Toilet paper has long been considered a household necessity. But what if there were a better, cleaner, and more sustainable way to care for your hygiene—and the planet?
Enter the bidet.
Long embraced in parts of Europe, Asia, and South America, bidets are finally gaining attention in North America as a smarter alternative to toilet paper. With growing concerns about deforestation, water use, and plastic waste, many eco-conscious consumers are asking: Is now the time to invest in a bidet?
Spoiler alert: yes, it is.
Whether you opt for a simple bidet attachment or a high-tech bidet toilet seat, making the switch can drastically reduce your household toilet paper consumption, save money, and improve hygiene, all while minimizing your environmental footprint.
Let’s break down why bidets are better for you—and for the planet.
The Environmental Cost of Toilet Paper
Before we explore bidets, let’s look at why our current system is problematic:
- 37 gallons of water are needed to produce just one roll of toilet paper.
- The average American uses over 140 rolls per year—that’s over 5,000 gallons of water used per person, per year, just for TP.
- Over 1.9 million trees are cut down every day to meet global toilet paper demand.
- Toilet paper is often packaged in plastic wrap, which ends up in landfills or oceans.
So while TP may be soft and convenient, it comes at a high cost to forests, water resources, and ecosystems.
Why Bidets Are the Better Option
Bidets are water-based cleaning devices used after using the toilet. Some are simple nozzles that attach to your toilet seat, while others are built-in units with warm water, air drying, and even heated seats.
Here’s how switching to a bidet helps:
1. Dramatic Toilet Paper Reduction
Bidet users report reducing their TP use by up to 75%. You’ll still need a little for drying, but not for full cleaning.
- Massive Water Savings
- A bidet uses about 1/8 gallon (0.125 gal) of water per use.
- Compare that to the 37 gallons needed to produce a roll of toilet paper.
- The average user could save thousands of gallons of water per year.
3. No More Deforestation Guilt
Using a bidet reduces the demand for virgin tree pulp used in most toilet papers, helping preserve forests and the species that live in them.
4. Less Packaging Waste
Fewer toilet paper purchases mean less plastic packaging, fewer cardboard tubes, and less shipping-related emissions.
5. Improved Personal Hygiene
Bidets offer a gentler, more thorough clean, which can benefit people with sensitive skin, hemorrhoids, or other health conditions. Once people switch, many say they never want to go back to wiping.
Are Bidets Expensive?
Not at all. Bidets are more affordable than you might think—and they pay for themselves over time in toilet paper savings.
Price Ranges:
- Manual bidet attachments: $25–$60
- Electric bidet seats: $200–$600
- Luxury bidet-integrated toilets: $1,000+
Even the most basic models provide excellent function, and they’re easy to install—no plumber required.
Toilet Paper Savings:
- A household of 4 typically spends $250–$300/year on toilet paper.
- A bidet can cut that by 75%, saving $200+ annually.
- That means a $50 bidet attachment can pay for itself in just a few months.
Easy to Install, Easy to Use
Most bidet attachments take under 30 minutes to install with basic tools. They connect to your toilet’s existing water supply and don’t require electricity (unless you’re upgrading to a more advanced model).
Once installed:
- Turn on the bidet nozzle after using the toilet.
- Adjust water pressure to your comfort.
- Pat dry with a small amount of toilet paper—or use a reusable cloth.
That’s it. No plumbing degree required.
What About Drying?
This is often the first question new bidet users ask.
While the bidet replaces the cleaning function of toilet paper, you’ll still want to dry off. Options include:
- A small square of toilet paper (using far less than before).
- A reusable bidet towel or washcloth (just for you, washed regularly).
- An electric bidet with air dryer (if you’re feeling fancy).
Eco-Friendly + Health Benefits = Win-Win
Beyond sustainability, many users report personal health improvements after switching to a bidet:
- Less irritation and fewer infections
- Gentle for post-surgery or postpartum recovery
- Beneficial for people with hemorrhoids or IBS
- More comfort for aging adults or people with mobility issues
It’s not just about going green—it’s about feeling cleaner and more comfortable every day.
A New Bathroom Habit That Lasts
Once you install a bidet, it becomes a permanent part of your routine. There’s no re-purchasing, no bulk TP storage, and no frantic late-night runs to the store.
Many users say this one swap becomes their favorite sustainable upgrade—and one of the easiest to stick with.
The Collective Impact
If just one in four households in the U.S. switched to using bidets, we could:
- Save hundreds of millions of trees each year
- Preserve billions of gallons of fresh water
- Eliminate millions of tons of packaging waste
- Cut down on carbon emissions from TP production and transport
In other words: less waste, less pollution, and more forests.
Final Thoughts: Clean Better, Live Smarter
Investing in a bidet isn’t just a smart move—it’s an act of environmental kindness. It’s a way to reduce your reliance on wasteful products, lower your utility use, and transform your hygiene routine all at once.
So next time you find yourself reaching for another pack of toilet paper, ask yourself: Could this be the last pack I ever need to buy?
The future of bathroom hygiene is clean, simple, and sustainable—and it starts with water, not paper.
Ready to Make the Switch?
Here’s how to begin:
- Choose a bidet that fits your needs and budget.
- Install it easily at home (or hire a plumber if needed).
- Keep a small amount of TP on hand for drying—or go reusable.
- Track your TP savings—and feel good every flush.
Your wallet, your skin, and the planet will thank you.
