You’ve been hearing about bidets everywhere — but can they actually replace toilet paper for good?
The honest answer might surprise you.
A Bidet Can Eliminate Up to 90% of Your Toilet Paper Use
Yes, a bidet can replace toilet paper for the actual cleaning part — and it does it better.
Water cleans in a way that paper simply cannot.
While toilet paper smears waste around, a targeted stream of water washes everything away cleanly and gently.
Most bidet users report cutting their toilet paper consumption by 80–90%, which adds up to serious savings over time.
If you want to see the full breakdown, check out this deep dive on how much money bidets actually save you.
The one area where toilet paper hangs on is drying — many people still use a few squares to pat themselves dry after washing.
That said, you can eliminate even that step with the right equipment.
Why You Might Still Use Some Toilet Paper
Let’s be honest: switching to a bidet doesn’t mean your toilet paper roll disappears overnight.
Most new bidet users still reach for a few sheets to dry off after washing.
It’s a habit, and habits take time to change.
The good news is that “a few squares to dry” is worlds apart from the 57 sheets per day the average person currently uses.
Over time, many bidet users stop using toilet paper altogether — especially once they discover bidet towels as a reusable drying alternative.
If you’re curious about exactly what the post-bidet routine looks like, this article on whether you wipe before using a bidet covers it really well.
The Reason Most Americans Still Keep Toilet Paper Around
Bidets haven’t fully replaced toilet paper in the US yet — and a few practical reasons explain why.
Habit is the biggest factor.
Most Americans grew up using toilet paper and never questioned it.
The idea of switching can feel strange at first, but users who make the switch almost universally say they never want to go back.
Drying is the other factor.
Basic bidet attachments don’t come with a built-in air dryer, so you’ll still want something to dry off with.
This is where proper bidet etiquette makes a difference — learning to let yourself air-dry for a few seconds before patting dry dramatically reduces how much toilet paper you use.
Bathroom design is a minor barrier.
Some older US bathrooms lack convenient outlets for electric bidets, but non-electric attachments require zero electricity and install in under 10 minutes using only the water supply line.
Best Budget Option: Start With a Non-Electric Attachment
If you want to cut your toilet paper use dramatically without spending much, a non-electric bidet attachment is the perfect starting point.
The TUSHY Classic 3.0 is one of the most popular options out there — it installs in minutes and immediately reduces how much toilet paper you reach for.
TUSHY Classic 3.0 Bidet Toilet Seat Attachment
The TUSHY Classic 3.0 is a non-electric bidet attachment that snaps onto your existing toilet in under 10 minutes and can cut your toilet paper usage by half or more on day one.
Check its current price on Amazon
How to Maximize Your Toilet Paper Savings
Once you have a bidet, a few habits will help you squeeze the most out of it.
Let the spray do its full job.
Give the water 20–30 seconds to rinse thoroughly before you reach for any paper.
Rushing the wash means you’ll compensate with extra wiping.
Check your water pressure settings.
If water splashes onto the seat, you’ll end up using paper to dry the seat too.
A moderate, controlled pressure level keeps everything where it should be.
Upgrade to an air dryer if you want to go fully toilet-paper-free.
Electric bidet seats with warm air dryers are the real game-changer for people who want to eliminate paper entirely.
After washing, the dryer does everything — no paper needed.
If you’re weighing your options, this comparison of bidet vs. toilet paper lays out all six key differences clearly.
Going Fully Toilet-Paper-Free: The Electric Seat Option
If your goal is to remove toilet paper from your bathroom entirely, an electric bidet seat with a built-in warm air dryer is what you need.
The best self-cleaning bidets with dryers let you wash and dry hands-free, making toilet paper completely optional.
The Brondell Swash 1400 is the go-to recommendation for anyone serious about going paper-free.
Brondell Swash 1400 Luxury Bidet Toilet Seat
The Brondell Swash 1400 features dual stainless-steel nozzles, endless warm water, a heated seat, and a warm air dryer — everything you need to go completely toilet-paper-free.
Check its current price on Amazon
The Environmental Impact Is Bigger Than You Think
This isn’t just about saving a few dollars on paper.
Manufacturing a single roll of toilet paper requires about 37 gallons of water and contributes to deforestation at a massive scale.
A bidet, by comparison, uses roughly one-eighth of a gallon per wash cycle.
When you explore the full pros and cons of bidets, the environmental case is one of the strongest arguments for making the switch.
It’s also worth checking out why bidets are becoming more popular in American homes — the momentum is real, and the reasons go well beyond the pandemic-era toilet paper shortage.
FAQ
Does using a bidet mean you never need toilet paper?
Not necessarily — though it depends on your setup.
A basic non-electric bidet attachment will still leave you wanting something to dry with, so most people use a few squares of paper or switch to a reusable bidet towel.
An electric bidet seat with a warm air dryer can eliminate toilet paper entirely.
Is a bidet more hygienic than toilet paper?
Yes, significantly.
Water removes waste far more effectively than paper, and it does so without the friction or risk of contamination that comes with wiping.
Read the full breakdown in this bidet vs. wet wipes comparison for more context.
Will a bidet work on my existing toilet?
Most bidet attachments and bidet seats are designed to fit standard US toilets with no plumbing changes required.
Non-electric models connect directly to your toilet’s water supply line.
For more details, check out this guide on the best bidets for existing toilets.
Does a bidet leave you wet?
A little — at first.
The spray rinses you clean, and you’ll be slightly damp right after.
You can pat dry with a small amount of paper, use a bidet towel, or let an air dryer finish the job.
This article on whether a bidet leaves you wet has all the answers.
Conclusion
So, does a bidet replace toilet paper?
For cleaning — absolutely yes, and it does a better job.
For drying — it depends on your setup, but the right bidet seat removes that need entirely.
The bottom line is that a bidet can cut your toilet paper use by 80–90% immediately, save you real money, and make your bathroom experience genuinely cleaner.
Start with something simple like the TUSHY Classic 3.0 if you’re new to bidets, or go all-in with a seat like the Brondell Swash 1400 if you’re ready to ditch the paper roll for good.
If you’re still weighing your options, explore the full pros and cons of handheld bidets or browse the best bidets for home use to find the right fit for your bathroom.
