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Do you Need a Raised Toilet Seat?

What is a raised toilet seat?

A raised toilet seat is a simple accessory which is designed to be placed on top of your existing toilet seat in order to increase its height.

Why should I use one?

They are usually used to provide additional comfort and assistance for people who may have difficulty sitting down or standing up from a standard toilet seat. This includes people with mobility issues, elderly individuals, or people recovering from surgery or injuries.

What options are available?

Raised toilet seats can be purchased in a variety of heights depending on your requirements and preferences. They can be made from rigid plastic or from a padded material. Many people find soft toilet seats more comfortable.

Some raised toilet seats are also equipped with armrests or handles on the sides to provide extra support and stability for users while transferring onto or off of the toilet seat. Others allow you to adjust the height to fit with your specific needs.

The majority of raised seats are very easy to install and do not require any major modifications to the existing toilet as they simply attach to the existing seat. However, some of those with extra handles or supports may require special installation.

Some of the more simple models designed to be moved about the house as required. Ones that are intended to attached permanently to a toilet usually have their own lid integrated into the design. All models are easy to wipe clean using standard cleaning products.

It’s important to choose a raised toilet seat that suits your specific needs and is compatible with the dimensions of your existing toilet, as standard toilets come in several sizes.

How much do they cost?

Prices start at around 20$ for a simple raised seat, and can go up to 200$ for seats with more specialist accessories. For a good quality seat suitable for the vast majority of people you can expect to pay around 50$.

Conclusion

Raised toilet seats can be a valuable aid in maintaining independence and safety for you if you have limited mobility or strength. They will allow you to use the bathroom facilities more comfortably and with reduced strain.

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Can a Bidet Save you Money?

How using a bidet can save you money

There are a large number of bidets on the market, ranging in price from a few tens of dollars to several hundred. While it might take quite a long time to realize any economic benefit from a more expensive bidet, there are several financial benefits to be had.

Reduced Toilet Paper Usage

Bidets are designed to clean using water, which can significantly reduce the amount of toilet paper you need to use for cleaning. This can lead to substantial savings over time, especially since toilet paper can be an ongoing household expense.

Lower Plumbing Costs

Bidets can be gentler on the skin compared to wiping with toilet paper, which can help prevent irritation or discomfort. This may reduce the need for certain hygiene products or treatments that you might otherwise use to address skin issues.

Environmental Savings

Using less toilet paper means fewer trees are cut down for its production. Additionally, since bidets use water for cleaning, they contribute to a decrease in paper waste and the energy required for toilet paper manufacturing.

Septic System Maintenance

If you have a septic system, using a bidet can be beneficial. Excessive toilet paper usage can lead to clogs and issues in septic systems, which can be costly to repair. Using a bidet can help reduce the likelihood of these problems.

Health Benefits

Bidets can contribute to better personal hygiene and cleanliness, which can help prevent certain health issues. This might result in fewer doctor’s visits or medical expenses related to skin irritations or infections.

It’s important to note that while bidets can offer potential cost savings, there are upfront costs associated with purchasing and installing a bidet. These costs can vary depending on the type of bidet (standalone fixture or attachment), the brand, and any additional features. However, over time, the reduced consumption of toilet paper and potential health-related savings could make up for the initial investment.

Keep in mind that individual experiences and savings may vary, and it’s a good idea to research and compare the costs and benefits of bidets based on your specific circumstances.

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Do I need Toilet Paper if I have a Bidet?

Whether you need to keep buying and using toilet paper if you have a bidet is a common question among people looking to buy a bidet. So, ‘do I need toilet paper if I have a bidet?’ – the answer largely depends on the type you buy. Not long ago there weren’t many options available, nowadays you’re spoiled for choice and there’s a bidet for every bathroom and budget.

Bidet types

Basic bidets, whether the built-in, over-the-rim, or handheld spray types, don’t offer any drying functions in their design. This means that you will probably want to use a few sheets of toilet paper to dry yourself off after using the bidet. You will however need to use far less paper than you would normally have to.

