Follow
Share

I've thought of this, the sometimes frantic search for TP now, and ironically saw an article on it this morning: Bidets.


https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/lifestyle-buzz/bidet-sales-soar-as-toilet-paper-sells-out-amid-coronavirus-fears/ar-BB11izAn?ocid=msedgdhp


The retrofit cost is nominal. And think how many trees would be saved, to live another day and help cool the earth: about 54 million trees are processed and eventually sacrificed in the porcelain throne.


This just seems like such a natural upgrade, cleaner, less environmentally damaging through the loss of trees, and easier, especially for older folks.

This discussion has been closed for comment. Start a New Discussion.

55 Comments

Newest
First Oldest
First
1 2
This week my 30-something co-worker said he was interested in getting one but they are also all sold out. Probably not manufactured here, so who knows how long it will take to get one.
(2)
Report
I can see it as a benefit. Maybe more people will look into bidets.
(1)
Report
Don't you still need to dry yourself after using a bidet? Or do they dry you down there too?

Enquiring minds need to know. 🤔
(6)
Report
No tp shortage here, hanging off my ears! ha ha.
(3)
Report
Thank you for the link Garden Artist. Definitely something to consider.  Luckily I was able to buy some for myself and my mother last week.  Hopefully new stock will be arriving soon.
(0)
Report
Gershun there is such a huge range of appliances that call themselves bidet from a very simple spray nozzle connected to the cold water supply line right on up, the really deluxe models not only heat the water but they give you a blow dry too.
(this is why I think we need to have a display bathroom facility, they could put a different model in each stall 🤣)
(2)
Report
In general, I like the idea of bidets. For freshening up after taking care of business it is...ummm... nice(?).

But let’s get real.

Based on my nearly 27 years of
dealing with Rainmans poop - maybe Rainman has super hardy poo - but to really clean - I have to say that the force of the water would have to be such that it would blow one off the seat.

At times - certainly not every time - but there are times when after a poo I’ve had to have Rainman hop into the shower - and I give him a power rinse with the hand held shower head option and it STILL doesn’t fully do the job. So back to more baby wipes. If the Rain Forests are dependent on me using less wipes on his poopy bottom - I’d have to admit I wouldn’t bet on the Rain Forest.

I mean, I try. I really do. Really. But a ineffective butt cleaning leads to itching, burning “discomfort” and that only leads to busy fingers. And - that just can’t happen.

I would buy a bidet - I would - if I had more space in my bathroom and all my other more pressing bills were magically taken care of. But, to depend on just a bidet to do the job? Nope.
(5)
Report
You don't need more bathroom space with modern bidets Rainmom, they are a 2 in one device that works with your toilet. But I admit I share your skepicism about how good a job they really do after a BM - and I'm not talking about someone who is incontinent because none of them are going to take care of that.
(1)
Report
Rainmom, these aren't those disgusting European bidets you are thinking of. These are clean Asian bidets. They fit right over the toilet. They take no extra space.

I've had Asian bidets for over 10 years. I can't go back to TP. I only buy some TP once a year. For this event, I didn't even think about buy any. The little stack I bought over a year ago is still pretty big.

You'll need something to dry your bum with a cheap $20 bidet. That can be a bit of TP or some people put a fan over the toilet tank. A better Asian bidet comes with drying built in. No TP needed. You will need a power outlet next to the toilet for the drying bidets. That's why modern houses have power outlets right next to the toilet.

Something else you can use instead of a bidet is what they have in Thailand. Known to tourists as a bum gun. It's basically that sprayer most people have on their kitchen sinks attached to the toilet. That works as well. It does take some skill to use properly and not spray water all over the bathroom. Once you get it down though it's easy. Something like that would save you from having to move to the shower.
(3)
Report
If you’re worried that the water won’t be forceful enough to clean the bum, you’ve never experienced a bidet before. Speaking for experience of turning the knob up instead of down... ouch! You can power wash that behind, if you need to! But, mine gets clean with the knob turned just over half way, and it doesn’t hurt at all. You might have to shift around to hit the right spots. Feels refreshing to be clean!
(3)
Report
Julia, you got that right. On cheap mechanical $20 bidets, I rarely go above 1 or 2 on the dial out of 10. A electronic bidet will damp down the fire hose pressure for you.

