When discussing ways to improve your bathroom, most homeowners focus on areas like the shower enclosure or the bathroom vanity. While upgrading these features can certainly go a long way in improving the aesthetics and functionality of this area, you can’t overlook one of the most essential fixtures of any bathroom: the toilet.
True, the toilet may not be the most desirable topic of conversation, but there is no denying that it is one of the most frequently used fixtures in the home. With a TOTO Washlet, you can help make your bathroom more luxurious than ever before by giving your toilet a much-needed upgrade.Â
Whether you are attaching a Washlet to a pre-existing toilet or installing one of TOTO’s toilets that incorporates Washlet+ functionality, the unit’s wide range of features will greatly streamline your bathroom experience.
Here is a closer look at what the Washlet is, and how it can make an impactful difference in your bathroom.
First Things First: Understanding Bidets
The TOTO Washlet is much more than just a toilet seat. It provides the complete functionality of a bidet, as well as several additional luxury features. For many American buyers, however, the idea of a bidet is likely to spark confusion, rather than excitement. Though many misconceptions about bidets continue to exist, they have been gaining popularity in the United States, and for good reason. Here is a closer look at bidets in general.
A traditional bidet is a low oval basin, similar in shape to the toilet. Standard bidets are typically placed next to the toilet. After going to the bathroom, a person would then move to the bidet, which uses water jets to wash the buttocks and genital areas (in lieu of using toilet paper).
As it turns out, using a bidet offers several advantages over using toilet paper. According to Scientific American, roughly 15 million trees are pulped to make toilet paper in the United States each year. In addition to the trees themselves, over 473 billion gallons of water, 253,000 tons of chlorine, and 17.3 terawatts of electricity are used to produce toilet paper. By comparison, the average bidet consumes approximately 1/8th of a gallon of water with each use. Switching to a bidet can have a dramatic positive impact on the environment by conserving precious natural resources.
Toilet paper doesn’t just consume natural resources. When it doesn’t dissolve properly, it can easily contribute to clogs in the sewer system. Using a bidet will eliminate the risk of such clogs. You also won’t have to worry about the recurring expense of buying toilet paper.
Bidets also provide a more effective form of cleaning than toilet paper. In addition to being a less abrasive and more comfortable way to clean, bidets are better equipped to fully remove residue from your skin. This makes bidets especially beneficial for individuals who suffer from conditions that make it painful to use toilet paper, such as hemorrhoids.
While the idea of a bidet may sound unusual to some, it is actually extremely commonplace on a global scale. The bidet is widely used in much of Europe, Asia, and parts of South America. In fact, in countries like Italy and Portugal, bidet installations have been mandatory in newly constructed homes for several decades.
Despite this popularity on a global scale, traditional standalone bidets have never really caught on in the United States. While some have theorized that this stems from anti-French sentiments held by the English which were then transferred to the United States, there are also practical matters to consider.
A standalone bidet is roughly the same size as a toilet. Most bathrooms in the United States simply don’t have the space for an additional fixture of this size. Even larger bathrooms typically don’t have a layout that would easily accommodate the addition of a bidet. When performing a bathroom renovation, a homeowner is much more likely to prioritize additional storage space or a more luxurious shower enclosure than a bidet.
While cultural and practical limitations have kept traditional bidets from catching on in the United States, TOTO has worked to bring bidets stateside in a more accessible manner.
What is TOTO?
Founded in 1917 in Japan, TOTO has become the largest toilet manufacturer in the world. It should come as no surprise, then, that the brand is also one of the respected leaders in the industry, in large part thanks to a continuing drive for innovation and technology integration in the bathroom.
The brand is about much more than producing luxurious, easy to use products. An emphasis on environmental responsibility has resulted in TOTO being named a Water Efficiency Leader by the Environmental Protection Agency. By committing to a high standard of quality that emphasizes water conservation, the brand is actively striving to make the bathroom better suited for today’s eco-conscious world.
How the TOTO Washlet Works
While adding a standalone bidet would require some extensive bathroom renovations, TOTO makes it easy to enjoy the benefits and functionality of a bidet with its Washlet line. These heated toilet seats can be installed directly on top of a standard toilet, providing a wide array of features without the hassle of a typical bidet installation..
TOTO Washlets utilize a specialty water wand that is located below the seat. The nozzle’s settings are operated via remote control, allowing you to choose from an oscillating or pulsating spray, while also selecting the water volume and temperature. The Washlet allows you to set your preferred temperature between 86 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit, providing a warm, soothing wash. Both rear and front cleansing are available.
