If you had mentioned installing bidets to the average American before the pandemic, they would probably have dismissed the idea right away. It just wasn’t something that was commonly talked about or considered necessary.
The pandemic changed a lot of things, including people’s attitudes towards cleanliness and hygiene. Hence, bidets became more popular as people looked for alternative options to toilet paper. The bathroom washer business, once a foreign concept to many in the US, surged in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It’s like everyone was scrambling to find alternatives to toilet paper when there were shortages. While some products or industries had a boom during COVID-19 and then fizzled out, like masks or roller skates, bidets have managed to maintain their sales growth.
Bidet Market Grew in the U.S. in 2020
Bidets and all those water-based alternatives to toilet paper are super popular in most parts of the world. People who love bidets say they’re more eco-friendly, hygienic, and gentle on the skin. But Americans have been holding onto their beloved “Charmin Bear” for so long. It took a toilet paper shortage for some people to finally give bidets a chance.
During the pandemic, every bidet on the Bidetking website sold out. James Lin, the founder of Bidetking, said that their business grew. The bidetking site experienced a huge supply crunch during the pandemic. To keep up with the demand, they had to air freight expensive containers.
The whole bidet market grew two to three times in 2020. The company that makes those trendy bidet seat attachments made $40 million in revenue in 2020, compared to just $8 million in 2019. The Bidetking site reports sales have grown at least 20% each year since the pandemic, with 2023 closer to 30%.
ALSO READ: Elevating Denim with Bum-Enhancing Designs
There Are Different Kinds of Bidets for Everyone
The bidet options out there are just mind-boggling. It’s like a whole new world for the American consumer. You’ve got these luxury bidets that can give your porcelain throne the royal treatment. Take Toto, for example. They have a fancy “washlet” that goes for as much as $1,420.
It’s got all the bells and whistles, like a water heating system, a wireless remote control with different spray settings, and even a hands-free dryer. Talk about a spa-like experience in your bathroom.
If you’re looking for something a bit more budget-friendly, Tushy’s got you covered with their popular bidet attachment starting at just $99. They’re all about that whimsical marketing, and people seem to love it. So, whether you’re ready to splurge or want to keep it simple, there’s a bidet out there for everyone.
How Did More People Get To Know About Bidet?
Not many people go out and buy a bidet every single year. So, a lot of this growth is actually from new customers. It’s like a secret club that spreads through good word of mouth. Once someone tries out a bidet and falls in love with it, they can’t help but rave about it to their friends and family. Many of those people end up sticking with bidets for the long haul.
Some people who start with the basic washer attachments end up upgrading to the fancy electronic models, the ones with all those cool features like different temperature and pressure settings. It’s like taking the bidet experience to a whole new level.
The most popular type of bidet in the US is a non-electric attachment that only sprays cold water. You can find them for less than $50 on sites like Amazon.
Origin of Bidet
The concept of using water to clean ourselves down there might be as ancient as us humans. It’s like a timeless idea that has been around forever. Instead of using rough stuff like leaves or paper, flowing water does the trick in a much gentler way.
The bidet originated in France and was used by fancy aristocrats as a little piece of furniture right next to the chamber pot. Variations of the bidet are found all over the world, from Europe to the Middle East, East Asia, and even some South American countries.
Back in the 1980s, during the big electronics boom, this Japanese brand called Toto revolutionized the washlet game. They came up with a genius idea of creating a toilet seat attachment that uses warm water to clean. Since then, they have become popular in Japan and even made their way to homes and businesses all over the world.
ALSO READ: The Way Americans Buy and Sell Homes Are About to Change
Reason Why Bidets Weren’t Common in the US
A common reason bidets didn’t become popular in the US was that during World War 2, American soldiers saw them being used in brothels. When they came back to the US, they associated bidets with that and shunned them.
Also, during the post-war construction boom, the plumbing systems in the US were built without bidets. This is a bit different from Japanese washlets and other devices that can connect to existing toilets without needing separate plumbing, like French-style bidets.
Some people find the whole bidet thing foreign. CNN interviewed some new bidet users, who mentioned that they associated bidets with places like Europe or Japan or even thought of them as something you’d find in fancy hotels.
You Might Also Like:
Kate Middleton’s Uncle Apologizes for Blasting Meghan Markle in Interview
Vladimir Putin Claims 133 People Died in Moscow Mass Shooting
Rep. Taylor Marjorie Greene Files To Oust Mike Johnson As House Speaker
These Foods Improve GLP-1 Levels in the Body
5 Ways Ozempic, Other Weight Loss Drugs May Improve Your Health
