Most people who have tried a bidet will never go back to toilet paper. However, a bidet is not always available when traveling or camping. Don’t be overwhelmed! There are a few excellent bidet alternatives that could solve your problem. Trying these alternatives is also a good idea for those who haven’t made their minds investing in a bidet.
1. Portable bidet
When it comes to “bidet,” many people will think about the old-style standalone bidet that has existed for hundreds of years but the modern Japanese bidet seat that features many advanced functions. Only a few will know there is something called a “portable bidet.”
A portable bidet is a plastic bottle composed of a container and a nozzle on the end. Women often use these squeeze bottles after giving birth so that we don’t often categorize them into bidets, but it is one of the best alternatives for a standard bidet.
Most commonly, a portable bidet will cost you less than $10 and could last for years. You can carry it with your luggage and get a bidet spa wherever you want.
There are some portable electric bidets available in the market. Powered by a battery, it could control the water pressure to give you a more stable and strong wash.
Note that there is a short learning curve you need to get over, and you may need to refill the water again if you have a mushy poop.
Check our recommendations for the best portable bidets.
2. Wet toilet paper
Why not use dry toilet paper directly? Because I don’t want you to miss the power of water again. Aside from that, you don’t need to prepare anything else when you use a bathroom.
As toilet paper is susceptible to tear, you should not make the toilet paper too wet. You can put a bit more toilet paper together and sprinkle the water on it.
If you don’t mind carrying some toilet paper with you, get a thicker one to prevent the wet toilet paper getting disintegrating.
I also advise you to bring a plastic bottle with you and fill the water ahead in case you will use a public restroom.
3. Wet wipes
When compared the bidet with wet wipes, the bidet is more environmentally friendly, saves more money in the long term, and avoids additional plumbing issues. However, when it comes to efficacy, there is no significant difference. Therefore, I still think wet wipes are suitable bidet alternatives.
Buying a pack of wet wipes and putting it in your backpack, I think it is enough to clean your butt thoroughly during the journey.
If you plan to stick to wet wipes instead of a bidet, I will point out some possible cons here.
Firstly, you will spend more money in the long term. You only need to pay the water bill after using a bidet; however, you have to pay every sheet of wet wipes continually. On average, it will cost you 7.5 dollars per month on wet wipes. Hence, the actual expense will exceed the cost of the bidet within a few months.
Another important issue you may ignore is the plumbing issue. Wet wipes are known for clogging the sewer system even though it may claim it is flushable. Hiring a plumber is expensive, which could be much more than investing in a bidet.
4. Camping bidet
Actually, we often call it a camping shower. By changing the showerhead with a bidet sprayer head, you can quickly turn it into a portable bidet.
While the bucket is not so small that you can put it in your bag, but it is still portable if you really need to enjoy a bidet on your way. The bucket is collapsible, and a pump helps in propping the water out.
Therefore, you can expect a stronger water pressure than other alternatives, and you could get a completely clean even in the wild.
5. Other kinds of sprayers
The mechanism of sprayers doesn’t vary much from type to type. Hence, you could find a lot of similar sprayers that are marketed for different purposes.
For example, some may aim to water the flowers, and another may be used to clean the diapers. Instead of using a handheld bidet sprayer, you could find cheaper products with the same function.
As long as it contains a T-valve, a hose, and a sprayer nozzle, you are likely to turn it to be a bidet sprayer. Or you can try an old one laying around.
Another advantage of using these sprayers is that it is not intrusive in the bathroom, and you could also use them to clean your toilet or the ground.
6. Shower head
The showerhead is a practical replacement for a bidet as another type of sprayer. A handheld showerhead often comes with a few sprayer patterns. Please choose the one coming out narrower water stream in that it has higher water pressure to wash your nether region.
Test if the showerhead could move to the toilet. If yes, you can use it as a regular bidet sprayer. If not, you need to walk into the shower room and take off your pants which is not convenient.
It would be awkward to position it, but it can do the trick anyway.
7. Water flosser
To be honest, a water flosser is costly, and I know you don’t want to wash your butt and tooth with the same appliance. It is a bit gross, right? Hence, I only recommend using a water flosser on the shelf as a bidet alternative.
As the name suggests, it is an electric gadget that uses water to clean the crevices between teeth. The same as a bidet, it washes away the remains by a pressurized water stream. Hence, it is natural to use it as a suitable alternative whenever you don’t have a bidet on the side.
There is a small water reservoir in the water flosser, and it will come out with different pressure levels according to your setting. You can start from the lowest and gradually raise it to find a proper level to make yourself clean.
It is heavier than a portable bidet, and some have a separate hose, and some don’t. You will expect to adjust it a few times to get the job done.
8. Plastic bottle
We mentioned that you should bring a plastic bottle to get the toilet paper wet. To make things easier, you could use a plastic bottle to DIY a homemade bidet.
I am sure that you can make it within 5 minutes even if you are not a craftsman. All you need is a clean water bottle and a corkscrew.
Find a position on the top that is just 1 inch below the lid. Use the corkscrew to poke a small hole. Then you can fill the water and have a try.
Please don’t make the hold too big as it will lower the pressure and cause a too soft water stream.
Bottom line
If you can’t live without a bidet or want to find something that could let a similar experience of using a bidet, these bidet alternatives mentioned above could help you out.
Wet toilet paper and wet wipes are the most effortless options, but they are not environmentally friendly after all. So I prefer a portable bidet or a sprayer at home, even it is not for bathroom use at the beginning.
Another good alternative is the water flosser. If you have one laying around, give it a try! You will like the pressure it brings.
If you ask me which alternative is the simplest one to get? I will say it is a plastic water bottle. Poke a hole, and you can start to use a homemade bidet right now!