For my father-in-law’s birthday this year, I gave him a bidet seat. If you’re not familiar, a bidet is a plumbing fixture used for cleaning yourself off after bathroom use. A bidet seat is similar, but rather than a separate fixture, it directly installs onto your toilet seat. My father-in-law got a chuckle out of the silly gift message I included in the package, and he’s assured me that the present is getting its use.

Bidet seats have been found to clean better than toilet paper alone. They’re also lauded for saving resources by cutting down on the use of toilet paper. If you’re seriously thinking of purchasing a bidet seat, whether for yourself or for someone else, consider these things first:


What kind of toilet do you have? If it’s time to replace your toilet, you can purchase a new one with the bidet seat already installed. If your toilet doesn’t need replacing, consider a bidet seat that attaches to your existing seat.

Knowing the shape of your toilet seat can help you decide which types will fit. Is your toilet one piece or two? Some bidet seats only work with one type or the other, so assessing what you have before you begin shopping will help.

Where is the closest power source? Some bidet seats require an electrical outlet nearby. If you don’t have one there, you may need to hire an electrician to install one. The power source will allow you to use a bidet seat with bells and whistles, such as a heated seat, air dryer and/or deodorizer. The good news is you don’t need a nearby power source to have a bidet seat. The standard models hook up to your toilet using plumbing hoses and don’t require electricity to operate.

How much do you want to spend? A basic bidet seat, with little more functionality than streaming water, can be easily installed on your own (I installed mine in less than 15 minutes), and cost between $45 and $100. Other models give you more options, such as hot and cold functions or some of the bells and whistles described above, and will range in price from $300 to $600. However, remember that these models also may require hiring a plumber and/or an electrician to install. Toilets with built-in bidets can cost upward of $3,000 and also may require professional help for installation.

Have a question or comment for Joanne? Email her at thefixisinhawaii@gmail.com.

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