All over the world, using a bidet is the preferred method of cleaning oneself after using the bathroom. Perhaps while vacationing in Europe you've seen them in your hotel room. They are also very common in Asia, as you may have heard of them referred to as the Japanese toilet. They can be found in parts of the Middle-East as well, where using a bidet is necessary because some religions don't allow the use of toilet paper (seriously). South America is another region where bidets are extremely common. In Argentina for example, not having a bidet could actually cause your home to lose some of its value!

In the United States and Canada however, most folks are unfamiliar with bidets and look at them with confusion. How does it work? Is it used to wash your feet? So let's try to educate ourselves a bit more on the bidet. The first thing, is that all bidets can be grouped into three general buckets. These groupings are listed in order of bidet evolution:

• Basin-type - having originated in the early 18th century, this is the very first type of bidet ever created. These bidets are separate fixtures found next to the toilet, and usually made of porcelain. In many of today's basin-type bidets, you will find a water spout at the bottom of the bidet which directs a stream of water upwards as you squat over it. This is what most North Americans think of when hearing about a bidet.

• Simple Bidet Attachments - as the name implies, these bidets attach to your existing toilet. In contrast to basin-type bidets, they don't require additional space in the bathroom. These bidet attachments come in varying styles but essentially, they are an extension from the cold water supply. The water flows thru a wand and the water's direction can be controlled by moving the wand with your hand.

• Electronic Bidet Attachments - these are the most modern bidet types, and also the most technologically advanced. Features include telescopic wash nozzles which retract in a housing pocket when not in use. Another popular feature is the warm air dry which helps with residual moisture after washing. Since these bidets attach to your existing toilet, they too don't require any additional space in the bathroom.

When choosing among these different bidet types, we should consider that most North American bathrooms are limited in space, and weren't intended to have an additional fixture next to the toilet. This means that one of the two bidet attachments will be the practical choice for most of us.

One of the biggest advantages of the Simple Bidet Attachment is its price. They can often be found for $100 USD or less, and are rather effective at cleaning - certainly more effective than dry paper anyhow. Many folks will choose this type of bidet based on its value. It gets the job done and is affordable at the same time.

The Electronic Bidet Attachment is similar in concept to the Simple Bidet Attachment, but much more advanced. In addition to retractable wash nozzles and a built-in air dry system, these bidets heat the water coming in from the cold water supply. You will also find massage functions such as oscillating nozzles and a water pulsation feature. The bidet's seat temperature can be controlled as well. For example, you can warm the seat in the wintertime and avoid having to sit on a freezing cold seat. Here's a How Does a Bidet Work video which demonstrates some of these features.

At about $400 to $500 USD, electronic bidets are comparable to basin-type bidets in price. As mentioned they are more practical to install as well, since basin-type bidets require additional space in the bathroom. And given the host of additional features electronic bidets provide, they have more "bang-for-buck" over basin-type bidets as well.

So there you have it. The next time a bidet comes up in a discussion, you can dazzle your friends with what you know of the world's different bidet types, and its evolution.

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