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Many people find their first encounter with a bidet to be a bit strange. The cleansing process can seem a bit shocking or disturbing for a first time user. You likely want to know how the device functions prior to use, specifically the water which is spraying your genitalia.
So, where does bidet water come from? Bidet water comes from the clean water supply of the home, hotel, or public reservoir which the plumbing of the bidet is connected to. The water that comes out of a bidet usually passes through a filtration or sterilization system and is the same water that would be used in the sink to rinse your hands- not the water where your waste has just been disposed of. Some bidets offer warm water settings which are even more hygienic and are useful for the prevention of some medical conditions.
Before using the bidet for the first time, or even if you used a bidet and are now curious as to what just happened, it is normal to inquire about its functions. The spraying water is typically the part of a bidet that is most unfamiliar to first-time users. This article will explore where bidet water comes from as well as additional benefits of using a bidet.
Is Bidet Water the Same as Home Water Supply and Heating System?
There are numerous misconceptions about bidet toilets and bidet water. The truth about bidet water is that it is as clean as your home water supply. Bidet water never mixes with toilet water, and the resulting water passes through a filtration, heating, and sterilization system. The water is void of bacteria and harmful chemicals, and it can even alleviate certain medical conditions.
You might be curious as to why a toilet would have a series of buttons on it. Further, upon feeling the initial spray, you might ask, “Where did that come from?” Without prior knowledge, most people are curious as to whether this water is just recycled toilet water. The answer to this is a big NO.
Bidet water comes from the water supply streaming from the plumbing to which the bidet is connected. There is a T connector on the end of the hose that leads to the toilet. The T connector allows the bidet toilet seat to share the water that leads to the toilet. Thus, the water that comes out of the bidet and the one that fills the toilet bowl comes from one clean source. Yet, they are not the same water.
Some may ask, “What if you poop on where the bidet water comes out or otherwise contaminate the nozzle?” Although this is possible, the nozzle is usually positioned on the upper part of the toilet seat. It comes out at the push of a button and begins to spray water on your rear. The positioning is designed to prevent contamination, and the spray was designed to prevent its spread.
Nonetheless, the point is that the water that comes out of the bidet is coming from the same source as your drinking water, so it is safe and non-contaminated. This is also the same source of water you use to wash your hands. Moreover, on many options, you will have the option to adjust the temperature of the water with the push of a button. As the system heats up the water, you can rest assured that it is both hot and clean.
What Type of Filtration and Sterilization Systems are Used with Bidets?
Bidet toilet seats are hygienic. All the bidet water systems connect to the water supply of the home or the building in which the plumbing is installed and the bidet is connected to. In fact, there are some bidet toilets that actually come with an additional water filtration system. These systems provide additional sanitary measures by preventing dirt and solid particles (which were not filtered prior to entering the plumbing system) from contaminating the bidet water and thus contaminating the user.
The occasionally built-in water sterilization system also eliminates bacteria from this water as much as it can. However, there is no need to worry if the bidet you use does not have this because the water in many homes is already clean enough to wash your hands with. As long as the source of the bidet water is clean, then you have nothing to worry about.
Water in the toilet bowl does not transfer to the toilet bidet seat unit. Bidet water only comes from your existing plumbing. You will need the adapter installed in your toilet bidet seat unit. The bidet requires an adapter to attach the new hose to the existing plumbing. In some cases, you will need your water filtration and sterilization systems installed to ensure much cleaner water (such as if your home does not receive filtered water from the local plumbing source). In this case, you should worry more about your home’s water supply than your toilet water, as the source will determine contamination or not.
Most water sources and reservoirs have pure, clean water. Thus, you can feel confident that bidet water does not have any harmful chemicals that could strip your body of its natural, helpful bacteria. Bidet water comes from the same water you use for your normal body shower. Therefore, you should not expect any skin, genital, or anal irritation from bidet water.
Are there Benefits of Washing with Warm Water when Using a Bidet?
Warm water aerated with oxygen by the bidet system is a more effective wash solution than traditional toilet paper. This type of water can adequately cleanse your rear without the need for soap. However, water has to reach a heated point which is much likely too hot for bidet use in order to have the full sanitizing effect. Therefore, the use of warm or cold water will have a similar effect on sanitation purposes, so deciding on warm or cold water will be more for the comfort of the user than the hygiene. Know that the water has already been sanitized, anyways.
There is a misconception that bidets are unsanitary with an opposing argument that traditional toilet paper would be better. However, the thorough washing feature of a bidet toilet seat beats the constant wiping action of traditional toilet paper use in terms of efficiency. Consider this: if your hands get dirty, do you wipe them off with a dry tissue or would you rather wash them with water?
Bidet water cleans your rear faster and better – “better” in a sense that it can gently or vigorously clean the entire area depending on your preferred settings. Additionally, there is no need to worry because the nozzles are usually automatically self-cleaning. This self-cleaning feature gives you a guarantee that you are not spraying contaminated water on your rear.
Are there Medical Benefits to Using a Bidet?
The bidet toilet seat has a lot of advantages compared to the traditional toilet seat. With the vortex water streams of the higher-end models, the bidet seat can actually prevent urinary tract infection (UTI). It does this by removing bacteria thoroughly from your rear using warm water. This practice prevents any further spread of the bacteria towards your urethra.
According to gastroenterologist Dr. John Cluley, bidet water can also help prevent hemorrhoids and yeast infections. It can also alleviate pain and swelling associated with such conditions. That guarantees the cleanliness of your bidet water, especially if it is higher in temperature. The cleansing spray coming from your bidet is also effective in cleaning the woman’s body after childbirth or after sex.
The bidet can also reduce anal resting pressure in the same way as your traditional warm bath. The settings should be low or medium water jet pressure along with warm to extra warm water temperature. Reducing anal resting pressure may significantly improve the experience of a bowel movement. It can also prevent a lot of physical pain in the area.
Speaking of anal health, bidet toilet seats can also provide temporary relief to sufferers of constipation. By using a bidet, you can take advantage of the bidet’s enema function. Introducing a liquid into the colon and rectum through the anal opening can expand the lower intestinal tract. This practice can alleviate bowel movement issues.
