A small bathroom habit is meeting a smarter rival, and change is picking up speed. One device promises a cleaner feel, less waste, and a gentler routine than toilet paper. Curiosity rises because comfort, hygiene, and sustainability now pull in the same direction. The shift starts in luxury settings, then spreads, although habits resist. People ask what it does better, how much it costs, and when it becomes common. Answers are simple, yet they matter.
A brief history that sets the stage
In 1857, Joseph C. Gayetty commercialized a medicated paper made from Manila hemp infused with aloe. It was sold as relief for hemorrhoids, and it framed a new standard for bathroom care. Between the 1870s and 1890s, the roll format appeared, and it soon dominated homes.
The roll’s success came from practicality, low cost, and broad access. People valued a tool that needed no power, plumbing changes, or training. They could carry it anywhere, and they did. Many even repurposed it against mosquitoes, which shows how routine often grows around convenience.
That legacy still shapes today’s choices, although a new tool changes the baseline. Smart toilets, or washlets, spray water to rinse, then dry. Users adjust temperature and pressure, and seats can warm as well. One mention matters here, because toilet paper is the familiar yardstick.
Hygiene head-to-head with toilet paper
Research points to better hygiene with water. A 2022 study in the Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development found fewer bacteria and microorganisms after rinsing than after wiping alone. The idea is simple. Rinsing lifts residue that rubbing can just spread, while drying finishes the job.
Gentle cleaning helps sensitive skin, because water reduces friction and the risk of irritation. That matters for people who feel chafing, redness, or flare-ups. Warm air drying also avoids extra rubbing, so the experience stays calm. Small tweaks change comfort, and comfort supports adherence over time.
Technique still counts, and settings do too. People choose pressure, nozzle position, and temperature, then finish with the dryer. Routines differ, yet the result stays consistent. Users report a fresher feel, while toilet paper often serves as a quick check, not the main clean. That change marks progress.
Everyday experience, pros, limits, and features
Fans of the roll cite three strengths. It is cheap and easy to find, so access stays high. It also needs no special installation, which helps renters and travelers. Finally, it works anywhere, because a roll fits in bags, glove boxes, and supply closets without fuss.
Limits exist, and they matter. Wiping can leave residue, so deep cleaning is not guaranteed. People with sensitive skin may feel irritation, because friction and dryness stack up. Manufacturing and disposal also weigh heavy, since pulp uses water and trees. Mixed with non-biodegradable wipes, plumbing can clog.
Washlets change that routine with targeted spray, warm air drying, heated seats, and automatic lids. A guided rinse feels precise and calm, then the dryer finishes. Many appreciate the clean feel, and they like the simple controls. The old habit of toilet paper remains nearby, yet the main task shifts.
Environmental math that challenges toilet paper
Sustainability enters because small actions scale. Tissue production consumes water and trees, while transport adds emissions. Disposal strains sewers, and mixed waste creates blockages. People want comfort, yet they also want a lighter footprint. A rinse-and-dry cycle can answer both without adding daily bulk.
Households notice fewer bins to empty, because there is less paper waste. Maintenance shifts to descaling nozzles and replacing filters, which happens rarely. Costs spread across years, and resource use declines, because rinsing uses modest water. Choices feel personal, while cumulative effects help systems run cleaner.
Plumbers and sanitation teams see fewer clogs when non-biodegradable wipes stay out of the stream. Education helps, because habits change slowly. A careful rinse reduces the need for thick stacks of sheets. The case against toilet paper grows strongest when comfort, hygiene, and sewer health align.
Adoption hurdles and the new European momentum
Cost and setup slow the curve. Many units run from $1,200 to $7,000, so buyers plan. Bathrooms may need a nearby outlet, and installers must protect circuits. Culture also weighs in, because people resist dropping a familiar step. That friction is real, although curiosity keeps rising.
Signals of change are visible. Luxury hotels such as the Mayfair Hotel in London and the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme have installed washlets. Guests try them, then talk. Airports and restaurants follow, and homes soon join. The pattern is classic: premium first, then mainstream as comfort spreads.
Japan set the template decades ago, which shapes expectations in Europe. Travelers bring stories home, and design magazines amplify them. Early adopters like control, warmth, and consistency. They still keep a roll for a quick pat dry, yet toilet paper moves from center stage to supporting role.
Why the shift will feel slow, then sudden
People do not change routines overnight, and budgets matter. Early exposure in hotels, airports, and showrooms builds trust. Hygiene wins hearts, while sustainability wins minds. As prices fall and outlets appear, momentum grows. When the experience feels better every day, toilet paper naturally becomes the backup, not the baseline.
