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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think the UK should have bidets

473 replies

LarkspurBlues · 16/07/2026 13:27

Just that really. I far prefer the French habit of having a wash after having a no 2, much more civilised. The British way is actually unhygienic and gross.

OP posts:
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7
Marleyandme71 · 16/07/2026 17:46

Delatron · 16/07/2026 13:32

I do think it’s more hygienic but not something culturally we have had in our homes for whatever reason. But yes nothing to stop you from installing one.

My mind is boggling over the ‘poo flannel’ and the aesthetics of
this and a bucket by the loo! I guess it does the job but how many flannels to wash every day? Where are they put once they are used?

Same...rinse it out n reuse it? I literally said urgh out loud. Maybe best to have a few clean flannels out imo.

jeffgoldblum · 16/07/2026 17:42

I have one! , installed on my existing toilet! , have had it for 15 years! , I’m in the U.K. , instead of making it a U.K. issue perhaps you should just get one installed! 🤷‍♀️

SantasNewLittleHelper · 16/07/2026 17:39

We installed a bum gun during our recent bathroom Reno and I love it. A good hose down after a no2, what’s not to like. They have them in Asia, I think they are genius. 😂

Possiblynever · 16/07/2026 17:36

Bum gun 😂. .I have a water pistol, that'll have to do.

MustTryHarderAndHarder · 16/07/2026 17:31

ThisISmycircusandtheseAREmymonkeys · 16/07/2026 17:30

Way too much information here 😂😫

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Oops sorry, but the whole thread is about bums and poo, so I didn't think my comment was too bad!

ThisISmycircusandtheseAREmymonkeys · 16/07/2026 17:30

MustTryHarderAndHarder · 16/07/2026 16:57

Isn't it.

Someone on MN recommended it a few years ago and it makes such a difference.

My husband doesn't use it as his digestive system means that he doesn't need to, but it was a godsend when he had piles.

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Way too much information here 😂😫

MustTryHarderAndHarder · 16/07/2026 17:30

stargirl27 · 16/07/2026 17:12

i use a bum gun not a bidet but im fairly sure you dont just sit in the poo particles - dont you just sit sort of in front of the tap and use that to wash?

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Well, yes, that is what I am asking.

I have googled and it looks like there is a spray, but the person who replied to me said that you just sit in it, which doesn't seem right!

But even if there is a spray, it must be difficult to position your bum properly eve if you are young.

icingonmycupcake · 16/07/2026 17:29

LarkspurBlues · 16/07/2026 13:27

Just that really. I far prefer the French habit of having a wash after having a no 2, much more civilised. The British way is actually unhygienic and gross.

Air conditioning first please. 🥵

NotBreezy · 16/07/2026 17:19

Mischance · 16/07/2026 17:06

So IBS and piles.... a lethal combination! Like scraping superglue off a bunch of grapes!!!
Water doesn't cut it so bumwash toilet not the answer....

Apparently a squat toilet reduces the risk of piles…

gardenflowergirl · 16/07/2026 17:19

You can get a bidet shower attachment for your standard toilet.

PeopleWatching17 · 16/07/2026 17:18

LarkspurBlues · 16/07/2026 13:27

Just that really. I far prefer the French habit of having a wash after having a no 2, much more civilised. The British way is actually unhygienic and gross.

You could get a stoma. I have a positively sparkly bottom.

stargirl27 · 16/07/2026 17:17

Backedoffhackedoff · 16/07/2026 17:16

That’s what the poster was asking but @HostaCentral indicated it was simple and couldn’t understand why anyone didn’t get it

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I do think it's simple... I don't know of anyone filling them up and sitting in there though.

TheIdlerReturns · 16/07/2026 17:16

I've seen plenty of bidets in the UK thought.

Backedoffhackedoff · 16/07/2026 17:16

stargirl27 · 16/07/2026 17:12

i use a bum gun not a bidet but im fairly sure you dont just sit in the poo particles - dont you just sit sort of in front of the tap and use that to wash?

