Although bidets have long been a standard in European bathrooms, more Americans have been embracing this wonderful bathroom fixture. The bidet market in America has been growing by an average of 15% year over year. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, bidet sales began to surge.

Bidets are affordable since many companies make units that fit right over existing toilets. For instance, BidetMate makes several different models that install just like a toilet seat replacement. The units have a water jet, a heated seat, and a built-in dryer.

Did the Great Toilet Paper Panic drive bidet sales?

Many people attribute the increased interest in bidets to what has been dubbed "the great toilet paper panic of 2020." This was a period of about six months when consumers rushed the stores and panicked and bought a bunch of toilet paper to the point where shelves remained empty or sparse for months.

With no toilet paper on the shelves, consumers looked for other options. While some people started making their own toilet paper, others decided to install a bidet.

According to data published by pmmag.com, 2020 bidet seat sales beat 2018 sales by nearly 16%, and bidet companies saw an increase in sales by 200-400%.

Why do Americans suddenly want a bidet?

To the European market, owning a bidet makes perfect sense and needs no explanation. Most people in Europe wouldn't dream of relying on dry toilet paper. However, for Americans, switching to a bidet requires some motivation. The shortage of toilet paper happened to be that catalyst.

Without access to toilet paper, Americans have been discovering the benefits of using a bidet:

• Bidets are more hygienic than toilet paper. Studies have shown that people who use a bidet have less bacteria in their urine.

• Bidets keep your hands clean. Wiping with dry toilet paper isn't exactly a clean experience.

• Bidets lower the risk of developing hemorrhoids. Sometimes wiping too hard can cause hemorrhoids. When you use a gentle stream of water, you avoid creating the pressure that can lead to hemorrhoids.

• Bidets leave you feeling refreshed. There really is no comparison between dry toilet paper and a bidet. Using a bidet is almost like taking a shower - you'll feel that clean.

• Bidets are good for the environment. Toilet paper is a massively wasteful product. In addition to toilet paper being waste, the process required to create it is extremely wasteful and harmful to the environment. Americans who want to live a more sustainable life are seeing this as one of the best perks of using a bidet.

What types of bidets are people buying?

There are several types of bidets that people are buying. The first type of bidet is a stand-alone fixture that connects to your plumbing directly. It's usually placed a couple feet away from the toilet to make it easy to sit down and wash yourself.

The other types of bidets are a little more convenient to install and use:

• Handheld hoses connected to your plumbing. This bidet style is most popular in India, where traditional toilets are recessed into the floor. Recessed toilets are called squat toilets, and squatting is the most natural way to have a bowel movement.

After using a squat toilet, the handheld hose is used to spray yourself clean. Since the floor and walls are tiled, the handheld hose makes perfect sense. However, this probably isn't the best type of bidet for an American bathroom.

• Toilet seat bidets. These are the most popular since they're easy to install and fairly cheap. It's essentially a toilet seat with an attached water jet. Some come with heated seats and a dryer.

• Manual camping/travel bidets. These are simple bidets that you fill with water and squeeze to make the water flow out.

• Battery powered handheld/travel bidets. These bidets work similarly to the manual bidets, but are battery-powered, which makes the stream of water last longer.

The bidet market will continue to expand

In light of the current economic uncertainties, including shortages, supply chain issues, and the rising cost of raw materials, the bidet market will continue to expand. As toilet paper prices continue to rise, and shortages become more widespread, people will need solutions.

Other than making reusable toilet paper, a bidet is virtually the only realistic solution to another toilet paper shortage. Whether that shortage is caused by rising inflation or lack of supply, we can expect the bidet market to grow in America.