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Why aren't we all using Japanese toilets?

priceonomics.com

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Re: Why aren't we all using Japanese toilets?

#21

Post by fuzzythinker »

swampthing wrote: post #4

I might in the paranoid minority on this, but here are some concerns I have: * How does the toilet know that everything is clean? With toilet paper, you can just wipe with new toilet paper until there is no more residue. * What is the algorithm for the toilet's spraying? Does it end up spreading diluted feces around, or is it careful to spray outward-in? * What happens if feces end up on the nozzle? Is there some kin…

I thought about your last question the moment I tried these washlets. It just seems (to me) physically impossible to design a mechanism to prevent that from happening.

Re: Why aren't we all using Japanese toilets?

#22

Post by wahnfrieden »

aptimpropriety wrote: post #9

Every one of these articles gets the pitch of these toilets completely wrong - for every person, and in every scenario, these are not universally better. Consider the following experiment: Smear some mud on your arm. Now, using a jet stream the power of a squirt gun and very low precision, wash it all off in 10 seconds. Not so easy. Then - imagine if you put mud on a place with hair! Not only will it not be clean wit…

They have more useful features than just the bidet/water stream, such as the heated seat and how they won't slam when you close the lid.

Re: Why aren't we all using Japanese toilets?

#24

Post by throwaway1979 »

radley wrote: post #7
swampthing wrote: post #4

I might in the paranoid minority on this, but here are some concerns I have: * How does the toilet know that everything is clean? With toilet paper, you can just wipe with new toilet paper until there is no more residue. * What is the algorithm for the toilet's spraying? Does it end up spreading diluted feces around, or is it careful to spray outward-in? * What happens if feces end up on the nozzle? Is there some kin…

- It's like washing your hands vs. wiping them off with a paper towel. You should wipe clean first, then you water clean. - The sprayer is manually controlled: when you're done using and flushing, then you wash & dry. It doesn't just stick out the whole time.

When I was a child (living in an Asia), we had a separate toilet and a bidet (side by side). The awkward part was moving between the two. Even with that separation, accidents can happen (i.e. feces in the bidet). I wonder if the single Japanese toilet is superior to two separate seats (toilet + bidet) in regards to hygiene.

Re: Why aren't we all using Japanese toilets?

#25

Post by runjake »

jadc wrote: post #13
MrFoof wrote: post #2

The US is a notoriously price-sensitive market. For a lot of folks, they wouldn't consider paying $1000+ for a toilet when the most basic American Standard can be found for about $125. A lot of people would find it hard to justify an order of magnitude price increase. I know Boston has a Toto showroom in its North End, but I really cant consider it due to the rules of my apartment building.

According to the article, there are devices that could be attached to existing toilet seats that cost 100$ or less. If they do work well (article claims that they have good reviews), then cost is not an issue.

If you read the full article, only the cheapo, probably ineffective solutions cost $100, you're looking more at $500 and up for a good unit.

And if you want a warmer, you'll need a GFCI outlet installed next to the toilet, which most US homes do not have. You'll want a warmer in many areas of the US during the winter.

So you're looking at quite a bit of cash there.

Edit: Please read what I wrote. I'm not saying most US homes do not have a GFCI outlet, period. I'm saying most US homes do not have a GFCI outlet next to the toilet.

Think about what you're saying before commenting. Are you going to permanently run an extension cord from the toilet over to the GFCI near the sink?

Re: Why aren't we all using Japanese toilets?

#27

Post by swampthing »

radley wrote: post #7
swampthing wrote: post #4

I might in the paranoid minority on this, but here are some concerns I have: * How does the toilet know that everything is clean? With toilet paper, you can just wipe with new toilet paper until there is no more residue. * What is the algorithm for the toilet's spraying? Does it end up spreading diluted feces around, or is it careful to spray outward-in? * What happens if feces end up on the nozzle? Is there some kin…

- It's like washing your hands vs. wiping them off with a paper towel. You should wipe clean first, then you water clean. - The sprayer is manually controlled: when you're done using and flushing, then you wash & dry. It doesn't just stick out the whole time.

Got it, thanks. I can see how it'd be cleaner, but I suspect most people are in blissful denial as to their filthy ways :)

Is there a cover for the sprayer, so that it's protected from splatter while you're excreting?

Re: Why aren't we all using Japanese toilets?

#29

Post by bagosm »

I cant believe how overenthusiastic this article is. From one of the reviews it quotes: “Going to the bathroom has become an enjoyable experience.”

Other than they might as well be good, they are certainly a novelty unless you have very specific reasons to get one. Also another thing to fear is cameras and wifi, it's japanese after all!

Somebody is pushin some high-tech loos! I'd rather know how to use the three seashell system...

Re: Why aren't we all using Japanese toilets?

#30

Post by eropple »

runjake wrote: post #25
jadc wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

According to the article, there are devices that could be attached to existing toilet seats that cost 100$ or less. If they do work well (article claims that they have good reviews), then cost is not an issue.

If you read the full article, only the cheapo, probably ineffective solutions cost $100, you're looking more at $500 and up for a good unit. And if you want a warmer, you'll need a GFCI outlet installed next to the toilet, which most US homes do not have. You'll want a warmer in many areas of the US during the winter. So you're looking at quite a bit of cash there. Edit: Please read what I wrote. I'm not saying most…

Most? Maybe it's just because I live in the Northeast, but I've only very rarely seen a bathroom that did not have a GFCI outlet.

(My current apartment has four: two in the bathroom, two in the kitchen.)

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