Bidet and shower toilet: why water beats toilet paper

More and more bathrooms are gaining a helper that was long viewed as unusual in this country: the bidet, or a toilet attachment with a water jet. What has been commonplace in Japan for years is now reaching Europe, changing how people clean themselves after using the toilet. The reason is simple: water outperforms dry paper in almost every respect.

Why water cleaning is clearly superior to toilet paper

Anyone being honest will quickly notice that wiping dry with paper feels more like a makeshift solution. It tends to spread residue rather than remove it thoroughly. Traces can remain even when nothing is visible on the paper. These microscopic remnants may later cause itching, odour and irritation.

“Water removes what paper merely spreads – and many people notice that after just the first few uses.”

Dermatologists repeatedly report that problems such as burning, redness or persistent itching around the anus are often linked to inadequate cleaning. Dry wiping rubs the skin without properly cleansing it. A gentle jet of water simply rinses away residue – without rubbing or pressure.

Particular relief for sensitive and injured skin

People with haemorrhoids, anal fissures or those recovering from surgery know how painful ordinary toilet paper can be. Every wipe can feel like sandpaper against already irritated skin. Water cleaning removes much of that discomfort: no rubbing, no reopening wounds and significantly less inflammation.

Many users say that issues they had experienced for years disappear once they switch to a bidet or shower-toilet attachment. This is not only relevant to people with medical conditions, but also to children, pregnant people and older adults, whose skin can be especially sensitive.

Fewer germs, less touching and better hygiene

One benefit that is frequently overlooked is that modern bidets and shower toilets greatly reduce hand contact with sensitive areas. The water jet does the actual cleaning. This lowers the risk of transferring bacteria and viruses from the toilet to hands, door handles or other surfaces.

This matters particularly during waves of colds or gastrointestinal infections. Less contact with contaminated areas reduces the likelihood of spreading pathogens within the household.

Modern bidets: features in the new bathroom standard

The traditional separate porcelain bidet familiar from southern European countries is no longer the only choice. Toilet attachments and fully integrated shower toilets are becoming far more common. They look like an ordinary toilet, but include considerably more technology.

• Continuously adjustable water pressure for gentle or more powerful cleaning
• Temperature control for comfortably warm water
• Warm-air drying, making toilet paper entirely unnecessary
• Self-cleaning nozzles for consistent hygiene
• Eco and energy-saving programmes for continuous use

At first, this may sound like luxury spa equipment for the bathroom. In practice, it is primarily about everyday usability: older people need to twist and stretch less, children can manage more independently, and everyone benefits from reliably thorough cleaning.

The overlooked environmental damage caused by toilet paper

Toilet paper appears harmless: a soft, lightweight product that disappears within seconds. Yet behind the scenes, it creates a substantial burden for the environment and climate.

“Millions of trees are felled every year for global toilet paper production, alongside chemicals, water consumption and transport emissions.”

Deforestation, water use and a cocktail of chemicals

Vast forest areas are cleared to produce the cellulose used in paper. This destroys animal habitats, worsens the climate and causes soils to dry out more rapidly. Even recycled alternatives only partly reduce this issue.

Large quantities of water and energy are also required to manufacture and bleach toilet rolls. Ironically, the life cycle of toilet paper uses considerably more water than a bidet used every day. A modern shower-toilet attachment operates with a comparatively small jet of water per wash, while each individual roll has already consumed several litres in the factory.

Bleaching produces substances that pollute rivers and lakes and accumulate in ecosystems. Switching to water cleaning largely removes people from this chain of chemical use.

Transport, plastic and mountains of waste

Logistics are another concern. Toilet paper is bulky and light, taking up considerable space. Lorries transport pallets of rolls from factories to distribution centres and supermarkets. Every pack is wrapped in plastic, often with additional cardboard packaging. All of it becomes waste after a short period of use.

A bidet attachment or shower toilet is installed once and, ideally, lasts for many years. There is no constant repurchasing, packaging or supply chain. For households looking to reduce their environmental footprint, the calculation makes sense.

