button. One would think it’d be used for a quick clean…maybe a 15 sec spray with auto-shut off?  Nope, it’s the enema function.  Watch out for that.

The BB-800, like with most electronic bidet seats around this price range, comes with economy mode and self-cleaning nozzles.  A lot of people ask me, “Doesn’t the spray head get dirty when it washes you?”.  The answer: self-cleaning nozzles.  When you first sit down on the seat, you will hear some water trickling in the toilet.  It might catch you off guard at first, but it won’t splash you.  It’s the bidet seat sensing that someone is on the seat, and it flushes the nozzle with a jet of water in its casing.  It does the same thing after it’s done spraying you.  Nice.

The economy mode is pretty cool too.  The BB-800 comes with 2 economy modes (I have no clue with the second one does yet).  Economy mode is basically the on-board computer chip learning about your poop habits.  Wait, what? Yeah, these things are smart enough to learn your poo schedule so that it can save energy during ‘non-peak’ hours.  Fancy stuff.

Overall, I’d rate the Bio Bidet BB-800 a 9/10.  It would’ve been a 9.1 if not for the damned Turbo button (j/k).  It’s pretty much the top of the line when it comes to electronic bidet seats with a side control panel.  The major knock against it is that it doesn’t include a deodorizer and the ability for user presets at its price point.  Still, a damn fine bidet seat for the money.

Look, toilet paper‘s fine.  It does its job and for the most part, it’s clean enough.  But can’t we do better? I mean, when our hands get dirty, we wash them with water and soap.  When our dishes get dirty, we wash them in the sink, with water.  So when our butts get dirty, shouldn’t we wash them with water too?  The more you think about it, the more it makes sense.  We wash everything with water – why not our rears? Use a bidet, or better yet, use one of those fancy electronic bidet seats.  It’ll change the way you look at toilet paper forever.

I mean, sure, people have been using toilet paper for a long time now and I’ll admit – it gets the job done.  But, in our world of fancy gadgets and laptops, cars that park themselves, and phones that can do just about everything – we can’t come up with a more elegant solution to bathroom hygiene than wiping our dirty butts tissue paper??! I mean, come on let’s examine some of the cons here:

1. You have to wipe so many times to fully clean yourself with just toilet paper
2. You always seem to be running out when you need it most
3. The softer the paper, the more virgin trees have to die
4. When you’re having one of those days when you need to go alot:  tissue = sandpaper
5. Toilet paper requires you to wipe with your hand, down there.  So when it rips…yeah.

And that’s just to name a few.  I’m sure everyone has had their own beefs with toilet paper at one time or another but for me…enough was enough.  But, what could I do?

My moment of enlightenment came during a family trip to our home country, Taiwan.  My grandmother had recently undergone surgery and was mostly limited to resting in bed.  Just going to the bathroom became a chore.   My uncle decided to take action and installed an electronic bidet seat on her toilet.  Whoa.

Now, I’m what you would call a techie.  I built computers as a kid, loved having the newest gadgets and worked as an IT consultant for two years.  So imagine the look on my face when I saw the electronic bidet for the first time.

“What?! You mean you don’t have to wipe? IT WASHES YOU???! WHY DIDN”T ANYONE TELL ME THESE THINGS EXISTED??!! garghggahhh…”

When I woke up later, I asked my grandma how she liked using the bidet.  She loved it of course and said the enema function was especially useful for when she was constipated.  A little TMI, but I was hooked nonetheless.  I couldn’t wait to poop.  The next morning I was about as excited as a kid could be to poop in his grandma’s toilet.  I’ll spare you all the details, but let’s just sayI had one of those moments when you realize this is how life should be. I had found the solution to my life long conundrum of how to get around using toilet paper and felt remarkably free because of it. Thanks grandma!

I returned home and to no surprise my drab, bidet-less toilet just became harder and harder to bear.  After an exhausting search, I was finally able to track down a beautiful new electronic bidet seat to call my own – and we haven’t parted since <3.  Because once you go bidet, you can never go back.

Hope you all enjoy the blog as much as I do!

Great! Glad to hear you enjoy feeling clean and are ready to upgrade your throne.  First, you need to determine what type of toilet you currently have (or whatever toilet you wish to equip). Toilets come in two basic form factors: the standard 2pc with separate tank and bowl, or the more modern 1pc toilets.

1 PIECE TOILET A toilet sculpted into a seamless unit, and has no crevices between the tank and bowl.

2 PIECE TOILET This type of toilet has a separate tank and bowl which are bolted together upon installation

Got it. So what does it mean if I have a 1pc or 2pc toilet?

Depending on the actual shape of your 1 piece toilet, our non-electric bidet attachments may or may not fit. If you're not sure, simply give us a call, or email us a picture of your toilet at support@bidetking.com - we're here to help.  

If the bowl remains relatively flat and meets the toilet tank at close to a 90 degree angle, our bidet attachments will fit.  1 Piece toilets like the TOTO Ultramax or the Kohler Memoirs are great examples.

If the tank is curved and meets the bowl on a slope (known as a "french curve") then it is unlikely our bidet attachments will fit.  The Kohler Rialto and San Raphael are popular examples. NOTE: The GoBidet GB-2003C is the only non-electric bidet that will fit this style toilet.

Well, how do I know if my toilet Round or Elongated? That’s important too right?

Absolutely.  After you figure out whether you have a 1pc or 2pc toilet, the next step is to determine if your toilet bowl shape is Round or Elongated.  Many of the more modern, stylish toilet bowls have the Elongated shape.Measure your toilet in inches from the center of the two mounting holes, to the end of your toilet bowl (line A) as shown below:

-If Line A is roughly 16.5, your bowl is ROUND.

-If Line A is roughly 18.5, your bowl ELONGATED.

Check the product specifications for exact measurements if your bowl falls somewhere in between.

That wasn’t so bad. Are there any other concerns I should have?

Color.  Several of our bidets like the Bio Bidet BB-1000 come in either White or Beige.  Pick the color that most closely matches your own.

Also, many of the electronic bidets are controlled by control panels attached to the right side of the seat.  Check the area surrounding your toilet to make sure you have a solid 4-5 inches of clearance on the right side to accommodate for the control panel.  If you find that clearance is going to be an issue–consider upgrading to a model with a wireless, mountable remote control like the Clean Sense dib-1500R or theBio Bidet BB-400.

Ok. I figured out the size, color, and shape of my toilet – how do I pick the bidet that’s right for me?

Look deep down into your soul and find your true bidet calling.  Just kidding.  There are two main types of bidets to choose from: Standard and Electronic.

Standard bidets like theBio Bidet BB-250and theBrondell FreshSpa Dual Temperature Bidetattach to your existing toilet/toilet seat and are an economical way to experience the joy of bidet washing without breaking the bank.  They generally only offer natural (cold) water hookups and basic  nozzle functionality, but are still great at the one thing they’re designed to do: clean your butt.

Electronic bidets like theClean Sense dib-1500and the INAX Clessence replace your existing toilet seat altogether and can offer an array of luxury features from heated seats to warm air dryers depending on how much you want to spend.  The CleanSense dib-1500, INAX Clessence, and Brondell Swash 300 are some of the best available values on the market because they include the full range of luxury features at great price points.