If you plan on investing in one of the more fancy smart bidets on the market, then you can expect to have a built-in drying function. This will mean you probably wont need toilet paper at all (although many people will have a roll or two on hand, just in case..). This is obviously more hygienic, as well as being more gentle on your butt.

Toilet paper usage

Cutting down or eliminating your usage of toilet paper has many advantages, both for you and the world at large. If you tend to use baby wipes or something similar instead of toilet paper, then it’s even more important. Wet wipes are more expensive and biodegrade less easily. Using less toilet paper or wipes will help in many ways:

Reduce your costs – Americans spend around $6 billion a year on toilet paper. You may not realize how much you can save in a year by not buying so much, but the savings can certainly mount up.
Help the environment – toilet paper production is not good for the environment and any way you can help in reducing your usage is beneficial to the planet. Apart from trees, huge amounts of water, bleach and energy are are needed to produce toilet paper.
Better for your body – it’s obvious that bidets clean you more thoroughly than just using toilet paper. Another advantage of reducing or eliminating the need to use toilet paper is that it it much gentler on your bum. Toilet paper can be abrasive, and only having to use a sheet or two to pat yourself dry, is a lot better than having to wipe repeatedly. This makes for less irritation and is especially helpful if you are sore in that area or have hemorrhoids. Alternatively, installing a bidet with a dryer can mean you never have to buy toilet paper again.

Conclusion

Do I need toilet paper if I have a bidet? You will probably still have to use some toilet paper if you have a bidet, but your usage will be dramatically reduced. This will help save you some money and reduce the burden on the environment caused by its production.

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Should you Buy a Bidet Attachment?

If you’re looking to improve your bathroom experience, then installing a bidet attachment is one of the best options. They provide an efficient cleaning function while being very economical and a doddle to install. The fresh, clean feeling you get after using a bidet is a revelation if you’re just used to using toilet paper.

What is a bidet attachment?

Is it a relatively simple device which attaches to the hinge area of your existing toilet seat. It is connected to the clean water supply used by your toilet and provides a cleaning function for your bottom. It will clean you much better than toilet paper and will save you money too.

The cleaning is provided by a spray nozzle which is angled towards your bottom and is controlled by dials or switches conveniently located at the side of the attachment.

Self-cleaning

You may be thinking that the spray nozzle could become dirty when the toilet is used. But don’t worry – on most models they are designed to retract out of the way when not in use and many also have a self-cleaning function built in.

How are they controlled?

This kind of bidet is controlled with a simple pad normally located on the right-hand side of the toilet seat. The simplest manual or non-electric bidets usually have a dial with multiple positions which relate to the strength of spray you require. You just turn the dial to the required pressure and turn it off when you’re finished. It’s a good idea to start with a gentle spray and increase it if necessary. Some models also provide a feminine wash function.

Are they tricky to install?

Honestly, no. They’re extremely simple to add to your existing toilet. You’ll receive everything you need to install your bidet attachment in the kit provided. It involves removing your toilet seat, placing the attachment over where the hinges are and putting the seat back. This does tend to raise the back of the toilet seat slightly. If this bothers you, installing a couple of bumpers on the front will solve the problem. After draining the toilet, you install the supplied hose onto the water inlet and that’s it! No advanced DIY skills are required.

What are some alternatives?

If you’d prefer a bidet with more functionality, then a smart bidet may be the best option for you. Instead of an attachment which affixes to your existing toilet seat, a smart bidet replaces the seat completely and will offer adjustable temperatures, different washing modes, a drying functions, etc.

Or, if you would prefer a simpler option, a handheld bidet sprayer may be the answer. These are very much like a shower head and hose which is mounted by the side of the toilet.

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Smart Bidet – clever cleaning for your bathroom breaks

The ultimate upgrade for your bathroom, a smart bidet is the most luxurious option for your toilet. On this article we’ll find out what this kind of bidet can do and whether you should consider buying one.

