Lets Talk Bidets...

 Last Thursday morning, Alaska's Governor Dunleavy spoke to the entire population of Alaska via YouTube regarding the uptick of Covid-19 cases and asking us to take a step back and hunker down, wearing our masks, social distancing, and foregoing our normal big holiday dinners/gatherings in an attempt to slow down the growing curve of reported cases.  He asked that we take the next three weeks and work hard to make our numbers slow down, hinting at perhaps more vigorous steps if we cannot do it ourselves.

I do not know how it was in the lower 48, but when all of this Covid-19 stuff started back in March, the first thing that everyone seemed to go out and purchase was roll after roll and package after package of toilet paper.  One would think that they should still have much left in their stockpiles.  But, it seems to not be the case.  Starting Friday after the announcement by the Governor there was once again a run on buying toilet paper, but fortunately, the stores immediately implemented a limit on the amount that could be purchased, but even then, the shelves are becoming empty of that most valuable commodity.

The advantage of living in a house with no other people is that toilet paper does not get used up that quickly.  I could go through a roll (I like the Mega Rolls from Scott which lasts a while but are very hard to find in Alaska), about every three to four weeks.  I had plenty but it did prove very hard to find and it was finally Amazon that was able to ship my favorite brand to me.  I just now have opened the box when Kate needed a new roll in their bathroom last week.

As the initial lockdown period marched on, I began to look into how a Bidet worked.  I seemed like something that I should check out as an option to reduce the need for toilet paper.

I searched Home Depot web sites and Lowes web site and, of course, Amazon.  When I first started looking, all of the ones that I could find were "out of stock".  I soon realized that I was not the only one looking into the Bidet option for cleaning one after using the facilities.  Some were extremely expensive, others were quite reasonable.  I looked almost daily and finally, at the end of May, Amazon had some very nice options for attachments to the toilet that one already had.

Most bidet information online will have the shape of the bowl (oblong or round) and then measurements of the studs at the back and the distance from front to back and side to side.  You need to decide whether you want an electric version or a non-electric version.  My bathroom only has one electric outlet and it was nowhere near the toilet, so I opted for the non-electric.  Besides, sitting on a device that uses water and is plugged in just did not seem to be a smart thing to do.  There are some that have all manner of features.  Some have single nozzles, some have dual nozzles.  Some spray, some pulse, some warm the water, others do not.  But the basic idea is that it cleans your bum with water rather than smearing particles all over your bum with toilet paper until you think it is clean.  And we think nothing about doing it that way as this is how our country has done it for a long time and how we are taught as children.

I selected this model from Amazon.  https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B082HFS8KT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

At the time it was listed at around $44.00.  It seems to be a tad cheaper now.  I did not want to spend a great deal on it, just in case I determined that it was not for me.

After it was delivered, Rob came over and we installed it together.  It was not at all hard.  Turn off the water to the toilet, remove the feed line.  Add a different fixture under the toilet, put the feedline back on, and connect the additional hose to the bidet appliance. Fix the entire device on the poles to the seat attachment and replace the seat... Voila... you are ready. 

Here is the connection under my toilet.  Nothing special, just a splitter that allows incoming water to the tank and also go to the nozzles.

This is how the bidet appliance looks sitting on the rim of the toilet.  Mine had several ways to adapt to my particular toilet.  It fits OK, but my toilet had an extra adapter piece at the back of the seat, so it is not a perfect fit, but it works.  The silver ring moves one way for the rear end cleaning and the other way for feminine cleansing.

This is how it all looks when the seat is down.  Not at all in the way of the normal usage of the toilet.

And this is how it looks from the door.  Because of the extra piece, the seat does not sit flat on the bowl, but when I sit, it is fine.

The first time I used it, I jumped a bit but was delighted to find that the nozzles sprayed exactly where they were supposed.  What I have since discovered is that I cannot imagine why in the world I have not done this long before now.  I have, next to the toilet, a lovely, soft, fluffy washcloth.  After using the facility, I spray, then dry off with the washcloth.  I tried toilet paper but it just balls up and shreds.  The washcloth works perfectly.  I had gotten them at Goods in East Earl, PA with the intention of making little slippers out of them.  I never made the slippers, so I have 6 washcloths that I rotate in and out, using toilet paper only once in a blue moon.  The roll on the holder will last me for several months.

One of the best parts so far was when I did the prep for my colonoscopy this past spring.  Anyone who has done prep for that test knows that your rear end can get very tender and red by the time you are finished... at least that is how my rear always felt.  But not this time.  It was cooled, gently washed, and then patted dry.

I even find that I do not really like using a regular toilet anymore.  I do not feel clean after using toilet paper now.

I would encourage you to try one and see how you like it.  My dear friend, Marji, began using one after I mentioned it to her.  Ask her... she will tell you.  She has injured her right shoulder and elbow and could no longer clean herself.  Her dear, sweet husband was having to take care of that job for her.  She can now get clean before he dries her off.  And her husband Danny likes to use it himself, too.

Next time, however, I will spend a little more and get an entire seat, rather than the additional part.  They make them for both the elongated toilet or the round toilet.  But mark my words... I will never live in a house that does not have one!  And the bonus is that I do not have to panic when the toilet paper hoarders strike again.

BTW, I am sure you are wondering, the unheated water is not at all bad for cleansing.  While we call it cold water, it is actually ambient temperature water.  So whatever your house temperature is will be the temperature of the water being used.  I find it refreshing, even when it is -15 degrees outside.