A staggering 141 rolls of toilet paper — that’s how many an average American goes through every year. That translates to around four rolls a week or a dozen in a month.
Tissue paper, after all, is cheap, easy, and convenient to use, making it the “usual” way to clean up after defecating.
However, whenever you use tissue paper, you’re likely flushing away part of the forests too. That’s because most tissue paper products come from Canadian boreal forests. From 1996 to 2015, 28 million acres of this forest has disappeared.
This is good enough reason to use a bidet vs toilet paper.
The question is, why exactly is a bidet worth it and why should you choose it over toilet paper? What are the other benefits and advantages of this plumbing fixture over paper?
We’ll answer all these questions in this post, so be sure to keep reading!
A Quick History and Market Lesson
Every year, Americans spend around $6 billion on toilet tissue products alone. Whereas the current value of the market for bidet seats and bidet toilets is only $106 million.
That’s a massive 98.24% difference in terms of market value!
So, why are bidets not so common in the US?
There are many theories, one of which is that Americans saw them first in European brothels. This stigma got stuck and passed down throughout generations. As such, most Americans grew up cleaning their backsides using toilet tissue.
Today, however, most people aren’t even aware of that history. Besides, you should be more concerned about the health effects of tissue paper use. Bidets are also more environmentally friendly than most brands of toilet tissue.
Bidet vs Toilet Paper: Is the Latter Really Healthier and Safer?
One of the many benefits of using a bidet is a more thorough cleaning of one’s rear. Instead of just wiping away leftover feces, using a bidet lets you clean up using water. This then helps remove bacteria excreted through feces, such as salmonella and shigella.
Keep in mind that Salmonella bacteria cause about 1.35 million infections each year in the US. These infections land some 26,500 people in hospitals. Shigella, on the other hand, causes up to 450,000 cases of diarrhea in the US every year.
Bidets are also gentler on the anus, whereas wiping with toilet paper can cause anal fissures. These are tears in the anus’ lining, which can result in itchiness and pain.
While these injuries aren’t always caused by toilet tissue, wiping too hard or too much with it can. People who have constipation are at even more risk of developing these anal tears.
Why Not Use Wipes Then?
By now, you’re likely thinking that you should go with wipes instead of toilet tissue (or a bidet). Unfortunately, wipes aren’t that healthy, as they also get rid of good bacteria. These are the bacteria that help protect against infections caused by bad bacteria.
Moreover, scientists found that wipes have a high pathogen transfer rate. So, even if wipes do get rid of bacteria from the anus, they can transfer these pathogens elsewhere. That includes your hands and everything else you touch after going number two.
Why Bidets Are More Eco-Friendly Than Toilet Paper
Every time you run a bidet, you’ll only use about one-eighth of a gallon of water. If you have normal bowel patterns, then you likely pass stool at least three times a week. Doing the math, that means you’ll only use about 0.375 gallons of water a week with a bidet.
Now, compare that to the estimated 37 gallons of water used to produce a single roll of toilet paper. That’s 111 gallons of water for the three rolls the average American goes through every week. That’s also on top of the average 88 gallons of water you use in a day, or 616 gallons each week.
As you can see, properly-installed bidets are a greener choice than toilet tissue or wipes.
Toilet Papers and Wipes Are a Primary Cause of Clogged Plumbing
Eggshells and coffee grounds are things that you should never pour down the drains. The same goes true for wipes, even those labeled “flushable”.
No, wet wipes aren’t flushable, and neither are makeup removers or even the softer baby wipes.
Scientists say that wipes are stronger than tissue, so they don’t dissolve quickly. When these products find their way into your drain lines, they can mix with grease and oil. They can then form into one huge clog that can lead to sewer line problems.
So, what about toilet tissue?
Toilet paper can also cause clogs if they’re too thick (like the lush, multi-ply ones). These products take longer to disintegrate, and that time may be enough for them to mix with grease and oil too. The more of these products you use, the more likely it is for your plumbing pipes to get clogged.
Your risks of toilet plumbing problems are even higher if you have older fixtures. Weak flush is common in older toilets, which is why they can’t dissolve tissue and wipes right away. Combine that with aged plumbing pipes, and you could face a serious toilet backup issue.
Get Your Own High-Quality Bidet Now
There you have it, your ultimate bidet vs toilet paper comparison guide. Now that you know how bidets work and why they’re better than tissue, you should think of getting them for your home. The sooner you do, the fewer rolls of tissue you’d need, and the more trees you’re likely to save.
Ready to learn more about bidet installations in Salt Lake City or surrounding areas? Then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us now! We’ll be happy to tell you more about your bidet options.