What is a smart bidet?

All bidets exist for one main purpose: to provide a means of cleaning yourself after using the bathroom. Bidets in general clean you in a much more thorough and gentler way than using paper. They also save on toilet paper and thus lower your impact on the environment.

Smart bidets replace your existing toilet seat are the Rolls Royce of the bidet world, offering many more functions than other types. The features you can expect include:

Adjustable water pressure
Heated seat
Soft-close lid
Warm air, adjustable dryer
Adjustable temperature
Multiple nozzle positions for front and back cleaning to suit both women and men
Different wash/massage functions
A self-cleaning system for the bidet nozzles
Touch and/or remote control panel

You might be asking yourself if some of these are just marketing gimmicks, but while many may not be essential, they’re all great to have.

Are they hard to install?

In a word, no! The smart bidet replaces your existing toilet seat and will be packaged with everything you need to install it. Installing the bidet seat itself simply requires removing the 2 screws holding your existing seat on and replacing it with the bidet.

Some models require only 2 connections: one to the electricity supply and one to the cold water inlet of your toilet. With this type a reservoir of water is kept constantly warm ready for use. These models take about 15 minutes to install and are a very simply DIY job.

Other smart bidets may also require a connection to the hot water pipe on your sink and are therefore a little harder to install. The advantage of this type is that you have a non-stop warm water supply and don’t have to wait for it to heat up between uses.

How much do they cost?

All these features come at a price of course, and this type of bidet is more expensive than the toilet seat attachment type. You can expect to pay a minimum of around $225. Even so, they are great value for money for the features offered – and you’ll save a lot on toilet paper too!

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Non Electric Bidet – Simple, cheap and economical cleansing

One of the simplest and most popular options for people looking to improve their toilet experience is a non-electric bidet. They provide a basic water spray for cleaning yourself after using the toilet. Bidets are much more effective for personal hygiene than just using toilet paper, and provide a more gentle cleansing. Additionally, they will save you money in the long run, and are better for the environment.

How does a non-electric bidet work?

This type of bidet needs no connection to a power outlet (obviously) and only needs water pressure to work. They generally consist of an attachment which is mounted under your existing toilet seat and connected to the toilet’s water supply. A cleaning nozzle protrudes from under the rear part of the toilet seat. This nozzle is usually designed to automatically retract when not in use so it stays clean.

They are connected to the water inlet on your toilet and a spray head provides the cleaning function. Some models also connect to the hot water hose on your sink to provide a warm water wash. Because of their simple design, they tend to be affordable and easy to install.

How to install a non electric bidet seat

Most bidets of this type are installed under your existing toilet seat, near the hinge area. A T-shaped connector is then attached to the water inlet by the toilet in order to allow two simultaneous connections to the water supply. A hose is then attached from the T-connector to the bidet attachment, and the original water hose is reattached to the connector. It should only take a few minutes and you don’t need advanced plumbing skills!

What to look for

An easy to use pressure adjustment is an important feature. It’s a good idea to look for a model with a braided steel hose, rather than a plastic one, as these tend to be more durable. One with a retracting self-cleaning nozzle or a nozzle guard will ensure it stays clean between uses. Some models offer rear- and front-cleaning options, which is something to consider if both sexes will be using the bidet.

Pros and cons of a non-electric bidet

PROS

As with all bidets, you will clean yourself more effectively than using toilet paper alone
The simple design means they’re cheap to buy
There are a wide range of non-electric bidets on the market, meaning it should be easy to find one which fits in with your bathroom decor
Installation is easy, requires only one connection to the water supply, and no plumbing skills are necessary

CONS

Their simplicity means you only get a basic cold water wash with most models, with few adjustments except water pressure.
No electricity normally means no warm water, drying functions, or other extras. Although there are some models which use the hot water from your sink connection, which are a bit more complicated to install

Benefits of Using a Heated Toilet Seat

This modern innovation in the toilet seats market is not just about comfort in cold weather. There are multiple other reasons you should think of installing at least one of these in your home. Here are some of the benefits of this special heated toilet seat.

