You grew up on toilet paper. Water near your butt sounds weird until you actually think about it — then paper starts sounding weird instead.
TL;DR: Bidets are sanitary when you keep the nozzle clean and use normal pressure. Large follow-up surveys don't show higher infection rates in bidet users, and most "bidet horror stories" come from user error, not the water itself.
Are bidets actually sanitary?
Yes — a clean bidet with normal pressure gets you cleaner than dry paper, full stop. You're not "spraying poop water". The water is the same water that feeds your shower and sink that you're already brushing your teeth with and showering with. You're rinsing off residue the same way you'd wash your hands. It's simple.
- Self cleaning nozzles that rinse themselves helps, but it's not a substitute for actually cleaning your seat, its nice to occasionally go in and clean your nozzle as you would your toilet bowl
- You don't need to power wash your hole to get clean, often a refreshing, gentle stream will do the trick
- Your flush handle and phone already live in the same bathroom ecosystem — a bidet isn't inventing germs.
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One study found that 100% of people who wiped had poop particles on their hands, while 93% of bidet users had no detectable poop particles on their hands (article).
Can a bidet cause UTIs?
No — a 3-year follow-up web survey of thousands of adults found no significant increase in urogenital infections or hemorrhoids among habitual bidet users. The actual risk factors are aim, pressure, and a dirty nozzle — not the water itself.
- Aim front-to-back if you have a vagina
- Use gentle pressure — "strong" isn't the same as "clean"
- Dry off after, don't sit in moisture
If you're pregnant, prone to UTIs, or immunocompromised, treat a new bidet like a new skincare product: fine to try, just pay attention to how your body responds.
This study found that women who used a bidet instead of toilet paper had less bacteria in their urine. In fact, bacteria in their urine decreased by 28% (article)!
Will it make hemorrhoids worse?
No, and it often helps. Less wiping means less friction, and friction is what irritates hemorrhoids in the first place. Start on low pressure with a short rinse — you're not trying to win a pressure-washing contest.
Is using a bidet weird? Will guests judge me?
Guests judge confusion, not cleanliness. One large study notes 79.1% of Japanese households use warm-water bidet toilets — this is normal everywhere except the U.S. Leave a simple script for guests: "Buttons are labeled, start on low, or just ignore it and flush like normal."
The amount of friends who have gotten a bidet after trying mine are in the dozens, its life changing once you experience it!
Is installation actually hard?
No — most attachments hook up to your existing water line with zero plumbing calls. Shut off the valve, add a T-adapter, connect the hose, check for leaks. Done in under 10 minutes. Plus everything you need for installation comes in the TUSHY box!
The only real exception: electric seats need a nearby GFCI outlet. No outlet nearby, no plumber — go non-electric instead.
What actually matters when you're buying your first one?
- Adjustable pressure and angle
- Self-Cleaning Nozzle
- Simple controls you understand
Start simple. The TUSHY Classic or TUSHY Wave are a perfect beginner non-electric bidet attachments. And if you're looking for a budget friendly one, the TUSHY Fresh is perfect and under $50!
Upgrade later if you're interested in the additional bells and whistles an electric bidet can provide!
FAQ
Do bidets spray poop everywhere? No — the stream aims up at close range while you're seated, not out across the bathroom. Hits its target and the debris falls down into the bowl. Start on low pressure.
Do I still need toilet paper with a bidet? Sure, but about 75-80% less of it. You're using it to pat dry, not scrub — think a few squares, not half a roll.
How often do I need to clean a bidet? A quick wipe during your normal bathroom clean, plus a deeper clean weekly or biweekly depending on use. "Self-cleaning nozzle" rinses itself — it doesn't remove mineral buildup for you.
Your first bidet doesn't need to be complicated. Start with the TUSHY Classic 3.0 — adjustable pressure, no plumber, no outlet, installed before your coffee's cold.
