Biffy instead of toilet paper, would you? |
I know outside the US it’s much more common to have water shooting up you know where instead of or in addition to using toilet paper, more commonly known as a bidet. There is this toilet add-on called the Biffy (warning: video onload) that is designed to clip onto the toilet seat and spring into action after doing your business.
Perhaps bathroom humor, but some of the text on the biffy website made me chuckle:
Can we talk? When you are sitting on a toilet seat your bottom is perfectly positioned for thorough cleaning. The toilet seat supports your cheeks while your body weight presses down, spreading your cheeks and exposes your bottom parts to the cleansing rinse of the Biffy.
That’s among the most polite explanations of sitting on the toilet I’ve ever read. And what is with the ‘can we talk’ bolded? The toilet isn’t the place to do much talking, unless one wants to talk over the, er, sounds.
Popgadget explains more about the international aspect of the Biffy:
For those unfamiliar, a bidet uses a gentle jet of water to cleanse the body in lieu of, or in conjunction with, toilet paper. The bidet is all over Europe in one form or another, and many Middle Eastern countries use handheld Water Pik toilet wands that clean and sterilize themselves between uses. It’s quick, hygienic, and very effective.
Perhaps a European reader is willing to explain how great bidets are to me. Why don’t we have them in greater numbers in the US? Are we just bidet snobs or what? I’ve never been outside the US/Canada/Mexico so I’m very unsophistocated in the wonders of the bidet. It’s possible we’re screwed up in the US like we are on the metric system front.
The bestselling Biffy version sells for $99 in the Biffy Personal Bidet Store. No, that’s not an affiliate link. 1-877-422-4339 if you have questions. It comes in different colors too.
“Um, how much for a cherry red Biffy, please?”
Or maybe: “I really would like a Biffy with a dragon breathing fire on it.”
Seriously, I do like the hygienic idea but am not sure about the water shooting up part. Do they use the toilet paper afterwards or just let air dry? I’d definitely opt for the ambient warmer to avoid cold water if I did go the Biffy route. The toilet is a good place to read though. Think I’ll stick to TP only and keep the biffy-style rinses confined to the shower. Someday we’ll travel outside this area where bidets are more commonplace and I might become a fan of bidets.
Anybody reading have one of these Biffys or some other bidet installed?
Did this post make you go hmm?
(Hmm, no ratings yet)
Loading ...Maybe Related Posts (plugin generated)
- $8.03 gets you Sudoku toilet paper
- Public restroom gripe department
- Urinal 2.0
- What your name looks like from the side generator pisses me off
- 666: Dead Warmed Over
- 22 additional signs for the game Rock, Paper, Scissors
You are missing out! When I lived in Japan, the warmed toilet seat and bidet were heaven. There was even an air dryer to dry you off so you didn’t have to worry about the TP. Now I’m in London, UK and like the convenience of a traditional bidet. For women, especially, it is much more hygienic. As for drying off, I use a bath towel.
Comment by Hsien Lei — January 19, 2007 @ 1:43 pm PST
I just asked my Wife (who is French - I’m a brit) and when I mentioned bidet I got this - “It’s for what? Well my Nan had one, but we used it to wash our feet as kids. You’re supposed to do what with it?”.
I’m guessing it has fallen out of favour over the year, but I’ve no idea why.
Comment by Ross — January 19, 2007 @ 1:50 pm PST
So what you are saying is if you were to get crap on your hand while wiping with TP, you would just use more TP to wipe your hands as well? Or would you(do you) wash your hands with water afterward? Personaly, I would much rather blot a little water off myself than spread and rub dookie into my skin, but hey, whatever makes you comfortable.
Tony D.
Comment by Tony D. — January 19, 2007 @ 4:45 pm PST
Yes, definitely wash your hands afterwards whether you use the bidet, biffy, TP or some combination thereof.
Comment by TDavid — January 19, 2007 @ 4:59 pm PST
The Biffy has changed my life. I feel so much cleaner and healthier. In fact, I will rush home to use the Biffy since I want to avoid having to use any abrasive toilet tissue. I have had one in each of my bathrooms for years and all my friends have left my home to go and order theirs. My children remark on how they cannot imagine NOT having one. The personal hygiene aspect on this is reason enough to give it a try but consider the medical benefits. Anyway, I am a huge Biffy fan and will keep turning my friends and family on to this remarkable product.
Comment by Tina — January 22, 2007 @ 2:53 am PST
I live in Switzerland and have visited several countries in Europe and I can tell you the bidet has become a rare animal here. Haven’t seen one since I lived in Venezuela (that’s in South America(!)) 25 years ago… ah and BTW I never used it anyway.
