Why did people stop using bidets?

Why Did Bidets Fall Out of Fashion?

Today, bidets are common in parts of Europe, Latin America, and Asia, yet many in the United States still see them as odd or unnecessary. The truth is, the decline of the bidet isn’t just about hygiene habits—it’s tangled up in culture, war, and taboo.

For much of history, talking about private anatomy was considered improper, even vulgar. Cleansing intimate areas wasn’t a topic for polite conversation, and the bidet—designed precisely for that purpose—became quietly shunned. Its association with personal rituals made it seem indecent, especially in conservative societies.

But the real turning point came during World War II. When American soldiers traveled through Europe, they encountered bidets frequently—especially in brothels and houses of ill repute. Because of this, many GIs linked the fixture not with cleanliness, but with sex and moral ambiguity. Back home, that stigma stuck. To them, the bidet wasn’t a tool for hygiene; it was a symbol of something illicit.

This wartime perception seeped into post-war American culture. As bathrooms became more standardized and toilet paper reigned supreme, the bidet was seen as unnecessary, even suspicious. Modern plumbing designs favored simplicity and modesty, pushing the bidet further into obscurity.

Yet today, attitudes are shifting. With growing awareness of sustainability, personal health, and global hygiene practices, bidets are making a quiet comeback—especially in the form of sleek, modern attachments. What was once dismissed as taboo is now being reevaluated as practical, eco-friendly, and even luxurious.

So while the bidet may have been sidelined by history, silence, and stigma, it’s proving that sometimes, the past just needs a little rinsing off.