Bidet boom: Toilet technology sees rise in popularity in Canada [Video]

When it comes to cleaning up after doing business, North Americans have had a tough time letting go of toilet paper.

But recently, it seems more people are warming up to the idea of bidets.

For the average Canadian before the pandemic, the idea of installing one may have been flushed right away. That’s not the case now.

“We’ve seen a rise in interest in the last couple of years,” said Himalaya Srivastava, store manager at Bath Depot in Kitchener, Ont.

There’s been a steady flow of customers looking for bidets since shoppers battled over toilet paper shortages. In more recent history, they’ve cracked the Canadian market even further.

“Every six months they’re bringing in some kind of new bidets,” said Srivastava.

In addition to standard bidet functions, smart toilets have extra features like seat heating or air drying. (Spencer Turcotte/CTV Kitchener)

But what’s behind the boom in this bum-cleaning device?

Srivastava thinks it has to do with people …