Is WASHLET® suitable for children?

When I attend events and Japanese-themed evenings, people often ask me whether or not WASHLET® is right for children. The short answer: yes, for sure!

Read my personal story to learn why WASHLET® is especially great for children.

The question isn’t whether or not, but how?

Perhaps the idea of letting children interact with such a highly innovative technological product seems strange. But once you see how easy it is for them to use WASHLET® and how much fun they have learning about cleansing with water and their personal hygiene, you’ll be convinced.

I’ve experienced this personally with my grandson. Impressed parents often tell me that they and their children use WASHLET® - and they can’t imagine life without it.

For children to use WASHLET® successfully, it’s important that parents spend time introducing them to the features in a playful, age-appropriate way. Gradually approaching, trying and experiencing WASHLET® together with your child can really be great fun.

How do children benefit when using WASHLET® ?

There are many benefits for children who experience WASHLET® early on. One of the biggest advantages is that children have so much fun with WASHLET® that they actually want to use the toilet. Taking a playful approach to using the remote control inspires children to explore WASHLET® and discover the most essential functions together with their parents/grandparents.

This also provides a context to discuss things like personal hygiene and cleanliness. You probably won’t need to have any lengthy conversations trying to convince your child to try using the toilet.

Once your child has learned how WASHLET® works (which goes faster than you think!), they will really enjoy this newfound independence and autonomy on the toilet.

How can a child use WASHLET®?

Children can use a small step stool to help them sit on WASHLET®. The raised area at the back of WASHLET® makes a separate child’s seat unnecessary. It also helps children automatically find the right seated position on WASHLET®. They can support themselves by holding on to the front part of the toilet seat.

The benefit of this seated position is that the integrated sensor at the front part of the toilet seat is covered by the child’s hand. If the sensor isn’t covered, it’s impossible to use WASHLET® features. As such, it’s not so easy for the child to play with the spray function when they’re not actually using the toilet.

As children get bigger and heavier (as of age three or older), the sensor will automatically be covered. It won’t be necessary to use the hands anymore.

Do children like the cleansing feature on WASHLET®?

Kids also find the water spray a comfortable way to clean up after using the toilet. They could use the Soft spray or the Front spray as these are especially gentle. Feel free to try out the dryer and heated seat with your child – my grandson really likes both of these features. Another positive: There are several different settings for the dryer as well, making it possible for everyone to use WASHLET® according to their own personal cleansing and drying preferences.

I can especially recommend WASHLET® for toilet training. My grandson had a lot of fun exploring and learning how the use the toilet on his own with WASHLET®. Even parent initiatives have campaigned for WASHLET® in nursery schools to help support educators and promote the topics of physical hygiene, health and cleanliness.

Antje and Hektor provide insights into life with WASHLET® in their stories on our TOTO Instagram channel. In the following video, the two share how their six-year-old children are getting on with WASHLET® at home.

My top six tips

I have a few simple tips and tricks that I’ve learned in my experience with my grandchild that can help children use WASHLET® easily – and with success.

Parents/grandparents can take the child along to the toilet to show them how to use WASHLET®. Give them the opportunity to try it as well.
Use really simple words to explain the remote control and WASHLET®. The words I chose to explain the remote control to my grandson: “little bottom” for the Comfort spray, “big bottom” for the Comfort Soft spray, “thin stream”, “thick stream”, “girl on the fountain” for the Front wash, “back and forth” for the Oscillating function, and, of course, “stop” for the Stop button.
Only teach your child the buttons and functions that are necessary at first. This will keep your child from becoming overwhelmed and help prevent any unwanted mischief with the remote control.
Be sure to switch off the automatic lid function for children under age three! It’s still possible to raise and lower the toilet seat lid by pressing a button at the top of the remote control.
Attach the remote control to the wall. This way, kids will only use the buttons that you’ve shown them and not the back.
Take your time exploring WASHLET® along with your child/grandchild. It can be good and healthy fun!

I hope you enjoy discovering and trying WASHLET® with your little one!