Comfort

This is the primary reason most people install heated toilet seats in their bathrooms. Even when you turn up the heating of the house, visiting the toilet requires you to take off some of your clothes and this can make you vulnerable in cold weather. Just turn up the temperature of your toilet seat and relax. If you need a more comfortable seat, which will feel warmer in the winter but is not actually heated, then perhaps you should look at soft toilet seats.

Pain Relief

It is a known fact that heat therapy can relieve pain and discomfort. The heated toilet seat, thus, acts as a boon for people suffering from arthritic or other kinds of chronic pains. The heat that is generated by electricity helps soothe the muscles as you sit on them, thus taking away some of your pain for a few minutes.

Energy Efficient

If you are worried about your electricity bill shooting up because you installed a fancy toilet seat, well, you can relax. These heated toilet seats are so energy-efficient that you may not even notice the difference in the bill amount from back when you had a regular toilet seat.

Add-Ons

You could, of course, just go for a toilet seat that heats up, but the add-on features, if you choose to buy them, could make you feel more relaxed and pampered in the bathroom. One useful version is the heated toilet seat bidet, which helps you clean up hygienically, using warm water, after using the toilet. Add to it the air dryer and the deodorizer, and you can happily do away with the toilet paper and do your bit for the environment.

How to Install a Heated Toilet Seat

Despite all the advanced features, this heatable version of the toilet is no hassle to install. It can be done without the help of a plumber or an electrician. But of course, you may call a handyman if you are unsure of the method. To help you understand how easy it is, here are listed the steps to install the toilet seat.

Turn off the water supply to the toilet and flush it once to remove the excess water and debris (if any).
Use your tools to undo the nuts and bolts of your existing toilet seat. It comes off quite easily.
Attach the electrical cord that came with your brand-new toilet into a power outlet. You may skip this step if your toilet seat is battery operated, in which case, install the batteries as per the manual.
Use your tools again to fasten the new toilet seat on to the base and turn on the power supply after checking all the connections.
You are ready to experience warmth and comfort on the toilet now!

Easy and Comfortable

Our modern lives are now, thanks to advancements in technology, filled with comfortable surroundings that are easy to use. If you are fond of warm baths and spas, why not treat yourself to the luxury of a warm toilet seat right inside your bathroom? After all, it is your bathroom and it is always there to put your comfort first. Get a heated toilet seat today and experience the stiffness in your muscles melt away. Relax your nerves as you wash with a built-in bidet, too.

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Soft Toilet Seats – are they more comfortable?

Many people find that soft toilet seats offer a more comfortable experience than regular hard plastic seats. A padded seat can be an easy way to make using the bathroom a more pleasant experience.

Padded for comfort

The fact that most toilet seats are made from hard plastic leads to several problems:

The seat can be very cold in winter. Let’s face it, nobody likes having to sit on a freezing cold toilet seat!
The seat can leave your bottom and legs feeling numb, give you pins and needles, or restrict blood flow.
If you’re an older person or suffer from a disability, a hard seat can be particularly uncomfortable.

What can a soft toilet seat do for you?

A padded soft-touch toilet seat can be a revelation. When you stop to think about it, you realize that you can spend a lot of time on the toilet. Not necessarily pooping, but often reading magazines or looking at social media on your phone. For these reasons, comfort is a boon.

The toilet seat padding will help prevent your legs or bottom from going to sleep. Also, the soft cover will stay quite warm in winter and not freeze your nether regions when you sit down.

What are they made from?

Most of these cushioned toilet seats have a wooden or plastic core, surrounded by gel or foam and covered in soft-touch plastic or vinyl. This makes them comfy as well as being easy to clean. Although white is the most common color, you can find them in other colors if you prefer.

How are they installed?

Installation is generally very easy. For most models, the seat and lid are provided and simply swapped for your existing toilet seat. It’s a 5 minute job. Some models are designed with a quick release function to make it easy to clean them thoroughly.