I always suggest people get a bidet with an adjustable nozzle. That way you don't have to do the bidet dance. You can just move the nozzle around. You don't have to pay a lot for that. Some $20 range bidets have that feature.
(0)
Report
I agree on the concept, but bidets take water.
(1)
Report
Water comes out of a tap. Toilet paper does not.
(1)
Report
I like the bidet idea. 

The bum gun sounds ok, too, but may depend on whose hands it's in and how nimble one was in dexterity and minds ~ or if one was sick.  How much practice would that take before getting it just right?  Could wind up having to clean and paint all, including the ceiling!  

If the water was shut off during an emergency though (seems to be happening now, too!), then we'd be up that creek we all know the name of.
(2)
Report
Did anyone catch that pic of a plastic garden chair with a hole cut in it placed on the lawn over a sprinkler jet?

Maybe only in Australia...

My DH warned the neighbours if they heard screaming from the backyard, it would just be us with the hose. It has a trigger gun with spray or jet options (men & their hose connections 😜). But after using it to shower when the gas hot water service broke a few years back I can assure you COLD water is not that much fun.
(7)
Report
Baby wipes are no longer just for babies.
(3)
Report
There is NOT a TP shortage. People are not pooping anymore now than before. What IS in shortage is sanity, people stocking up on six months of TP. If people didn't act like nuts, there would be TP enough for everyone. If everyone just bought TP at the normal pace they always did, there would be enough.
(7)
Report
The problem is there presently is not the ability to purchase at a normal pace because there is no normality. Whereas before it might have been 3 on a given afternoon and you would tell yourself to buy toilet paper. Now you either have to get to a store first thing in the morning and possibly get a package or happen to be in a store when they put some out and there is no absolute time frame when and where that might happen. Yesterday my husband was thrilled to find alcohol at a CVS. He did not buy all that was available which wasn't much
and in that short period of time he missed out on the toilet paper being put out. Experiencing this over and over obviously creates a fear of supply. Every day things change so one never knows if what is barely available today will disappear not to mention the ability to be in a store at the right time. I am starting to think there should be appointments made for purchasing but I know that won't happen so we continue on this carousel of disparity.

Yes I presently have more toilet paper than I normally would have but I want a break from leaving the house at dark and being amongst a crowd when a store opens. I am on toilet paper hiatus for the time being.
(1)
Report
I've gone to 3 grocery stores, 2 Walmarts, the closest Wallgreens, for my post-frenzy treasure hunts. I re-travel this route, to the extent needed, to find what I'm looking for.
I've bumped into a former co-worker who was just wandering around with her lightly loaded cart. We waved and shouted hi from a distance so we could do the social distancing routine.

I'm so glad I routinely buy the bare necessities since it gave me some lead time. In the meantime, my neighbors and I have been keeping up with each other's inventories and doing a few front door trades as needed. It decreases having to share the public space in the grocery isle.

I do have a neighbor scared to go into CVS to get her prescription since she can not use the drive through. She was told she has to come in because it's a controlled drug that requires her signature. Face-to-face is the only way to sign and take possession of the script. (I wonder how a POA would accomplish this task, especially if the pharmacist did not know the POA.

The stores weren't entirely thinking either until one day they started rationing. It was quite interesting to see what items each store was rationing. Toilet paper, Kleenex, paper towels, and wipes of all types just not to be found. Even still it's hard to find these items. People are mostly polite and social distancing encourages reasonable behavior.

