Are bidets cleaner than toilet paper?

My new japanese toilet bidet seat

I know this is a kinda private subject to talk openly about but somebody has to do it. The japanese toilet bidet was something I learned and laughed about sometime in middle school. The foreign exchange student told us all about them. Apparently the japanese toilet bidet is very common where he was from. Many countries in Europe use them as well, including France, Greece, and Italy. In some regions up to 90% of homes are equipped with a bidet. I thought it was kinda silly and I would be embarrassed if I was at his house and needed to use the restroom.

I was a junior in college when I met my soon to be husband, Kenji. He was from Japan. Not long afterwards we were moving into our new house. Well new to us, it needed some remodeling. Kenji, of course, wanted to get a bidet. He explained to me that they are better than toilet paper. Toilet paper can actually spread germs and some are rough and cause irritation. He said that no hands are involved so it is more hygienic. Knowing we were expecting, he mentioned that a bidet can be gentle and soothing after childbirth.

We began our search. I had no idea a stand alone bidet cost in the thousands. Plus they required additional water and sewage lines. We could we not afford spending the thousands for the bidet. Paying a plumber as well was something we were not in the position to do.

Kenji was set on it though. He came across a company online that sold japanese toilet bidet seats at a fraction of the cost. No plumber required. He said we can keep our toilet, take off the old lid, and attach the new bidet seat with a bracket, guide rail and a couple bolts. I thought it sounded pretty simple, the diagram showed that you turn off the valve under the toilet, unscrew it and attach a T-connection which allows an extra hose to be attached to the bidet seat cover. I liked that it was cheaper and easy to install. It had an easy to use control panel where you can adjust the nozzle position or the water temperature and pressure. It also offered massage cleaning and warm air dry. I was just as excited as my husband to use it for the first time and I must say without embarrassment, that I would recommend japanese toilet bidet seats to any of my friends, family, or even coworkers.