What to look for

The most important thing is to check the size of the seat to make sure it’s compatible with your toilet. Some toilets are round, and others elongated in shape. To check which you have, measure the top of the toilet bowl from the very front to the center of the lid’s mounting holes at the back of the seat area. A round toilet will measure approximately 16.5″ (42cm), while an elongated toilet will be roughly 18.5″ (47cm).

Next, check that the toilet seat has good quality hinges. Some models come with a ‘soft-close’ function, which gently shuts the lid and prevents slamming. Check that the padding is sufficiently firm for your body weight.

How much do they cost?

A good quality soft toilet seat with an integrated lid will cost around 30-40$, a small price to pay for the additional comfort!

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What does a Bidet do?

Maybe you heard about bidets on the internet. Maybe you visited a hotel or a friend’s house and saw a bidet (pronounced beeday) in their bathroom. If so, you probably wondered what a bidet is for and whether you should consider getting one yourself.

So what does a bidet do?

A bidet is simply a means of cleaning yourself after going to the toilet. It does this using a jet or spray of water directed towards your bottom. This allows you to clean yourself much more thoroughly than using toilet paper. Rather than wiping and, by definition, smearing remnants of poo around, a bidet will efficiently and cleanly wash the poo away.

Although you may use a couple of sheets of toilet paper to dry yourself afterwards, you will be using a fraction of the amount you normally would. This is good for your wallet and also good for the environment. If you buy a more up-market bidet, you won’t even have to dry yourself either. Many more expensive bidets have an integrated drying function. Warm air will be directed onto your nether regions to dry you after the ‘wash cycle’.

Why use one?

By far the biggest reason people use bidets is the increased personal hygiene they offer. The feeling of being truly clean after you go to the toilet is simply great. Also, if you have sensitive skin using a gentle spray and a pat dry is much more comfortable than repeatedly rubbing with paper.

Other people might also be attracted by the fact that using a bidet causes less harm to the environment. Toilet paper production is notoriously bad for the planet. Apart from all the trees which are cut down to make paper, harmful chemicals such as chlorine are used to bleach the paper and huge amounts of water and electricity are used in its production. Multiply luxury toilet paper is particularly bad, as it contains a low amount of recycled paper.

Finally, some people opt for a bidet sprayer instead of a toilet seat bidet. These consist of a hose with an adjustable spray nozzle on the end. Easily plumbed into your existing toilet, the spray head is normally stored on a wall mount next to the toilet. These are a cheap option which can be used for more than cleaning your bottom. They fact that they’re separate from your toilet means you can use them for cleaning almost anything (pets, shoes, the toilet itself…).

There are 3 main reasons to use a bidet

Whichever kind of bidet you choose, they provide a hygienic means of cleaning yourself after going to the toilet
Bidets save on the on-going cost of toilet paper
They reduce your impact on the environment

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How is a Bidet used? – a Guide to using Different Bidets

Bidets are gaining popularity all over the world owing to their ability to help save the environment by reducing the use of toilet paper. Also, washing with water after using the toilet comes with hygiene benefits and is less harsh on your sensitive areas.

But if you have never used one before and are thinking of installing one in your bathroom, it could initially seem daunting trying to figure out how to use a bidet. Do not worry, they are not as complicated as they may look like, yes, even the electric ones with a lot of buttons!

Simply use this handy guide to answer the question, how is a bidet used, which is going on in your mind. Bidets are of different types and hence the usage of one may slightly differ from another. Read on to know more about how the most common types are used.

Standalone Bidet

A standalone bidet, being a separate unit, requires you to get up from the toilet after having used it. Make sure you have cleaned your posterior properly with toilet paper before you move on to the bidet. This ensures that no fecal matter or other bodily fluids are transferred on to the bidet, thus keeping it safe and hygienic.

To use the standalone bidet, position yourself in front of the water spray, and turn the knobs on. Depending on the type of bidet, you may find different knobs for washing the feminine parts and the posterior. Straddle your areas to be cleaned facing the spray and wash thoroughly.