On one treasure hunt ,there was 2 three-packs of Kleenex on the shelf. The couple in front of me grabbed the first 3-pack and said "this is all there is". I told them if they were desperate, there was another 3-pack at the back of the shelf, but they let me claim the other pack. At least I scored my box of Kleenex on that trip. Felt like the kid who won the top prize.

This really reminds me of the oil embargo back in the 70s. Cars lined up and people speeding to be first in front to get to the gas pump. Of course that really was an oil shortage, and pumps ran empty quite often. But we don't have the TP etc. shortages. I'm sure some shortages will be felt by all of us soon because everything is so out of balance now. Supply chains and transportation are really challenged.

In the meantime, driving all over to find what is needed has become a treasure hunt of sorts. At least gas is reasonable right now. But we discovered it's really a lot easier to compare neighbor's inventories and handle much that way. Not all neighborhoods can cooperate or trust those nearby so we are lucky.
I'm so glad I'm not a senior having to navigate this mess. Of course injury at that requires medical attention is not a comforting thought either.

Some stores have altered their policies to help with this potential issue, among others. The thought of having to visit any ER department right now is not comforting.
(1)
Report
I agree with you Riverdale

i have not been able to buy a single paper product for 2 weeks. Everyone here is hoarding toilet paper, napkins, paper towels and Kleenex! I had to have my husband steal a box of Kleenex from work today because I’ve been using toilet paper!

And now it seems people are hoarding thermometers too? Just saw an angry post from someone in my parents towns local FB group, this person doesn’t have a thermometer and went to the dollar general to buy one but couldn’t because someone else had just grabbed the last 6 the store had!

I’m still surprised at the empty shelves here. I went to Nob Hill for a few necessities last night & because I was hoping to finally find toilet paper. No toilet paper. We needed sugar....I got the last one on the shelf. I was expecting there to be none left since no store here has had sugar or flour in the last 2 weeks either.

Now if I could just find some damn toilet paper!
(3)
Report
People always give me a hard time because I save everything.The wipes,pulse -ox,breathing machine, and the masks and all the stuff I saved from taking care of Mom may come in handy now,if not for me,for them.
(3)
Report
Worried, check with your local Office Max/Depot or Staples.   OM/D used to carry TP in bulk, as well as coffee filters and other office supplies.   That's assuming though that the office supply stores are still open.

Do you have a Gordon Food Store?   They also sell in bulk, but I don't know if they're in your area.
(1)
Report
I looked at bidet retrofit toilet seats for sale online tonight. I have enough TP to get through the shortage (Amazon got more in stock and I have bunch from them) but I think a bidet seat is a good option, anyway.

I live in an apartment with two roommates, I buy the paper supplies as part of the rental agreements. If I get a bidet seat, it would only be maybe 6 months before it would pay for itself, and that's taking into consideration that some TP would still be used.

I think it's a great solution beyond the TP shortage.
(4)
Report
Worried,

Do you have a Lowe's there or near by? We do and they sell paper towels and toilet paper, maybe look there.

Also, if you have a Family Dollar you could try there. The last time I was in a Family Dollar they were fulling supply, while the big store shelves were empty!

Good luck!
(1)
Report
Shell,

Lowe’s also has Lysol and Clorox wipes at good prices. Great suggestion about Lowe’s.

I think about when I was in the Girl Scouts on a camping trip. We decided to roll the troop leader’s cabins, cars, we rolled everything! LOL

The troop leaders got us back! They didn’t replace our toilet paper. We had to use paper towels or napkins from the kitchen.

We were silly 12 year olds!
(2)
Report
Thanks Shell. we have Lowe’s and Home Depot and it’s been hard to find TP there but I’ll be checking at least one of those placestomorrow. We have a dollar general but not a family dollar, I didn’t think about trying DG, I’ve never been to the one here.

