One of our favorite stops yesterday at West Coast Green was a brief visit with the nice people at Caroma. They were showing off some waterless urinals (more on that later), some new dual flush toilets, and this dual flush with an integrated hand basin.
We've seen these things before and, honestly, they usually creep us out a little.
But this one doesn't freak us out in the least -- and the difference is 100% in the design.
Until now, we've only seen the hand-basin-on-top-of-toilet-tank as a separate piece that is affixed to a preexisting toilet -- like the Sink Positive. And, in that scenario, the set-up always looks a little homemade, which doesn't inspire confidence when you're washing your hands over your toilet (something that probably shouldn't seem strange, but does).
With the Integrated Hand Basin from Caroma the sink actually looks like it belongs there -- it's seamless; it's part of the toilet. And, somehow, that's preferable to us. Do you agree?
The hand basin-dual flush toilet combination has the potential to save a lot of water (70% over an 11L single flush toilet and separate hand basin). You wash your hands with perfectly clean water straight from the same supply that runs to your kitchen sink, and what would normally run down the drain, runs into your tank and is used to flush your toilet instead. We like it ... now!
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The water is clean so it isn't "creepy."
However, what it is ... is COLD. Where I live in New England the water is cold from the tap year round, and in winter it's absolutely frigid. Not conducive to washing my hands from a comfort standpoint. I don't know if cold water handwashing with soap is as sanitary a washing with hot water, either?
view Charlotte's profile
It looks like an elegantly designed useful object. I haven't found it online anywhere other than on Australian sites, so I'm not sure it is available yet in the USA.
I'd love such a thing here in my tiny house, but given the price of the other Caroma toilets I've seen ($325 - $600, uninstalled) and since this is a more complicated bit of engineering that certainly won't be cheaper, I shall probably only admire it from afar...
view fjorlief's profile
these type of toilet is everywhere in japan. I would certainly look into one if I am in the market for one.
view souk1501's profile
That is very small, would be great for those "small houses" you can build yourself. I think they're like 200 square feet. Very pretty though.
view BrianneC's profile
Charlotte - cold water with soap is just as sanitary. Hot water isn't any better unless you're boiling your hands. Anyway, I don't see where it says the water isn't heated.
I like the design, but how comfortable is it to use? it looks like you have to straddle the toilet while washing your hands.
view whytephoenix's profile
whytepheoenix, I was thinking the same thing... It would be awkward to wash your hands.
view mspants's profile
Like souk1501 says, this type is everywhere in Japan, particularly in homes. The water to the sink automatically flows when the toilet is flushed, to fill the tank. The water is cold, and you don't use soap (because the toilet would make all kinds of bubbles when flushed). You do have to lean a bit to reach the tap, but it isn't uncomfortable. Also, the basin is *tiny* - too small to wash my large hands without splashing water and making a mess.
It's an interesting idea, but when I was in Japan, I always did a quick rinse with the cold water and then would go find a sink with soap to "really" wash my hands.
view Aimi's profile
I don't care how you rearrange it, the combo sink and toilet will always look like it belongs in a jail cell...
view illustrationb's profile