The Cult of the Toto Toilet • Hacker News Board

Re: The Cult of the Toto Toilet

#31

Post by mikeryan » Sat, Nov 21, 2015, 3:18 AM UTC

Albright wrote: post #10

Bidets? No thanks. Heated seats? Don't need 'em. I think the smartest element on Japanese toilets is that some of them have a little faucet and sink on the lid of the tank; the water that fills the tank actually goes through that faucet first, then drains through the tank lid into the tank, so you can just wash your hands in that water rather than turning on the separate sink. An easy way to save water! Granted, that…

So I'm in the process of remodeling a bathroom and spent a bit of time at a toilet/tub place recently. Went into it feeling the same way you did, however while I was there, recently after lunch, patiently following my wife around I did have the chance to use their restroom with one of these fancy toilets installed.

From that visit I have come to the conclusion that we currently live like savages compared to the Japanese.

Re: The Cult of the Toto Toilet

#32

Post by meshko » Sat, Nov 21, 2015, 3:56 AM UTC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNQYj5VyjeM

Re: The Cult of the Toto Toilet

#33

Post by euske » Sat, Nov 21, 2015, 4:05 AM UTC

Contrary to a popular belief, excessive use of washlet is actually bad for a certain type of hemorrhoids. I've been always creeped out with the washlets and warm seats since the day it's introduced (like three decades ago).

Re: The Cult of the Toto Toilet

#34

Post by neves » Sat, Nov 21, 2015, 4:17 AM UTC

Excuse me for the intimacy, but it is a cultural question. Doesn't americans usually use water the clean their butts?

Re: The Cult of the Toto Toilet

#35

Post by twblalock » Sat, Nov 21, 2015, 4:24 AM UTC

neves wrote: post #34

Excuse me for the intimacy, but it is a cultural question. Doesn't americans usually use water the clean their butts?

Nope. We use rather expensive toilet paper advertised by cartoon bears.

Re: The Cult of the Toto Toilet

#36

Post by mturmon » Sat, Nov 21, 2015, 4:46 AM UTC

throwaway13337 wrote: post #2

I like the Japanese style toilet but the timing of this article seems particularly like sponsored content. Does NY times have a policy of disclosure?

Similar laudatory piece, from Slate about 18 months ago: http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2014/04/...

Re: The Cult of the Toto Toilet

#37

Post by wingerlang » Sat, Nov 21, 2015, 4:59 AM UTC

Albright wrote: post #10

Bidets? No thanks. Heated seats? Don't need 'em. I think the smartest element on Japanese toilets is that some of them have a little faucet and sink on the lid of the tank; the water that fills the tank actually goes through that faucet first, then drains through the tank lid into the tank, so you can just wash your hands in that water rather than turning on the separate sink. An easy way to save water! Granted, that…

> Bidets? No thanks.

Why not?

Re: The Cult of the Toto Toilet

#38

Post by jhallenworld » Sat, Nov 21, 2015, 5:06 AM UTC

nrjames wrote: post #30

My mother is cultish about Toto toilets. The sad truth is that it rubbed off on my wife and me and we're replacing the toilets in our house with them. Not fancy ones, mind you -- just the base model efficient flush ones. The swirly flush design in the bowl is awesome.

Toto used to be one of the few brands which figured out how to make low-flow toilets which didn't easily clog and which didn't require high pressure (which is noisy). They just have a large diameter flapper.

American Standard now has this technology (but they use two standard sized flappers instead of one large one)- they call it "VorMax". I have one of each- the American Standard has a rimless bowel and is easier to clean.

Re: The Cult of the Toto Toilet

#39

Post by dewiz » Sat, Nov 21, 2015, 5:47 AM UTC

laxatives wrote: post #27

username223 wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Plus, bidets have many other use cases not mentioned. Drinking fountains?

I'm genuinely curious what the uses cases poster uses a bidet for, aside from washing their genitals. It seems like a great thing to have and I definitely want one, but its not a particularly glamorous device.

Properly wash genitals after intercourse for example, which requires hands and the right soap since the skin down there has a different pH. Washing feet before going to bed anyone?

Re: The Cult of the Toto Toilet

#40

Post by chx » Sat, Nov 21, 2015, 7:05 AM UTC

I am a cult member too but even more than this article says: I was on a client onsite in London four years ago and, well, the day was not going well and Googled, just out of sheer desperation "travel washlet" and lo, Toto makes one of those too! That's an excellent introduction into the cult for only 60 or so dollars (hint: B005FDJ8SM). It's portable civilization. I never leave home without one, now.