Water cleans better than paper – why are toilets with a wash function becoming more popular?

When we wash our hands, we use water.

When we take a shower, we use water.

When we wash fruit or dishes, we use water.

Yet when using the toilet, we still try to clean the most sensitive area of our body mainly with dry paper.

Is that really the most logical solution?

It is this question that millions of people around the world have answered with a wash-and-dry toilet known as the washlet . Also known as the Japanese toilet or shower toilet, it combines modern hygiene, comfort and smart technology.

Why does toilet paper not really clean?

Toilet paper helps remove visible dirt, but its cleaning power is limited. If you got your hand dirty, would you clean it with dry paper only?

Probably not.

Most people would go to the tap and wash their hands clean with water. Water removes dirt more effectively, more gently and more hygienically.

The same principle applies to toilet hygiene.

A toilet with a wash function uses clean warm water to provide a more thorough clean than dry paper alone ever could. The result is better hygiene, a fresher feeling and greater everyday comfort.

Modern toilet hygiene without getting your hands dirty

It is a topic rarely talked about, but worth thinking about for a moment.

When using a conventional toilet, your hands inevitably come into contact with the area you are trying to clean. That means more rubbing, more paper and a greater chance of spreading bacteria.

With a washlet, water does most of the work.

A warm water jet cleans gently and effectively, and the drying function reduces the need for large amounts of toilet paper. The whole process is more comfortable, more hygienic and far more modern.

For many people, this is one of the biggest reasons why it is hard to go back to a conventional toilet after using a washlet or shower toilet.

Gentler on the skin, better for everyday use

In addition to better hygiene, water is also considerably gentler on the skin.

Toilet paper can cause skin irritation, especially when used frequently or when the skin is sensitive. A toilet with a wash function cleans without rubbing, which makes everyday use much more comfortable.

That is why many specialists recommend using water in situations where the skin needs especially gentle care.

Why are washlets so popular around the world?

Although washlets are still a relatively new phenomenon in Estonia, they have been used around the world for decades.

Wash-and-dry toilets are especially common in Japan, where they are seen as a natural part of the modern home. That is also where the name Japanese toilet, a term often used to describe modern washlet solutions.

In recent years their popularity has grown rapidly in Europe and North America as well.

The reason is simple.

People who have tried a washlet often discover that it solves a problem they did not even know they had.

Is the washlet a luxury or the new standard?

Years ago, the automatic dishwasher was considered a luxury.

Later, underfloor heating was considered a luxury.

Today they are completely normal in many homes.

The same development is happening in toilet hygiene.

A wash-and-dry toilet is no longer just a solution for hotels or luxury projects. More and more people are discovering that better hygiene, greater comfort and a cleaner feeling are something they want to experience every day.

Just as the dishwasher or the robotic lawnmower once felt like luxuries, washlets and shower toilets may become a normal part of the modern home in the coming years.

In the end, it all comes down to one simple question:

If we wash our hands with water, why should toilet hygiene be any different?