Do You Need Toilet Paper with a Smart Toilet?

Smart toilets have been growing in popularity across North America, transforming traditional bathroom routines with advanced hygiene and comfort features. From heated seats and automatic lids to built-in bidets and dryers, these intelligent fixtures are redefining how we think about personal cleanliness. But one question many people ask before switching is: Do you still need toilet paper with a smart toilet?

The short answer is: Not necessarily. Smart toilets are specifically designed to minimize — and in many cases eliminate — the need for toilet paper. Let’s break down how and why.

Understanding What a Smart Toilet Does

Smart toilets combine traditional functionality with modern technology. Most smart toilets come with the following built-in features:

• Integrated bidet sprayer with adjustable water pressure and temperature
• Heated seat for comfort during colder months
• Warm air dryer to dry you after cleansing
• Self-cleaning nozzles to ensure hygiene
• Deodorizer to remove odors automatically
• Automatic flushing and lid operation for a hands-free experience

These features aim to create a fully hygienic, paperless bathroom experience. That’s why many users report that after using a smart toilet, they dramatically reduce or even eliminate their need for toilet paper.

Bidet Functionality: The Game-Changer

The most transformative aspect of a smart toilet is the built-in bidet system. Unlike traditional bidets that are separate from the toilet, smart toilets feature a nozzle that extends beneath you, spraying a gentle stream of water to clean your private areas after use.

Benefits of Using Water Over Toilet Paper:

• Thorough Cleaning: Water is more effective at removing residue than dry paper.
• Reduces Irritation: Especially for sensitive skin or people with hemorrhoids, water is less abrasive.
• Environmentally Friendly: Reduces deforestation and carbon emissions associated with toilet paper production.
• Cost-Saving: Over time, you buy significantly less toilet paper.

What About Drying? Is Toilet Paper Still Needed?

Many smart toilets — especially premium models — include a warm air dryer. After the bidet sprays and cleans you, the dryer gently blows warm air to dry the area. While this may take a few more seconds than a quick pat with paper, it offers a touch-free, hygienic, and eco-friendly alternative.

However, some users may still prefer to:

• Pat dry with a small piece of toilet paper to speed up drying
• Use reusable cloth wipes for eco-conscious drying
• Let the dryer do all the work if time isn’t an issue

In essence, you can completely avoid toilet paper if you want to — the combination of water cleaning and air drying takes care of everything.

Can I Still Use Toilet Paper with a Smart Toilet?

Yes. If you feel more comfortable using toilet paper — either before or after the bidet function — smart toilets allow for that. In fact, the transition period often involves using some paper as users get used to the bidet and dryer system.

Here are a few ways people integrate both:

• Use a small amount to pat dry after rinsing
• Use paper as a backup in case guests or children are not familiar with the controls
• Keep it available for cleaning or wiping the seat, not necessarily personal hygiene

So while smart toilets can replace toilet paper, they don’t prohibit its use. It all depends on your personal comfort level and hygiene preferences.

Environmental Impact: One of the Smart Toilet’s Biggest Advantages

In the U.S. alone, Americans use over 36 billion rolls of toilet paper each year. The environmental impact includes:

• Millions of trees cut down annually
• Billions of gallons of water used in the manufacturing process
• Packaging waste and energy-intensive shipping

Switching to a smart toilet with bidet and dryer functions significantly cuts down on this impact. A 2023 study showed that users of smart bidet toilets reduce toilet paper use by up to 75%, with many households eliminating it completely.

That’s not only better for the planet — it also saves money in the long term.

Health and Hygiene Considerations

Toilet paper may not always be effective at fully cleaning after use. Traces of bacteria can remain, and repeated wiping can irritate the skin — especially for people with health issues like:

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Hemorrhoids
• Sensitive skin or allergies

Smart toilets offer a gentle, thorough clean that’s often recommended by healthcare professionals for people with these conditions. The hands-free nature of smart toilet hygiene also reduces the spread of germs — a big plus during cold and flu season.

Are There Any Downsides to Going Paper-Free?

While smart toilets offer a nearly paperless experience, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Learning curve: It takes a few uses to get comfortable with the controls.
• Dryer time: Air drying can take 1–2 minutes, which some people find slow.
• Power outages: Non-battery-powered smart toilets may not work if your electricity goes out. In such cases, toilet paper may still be useful as a backup.

Still, these are minor issues compared to the comfort, hygiene, and eco-benefits offered.

Tips for Transitioning to a Paper-Free Bathroom

1. Start gradually – Use both bidet and paper together at first.
2. Try different dryer settings – Adjust the airflow and temperature to your liking.
3. Keep a small roll for guests – Not everyone may be ready to go 100% paperless.
4. Choose a smart toilet with intuitive controls – Models like the HOROW T05 or HOROW T37 are user-friendly and beginner-friendly.
5. Invest in a backup power source – Some models come with battery-powered flush or manual overrides.

Final Verdict: Do You Need Toilet Paper with a Smart Toilet?

No, you don’t — but you can if you want to.

Smart toilets are designed to replace toilet paper through effective bidet cleaning and warm air drying. Whether you go fully paper-free or still keep a roll for emergencies is up to your comfort and preferences.

But one thing is certain: Smart toilets offer a cleaner, greener, and more luxurious bathroom experience — with or without toilet paper.

Ready to Upgrade?

If you’re considering making the switch, check out models like the HOROW T05 with an electric booster pump or the HOROW T37 tankless design. These smart toilets bring modern innovation, efficiency, and comfort right into your bathroom — while giving you the freedom to ditch the toilet paper once and for all.