Bidets are more popular than ever today—and it’s easy to see why. People in the United States now realize what folks around the world have known for years—bidets
provide better hygiene while reducing or eliminating the need for toilet paper, which is good for the environment.
If you're new to bidets, they may seem like a modern invention that emerged out of nowhere. But the truth is that bidets have been used everywhere in various forms for centuries.
When was the first bidet made?
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly where the first bidet originated, but the earliest iterations may have come from France during the early 1700s. These French bidets were simple wash basins on wooden benches elevated with legs, intended to accompany a chamber pot in the bedroom. They were more geared towards feminine care, but men used them as well. (In fact, historical records show that Napoleon left a silver bidet in his will.) Back then, using a bidet meant straddling it with one leg on each side—mimicking the appearance of riding a horse or pony. Some believe this is why we call them “bidets” today, as the word "bidet" is the name of an extinct line of small horses in France. It didn’t take long for new versions of the bidet to arrive, and as modern plumbing evolved in Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries, bidets evolved, too. They transformed from separate washbasins to dedicated plumbing fixtures and are still used in European countries like Italy and France. So if you see something that looks like a second toilet with a faucet on your next European vacation, now you know. Unfortunately, stand-alone bidets never took off in the United States as Americans thought they were too big, expensive, and hard to install.
How did bidets become common around the world?
The US didn’t embrace bidets historically, but the rest of the world did. Bidets became popular in regions outside of Europe, including the Middle East. Because of the importance of cleanliness and hygiene in Islamic culture, it didn't take long for bidets to become a standard in Muslim households, and they still are today. Bidets also grew in popularity in Asia, where they evolved from being porcelain fixtures to high-tech toilet seats and bidet toilets. In the 1980s, Korean and Japanese manufacturers modernized early bidet designs to include innovative features, electronic controls, and more. They continued adding advanced features to make washing more comfortable, resulting in the modern bidets we know today. But bidets wouldn’t stay out of the US forever. Globalization and travel increased in more recent years—and as a result, the idea of bidets became more attractive to Americans.
Why are bidets so popular in the US now?
Bidets have gained popularity in the US in recent years thanks to many factors—and one of them is international travel.
As Americans spent time abroad, they experienced all that other countries had to offer—including bidets. Those who traveled to Asia brought back stories of high-tech bidets and toilets. This helped popularize the idea that bidets were luxurious and state-of-the-art, planting the seeds for increased bidet use in North America. To meet this growing demand, American companies began to develop their own bidets that featured easy installation, wash modes, and other convenient features that enhance the user’s experience. Bidet use in the US was still fairly niche, until the 2020 pandemic. To avoid contracting or spreading the COVID-19 virus, Americans sheltered in place and stocked up on necessary essentials—including toilet paper. When toilet paper shortages began, people turned to bidets instead. Since then, their popularity has continued to increase.
What’s in the future for bidets?
Interest in bidets has continued to grow in the United States. According to CNN, the overall bidet market has grown 2 or 3 times since the pandemic. And that has lead to more options than ever for different types of consumers. Environmental issues like climate change and deforestation make bidets more important than ever for sustainability. Saving trees and reducing toilet paper use are what bidets do best, helping reduce our carbon footprint today—and preserve our natural resources for generations to come.