How to use a traditional bidet

The idea of using a bidet might seem intimidating, especially if you've never tried one before. But don't worry – it's much easier than you'd think, and once you get the hang of it, it's just another part of your everyday bathroom routine. 

Let's break it down step-by-step:

1. Fill the bidet

The first step is to turn on the tap and fill the bidet basin with water, while also adjusting the temperature until it’s comfortable, making sure it's not too hot or too cold.

Finding the right water temperature is vital – too hot and it can be uncomfortable, too cold and it won’t feel refreshing and might even give you a shock! If you like using soap to feel extra clean, make sure it’s bidet-safe so it doesn’t cause any irritation to your skin or blockages in the plumbing. A little goes a long way, so you don’t need much.

2. Sit on the bidet

Next, it’s time to sit on the bidet to clean yourself. There are two ways of doing this: you can either straddle the bidet facing the taps, which lets you easily adjust the water temperature and direction as needed, or sit facing away from the taps, like you would on a toilet.

Most people find it more natural to sit facing away from the taps, just like you would on a regular toilet. But if you want to adjust the water pressure or temperature as you go, it might be a better idea to face the taps, as this gives you more control. Both positions work well – it’s all about what feels comfortable to you.

3. Clean yourself thoroughly

Once seated, it’s time to clean yourself. Gently use the water stream, along with your hands, to clean yourself just like you would in the bath or shower. The beauty of a bidet is that it offers a much more thorough clean compared to regular toilet paper, and the water pressure is adjustable, so you can start with a gentle flow and gradually increase it as needed. Take your time and let the water do the hard work for you.

4. Drain the water

This is a quick and simple step, just pull the plug and you’re good to go. Make sure you give the bidet time to drain completely, so there’s no water left in the basin. This keeps everything clean and dry.

5. Dry off

Once you finish the bidet, you'll want to dry off. While it might be tempting to skip this step, it's important to make sure you're fully dry to avoid any skin irritation. To do this, you can use toilet paper or a designated towel – some bidets even have a built-in air dryer for that added convenience.

How to use an integrated bidet

An integrated bidet is a convenient all-in-one solution where the bidet functions are built right into your toilet seat. These models often come with adjustable settings for water temperature, pressure, and nozzle positioning, making them a simple and effective way to stay clean and fresh.

Here's how to use one:

Brian explains: “Using an integrated bidet is easy. All you need to do is sit down like you normally would on the toilet, then hit the button to start the water flow. Most models let you adjust the water pressure and temperature, so you can find what feels best for you.”

“A great thing about integrated bidets is that many even have a self-cleaning nozzle feature, so you don’t have to worry about it getting dirty. Once you’ve finished, just press the button to stop the water, then use some toilet paper or a towel to dry off," he adds.