A Diverting Washington Post story - shared by Fouad Kronfol

To Bidet, or Not to Bidet? That is the Question!  Here is a quasi- humorous article from the Washington Post related to sanitation as it concerns our derrières. An unusual article yes, but it has both scientific and social angles and is of importance to all human beings. Most UNICEF WASH projects have a sanitation element so these words of advice from a physician are worth noting.

In the Middle East where I grew up most families use something like a watering can for their ablutions. In Iran it was called an “aftabeh “ while in Arabic it is a “kooz”. Very few homes have separate bidets but many do set up an adjacent water sprinkler to do the wash.

What a gastroenterologist wants you to know about bidets

I’ve received so many questions from people who are bidet-curious but not yet bidet-ready.
(Washington Post, June 29, 2026)

Column by Trisha Pasricha, MD

Could dirty water splash back at me? How does it know where to spray?

Bidet owners are so obnoxious. They need the world to know they have one — whether anyone asked or not — and they ensure all the creatures of lesser plumbing know precisely how much they’re missing out.

I know because I am one of them.

As a gastroenterologist, I think about bidets the way others might think about their retirement accounts or the rain forecast. I get worked up more quickly than I intended, and I usually carry the conviction that everyone else around me is wrong.

As I’ve written over the years about the joys and the potential health benefits of a bidet, it’s warmed my insides to read the flood of messages from people who have finally taken the metaphorical plunge. Imagine hearing the Beatles for the first time all over again.

But I’ve also received just as many questions from people who are bidet-curious but not yet bidet-ready. I’ve come to discover that the fear of a Google search history they cannot publicly explain has kept many people from reaching a new level of freshness.

So I’m devoting today’s column to you. Here are the thorniest bidet questions you’ve sent me — and what you need to know.

Will my hands get dirty or poopy?

Nope and nope. This has actually been studied, and it’s the opposite: Your hands will have about 10-fold fewer microbes on them if you use a bidet compared with wiping with toilet paper.

Couldn’t dirty water splash back at me?

Absolutely not. I think this is one of the biggest misconceptions about a bidet. Bidets are not spraying the water sitting in the toilet bowl itself. The bidet is a separate nozzle that uses clean water (the same supply as your sink) and sprays this fresh stream toward your derriere instead. (You can use it for either pee or poop.) The nozzle is positioned upward and far from the murky depths below, so there is no chance of unfortunate backsplash. If this was even remotely possible, no one would use a bidet. Think about it.

What do I need to do to get the bidet going? Am I contorting my body somehow?

The beauty of the bidet is you don’t need to do the work here. You’ll just press a conveniently placed button or turn a knob when you’re ready and the bidet will spray you in the right spot to clean you off without you doing any acrobatics. You will not be reaching inside the toilet for any reason.

Bidets are gentle and hygienic. And according to a study, the hands of people who use bidets have fewer microbes than those who wipe. (Video: Ryan Weber, Jillian Banner, Trisha Pasricha/The Washington Post)

But won’t water get everywhere? How do I make sure my bathroom stays dry?

Water won’t go everywhere. Why? You.

You are the thing that blocks it. The nozzle is precise and gentle: think water fountain, not fire hose. It’s way easier to hit the target than you’re imagining.

If I use a nozzle attachment, do I stand and use it?

We should take a moment to differentiate between the types of bidets you may encounter in the wild. The bidets you’ll see on a trip to Europe are often stand-alone fixtures separate from the toilet seat and look like tiny bathtubs. Those that would involve a bigger plumbing renovation are typically not what we have in the United States. But I see how it is confusing when this is the picture that pops into your mind when we talk about bidets.

Instead, in the U.S., the more common variations are a separate handheld nozzle attachment that may rest to the side of your toilet, or a full bidet attachment that rests within the toilet seat. You could also level up and replace the entire seat (or toilet) with a built-in bidet that carries extra features like a heated seat or air dryer.

But if you’re just going for the handheld nozzle attachment — then, yes, you would have to stand up and spray it. For the attachments within the seat, you just … stay seated and let the bidet work its magic.

How would I dry off after?

With a towel, my friend.

Or with the built-in air dryer if you have a fancy enough bidet. Some people do use toilet paper (remember, it’s like a water fountain — you won’t be mopping up Niagara Falls), but that’s a personal choice.

Is it cold and shocking?

I can’t believe I get to share with you something that will become one of the best parts of your post-bidet future: Many bidets have heated seats and heated water.

Oh, the bliss. While the simplest bidet attachments don’t use warm water (they attach to the cold-water supply used for your toilet), the temperature would be similar to the water you use to wash your hands.

Is it better for the environment?

Arguably, yes. You do consume one-eighth of a gallon of water per use with a bidet, but little or no toilet paper. It takes about 1.5 pounds of wood and more than six gallons of water to produce just a single roll of toilet paper.

Can I install a bidet on my own?

Yep. You’ll need to attach it to the water source near your original toilet. There are tons of online tutorials about this, but if this already feels overwhelming, have no fear. When in doubt, call a plumber. They will know exactly what to do. This is not their first rodeo.

Why are you so into bidets?

Honestly? As a gastroenterologist, I recommend them to lots of people: Those with hemorrhoids, chronic diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome; women who just gave birth and everything is sore; people who have Parkinson’s disease or who just have trouble balancing and struggle to reach back there. Or people who have hairier posteriors who feel like dry toilet paper never really does the job to clean things up.

In short, everyone deserves a bidet. Even you.