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Why Japanese Toilets Are Failing in America (2013)

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Re: Why Japanese Toilets Are Failing in America (2013)

#51
There are, however, many Americans who started to use wet wipes because they want to feel cleaner.

Bidet attachments and bidet seats ("washlets") are much cheaper in the long run and they also aren't a problem for the sewage system.

By the way, electricity isn't an unsolvable problem. There are water resistant extension cord covers. You can safely extend it.

Maybe it would be a good idea to produce models with replaceable power cords (with generic IEC 60320 plugs) for the American and European market.

Re: Why Japanese Toilets Are Failing in America (2013)

#52

I've already read several good reasons here. Another major problem is that the issues solved by these expensive toilets can be solved by much cheaper means. Temperature: cold seats are not a problem in the Southern third of the country, and where they are, a padded vinyl seat is quite effective in mitigating the problem. Cleanliness: Wet wipes work quite well. Our favorite after trying many brands with a new baby is…

> Wet wipes work quite well.

Wet wipes are terrible for the sewage system:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/15/nyregion/the-wet-wipes-box...

> [Wet wipes] are about $2.50 a pack, or $20 for a metric-xxxxload.

You can buy a cheap mechanical bidet attachment for around $30.

Re: Why Japanese Toilets Are Failing in America (2013)

#53
post #2

Here's my answer: * no plugs near the toilet in American homes * too f'ing expensive Combined, these two turn getting a Japanese style toilet into a multi-thousand dollar investment. To compare, even reasonably nice toilets cost There are U.S. homes with Bidets in them. My sister had one in the master bath of her 1940s era home. But they're again another $200-400 prices plus plumbing costs. If somebody made a Japanes…

I saw the bidet seat attachments being hawked in the aisle of a CostCo recently, so that may be a sign that people in the US are willing to consider the purchase.

http://www.costco.com/toilets-washlets.html

Re the "flushable" wipes - many US municipal waste plants would reportedly like that word removed from the labeling - while they will flush, they do not decompose readily.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/flus...

Re: Why Japanese Toilets Are Failing in America (2013)

#54
post #52

I've already read several good reasons here. Another major problem is that the issues solved by these expensive toilets can be solved by much cheaper means. Temperature: cold seats are not a problem in the Southern third of the country, and where they are, a padded vinyl seat is quite effective in mitigating the problem. Cleanliness: Wet wipes work quite well. Our favorite after trying many brands with a new baby is…

> Wet wipes work quite well. Wet wipes are terrible for the sewage system: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/15/nyregion/the-wet-wipes-box... > [Wet wipes] are about $2.50 a pack, or $20 for a metric-xxxxload. You can buy a cheap mechanical bidet attachment for around $30.

They can be folded over and thrown out.

Re: Why Japanese Toilets Are Failing in America (2013)

#55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am sure your opinion would change once you start using it. It's definitely not as messy as you describe it. On the contrary it takes less paper and is more sanitary IMO.

How does it clean you properly with just water? Surely you would need to use soap and use your hand, which doesn't seem to be very sanitary... EDIT: there's no need to downvote...I was simply asking a question, as I've never used a bidet. However in my experience, it's not possible to remove all the poop simply using a shower...soap and hand action is also required. I'm curious about how the spray can clean you prope…

Whatever you do, you'll end up cleaner than when just wiping with paper anyway.

Re: Why Japanese Toilets Are Failing in America (2013)

#56
post #53
post #2

Here's my answer: * no plugs near the toilet in American homes * too f'ing expensive Combined, these two turn getting a Japanese style toilet into a multi-thousand dollar investment. To compare, even reasonably nice toilets cost There are U.S. homes with Bidets in them. My sister had one in the master bath of her 1940s era home. But they're again another $200-400 prices plus plumbing costs. If somebody made a Japanes…

I saw the bidet seat attachments being hawked in the aisle of a CostCo recently, so that may be a sign that people in the US are willing to consider the purchase. http://www.costco.com/toilets-washlets.html Re the "flushable" wipes - many US municipal waste plants would reportedly like that word removed from the labeling - while they will flush, they do not decompose readily. http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/traff…

Yeah, I saw those too. $250-$600?!

Why is the one without the $10 of plastic seat cover just $40, while the ones with are 10x as much?

There's a two-pack consisting of two entire toilets, with seats, that within the ballpark of just one of those bidet seats. I cannot fathom what kind of gold plated electronics are stashed away inside of these bidet seats. The $600 model has a cutaway view showing maybe $150 of stuff packed away inside.

This is kind of what I'm talking about. The price for Japanese-style toilet stuff is kind of bonkers.

Re: Why Japanese Toilets Are Failing in America (2013)

#57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am sure your opinion would change once you start using it. It's definitely not as messy as you describe it. On the contrary it takes less paper and is more sanitary IMO.

How does it clean you properly with just water? Surely you would need to use soap and use your hand, which doesn't seem to be very sanitary... EDIT: there's no need to downvote...I was simply asking a question, as I've never used a bidet. However in my experience, it's not possible to remove all the poop simply using a shower...soap and hand action is also required. I'm curious about how the spray can clean you prope…

> Surely you would need to use soap and use your hand, which doesn't seem to be very sanitary...

You can wash yourself with soap, and then wash your hands (which you should do in any case). I don't see how you can think that leaving all that the TP doesn't take away can be _more_ sanitary than a bidet.

Re: Why Japanese Toilets Are Failing in America (2013)

#58
"Also, interestingly enough, most people who grew up with bidets believe the toilet paper only method to be unsanitary whereas those brought up on TP only believe bidets to be inferior."

If bidets are inferior to TP, then why should we wash our hands after using the toilet? Surely a wipe over of our hands with a piece of TP would be better.

Re: Why Japanese Toilets Are Failing in America (2013)

#59

"Also, interestingly enough, most people who grew up with bidets believe the toilet paper only method to be unsanitary whereas those brought up on TP only believe bidets to be inferior." If bidets are inferior to TP, then why should we wash our hands after using the toilet? Surely a wipe over of our hands with a piece of TP would be better.

Your hands touch your eyes, nose, mouth and food. The possibility of transferring germs is high unless you carefully wash your hands.

Re: Why Japanese Toilets Are Failing in America (2013)

#60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How does it clean you properly with just water? Surely you would need to use soap and use your hand, which doesn't seem to be very sanitary... EDIT: there's no need to downvote...I was simply asking a question, as I've never used a bidet. However in my experience, it's not possible to remove all the poop simply using a shower...soap and hand action is also required. I'm curious about how the spray can clean you prope…

> Surely you would need to use soap and use your hand, which doesn't seem to be very sanitary... You can wash yourself with soap, and then wash your hands (which you should do in any case). I don't see how you can think that leaving all that the TP doesn't take away can be _more_ sanitary than a bidet.

I never said that TP is more sanitary. I was more concerned about poopy water dripping from your hands while getting the soap, or poopy water splashing onto your legs, etc. However as I've never used a bidet, perhaps these aren't problems.

I think if you really want to get clean after a particularly messy poop, the best way is to have a shower from the crotch down.

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