While traveling in Japan, we loved using the Toto bidet style toilet. You felt a whole lot cleaner when you got water shooting up your bum to give you a thorough clean. A shot of warm air then dries you a little. You end up using a lot less toilet paper.
While on another trip, a tour member encouraged us to get one too. They apparently had changed all their toilets to the Toto bidet. There was one problem. You need an electrical outlet by your toilet. We had an outlet outside the bathroom that could be routed to the toilet area through the closet.
Luckily Art's classmate friend, Morris is a retired electrician. He'd always told Art that he should get the Toto first and then Morris would install one also if we gave our seal of approval.
Art was going to do a quick job of it, but Morris insisted that if he was going to do this, he needed to do it right.
He showed Art what to do, then let him take over while Morris gave helpful instructions.
Once the guys were done, I was called in to do the finishing work. We bought a can of wall texture so the patch job would match the rest of the area.
It's rather hilarious since NO ONE is going to see this. It's all behind the laundry basket in the closet.
However, it's now quite pretty.
It's really fabulous to have experts for friends. Our plumber friend, Craig then offered to help us install the toilet. You can see where the electrical outlet had to be installed.
Art and I removed our ADA toilet and set it aside so everything would be ready for Craig.
It was great watching Craig. Like Morris, he gave Art a lot of wonderful time tested plumber suggestions.
We were so grateful to Craig because installing the Toto toilet is a little different from regular toilets.
And here it is! Woo hoo!
It sprays a fine mist before you use the toilet so nothing (ahem) sticks to the sides. It uses very little water and yet everything flushes beautifully. You can choose where you want to be sprayed and how warm you want to be blow dried.
Are we glad we got it? You bet! We use very little toilet paper now. Another great thing... Craig said he could use the toilet we replaced because they prefer the ADA (higher level) toilet with more efficient water use.
A FOND MEMORY:
In 2014 we visited our son in Dhaka, Bangladesh where he was working. This is what his bathroom there looked like.
In Bangladesh, they just used a small hose with a sprayer which worked fine too.
Art actually looked online to see if he might install something simpler and cheaper like this.
Nope. Couldn't do it. You could find it online, but there were so many problems with it that we gave up.
The Toto bidet will have to do and it does nicely, I must say.
Luckily Art's classmate friend, Morris is a retired electrician. He'd always told Art that he should get the Toto first and then Morris would install one also if we gave our seal of approval.
Art was going to do a quick job of it, but Morris insisted that if he was going to do this, he needed to do it right.
Once the guys were done, I was called in to do the finishing work. We bought a can of wall texture so the patch job would match the rest of the area.
It's rather hilarious since NO ONE is going to see this. It's all behind the laundry basket in the closet.
However, it's now quite pretty.
Art and I removed our ADA toilet and set it aside so everything would be ready for Craig.
We were so grateful to Craig because installing the Toto toilet is a little different from regular toilets.
It sprays a fine mist before you use the toilet so nothing (ahem) sticks to the sides. It uses very little water and yet everything flushes beautifully. You can choose where you want to be sprayed and how warm you want to be blow dried.
Are we glad we got it? You bet! We use very little toilet paper now. Another great thing... Craig said he could use the toilet we replaced because they prefer the ADA (higher level) toilet with more efficient water use.
In 2014 we visited our son in Dhaka, Bangladesh where he was working. This is what his bathroom there looked like.
In Bangladesh, they just used a small hose with a sprayer which worked fine too.
Art actually looked online to see if he might install something simpler and cheaper like this.
Nope. Couldn't do it. You could find it online, but there were so many problems with it that we gave up.
The Toto bidet will have to do and it does nicely, I must say.
Wow! How nice!
ReplyDeleteLooks comfortabe definitely european model
ReplyDeleteI have never understood that kind of toilet. Thanks for the explanation. I wonder if I'll ever meet up with one.
