We have a "fancy" water spraying one. They`re not something reserved for the world of the rich and famous - in fact, most houses in Japan are equipped with them.

There are buttons with which you control the strength and direction of the warm water and air. You tell it when to start and when to stop, so there is no element of surprise to the whole affair.

My husband loves ours, and now says that he still feels unclean after just wiping. I personally use the wash, but wipe myself afterward instead of using it`s dry feature. You really do feel much cleaner... TMI, I know, but it`s WONDERFUL around that time of the month.

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Is this really better for the environment? That's an honest question; I don't know the answer. But I'm just thinking that, here in the drought-ridden southern US, we're being asked not to flush our toilets as much with the "If it's yellow, let it mellow" guidelines.

Is the idea behind this that the environmental impact of cleaning the water is less than the impact of toilet paper on deforestation?

I guess this blog is a parenting blog and not really the right place to ask these questions. I'm just curious, though.

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If Ellie were raised with it, she would think it was totally normal and wouldn't bat an eye.

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It's not just deforestation.

1. Toilet paper is made with bleach. Why, I can't imagine - but people like their TP white. So you add all those chemicals to the load.

2. It takes water to make paper. You're not really saving as much water as you think by dry wiping - making paper inherently wastes water.

3. Toilet paper is, as you noted, rarely made with recycled content. That's just fucking stupid as far as I'm concerned, but there it is.

4. Toilet paper has to be shipped. More fuel is wasted this way, in addition to the fuel spent when it's created.

5. Toilet paper is often wrapped in plastic prior to sale. Go back to number 4 for the waste of fossil fuels.

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Being originally from Europe, I've always been puzzled by the North American horror when it comes to bidets and the like. If you were trying to clean another part of your body, would you consider a dry, flimsy piece of paper a more hygienic choice than running water?

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I wish they would go with the water and air system in restaurants after seeing a report of how few people wash their hands after using the facilities. It might cut down on the spread of germs. That would be a test worth running, wouldn't it?

Jan from http://www.unique-baby-gear-ideas.com

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We have a handy little hand shower next to our toilet - I use it frequently, and yes, it does make you feel much much cleaner. I use a little piece of paper to wipe dry.. Perfect!

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