Your Bathroom Made Better: Why Bidets Are a Cleaner, Greener Way to Go
Your Bathroom Made Better: Why Bidets Are a Cleaner, Greener Way to Go
Author: Team Grove
Imagine a bathroom routine that’s cleaner, gentler on your skin, and far better for the planet. That’s exactly what switching to a bidet delivers — and it might just be the most refreshing upgrade your hygiene routine never saw coming.
From wipe to wash: why rethink your bathroom hygiene?
Toilet paper is a staple in most American bathrooms — but that hasn’t always been the case. While many countries embraced bidets as a cleaner, more sustainable option, the U.S. stuck with paper, thanks in part to 20th-century marketing that positioned toilet paper as modern, hygienic, and even a marker of civility.¹ Early ads framed TP as essential for good health and “proper” living, creating habits that stuck.
The average American uses over 140 rolls of toilet paper each year, contributing to deforestation, climate change, and unnecessary water waste — all for a product that’s used for a few seconds, then flushed away.² That’s a whole lot of trees for a little bit of clean.
Toilet paper production has wiped out millions of trees, including vast amounts of Canada's boreal forest — a globally critical carbon sink.³ Major brands often use virgin pulp instead of recycled fiber, which means more logging and higher emissions. Every flush is tied to this broader ecological cost.⁴
And here’s the kicker: Toilet paper also has a hidden water footprint — it takes 37 gallons of water to produce a single roll.⁵ Multiply that by America’s annual use (over 9 billion rolls), and the impact becomes staggering.
And the environmental toll isn’t the only concern — recent studies show toilet paper may also pose risks to personal health. Tests have detected PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) — also known as “forever chemicals” — in many conventional TP brands.⁶ These chemicals don’t break down in the body or the environment and have been linked to serious health issues, from hormone disruption to cancer.⁷ It’s just one more reason many are rethinking their bathroom habits — not just for the planet, but for their own peace of mind.
Enter: the bidet (aka your new bathroom hero)
Bidets use a small, controlled stream of water to gently and effectively clean your skin after using the toilet — no wiping required. They attach to your existing toilet and can be installed easily.
Using a bidet isn’t just a feature found in other countries — it’s a different way to get clean. A gentle stream of water can offer a superior cleanse compared to dry toilet paper, which can irritate sensitive skin and may not fully remove bacteria. Bidets, by contrast, offer a cleaner, more comfortable experience, especially for people with hemorrhoids, postpartum recovery needs, or chronic conditions like inflammatory bowel disease.⁸
And yes, it is hygienic. Bidets can help reduce the spread of germs and prevent urinary tract infections by improving how thoroughly waste is cleaned away.⁹ ¹⁰ It’s a game-changer for those with sustainability in mind, and for people with mobility issues or caregiving responsibilities, it's empowering.
The environmental impact? Game-changing.
From a water consumption standpoint, bidets use about ⅛ gallon of water per use and reduce water waste in the bathroom.11 And let’s not forget emissions. According to NRDC, toilet paper is increasingly made from climate-critical forests, and its production is directly linked to the loss of carbon-storing ecosystems.⁴ By ditching TP for a bidet, we reduce demand for virgin pulp and help protect carbon sinks vital to fighting climate change.
Here’s what we look for in a bidet
When choosing a bidet, we look for options that are affordable, simple to install, and don’t require electricity — making them a smart choice for both renters and sustainability-minded homeowners alike. Non-electric models are a plus since they tap into your existing water pressure and are more straight-forward. We also prioritize designs made with durable, low-impact materials that reduce long-term waste.
That’s why we appreciate what brands like TUSHY, Omigo, BioBidet and more are bringing to the conversation. These brands provide multiple bidet options that are thoughtfully designed to be easy on the environment, easy to use, and easy to install — often with no extra plumbing required. And their missions to promote sustainability and better hygiene reflects values we share at Grove: caring for your health and the planet, all in one go.
The bottom line
Switching to a bidet isn’t just about being eco-conscious — it’s about rethinking better and cleaner care for your skin and body. It’s about caring for your body with the same thoughtfulness you bring to your home. It’s about reducing waste without sacrificing wellness. And it’s about making one small change that echoes in bigger ways — for your skin, your home, and the world.
You deserve better than a square of paper. Your bottom — and the planet — will thank you.
Sources:
1 History.com Editors. (2023). The Unusual History of Toilet Paper. History. Retrieved June 9, 2025, from https://www.history.com/articles/toilet-paper-hygiene-ancient-rome-china
2 Statista. (2018). The U.S. Leads the World in Toilet Paper Consumption. Retrieved June 9, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/chart/15676/cmo-toilet-paper-consumption/
3 NRDC. (2023). Issue With Tissue: How Americans are Flushing Forests Down the Toilet. Retrieved June 9, 2025, from https://www.nrdc.org/resources/issue-tissue
4 Skene, J. (2021). Toilet Paper Is Driving the Climate Crisis With Every Flush. NRDC. Retrieved June 9, 2025, from https://www.nrdc.org/bio/jennifer-skene/toilet-paper-driving-climate-crisis-every-flush
5 Big Think. (2020). Toilet Paper Is a Giant Waste of Resources. Retrieved June 9, 2025, from https://bigthink.com/health/toilet-paper-is-a-giant-waste-of-resources/
6 The Cool Down. (2023, March 14). New study reveals toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in major toilet paper brands — here’s what to know. Retrieved June 9, 2025, from https://www.thecooldown.com/green-business/toilet-paper-pfas-study-mamavation/
7 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2023). Our Current Understanding of the Human Health and Environmental Risks of PFAS. Retrieved June 9, 2025, from https://www.epa.gov/pfas/our-current-understanding-human-health-and-environmental-risks-pfas
8 WebMD. (n.d.). Are There Health Benefits to Using a Bidet? Retrieved June 9, 2025, from https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/are-there-health-benefits-using-bidet
9 Cleveland Clinic. (2021). Is Using a Bidet Healthy? Retrieved June 9, 2025, from https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-using-a-bidet-healthy
10 WebMD. (n.d.). Are There Health Benefits to Using a Bidet? Retrieved June 9, 2025, from https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/are-there-health-benefits-using-bidet
11 Bathroom Nerd. (2023). Is Bidet Water Clean? Here’s What You Need to Know. Retrieved June 9, 2025, from https://bathroomnerd.com/is-bidet-water-clean/