ReplyDeleteIn Southeast Asia I saw plenty of those hoses next to the toilet, usually with NO toilet paper. I would much prefer your bidet toilet. Good for you for getting one. :-)
ReplyDeleteWe experienced the Toto toilet in Korea, but I never did make use of all of its features.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting Kay. And assuming you have a backup toilet in case of a power outage!
ReplyDeleteI remember when we visited a luxury hotel in Japan when picking my son up after his mission. WE couldn't figure out all the bells and whistles of the toilet there-it even had recorded music...lol!
ReplyDeleteI'm in awe of the two of you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea. I've heard of these toilets but never knew the details. Would love to have one.
ReplyDeleteI actually want one of those. I'd rather the toilet do it itself. I think it'd be awkward having that separate hose.
ReplyDeleteyou are braver than I. LOL
ReplyDeleteWell, if you didn't have the photos I would think this was a good piece of fiction! Anyway this doesn't sound like it would be for me even though I am adventuresome.
ReplyDeleteI covet one of these and have for awhile! Thanks for the renewed inspiration.
ReplyDeleteAmazing the things I learn reading blogs!! I do remember the variety of exotic toilets in Japan, some complete with music to cover sounds!
ReplyDeleteYou are really up town now. Your husband amazes me. He is so handy and quick to learn. My friend had one and was showing it to us at a party. She set off the spray but since no one was sitting on it and she was on the short side, she caught it right in the face. Not missing a beat, she turned to us and asked, "Anyone else want a drink?"
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! That is just too funny! Your friend sounds like a wonderfully upbeat person.
DeleteSo are the controls on the wall? In Japan, most of the bidets I used had the controls on an arm of the toilet, and although in Japanese, were accompanied by "pictorials" so it was easy to figure out. One of the many things I love about Japan!
ReplyDeleteThe showroom where we looked at toilets didn't seem to have the ones with the arms like in Japan. Art just wanted something that had eWater. It's supposed to be a special environmental disinfecting type water. You could look online to see what kind of Toto toilets might be available here in Hawaii. It's really great! I use very, very little toilet paper and always feel squeaky clean now.
DeleteMessage to my kids: I know, I know. TMI...
DeleteSo awesome, I've been thinking of those toilets too what with having a dementia mom who is not as hygienic as she once was, that will help her get clean. It would also be a great thing for me too. Alas, the install will cost me more than the toilet I think cuz I don't have your handy friends! BB
DeleteI'm green with envy about your new toilet!!!
DeleteBB: Someone did tell me that it was perfect for their 101 year old mom who wasn't able to quite clean herself well.
DeleteAfter his hemorrhoid surgery, My brother had Toto toilets installed in his home.
ReplyDeleteHe moved two years ago, and his hemorrhoids returned last year, wonder he has Toto toilets in his new home?
I can see where Toto would be perfect for him. 😄
DeleteWhat luxury! I've heard of these but have not seen one. I think I see one of these in my future...
ReplyDeleteI wanted one of those - very expensive and needing the electrical outlet nixed it for me. However, I did get a bidet, non electrical, only shoots cool water, and it was easy to install and cheap! I did a post about it a couple of years ago. http://honoluluaunty.com/bidet-for-butts/
ReplyDeleteI still think I want the deluxe warm water warm air electric model that you have, but that will wait until our next upgrade in the house. TMI but good to know that you love it!
This sounded so good, but you know Art is going to research it up the yin yang. He's concerned that anything too cheap will leak and doesn't want too many plastic parts. He saw there were many bidet type seats available after all on Amazon. I found a Toto that was under $300. He said he wanted the e-water. Hoooowever... he's willing to give up e-water for the guest toilet. So anyway, we may end up with another cheaper model Toto seat once we ask Morris (our electrician friend) to help us install another outlet in the bathroom.
DeleteIs nothing sacred? Who knows what you will blog about next? LOL! Thanks for the interesting information.
ReplyDeleteNiiiiiice!
ReplyDeleteThis is fun!
ReplyDeleteThis post just makes me think of the Wizard of Oz famous quotation, "Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."
ReplyDelete