Toilets
Tools for Possibilities: issue no. 106
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Never fail flush
Where I live, new toilets must be ultra-low flow using only 1.28 gallons per flush. We had trouble with our previous 1.6 gallon low flow toilets of various makes not dealing with large turds. But a few years ago I discovered Toto’s UltraMax toilets. Hurray! They never ever clogged. I replaced three of our low-flows with Totos and put away the plunger for good. I was a little skeptical about the new super low-flow 1.28 gallon UltraMax 2 but they flush as reliably and forcefully as ever. In the year that we’ve had two of them, not a single incident. The UltraMax 2 is a one piece unit; you can save $200 with the two piece Toto Drake 2 using the exact same “double cyclone” flushing design. Either one, this is the cheapest first-time, every-time, never-fail ultra low flush. — KK
Luxurious, squirting WC seat
Compared with my previous visit to Japan 12 years ago, the most noticeable change I find today is in the bathroom. The “Incredible Squirting Toilet” has achieved almost total market penetration, and not just in middle-income homes. It even appears in fast-food restaurants and in public facilities in railroad stations.
As you lower yourself to the thermostatically warmed seat, a concealed motor whirs briefly, providing your first clue that you are about to encounter a piece of highly sophisticated technology. The toilet then remains silent and passive until you reach the point where you would normally apply paper. Instead, you hit the spray button. A hidden tube extends itself beneath you, and with the precision of a heat-seeking missile, it directs a spray of warm water that simultaneously tickles, stimulates, and cleans the place that needs it most. While its aim is meticulous, you can adjust its penetration by gently flexing your sphincter muscle. The experience is so unexpectedly and uniquely pleasurable, I found myself tempted to visit the toilet repeatedly just for recreational purposes.
Paper is needed only to mop up the water when the spray jet has done its work, but such is the effectiveness of the washing action, you will find no visible trace of fecal matter on the sheets of tissue, and can don your underwear in the happy knowledge that you have been cleaned by the same impeccable Japanese engineering that brought the world Honda motorcycles, 170-mile-an-hour trains, and robotic talking dogs.
Higher-end versions of the squirting toilet eliminate the need for paper entirely, by allowing the option of warm-air drying. They also provide adjustment of the water-cleaning jet, including a pulsatile flow which I found especially pleasurable. And for those in Western countries who are sufficiently uninhibited to allow themselves the pleasures of using this rectal equivalent of a water-pic, I have good news: The squirting toilet is available as an imported item and can be retrofitted to older bathroom equipment (you simply swap out the seat). Toto, the primary Japanese manufacturer, offers the most basic model under the name Washlet C100, and if you browse online you can find it for around US$500. This has only the most basic features; you can pay more for more advanced models, including one that welcomes you by raising its lid when it sees you approaching.
A note for female readers: The squirting toilet has a second tube which can be deployed by women who wish to cleanse their labial areas. For anatomical reasons, I was unable to test this personally. — Charles Platt
Deluxe mid-priced bidet
Instead of the previously-reviewed Toto Washlet Toilet, there’s another bidet attachment option that is easier to install and use while being cheaper. The GoBidet is an adjustable arm that affixes to your existing toilet and swings into position when needed. I’ve been using mine for at least six years. We had one in a hotel down in Costa Rica and I liked it so much I found a stateside supplier. I find it much more flexible than the fixed bidet seat variety. Although it costs more than the BioBidet, the remote control handle makes a world of difference compared to a fixed tip. With the GoBidet, you’re actually able to aim the nozzle. It’s kind of like playing a twisted version of Space Invaders.
The bidet can be set to spray both hot and cold water, and the water hookups and mixing control are just like those in a single lever sink faucet. You move the water control lever up to increase water volume and to the left or right to make it colder or warmer. I have it hooked up to just the cold (attached to a ‘T’ from the toilet supply spigot). While it initially required some getting used to, I found it was easier than running a longer hose from the hot water hookup under the sink. Of course, in a new bathroom install you could run another hot water spigot next to the toilet supply. I’ve used warm water bidets before and would definitely recommend setting it up with the hot water, if at all possible. It’s $130, but they can be frequently found for less on eBay (new, of course). — Ed Tapanes
Dual TP dispenser
Modern public toilets employ versions of these dual TP holders, and even though a private household has no similar absolute need for one, it’s very nice to permanently eliminate one of life’s little nagging gotchas. I’ve been using this model for 15 years, and it’s served its purpose admirably: having an at-hand spare roll when the primary roll unexpectedly runs out. It’s bound to happen someday to someone (maybe to a visitor), so why not attack the problem proactively? Rather than being haphazardly located under the sink, next to the john, etc., the spare roll is rather tidily found& #8212; neither in the way nor out of the way.
Also, there is no spool to thread through the roll(s), meaning there’s no detachable part to drop while re-threading or misplace while moving or painting. Instead, there are a couple of 3/8″ circular projections on each side that fit snugly into each roll’s cardboard center. Press a little black button and an arm on the side pivots out an inch. Insert one side of the roll onto the center (fixed) post and swing/click the arm back into place — fast and foolproof. This design also fits the roll more tightly than a spool, so the TP doesn’t rattle on its axis while being turned and thoughtfully stops turning when the pulling stops. There are slightly cheaper versions of this style of holder, but they have spools. Besides, in 15 years mine hasn’t failed, tarnished or scratched. I think building codes should encourage such dual TP holders. — Roger Knights
A sink in the top of your toilet
After you flush the toilet, incoming water cycles up through the sink before going down to refill the toilet tank. Water is used twice: Once for hand washing, and a second time for the next flush. — Charles Platt
Cheapest bidet
I’ve never felt completely clean after taking care of the paperwork end of visiting the restroom. This bidet attachment is cool because it fits on most toilets, is really cheap compared to a standard bidet, is easy to install and doesn’t require you to modify the plumbing.
Just remove the toilet seat, place the bidet on the bowl, put the toilet seat back on top of the brackets that hold the bidet, and use the longer bolts (supplied) to tighten the seat and bidet to the bowl. As far as the water connection, simply introduce a valve into the tubing in between the pipe coming out of the wall and where it enters the bottom of the toilet tank. There is a pressure dial off to the right of the seat (it allows you to go to the full pressure of the water coming out of the wall, so be careful!). The higher priced models have heaters, but that requires either patching into a hot water line or snaking an electrical cord around your bathroom for the models that come with mini hot water heaters. For me the basic, inexpensive one works just great, and the ease of installation was important (I am not the slickest with tools). The only maintenance I do is spray the bidet nozzle with a bleach/water mixture whenever we clean the toilet. I have used mine in three different houses in the last two years, and it’s truly enhanced my life. Why take two showers a day unless you really have to? —Ryan Combs
09/30/24
