Q: Dear Ed, with recent events, toilet paper seems to be in high demand. You wrote a past column on high-tech bidet-style seats and how they can save on toilet paper usage. I like this concept, but I don’t need all the fancy bells and whistles. Are simple and more affordable personal cleansing toilet seats available?
– Brenton, Rhode Island
A: High-tech electronic toilet seats that feature options like a heated seating area, odor control, warm water washing with oscillating wand, drying cycles and even a remote control for easy use have become popular. So popular that spinoff “basic” cleansing seats are now available at more affordable prices.
These simple easier-to-install manual control seats do provide basic washing, but keep a couple things in mind.
First, most will wash with unheated water.
Second, washing is usually done with hand-controlled valve operation in place of automatic electronic operation.
If you can handle all that, a manual bidet toilet seat can help wipe out your toilet paper anxieties.
Master Contractor/Plumber Ed Del Grande is known internationally as the author of the book “Ed Del Grande’s House Call,” the host of TV and Internet shows, and a LEED green associate. Visit eddelgrande.com or write [email protected]. Always consult local contractors and codes.