GA we have office Max and I haven’t had luck there. The website says everything is unavailable to ship but available for pickup in my store, but when I add it to my cart it says sold out! I know I could call but I don’t trust them to give accurate info. I’m trying to limit where I go because my husband was Most likely exposed & if he hasn’t been yet, it’s only a matter time before he is m and if he’s got it but is asymptomatic and I get it....I could spread it every time I go out! It’s frightening to think about how fast we have the ability to spread this horrible virus! We have a weeks worth left of TP so it’s not quite time to panic LOL!
(2)
Report
If your local area has a Nextdoor.com intranet, you should join. You can put out an appeal to some or many and I think many kind neighbors will come up with needed supplies, especially if you're in a risk group or are a senior.
(1)
Report
Well I just checked the amazon account to see if my speed rope has shipped and it hasn’t....but looks like hubby was able
to order toilet paper however it won’t be here until 4/23! We don’t have a months worth of TP LOL but hey better late than never! I’m sure I will find some soon.

I swear if the idiots keep hoarding all the essentials, they are gonna force some of us to send our senior citizen parents to “seniors hour” to shop for us! J/k!

just found out that Safeway here isn’t enforcing “seniors only” during seniors hour. WTH! They said they can’t morally stop anyone from coming in to the store. Also a chain grocery store on the east side of town aka the poor side of town has the audacity to be charging a FREIGHT FEE on bottled water! A case is $4.99, not unreasonable at all. Someone tried to buy 2 and the total came out to $24.99 because of a “freight fee”. It’s been reported to multiple authorities but really? Do they think they are above the law?
I believe this chain is only in California, it’s called Foods Co. shame on them!
(2)
Report
Worried, you have my sympathy - you're having a tough time, worried about your husband and his potential exposure, as well as your children.   You shouldn't have to worry about toilet paper too!    It's unfortunate that this pandemic is happening as it is, in so many literally bizarre ways.

Thinking of what other suggestions might help....do you have any old rags that could be used for fluid projects, saving toilet paper for the solid projects?   You could save paper that way.   

I certainly hope your husband isn't positive.    One of the issues I've been concerned about is exposure to first line personnel:  medical personnel and first responders.    Already 300 are in quarantine at the Detroit PD.   

These people are really the front line defenders, brave people whose honor, bravery and care for their fellow human beings goes beyond concern for themselves.    

For my part, please thank your husband and ask him to thank his co-workers for their part in keeping America safe.
(2)
Report
Thanks GA. So far my husband hasn’t had any symptoms. I forgot to ask if is his partner was able to get tested since he was for sure exposed to the employee that tested positive.

And thank you immensely-you just reminded me that 1)we have lots of rags. My hubby has tons of small shop towels in the garage, some that haven’t even been used yet. 2) I believe I still have some of my sons old burp rags! I need to go through his bottom dresser drawer & see what’s there. I know for sure I have a few small baby blankets that can be cut up and used if it comes to that!! I hadn’t thought of any of this. I did consider we could all use our mismatched socks though LOL!
Just remembered I think I have at least a bag or two of my sons baby clothes, the stuff that was stained and well worn that I didn’t think was suitable for donating or passing on to friends & family. So I think we will be ok if we have to wait until April 23rd for toilet paper!

i think we have 5 officers quarantined. Well that was as of Tuesday. The department was already suffering staffing shortages and my husband had been ordered to work one day of patrol a week (maybe it was per month?). So today he is working patrol. They have limited the calls they will respond to. They are not having briefing before each shift anymore. My hubby said they aren’t really enforcing the law right now. Not to say it’s a free for all, go out and do what you want because the cops ain’t gonna respond. But basically....as long it’s it’s not an emergency and no ones life is in danger, they aren’t going to respond. And they are probably going to start working a new schedule where they will work 7 days straight, 12 hour shifts, and then have 14 days off.....and Everyone will be pulled from their assignment (like the detectives and gang unit and the traffic cops) and sent to patrol.
(1)
Report
This discussion has been closed for comment. Start a New Discussion.

Recent Questions


Popular Questions


Related Questions

Start a Discussion
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter