Does Europe Washrooms Not Have Bidets Explained

In many European countries, you won't find bidets in every washroom. This is because a significant number of Europeans use showers or hand showers as an alternative to bidets for personal hygiene.

In fact, a survey of European countries found that only a few countries, such as France and Germany, have bidets in a majority of their washrooms.

A key factor in the limited presence of bidets in European washrooms is the cultural preference for showering over bidets. Many Europeans view showers as a more efficient and hygienic way to clean themselves.

Bidets are also not as common in European washrooms due to historical and economic reasons.

Curious to learn more? Check out: European Bidets

Bidets are standard in many European countries, especially in France, where they originated. They're also common in Italy, Portugal, Japan, Argentina, and Venezuela.

In Spain, bidets are a common fixture in bathrooms, often used to clean the genital and anal area after using the toilet or to "freshen up". You'll find them in almost all Spanish bathrooms.

Explore further: Why Aren't Bidets Common in the Us

Dani, a traveler, was first introduced to a bidet during her homestay in Alicante, Spain. She initially ignored it, but later learned to use it to wash her feet, finding it more comfortable than using the bathtub or shower.

Bidets are often used in public toilets in countries like Italy and Portugal, where paper products may be limited. In these cases, bidets are not just preferred, but necessary.

To use a bidet in Italy, simply run the water a bit more to ensure the basin stays clean after you're finished.

Explore further: Bidets in Italy

Bidets are commonplace outside the U.S., especially throughout Europe, Asia, and parts of South America. The water cleansing fixture originated in France, so you can bet you'll find them in many a French bathroom still today.

If you're traveling to Europe, you'll likely encounter two types of bidets: the Standalone Bidet (European Style) and the bidet attached to the toilet. The Standalone Bidet is a separate porcelain fixture that looks like a low sink or small toilet, and it's equipped with hot and cold water taps or a mixer tap.

You might like: Water Toilet Bidet

Here are some key features of the Standalone Bidet:

Bidets are a standard fixture in many countries outside of the US, especially in Europe, Asia, and parts of South America. They originated in France, so you'll find them in many French bathrooms.

In fact, bidets are not just preferred over toilet paper in many parts of the world, but they're also necessary where paper products are limited. If you travel to Italy, Portugal, Japan, Argentina, or Venezuela, you'll likely encounter public toilets with bidets.

Some people may find the idea of using a bidet strange at first, but it's actually quite useful and common throughout other parts of the world. In Spain, for example, the opinions are pretty evenly split in terms of using the bidet or not.

If you're new to bidets, don't worry – it's not necessary to use them, but they can be a new experience to try out. And, as one person's story illustrates, you might even become a convert to bidet life once you try it.

Suggestion: Women Using Bidets

Here are some key features of standalone bidets, which you'll often find in countries like Italy, France, Portugal, and Spain:

Remember to follow these simple guidelines when using a bidet:

The Hand-Held Bidet Sprayer, also known as the Asian Style bidet, is a common fixture in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and parts of South Asia.

You'll often find these hand-held sprayers in countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and many Middle Eastern nations. They're usually chrome or plastic, mounted on the wall or attached to the toilet's water supply, and sometimes housed in a small holder.

Bathrooms with these systems often have textured, non-slip floors as they tend to get slightly wet. It's wise to carry toilet paper or tissues in your bag, as some locations might not provide it.

The Hand-Held Bidet Sprayer is a straightforward system that's easy to use. Here's a quick guide to get you started:

Some places might have a small towel hook or bar - these are for hand towels only, so be sure to hang your towel there. If you're wearing long trousers or skirts, be mindful to keep them from getting wet.

In many locations, you'll find a small rubbish bin - this is for used toilet paper where plumbing can't handle paper.

If this caught your attention, see: Are Bidets More Sanitary than Toilet Paper

In many European countries, a standalone bidet is considered an essential part of daily hygiene. It's a common sight in bathrooms across the continent.

The cultural context of bidet use is fascinating. In many Asian countries, the sprayer system is considered more hygienic than paper alone. This highlights the importance of understanding local customs when traveling.

In Japan, the electronic bidet represents the culture's embrace of technology for everyday comfort. This is a great example of how technology can be integrated into daily life in unique and innovative ways.

Approaching these differences with an open mind will enhance your travel experience and cultural understanding. Remember, what might seem unusual at first is often the norm in other cultures.

For your interest: Warm Water Bidet Toilet Seat

Bidet use can cut your use of toilet paper by at least 75 percent, according to experts, helping you save money—and save the trees, too.

Bidets are actually used to clean the genital and anal area after using the toilet or whenever one feels the need to “freshen up.”

It's not necessary to use a bidet, but it can be another new experience to try out. And we know some people who end up being converted to bidet life once they try it.

There are multiple how-to guides that you can find in a basic Google search if you’re in need of some advice on the, err, logistics of using a bidet.

Dani's experience with bidets in Spain is a great example of how people in Europe use them. She was first exposed to a bidet during her homestay in Alicante.

She chose to ignore it at first, but then learned about its use when her host mother washed her granddaughter's feet in it. The bidet was a "foot-sized tub" that made washing feet much more comfortable.

Dani now uses the bidet to wash her feet after going to the beach, and finds it much more comfortable than using the bathtub or shower. She's glad she learned about the conventional use of the bidet, and admits that her original innocence was a bit funny.

In Spain, bidets are a common fixture in bathrooms, often used to clean the genital and anal area after using the toilet or to "freshen up".

The opinions on using bidets are pretty evenly split among Spaniards, with some people being converted to bidet life after trying it.

Bidets are not necessary to use, and it's unlikely that anyone would know either way.

In conversations with Spaniards, we've found that many people have an amusing story about their first time using a bidet.

To use a bidet in Italy, you should run the water a bit more to ensure the basin stays clean after you're finished.

The bidet's design can be confusing for first-timers, but there are multiple how-to guides available with advice on the logistics.

It's worth trying out a bidet, even if it seems strange at first, as it can be a useful and new experience.