Japan as a model: how technology reinvented the bathroom

Anyone who has visited Japan often remembers the toilets first. Few countries have modernised this private space so radically. Shower toilets – often called “Washlet” there – are standard fittings in many homes, much like a dishwasher is in the UK.

“In Japan, the mundane everyday object known as the ‘toilet’ became a high-tech device combining cleanliness, comfort and sustainability.”

Manufacturers combined precise water jets, individual temperature settings, warm-air dryers and often even heated seats. As a result, toilet paper now plays only a minor role in many Japanese households, or disappears altogether.

The trend is now spreading to Europe. Architects are incorporating shower toilets into new-build projects from the outset. In existing homes, residents are choosing retrofit options that can be fitted directly to their current toilet.

Installation: often easier than expected

Many people are put off by the thought of extensive alterations. In reality, basic attachments usually require only a T-piece at the isolation valve, a flexible hose and some practical skill. Only models with seat heating or a warm-air dryer need electricity.

Anyone who has changed a tap or replaced a shower head can generally fit a bidet attachment too. Those who are unsure can hire a plumber once and then enjoy years of trouble-free use.

Cost question: does switching really pay off?

Perhaps the key question is whether the investment makes financial sense. The short answer is: in many cases, yes – and sooner than many people expect.

• Basic non-electric attachments: often available for two-figure prices
• Comfort models with internally heated water: mid-range pricing
• Full shower toilets with drying and seat heating: higher upfront cost, but suitable for long-term use

An average household gets through surprisingly large quantities of toilet paper each year. Once several people and rising prices are factored in, the total over a few years can easily cover a good toilet attachment. Many users report that their device pays for itself through reduced paper purchases within one to two years.

The real obstacle: mindset rather than technology

The greatest barrier is rarely the installation itself, but personal habit. From childhood, people here have learned to reach for the roll after using the toilet. Water cleaning may initially feel unfamiliar or even strange to some.

Interestingly, households that take the step often change their view very quickly. After a few days, the water jet feels normal; after one to two weeks, many describe going back to paper alone as “unimaginable” or “unhygienic”.

Practical tips for beginners

Anyone wishing to make the change at home should begin pragmatically:

• Try a small, inexpensive cold-water attachment first – ideal for a downstairs toilet.
• Set the water jet to a lower pressure initially, then increase it gradually.
• At first, use toilet paper only for patting dry.
• Consider moving to a model with warm-air drying if toilet paper is to disappear completely.
• Introduce family members to the controls calmly, ideally with a brief demonstration.

Water cleaning is particularly suitable for children because they intuitively understand that rinsing is cleaner than wiping. Older people and those with limited mobility benefit because they need to turn and stretch less.

Frequently asked questions: hygiene, health and everyday practicality

Many concerns centre on germs and water quality. The nozzles on modern devices rinse themselves automatically before and after use. In most models, they remain protected inside the housing when not in use. The mains water supplied by the spray is of the same quality as the water used for handwashing or brushing teeth.

From a medical perspective, there is much to support water cleaning: less friction, fewer micro-injuries and less strain where anal conditions already exist. For people with chronic bowel problems or frequent diarrhoea, this can provide noticeable relief.

Anyone currently using moist toilet paper can save money with a bidet while also reducing the risk of fragrance allergies and problems in the sewer system. Wet wipes block pipes and wastewater treatment facilities, even when marketed as “flushable”.

Bathroom of the future: water rather than paper as the new standard

In some countries, the combination of toilet and water cleaning has long been standard; here, the shift is only beginning. Yet the arguments are mounting: less irritation, a better feeling of cleanliness, a considerably lower environmental impact and often lower costs over time.

Anyone already planning to modernise their bathroom should at least allow for a shower-toilet connection: electricity near the toilet, an easily accessible isolation valve and, where needed, a seat that can be adapted easily. Even if the high-tech toilet is not installed straight away, the option remains open.

Whether it is a simple attachment or a fully integrated system, more and more households are gradually moving away from the toilet roll as the leading feature of the bathroom. Water takes over – quieter, more thorough and often more convincing than expected before the first try.