Show quote history

That’s what the poster was asking but @HostaCentral indicated it was simple and couldn’t understand why anyone didn’t get it

Jennalong · 16/07/2026 17:14

I have a fine spray aerosol which I fill with water and a few drops of essential oil .
A quick spray and a wipe dry with toilet paper and we are good to go .

CustardySergeant · 16/07/2026 17:12

Missohnoyoubetterdont · 16/07/2026 16:56

Loo roll and baby lotion. Does a better job, not just spraying fecal matter around with a jet of water. 🤮

Surely Wype Gel* (already mentioned several times) is better than baby lotion and definitely better than wet wipes. I hope no one is flushing wet wipes.

*From their own web site or Boots/Amazon/Holland & Barrett
https://wypeuk.com/

stargirl27 · 16/07/2026 17:12

MustTryHarderAndHarder · 16/07/2026 17:08

So you fill it up like a bath but then how do you rinse off if there is no shower?

It's like sitting in a bath and then not rinsing off before you get out?

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i use a bum gun not a bidet but im fairly sure you dont just sit in the poo particles - dont you just sit sort of in front of the tap and use that to wash?

MustTryHarderAndHarder · 16/07/2026 17:08

HostaCentral · 16/07/2026 17:05

Errr... You just fill them up and sit in them! Wash your but, dry with a small towel. What's complicated??

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So you fill it up like a bath but then how do you rinse off if there is no shower?

It's like sitting in a bath and then not rinsing off before you get out?

Mischance · 16/07/2026 17:06

So IBS and piles.... a lethal combination! Like scraping superglue off a bunch of grapes!!!
Water doesn't cut it so bumwash toilet not the answer....

Backedoffhackedoff · 16/07/2026 17:06

HostaCentral · 16/07/2026 17:05

Errr... You just fill them up and sit in them! Wash your but, dry with a small towel. What's complicated??

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you sit in the floating poo particles? Poo particle soup?

vodkaredbullgirl · 16/07/2026 17:05

didntlikeanyofthesuggestions · 16/07/2026 13:29

I don't have a bidet but we do keep a flannel and a bucket next to our bathroom toilet. After a number 2 we have a good scrub then rinse it out for the next person. Not quite as good but we all manage to keep clean enough.

😆😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Loulou4022 · 16/07/2026 17:05

You need a smart loo! Regular toilet that has a water wand thing that washes you! It’ll cost you 3 grand!!

HostaCentral · 16/07/2026 17:05

MustTryHarderAndHarder · 16/07/2026 16:54

Yes, I have never understood how bidets are supposed to work.

This is better than a hose as you can control the temperature of the water and much cheaper than wipes once you have bought it:

Make sure you get the large one, not the travel one:

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/197737048938?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338268676&toolid=10044&_trkparms=ispr=1&amdata=enc:1gGthDtFRQmmZSU8rNTbdeg37&ff=11&loc_physical_ms=1006625&adtype=pla&customid=Cj0KCQjwguLSBhDLARIsAH-yPrHdpXT6PlypAQA6r-BCLJy5Odt_zY2zB7FsMfGaj4ff4ANM0lgahdIaAiHSEALw_wcB&gclid=Cj0KCQjwguLSBhDLARIsAH-yPrHdpXT6PlypAQA6r-BCLJy5Odt_zY2zB7FsMfGaj4ff4ANM0lgahdIaAiHSEALw_wcB

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Errr... You just fill them up and sit in them! Wash your but, dry with a small towel. What's complicated??

Original poster
LarkspurBlues · 16/07/2026 17:01

Also, it isn’t just about being smug about perfect bowel movements. There’s messy big episiotomies, birth trauma etc.

OP posts:
FrustratedApples · 16/07/2026 17:01

We use a (clean!) flannel (once!) and put used ones in a wetbag (the sort designed for cloth nappies).

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