How Do Bidet Toilets Work? Advantages, Disadvantages, & FAQ

A bidet toilet is a fixed basin people use to clean themselves after using the bathroom. Bidets are common worldwide, mainly in Europe and Asia. Bidets are also gaining popularity in the US, especially in the last few years, so knowing how to use one properly is essential. Using a bidet is much easier than it seems. The most important thing is to properly mount the bidet, depending on what you will use it for. The bidet is used mostly for cleaning private regions, and using a bidet is considered more hygienic than wiping with toilet paper.

To learn more about how bidet toilets work and how to use them properly, read on below!

A Quick Reference Guide

How Do Bidet Toilets Work?

Bidets work on basic principles. They work by simply pushing a button, which activates the nozzle. Once the nozzle is activated, the water is released to the bidet in the form of a controlled water stream. Most bidets don’t run on electricity—unless they come with unique built-in features—instead, they use the regular water supply as a basic toilet. The nozzle can work as either feminine or posterior wash, depending on the requirement. An average wash lasts around 20 seconds, enough for any type of use.

Bidet toilets with more modern features also come at a higher price. They can have a remote to control the water temperature, pressure, or even a seat heater. These toilets require either an electrical hookup or a battery to run.

What Are the Different Types of Bidet Toilets?

Handheld Bidet

A handheld bidet works similarly to a regular shower head, also called a bidet shower or a sprayer. The bidet nozzle is attached to the bidet with a flexible hose, and it can be used by manually operating the nozzle. You can freely control the position and distance of the water stream.

Freestanding Bidet

The most widespread type of bidet is the freestanding bidet. These bidets look like low sinks, typically placed right next to the toilet. These bidets are usually filled with water to the top and equipped with jets.

Built-in Bidet

Built-in bidets are regular toilets with the features of bidets. These toilets can come with various features. The most common feature is an automatic jet of water spraying every time you flush your toilet.

Warm-Water Bidet

One bidet type that incorporates all the other styles is the warm-water bidet. It can be in the form of built-in bidets, freestanding bidets, or handheld bidets. These bidets are connected to the hot water pipelines and can also own a built-in water heater. This toilet provides the user with heated water, making the process of cleaning much more comfortable.

How to Use a Bidet Toilet

Using a bidet toilet is a relatively simple activity. Before beginning with using the bidet, make sure to remove all clothing that may get wet. After locating the spray nozzle and preparing for the wash, mount the bidet—facing towards or away from the bidet controls. If the bidet has jets, their direction and position will most likely dictate your position.

Once you position yourself correctly, depending on which part of the body you are washing, you can continue turning on the water stream by simply pushing the ‘’wash’’ button. Once you are done washing, press the ‘’stop’’ button and find a clean towel. After using the bidet, rinse it out to maintain a fresh bidet and wash your hands.

Advantages of Bidet Toilets

There are many significant benefits of using bidet toilets. More people are incorporating bidet toilets into their homes because of their functionality and efficiency, but for plenty of other reasons too.

Disadvantages of Bidet Toilets

While the benefits are vast, some minor downsides may seem insignificant. Still, it is important to hear both the good and the bad to decide whether bidet toilets are the right choice for you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do you use toilet paper with a bidet toilet?

Depending on the quality of the bidet you own, and whether you are using it correctly, toilet paper won’t be required. A high-quality bidet should provide a much more thorough and hygienic cleaning than wiping with toilet paper. Some bidets come with built-in air-drying features, providing you with a quick dry and eliminating the need for toilet paper or towels.

Are bidet toilets sanitary?

Bidet toilets are very hygienic since they usually come with useful features such as self-cleaning tools or pre-misting. These features ensure you have a clean and fresh toilet after each use. Contrary to popular belief, bidets don’t spray water everywhere, causing chaos. Instead, they target the user, and some even come with a sensor allowing them to work only when required.

How are bidet toilets eco-friendly?

Bidet toilets are much more effective and practical than any type of toilet paper or wet wipes. When using bidet toilets, instead of standard wiping, you use minimal water to achieve a thorough clean and zero toilet paper.

Conclusion

After learning about how bidet toilets function, hopefully, you will have a much easier time using one. Bidet toilets can be much more practical than using a shower frequently or wiping. They are also energy-saving and eco-friendly and provide a much more hygienic clean than any other means. Bidet toilets have a simple way of functioning, so after you read this article, you should have to knowledge to understand and use one correctly.

Featured Image Credit: James-Are-Shutterstock