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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want a bidet

40 replies

BinFace · 30/07/2023 10:12

On holiday at the mo in a hotel with a bidet in the bathroom and I am loving it. Just wondering if anyone had one at home? I think when I grew up my parents saw them as a bit grubby (maybe thought of people using the bidet instead of regular showers/baths) but as an addition they seem fab. I’m also increasingly aware of how some other cultures are just using toilet paper as a bit grubby.

Do you have one?

OP posts:
LunaNorth · 30/07/2023 10:14

No, but I want one!

Sealwright · 30/07/2023 10:15

I think there are also some bidet attachments you can add to your toilet if you are short on space...

Original poster
BinFace · 30/07/2023 10:17

Sorry, my post should say other cultures think just using paper is grubby.

OP posts:
TwelfthGiraffe · 30/07/2023 10:18

We used to have one growing up. We used it to wash our feet.

blackclouds · 30/07/2023 10:19

I used one in Italy and thought it was brilliant

LovelaceBiggWither · 30/07/2023 10:19

We have a Japanese electronic bidet which is plumbed onto your existing toilet. It's fabulous.

Muckysmucky · 30/07/2023 10:22

I always wet wash after using the toilet but I do it at the sink, ideally with a flannel and I have a small towel to stop the floor getting wet.

we used to have a bidet growing up but I only ever washed my feet in it and wasn’t taught how to use it although I know my parents did.

I hate it when I’m out and about and only have horrible dry paper to use, especially after a bowel movement. I never feel clean and think it’s revolting.

Add into this that many people don’t shower daily and honestly it’s so horrible to me how unclean the average Brit is.

EarringsandLipstick · 30/07/2023 10:22

TwelfthGiraffe · 30/07/2023 10:18

We used to have one growing up. We used it to wash our feet.

Same here!

Then we went to France on holidays & my DM nearly choked when she realised we were doing the same with the bidets there. I had absolutely no idea what it was meant to be used for!

RonObvious · 30/07/2023 10:23

YANBU, but I am loving the juxtaposition of the post after yours…

To want a bidet
EarringsandLipstick · 30/07/2023 10:24

I always wet wash after using the toilet

God, why!!

And how do you manage during the day (the time, the faffing, dealing with the flannels etc) and if not at home?

Shower daily or twice daily, you'll be fine.

I think the flannel thing sounds a bit gross.

Stratocumulus · 30/07/2023 10:53

Bidets are great. I’ve had them in past bathrooms & really appreciated one when menstruating.

Nowadays I have a small bowl which sits inside the toilet rim when the seat’s lifted.

Fill with warm water and sit over it. Job done.

thelengthspeoplegoto · 30/07/2023 10:53

I used a bidet on my last holiday, I'd love one at home.

dudsville · 30/07/2023 11:10

When I got my bathroom done I couldn't afford the fancy japanese toilets, and I didn't want a seperate bidet. I got the hose installed instead. It is fabulous. I miss it when I'm anywhere else, including just going to work. Only using paper is grim.

cocksstrideintheevening · 30/07/2023 11:15

Had them in our bathrooms growing up. Miss them!

twilighteaser · 30/07/2023 11:29

I have one but I'm in Italy where they are a legal requirement in every household. Couldn't be without it now are 20+ years of using one. To clarify we use paper first as you do in UK, but then wash afterwards. I always say to my friends and family in UK, imagine if you got poo on any other part of your body, you wouldn't just wipe it off with paper and that's it, you'd also wash that area! Great for periods and washing feet too 😏

BarrelOfOtters · 30/07/2023 11:32

Yes I wanted to get one when getting new bathroom and forgot….I’m looking at retrofitting something to the loo.

HugoDarracott · 30/07/2023 11:37

Love ours and wouldn't be without one now. Are the hose attachments for toilets compliant with UK regulations? When I looked into fitting one there didn't seem to be clear guidance on this.

itsmyp4rty · 30/07/2023 11:56

BinFace · 30/07/2023 10:17

Sorry, my post should say other cultures think just using paper is grubby.

Yes but most cultures that use water don't also use paper, they use their hand to wash their butt - and to me that seems ickier than using paper. That's why many cultures don't eat with their left hand. You wouldn't wash poo off other parts of your body with just water any more than you'd clean poo off other parts of your body with just paper.

It's only Italy where they seem to be really obsessed with washing their asshole and need water and paper - well, there and MN. DH is Spanish and he grew up believing they were for washing feet, he didn't believe me as an adult when I told him what they were actually for!

Personally I don't give a shit if my anus and butt crack isn't sterile. I couldn't be bothered with hosing myself down and then drying it all off every time I take a dump. It is useful for shaving your legs in though - but only ones not used for washing shit. I really don't fancy sticking my feet in those.

101jobs · 30/07/2023 12:26

I love bidets. Yes, the idea is that you wipe yourself as best you can with paper first, then wash using a bidet.

Unfortunately my current bathroom is too small for a bidet, I hate not having one at the moment.

drpet49 · 30/07/2023 12:27

Urgh no way.

Maddy70 · 30/07/2023 12:51

When I lived in the UK we had one put in our plumber couldn't get over it basis he has never installed one before ! I love a clean bum 🤩

I live abroad now and I have a bidet in every bathroom. Love them

Muckysmucky · 30/07/2023 13:47

itsmyp4rty · 30/07/2023 11:56

Yes but most cultures that use water don't also use paper, they use their hand to wash their butt - and to me that seems ickier than using paper. That's why many cultures don't eat with their left hand. You wouldn't wash poo off other parts of your body with just water any more than you'd clean poo off other parts of your body with just paper.

It's only Italy where they seem to be really obsessed with washing their asshole and need water and paper - well, there and MN. DH is Spanish and he grew up believing they were for washing feet, he didn't believe me as an adult when I told him what they were actually for!

Personally I don't give a shit if my anus and butt crack isn't sterile. I couldn't be bothered with hosing myself down and then drying it all off every time I take a dump. It is useful for shaving your legs in though - but only ones not used for washing shit. I really don't fancy sticking my feet in those.

Show quote history

How often do you take a dump such that a 2-3 minute washing episode would cause you such inconvenience?!

Muckysmucky · 30/07/2023 13:50

EarringsandLipstick · 30/07/2023 10:24

I always wet wash after using the toilet

God, why!!

And how do you manage during the day (the time, the faffing, dealing with the flannels etc) and if not at home?

Shower daily or twice daily, you'll be fine.

I think the flannel thing sounds a bit gross.

I only open my bowels once a day so it’s not such a massive drama! Everyone is making out like it’s an hourly event.

As I said if I’m not at home I don’t wet wash and that’s how I know I don’t like it although I do carry wet wipes in case.

LividHot · 30/07/2023 15:30

Can anyone who's had a bum gun installed on a normal toilet tell me how much it cost and if you need anything fancy? Moving house and might want to fancy up my en suite loo, but on a tiny budget.