You're standing in the grocery store aisle, tossing another $15 pack of toilet paper into your cart — for the third time this month. It barely registers anymore.
But add that up over a year, and you're looking at a real chunk of change flushed down the drain.
What if there was a smarter way? The bidet vs toilet paper cost savings debate has a clear winner, and the numbers might surprise you.
How Much Does Toilet Paper Actually Cost You Per Year?
Most American households spend between $180 and $300 per year on toilet paper alone. If you're buying the premium quilted stuff or a larger household, you can push past $400 easily.
Here's a rough breakdown for a family of four: - Average rolls used per person per year: 100 rolls - Average cost per roll (mid-tier brand): $0.75–$1.00 - Annual total for four people: $300–$400
That's not counting storage hassles or the panic-buying surges we all lived through in 2020. Toilet paper is an "invisible" expense that quietly drains your budget, month after month.
What Does a Bidet Actually Cost to Run?
This is where the bidet benefits really start to shine. A non-electric bidet attachment like the Veken Bidet runs on your home's existing water pressure — no electricity required, no ongoing subscription, no consumables to restock.
Upfront cost: Around $30–$50 for a quality non-electric bidet attachment.
Ongoing water cost: Minimal. A standard bidet flush uses about 1/8 of a gallon of water per use. At typical US water rates, that's roughly $0.50 per year in added water costs for a single person. For a family of four, maybe $2–3 extra per year.
Toilet paper you still use: Bidets don't eliminate toilet paper entirely — most people use 1–2 sheets to pat dry instead of 5–10 for full cleaning. That reduces toilet paper usage by 75–80%.
So instead of spending $300 per year on toilet paper, a family of four might spend $60–$75, plus $3 in water. That's a net savings of $220–$235 per year after the first year.
Pro tip: A quality non-electric bidet installs in about 15 minutes with no tools beyond what's in the box — so there's no plumber cost eating into your savings.
The Environmental Side of the Equation
Is bidet worth it beyond just the money? If you care about your environmental footprint — and most health-conscious homeowners do — the bidet environmental benefits are hard to ignore.
Consider what goes into a single roll of toilet paper: - 37 gallons of water to manufacture - 1.3 kilowatt-hours of electricity - Wood pulp from roughly 27,000 trees felled globally every day just for toilet paper
A bidet uses a fraction of that water — directly, at the source — while eliminating the industrial manufacturing chain entirely for the product it replaces.
The math is stark: switching from toilet paper to a bidet saves approximately 36+ gallons of water per use when you factor in manufacturing. That's not a rounding error. That's a meaningful reduction.
If you're someone who recycles, uses reusable bags, or thinks about your carbon footprint, a bidet is one of the highest-leverage swaps you can make in your home.
Bidet vs Toilet Paper: A 5-Year Cost Comparison
Let's put real numbers side by side. This is for a family of four using mid-tier toilet paper.
| Toilet Paper Only | With Bidet | |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $350 | $50 (bidet) + $75 (reduced TP) + $3 (water) = $128 |
| Year 2 | $350 | $75 + $3 = $78 |
| Year 3 | $350 | $75 + $3 = $78 |
| Year 4 | $350 | $75 + $3 = $78 |
| Year 5 | $350 | $75 + $3 = $78 |
| 5-Year Total | $1,750 | $440 |
5-year savings: $1,310
That's not hypothetical — those savings happen passively, every single month, without you doing anything after installation.
What to Look for in a Bidet Attachment
Not all bidet attachments are equal. Here's what matters:
- Dual nozzle design — one for front wash, one for rear. Non-negotiable for full hygiene coverage.
- Adjustable water pressure — everyone's comfort level is different; you want control.
- Self-cleaning nozzle — retractable nozzles that clean themselves before and after use are a hygiene must.
- Non-electric operation — no electric bidet means no cord, no outlet needed, and no electricity cost.
- Installation simplicity — look for T-valve connections that fit standard two-piece or one-piece toilets.
The Veken Bidet hits all five of these. Its ultra-slim profile sits flush against your toilet seat, the stainless steel inlet prevents rust, and the dual nozzle with adjustable pressure handles everything a $300+ electric bidet does — at a fraction of the price.
Pro tip: Before buying any bidet, measure the space between your toilet seat bolts and the back of the bowl. Most standard toilets are compatible, but elongated vs round seats can affect fit.
FAQ
Q: How long does it take to break even on a bidet purchase?
For most households, the payback period is 2–4 months. If you spend $40 on a bidet attachment and your household saves $20/month on toilet paper, you're in the green by month three. After that, every month is pure savings.
Q: Do bidets actually get you cleaner than toilet paper?
Yes — and this is one of the biggest bidet benefits that often gets overlooked in the cost conversation. Water physically removes residue in a way that wiping with paper can't replicate. Many dermatologists and gastroenterologists actually recommend bidets for patients with hemorrhoids, sensitive skin, or post-surgical recovery. Cleaner is cleaner.
Q: Will a non-electric bidet have enough pressure?
It depends on your home's water pressure, but for most standard US homes, a non-electric bidet has more than sufficient pressure. Most connect directly to your toilet's water supply line, giving you adjustable pressure from gentle to firm. You control it with a dial — no guesswork.
Q: Is the installation really that simple?
Yes. The process is: turn off the water supply valve, remove the toilet seat, slide the bidet plate under the seat, reattach the seat, connect the T-valve to the water supply line, and turn the water back on. That's the whole job. No drilling, no plumbing knowledge required, no tools beyond maybe a wrench.
Q: What about cold water? Won't that be uncomfortable?
Fair question. Non-electric bidets use your home's cold water supply, which in summer feels fine, and in winter can be bracing for a second. Most users adapt within a week. If you want warm water, you'd need an electric bidet or a warm water attachment — but most people who try it find it's a non-issue after a few days.
The Bottom Line
The bidet vs toilet paper cost savings math is unambiguous: switching to a bidet attachment pays for itself in months and saves a typical family over $1,000 in five years. Add the bidet environmental benefits — reduced deforestation, lower water consumption in manufacturing, and less waste in landfills — and it's one of the most straightforward home upgrades you can make.
If you've been on the fence, a non-electric bidet is a low-risk way to find out what you've been missing. At under $50, with a 15-minute install and immediate impact on your grocery bill, the only question is why you waited this long.
Ready to stop buying toilet paper by the case? Check out the Veken Bidet on Amazon and see for yourself.