Did you know bidet means 'little horse' in French? The odd name goes back to the early days of the butt shower. Originally the bidet sat on a frame you had to straddle, much like a horse. Hence the riding connection.

Over the centuries the bidet's shape changed a lot – from an elaborate piece of furniture to a fixed bathroom fitting. Today there are modern versions like shower toilets and portable intimate showers that make gentle cleaning easy.

Though bidets are most common in Italy and Portugal today, the first known models came from France. The bidet was mentioned there as early as the late 17th century. A furniture maker is said to have built the first one, even if neither the exact date nor the name survives.

At first the bidet was a luxury for the upper class. It often stood in the bedroom and signalled cleanliness and refinement. Over time it settled into bathroom culture – at least in parts of Europe.

Turkey – the taharet system

In Turkey, cleaning with water is a religious and cultural norm. The so-called Taharet-Musluğu is a built-in tap or nozzle at the toilet that rinses the intimate area straight after you go.

Japan – high-tech washlets

Japan is known for its tech – on the toilet too. Washlets combine a heated seat, a warm-water spray, a dryer, music and even light effects. Hygiene meets comfort.

Southeast Asia – bidet sprayers as everyday kit

In countries like Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos the bidet sprayer is standard. Mounted next to the toilet, it lets you rinse thoroughly with water – simple and effective.

In ancient Egypt, Greece and the Roman Empire, cleaning with water was already established. Public baths, aqueducts and private washing facilities all point to a strong sense of hygiene.

When Roman infrastructure collapsed, much of this knowledge about water hygiene vanished with it. Only in the Byzantine Empire and the Arab world did bathing culture survive, carried on into parts of Europe via Spain and Portugal.

In Christian-shaped parts of Europe, especially Protestant countries like Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands, personal care was long seen as a needless luxury. Bathing was considered immoral and equated with debauchery.

That ascetic outlook meant cleaning with water barely spread in Germany. Toilet paper became the standard instead – and still is.

Today we know water isn't just gentler on skin – it also cleans more hygienically than paper. It removes bacteria more thoroughly and is kind to sensitive skin – a real plus for irritation or a sensitive intimate area.

With the Bidetlity intimate shower you get all the benefits of a bidet with no fiddly installation. Easy to use, hygienic and sustainable – the ideal alternative to toilet paper and butt wipes.