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Washlet (Japanese:ウォシュレット,Hepburn:Woshuretto) is aJapanese line of cleansing toilet seats manufactured and sold by the companyToto. Theelectronic bidet features a water spray element for genital andanal cleansing.[1][2][3][4] and commonly appears on toilets all overJapan.[citation needed] The device was released in June 1980[5] and as of January 2022,Toto has sold more than 60 million units.[5]
In the 1960s, Japanese plumbing company Toto's goal was to import American "wash air seats" for domestic sales, mainly for sale to hospitals and nursing homes.Toto began domestic production in 1969, but wash air seats were expensive and sometimes causedscalding injuries due to poor regulation of water temperature.[citation needed]
In 1980, Toto began to sell its improved Washlets inJapan after surveying employees to determine appropriate spray positions, since there were no biometric statistics available.
In the 1980s, the term "Washlet" originated by the companyToto. Recognized for its pioneering role in 2012, the original Washlet G model was certified as item 55 ofMechanical Engineering Heritage.[6]
In 1996, Toto also released Washlets designed for Japanese-stylesquat toilets, but they proved difficult to use due to accuracy issues. Japanese-style toilets were replaced with their Western-style counterparts, and the model was discontinued around 2003.[citation needed]
In October 2005,Toto released other improvements, incorporatingsleep mode forenergy conservation, a remote control, and a Washlet that could playMP3 audio files. Upon her visit to Japan in 2005, pop singerMadonna commented that she had "missed Japan’s warm toilet seats."[7]
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The cleansing features include buttons labeled Oshiri ("Rear") and Bidet ("Front") with translations in English speaking regions. Most current models have a sensor preventing water from spraying while a person is not sitting on the toilet.[citation needed]
Forantibacterial anddisinfectant purposes, the nozzle is designed at such an angle that the water does not splash back on the inside of the toilet (43º for anuses, 53º forvulvas), and the nozzle itself is washed with warm water when stowed away and before use. Anal and genital cleansing functions operate on different nozzles. Some models feature deodorizers and dryers for the user's convenience.[citation needed]
The control panels usually features settings to change the intensity of the water spray, as well as warmth.