Comment by Widi — January 22, 2007 @ 11:04 am PST
I recently bought biffy, and like it a lot. Will be ordering more for other toilets in the house. Wish it had an electric water heater.
Comment by aUser — February 20, 2007 @ 7:00 pm PST
To keep it short: tried bidets in europe and loved them after previous scorn (my ignorance). I won’t go into details, but I can’t understand anyone who tries this thing and doesn’t love it. Cleaner, easier, paper saver. Soothing, quick, and “encourages” movement. Easy to install too. Why didn’t I buy this years ago?
Comment by jsb — May 24, 2008 @ 11:18 am PST
Hey mate I`m from Australia and I don`t think we have much of these Biffy like in Europe. Haven`t tried it but I would still use TP cause I like the abrasiveness and the tickles of happiness it gives me. I always choose the cheapest TP to get the maximum sandpaper feel. Both Biffy and TP might not be environmentally friendly but in a country like Australia where fresh water is limited in most parts of the country TP is essential. But everyone has their own comments and choices of use. Sure enough we all probably had the rub dookie on our hands from not aiming well and use more TP but we still wash it after. Recycling is another part, maybe the same water they use in the Biffy has been recycled at the sewer and re-use it at the same spot where it all started. Nope no Biffy for me, maybe give it a try one day but will always be a TP life member…. AND ALWAYS WASH YOUR HANDS
Comment by The Australian — May 1, 2009 @ 4:22 am PST
I’ve had a Biffy for about a year, and must say it is worth $1000, let alone a paltry $100… It takes about five seconds, you are completely clean and guess what… no more monkey butt - no more skid marks…ever! I personally use a sheet or two to dry off with, but this is not a necessity. I am amazed there are not more in households in the US, going forward my home will never be without a Biffy.
Comment by cdawg — October 27, 2009 @ 6:26 am PST
We had an electronic bidet when we lived in Japan and like others have said, they’re paradise. I don’t know about this $100 Biffy, though — seems like the water might be pretty cold! Most electronic bidet seats/washlets are anywhere from $350-1000 and have features like heated seats, temperature/pressure/position adjustment, air dryers, air purifiers, soft-close seats and remote controls. They’re awesome. A word of warning though, once you try one of these for a while there’s no going back!
I think the reluctance here in North America is simply lack of exposure, cost, and the installation inconvenience. You need to have a GFI electrical outlet installed within 4 feet of the toilet. I suspect people tend to get a little concerned about any sort of electricity around their naughty parts.
Comment by Graham — December 13, 2009 @ 1:45 am PST
I got my biffy and the ambient temp tank last week. Got it together without too much trouble. Next day the small hose that hooks to the T that goes to the waterline and tank started leaking and it kept getting worse. I took the thing off and made it like it was but kept the part attached to the toilet seating area and tried contacting the company. Took 4 days to get a replay. I decide on the 4th day to try to see if I can fix it myself. Take the small hose off, put considerable white plumbing tape around the stem that the hose attaches to and put it all back together. I also noticed the tank was leaking some so put some tape around those threads as well. One more leak unrelated was that I noticed that the unit to the toilet tank was also starting to leak. Fortunately I had a spare new one and put that on first, then the rest of the biffy bidet plumbing. No leaks, works great but I’m Leary that someone will come in and mess with it so it starts leaking again by moving the ambient tank and hoses but I’m keeping my fingers crossed on that. I love the way I feel so CLEAN using it. I’m disabled and larger than I should be and it’s hard reaching back well enough with TP. I had monkey butt smell alot and those tracks one of the ppl above mentioned in both undies and if I happened to go to bed without anything, the sheets. It was gross and I wanted to do something to be cleaner. The biffy is doing a great job and I almost feel guilty wanting to go so I can use it! LOL! I did speak with the design team finally and told them if they would just use some better materials and make it so that you can screw the thing together without having to turn the hose with it, that would be good and make it less problematic for ppl so that there aren’t leaks developing from poor craftsmanship and inferior materials used just to cut a dime or two off the costs. Better to spend a little more and have a really great product in every way. He seemed very glad I spoke to him about the needed changes. If I were to do it again, purchasing … I’d just get the biffy and not the tank as that only makes 3 more places the unit can leak and the water doesn’t change much in temp that I’ve noticed … maybe in summer. Ok that’s my 2 cents for what it’s worth. They have other bidets out there and some as cheap as $39 that would do the job ok. That’s better than $186 which I spent. Having said that, The others don’t have a swing arm with the nozzles hidden so perhaps in the long run, I will have had a better over all unit than the others. Why every home being built doesn’t have them is beyond me. If I were building a home, every bathroom would have one. I’m saving money on TP too.
Comment by Frankie Lee — December 19, 2009 @ 12:21 am PST