Let’s be honest: do you even know what a bidet is used for? While bidets are widely seen all around Europe, it’s practically impossible to spot one in the United States. But thanks to brands like Tushy, bidet attachments are becoming more and more popular, thanks to their ease of installation on home toilets.

With a name derived from the French word for “pony” or “little horse,” which refers to the position people take when using it (basically, it’s like straddling a horse), the bidet was first invented in France in the 18th century. Similar in design to a toilet bowl, it’s basically a basin that’s designed to be sat upon (or straddled, depending on what part of your body you want to rinse off) “in order to wash one’s nether regions after toileting,” explained Jo Hayes, an etiquette consultant and the founder of Etiquette Expert. In other words, there’s no need for using toilet paper.

Originally, bidets were built on wooden legs, but today they usually boast a jet stream that hits targeted areas, plus a slew of other technical advancements that have rendered them indispensable, including the installation of faucets, added water pressure, automatic flushing, odor-neutralizing capabilities and more.

According to a survey of American adults conducted by Propeller Insights on behalf of Bio Bidet in 2022, only 12% of Americans “know a lot about” bidets. But bidet users outside the U.S. harbor strong positive feelings.

“Bidet users frequently report a sense of improved hygiene and cleanliness,” explained Dr. Farhan Malik, a health and wellness expert who also focuses on personal hygiene best practices. “Overall, bidet users highlight a refreshed and revitalized feeling after using the device.”

Mostly, Malik said, that feeling stems from the way bidets are constructed and how they are to be utilized.

“The direct application of water for post-toilet cleansing removes residual fecal matter more effectively than toilet paper alone,” he noted. “This can help prevent skin irritation and inflammation in the genital area. The gentle, targeted spray of water also reduces excessive wiping and tugging, which can lead to discomfort.”

Although there is no official or medically suggested way to use bidets, the process involves sitting on top of it or straddling it, and then aiming the water to rinse your nether regions. In some parts of Europe — Italy and France, mainly — at-home bathrooms usually also feature a “bidet towel” that comes handy for drying off post-use, and it’s usually hung on a separate bar next to the bidet and away from hand towels.

“Many people who use bidets consider it a cleaner option than dry toilet paper,” Hayes said.

Conversations regarding the hygienic properties of bidets versus toilet paper have been going on for years.

“The purpose of the bidet was to promote better personal hygiene, as using just dry toilet paper was not considered sufficient cleaning by bidet proponents,” Malik said. “Water washing was thought to be a more thorough method of cleansing after bowel movements or urination.”

When asked which cleansing process he deems to be more sanitary, Malik praises bidets for a slew of reasons: the stream of water washes away fecal matter more effectively than toilet paper by penetrating orifices more easily and it is also a gentler process on the skin.

“The friction and pressure of wiping repeatedly with toilet paper can lead to inflammation, pain and even bleeding,” he said. “The water from a bidet provides a soothing clean without irritation.”

Hayes agrees with that line of thought. “Many Americans consider the bidet unhygienic, but when used properly, it’s generally as hygienic, if not more so, than toilet paper,” she added.

Those who don’t use bidets don’t necessarily disagree with these ideas — they just seem to simply not know much about them. Bidets are, in fact, not a part of American culture — but why?

“The lack of bidet adoption in the United States is an interesting cultural phenomenon that stems from several factors,” Malik noted, pointing out that the habit of using toilet paper is “deeply ingrained” on this side of the Atlantic and that bidets have been historically associated with European cultures and therefore seen as foreign. “Also, the additional cost and plumbing required to install bidets may be prohibitive, especially in older homes.”

According to both experts, many people are also concerned with “splash back” when it comes to bidets — while cleaning yourself off, water might splash on the floor around you or, perhaps, on your shirt — but that’s a problem easily fixed when following proper etiquette.

“There is the potential for ‘splash back’ over and around the bowl, but that would be down to poor bidet use/etiquette, rather than the bowl itself,” Hayes said.

Malik also notes that most bidets do not actually shoot water directly at the user’s body but feature a removable nozzle with adjustable pressure and positioning, which also prevents splash back.

“When I first started recommending bidet toilet seats to clients, many assumed the water would spray everywhere and make a mess,” he remembered. “However, once they tried an adjustable bidet, they were pleasantly surprised by the clean and comfortable experience. Proper education goes a long way toward easing apprehension. Bidets are a simple way to boost hygiene and sustainability.”

Although everyone is entitled to his or her own bathroom routine, perhaps Americans should consider giving bidets a shot. Who wouldn’t appreciate a cleaner, fresher bum, after all?