Some standalone bidets may not have nozzles and simply fill the bidet washer with water. To use these, position yourself so that your dirty areas touch the surface of the water and use your hands to clean them.

If the bidet has temperature control options, make sure you turn on the cool spray first to avoid scalding. Once cleaned, you may use another toilet paper to dry yourself and flush it out in the toilet.

Built-in Bidet (Electric/Non-Electric)

Built-in bidets are the easiest to use as they do not require you to move away from the toilet to clean yourself. However, they come with a lot of advanced options either on a side-panel or on remote control, which may require some getting-used-to. Study the manual beforehand to understand the buttons.

When you wish to use it, simply press the relevant buttons or knobs to switch on the water jets that clean your posterior or the feminine parts. These could vary based on the model. You may find other buttons on the panel that control the water temperature. Use them to clean yourself comfortably.

Lastly, most of these bidets, especially the electric ones, have advanced features such as air dryer and deodorizer. Utilize these options so that you do not need another toilet paper to dry yourself.

Handheld Water Spray

Being a simple setup, water spray bidets are easy to use but they require the use of your hands. These are usually located close to the toilet so that they can be accessed by reaching out with your hands without leaving the toilet seat.

To use a handheld spray bidet, simply hold the spray head with your hands and position it in front of the area you wish to clean. Press the spray nozzle and feel the water jet coming out of it. The plus point of this kind of bidet is that you can move it around with your hands and access any area you want to clean without having to search for separate nozzles.

The water pressure can be manually adjusted by how long you press the nozzle head. Once done, replace the spray bidet to its base and wipe yourself dry with toilet paper.

Travel Bidet

A travel bidet, or a handheld portable bidet, needs a faucet to function. Before you sit on the toilet, make sure you fill the bottle with water from a nearby faucet. The bottle has a screw-on nozzle on top which needs to be placed back once the bottle is full.

With the bidet all set up, you can now use the toilet and then hold the bottle and squeeze it until it sprays water jets near the areas you wish to clean. As with handheld bidets, this one also provides you with the flexibility of moving it around until you find the perfect position.

Most of them are not equipped with temperature control and hence if the atmospheric temperature where you are traveling is too low, make sure you fill the bottle with warm water, to begin with.

Safe Practices

Bidets are easy to use once you familiarize yourself with their features. However, there are certain safe practices you must keep in mind while using any kind of bidet.

Firstly, whether or not your bidet has a drying option, it is best to use toilet paper afterward so that there is no unwarranted wet feeling later. Secondly, always check the temperature of the water to avoid scalding or freezing.

Thirdly, control the pressure of the water to prevent irritation on the skin (especially true for sensitive people), and finally, keep the bidet clean and free from fecal matter so that the next person can use it without hesitation.

What is a raised toilet seat?

Why should I use one?

What options are available?

How much do they cost?

Conclusion

How using a bidet can save you money

Reduced Toilet Paper Usage

Lower Plumbing Costs

Environmental Savings

Septic System Maintenance

Health Benefits

Bidet types

Toilet paper usage

Conclusion

What is a bidet attachment?

Self-cleaning

How are they controlled?

Are they tricky to install?

What are some alternatives?

What is a smart bidet?

Are they hard to install?

How much do they cost?

How does a non-electric bidet work?

How to install a non electric bidet seat

What to look for

Pros and cons of a non-electric bidet

Recent Posts

Comfort

Pain Relief

Energy Efficient

Add-Ons

How to Install a Heated Toilet Seat

Easy and Comfortable

Padded for comfort

What can a soft toilet seat do for you?

What are they made from?

How are they installed?

What to look for

How much do they cost?

So what does a bidet do?

Why use one?

There are 3 main reasons to use a bidet

Standalone Bidet

Built-in Bidet (Electric/Non-Electric)

Handheld Water Spray

Travel Bidet

Safe Practices