With the school half-term hitting us in late May and the long summer holidays just around the corner, the family home is about to get a lot busier. If you have young children or grandkids running around, you already know that the family bathroom is often a zone of minor chaos.
Teaching young children proper bathroom hygiene is a messy milestone. Between the endless shredding of toilet paper rolls and the inevitable blocked drains, it is a daily test of patience.
While people often assume smart toilets are designed purely for luxury-loving adults or those with mobility challenges, they are quickly becoming a secret weapon for parents. Washloo models feature a dedicated Kids Function that completely transforms how children manage their own hygiene.
What Actually Happens When You Press the "Kids" Button?
Children are not just smaller versions of adults; they have unique ergonomic needs and highly sensitive skin. You can't simply let a seven-year-old use a standard adult bidet setting, as the water pressure and positioning will not line up correctly.
When the dedicated Kids Function is activated on a Washloo remote control or side panel, the onboard computer instantly alters the entire operational sequence to suit a child's body:
- Gentler Water Pressure: The water pressure is immediately dialled down to its lowest, softest setting, ensuring a gentle, non-startling mist.
- Extended Nozzle Position: Because children sit further forward on a standard toilet seat, the self-cleaning stainless steel nozzle automatically extends further forward than it would for an adult, ensuring perfect target accuracy without making the child shuffle around.
- The One-Touch Cycle: Kids do not have the patience to navigate a multi-step sequence of buttons. The child setting is a fully automated, one-touch loop: it runs a shortened wash cycle, seamlessly transitions to a gentle warm-air dry, and shuts off without any further input.
Three Reasons Parents are Upgrading to Family Smart Toilets
1. The End of the Toilet Paper Crisis
Children are notoriously heavy-handed with toilet paper, often using half a roll in a single visit out of sheer panic or habit. This doesn't just cost money; it is the number one cause of blocked U-bends in family homes. Because the Washloo washes with warm water and dries with a warm breeze, the need for paper is virtually eliminated, saving your plumbing from summer holiday disasters.
2. Radical Independence for Young Learners
There comes a time when children want privacy in the bathroom, but they still lack the fine motor skills to clean themselves thoroughly. This often leads to hidden hygiene issues or laundry marks. The one-touch automation gives kids the confidence to look after themselves completely behind a closed door, offering them genuine independence while giving parents total peace of mind.
3. Fun Tech Encourages Good Habits
Let's face it: getting kids to focus on hygiene can be a chore. However, children love gadgets. The novelty of a toilet seat that warms up automatically, illuminates at night with a gentle blue glow, and cleans them with water turns a boring routine into a fun, high-tech experience they actually enjoy using.
Adult Settings vs Kids Function
|
Setting Feature |
Standard Adult Mode |
Dedicated Kids Function |
|
Water Pressure |
Fully adjustable (Up to high intensity) |
Locked to ultra-soft, low pressure |
|
Nozzle Position |
Centred for standard adult anatomy |
Extended forward for smaller frames |
|
Operation Type |
Manual control over each separate phase |
Fully automated, one-touch automated cycle |
|
Dryer Temperature |
Adjustable up to warm/hot |
Fixed to a gentle, room-temperature warm breeze |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a smart toilet safe for young children to use? Yes, entirely. Washloo models are designed with built-in skin sensors, meaning the bidet functions will not activate unless someone is properly seated. The dedicated Kids Function automatically locks the water pressure and drying temperature to ultra-gentle levels, preventing any risk of discomfort or accidental misuse.
At what age can a child start using a smart toilet? Most children can easily begin using the Kids Function as soon as they are fully potty trained and tall enough to sit comfortably on the toilet seat without slipping back into the pan (usually around 4 or 5 years old).
Does the child function work on all Washloo models? The automated family and child hygiene programming is integrated as a standard software feature across almost all primary Washloo electronic seats and all-in-one models, including the Finesse, Classic Mini R, and Supreme (G2).