‘It’s not just a toilet; it’s a throne,’ says Stevie Joubert, CEO of tile retailer Stiles, about the latest royal ‘revolootion‘ in bathroom design: the shower toilet.
Initially developed in Japan, shower toilets are growing in popularity in Europe and South Africa as homeowners seek sophisticated sanitary solutions. They are ideal for those looking to combine hygiene and comfort with technological innovation.
‘Your bog-standard toilet is becoming a thing of the past,’ says Adele Swart, head of Sanware at Stiles. ‘Toilets have evolved, and discerning customers are now looking for a more refined bathroom experience, one that speaks to luxury, elegance and cleanliness.’
The shower toilet is a clever fusion of a bidet and toilet. It goes beyond our traditional expectations of a mundane loo, offering a total spa experience for your behind and a few planet-saving features.
After using the toilet, the user’s ‘private business address’ is gently cleaned with a stream of water from the bidet toilet’s extendable spray wand. Yip, no more toilet paper, no more clogged pipes and surprisingly lower water usage than a traditional toilet.
Additionally, homeowners need not fret, as the wand has an automatic self-cleaning function and retracts completely after use.
Smart technology allows the user to completely customise his or her own experience. In the most advanced models, one can adjust the position of the spray wand, the temperature of the water and the power of the jet spray. The settings can be saved in advance and easily controlled via a remote control or smartphone app.
The Duravit SensoWash® shower toilets are true designer items (pan and seat and cover sold separately). The Duravit ME by Starck includes a wash function, seat heating, warm air dryer, a night light and a remote control. Note that the seat is sold separately.
The top-of-the-range model is the Duravit SensoWash® Starck F. Using this toilet can be a life-changing experience. The toilet opens automatically as the user approaches. It’s equipped with both a Ladywash function for female users and a Rearwash option, too.
The jet has pulsing and oscillating options for thorough cleansing. Not only does this model wash, it also dries. A gentle flow of warm air wafts into the bowl after use, and a special odour extractor cistern eliminates any unpleasant smells.
The Geberit AquaClean Mera Comfort has been described as the ‘all singing, all dancing, kind of sanitaryware’. The lid opens automatically, the seat warms up and the swirlspray wand offers a customisable cleansing stream of water. Like the Duravit model, it has a programmable remote control with saveable settings for each member of the family.
In terms of advantages, the shower toilet is useful to a range of users, from the very young to the elderly, as well as assisting mobility-impaired people. These toilets also align with certain cultural and religious practices related to hygiene in Islam.
Chat to the Stiles team if you are interested in investing in a self-care lifestyle upgrade, a surprise for your visitors and the ultimate conversation starter.
Visit any of the Stiles’ showrooms to view these products in person, or visit the Stiles website here to find out more.
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Picture: Supplied