While keeping the unit clean is a common concern with a standalone bidet, you won’t have to worry about such maintenance with a Washlet. The system utilizes a self-cleaning function that fully sanitizes the bidet nozzle before and after use. The Washlet uses electrolyzed water (also referred to as eWater+) to clean both the nozzle and the toilet bowl. By pre-misting the toilet bowl, the electrolyzed water also ensures more effective elimination of waste. The eWater+ also eliminates bacteria, ensuring that you won’t need to use harsh cleaners as frequently.
After the bidet nozzle has finished its job, the system’s warm-air dryer activates. This hands-free feature offers five different temperature settings for your comfort. Once you’ve found the cleaning settings that you like best, you can actually program them to the Washlet’s memory. Each TOTO Washlet can store personal settings for up to two people.
TOTO Washlets offer much more than bidet functionality. The contoured heated toilet seat also features adjustable temperatures to help you find the perfect comfort settings. A built-in air filtering and purifying system helps deodorize the bathroom, eliminating the need for chemical air fresheners. A night light feature makes it easy to get to the toilet if you need to go in the middle of the night.
While all Washlet models feature a soft-closing lid to prevent accidental slams, models like the TOTO SW3056#01 Washlet S550E also utilize an auto open/close feature for the lid. This sensor detects when you are approaching or leaving the toilet and responds appropriately.
Perhaps best of all, TOTO Washlets are easy to install. The Washlet seats feature a compact, slim design with a docking station that allows for easy installation to your existing toilet. Multiple models are available to match different toilet bowl shapes.
While you will need a 120 VAC outlet located behind the toilet to utilize the Washlet’s features, no other renovations are necessary. TOTO also produces its own line of full-size toilets, many of which integrate the Washlet as part of their design for a more streamlined installation. As a result, it has never been easier to enjoy the functionality of a bidet in your own home.
New Innovations With the Washlet+
While the previously mentioned list of features may seem great in and of itself, the TOTO brand is continuing to innovate and look for new ways to improve its Washlets and toilets. At the beginning of 2019, TOTO added a new auto flush feature to its Washlet+ bidet seats and toilets.
This sensor operated system comes into play as soon as a user stands up and walks away from the toilet. No additional actions are needed to activate the flushing mechanism. Of course, if you still prefer a traditional manual flush, the trip lever or push buttons (depending on the toilet model) can still be used.
Washlet+ integration is available on several toilet models, such as the TOTO MW4463056CEMG#01 Aquia IV Washlet+ Kit and the TOTO MW6243056CEFG#01 Legato Washlet+ Kit. Seamless integration of the Washlet+ further improves aesthetics by concealing the water supply hose and power cord used by the Washlet+ within the base of the toilet.
In addition to the auto flush feature, purchasing one of these toilets gives you access to TOTO’s signature Tornado Flush technology. This system uses two nozzles to create a centrifugal flush that more effectively eliminates waste. These toilets also use CeFiONtect glaze to keep waste particles from sticking to the interior ceramic surface. By only using either 0.8 or 1.28 gallons of water per flush, this system will help you reduce water usage while also keeping your bathroom clean.
With the latest upgrades available from the Washlet+, you will have a more luxurious bathroom experience than ever before. From the use of a bidet to the implementation of an auto flush system, these are the kinds of upgrades that you will soon wonder how you ever lived without.
Parting Thoughts
Whether you want to upgrade your existing toilet with a Washlet+ bidet toilet seat or go for a high-quality TOTO toilet with Washlet+ integration, you can find what you’re looking for here at Kitchen & Bath Authority. With a wide range of TOTO products available, you will have no trouble finding the right fit for your bathroom.
Even more importantly, we’ll help you make these exciting upgrades at a price you can afford. We offer significant discounts off MSRP on all TOTO washlet seats, as well as many of the brand’s luxury toilets. You can save as much as 48 percent on select models!
These low prices are further complemented by our free shipping and financing options. Affordable monthly financing programs allow you to transform your bathroom in a way that fits within your family’s budget.
You can get even more benefits when you sign up for a membership. In addition to exclusive member discounts that allow you to save even more on our already-discounted products, members also enjoy expedited order processing so you can get your shipment even sooner.
The toilet may not be the most glamorous part of the bathroom, but it is still a vitally important part of the overall bathroom experience. By upgrading with a TOTO Washlet+ from Kitchen & Bath Authority, your trips to the bathroom will feel more luxurious and enjoyable than ever before.
