How to Use a Bidet Toilet Seat

Table of Contents

What is Bidet Toilet Seat?

The term “bidet” refers to a toileting gadget that employs a stream of water to clean your genitals and rear end after you have used the toilet. If you’re not familiar with bidet toilet seats, they’re an excellent alternative to using toilet paper. A bidet is a device that cleans your privates in addition to cleaning your backside after using the toilet, so you can wipe yourself from front to back instead of back to front. Installing a bidet toilet seat isn’t hard, but it does require some work, and you may need to call on your local plumber for assistance if you run into trouble.

Why use a Bidet Toilet Seat?

We Americans have had a long love affair with toilet paper, believing there is just one correct method to clean our behinds. But taught us anything, it’s that toilet paper comes and goes. And when it disappears, there will be chaos and fear.

Perhaps this is why we’ve begun to wonder how other individuals across the globe deal with their filthy little secrets in the restroom. Most Japanese houses have bidets, and bidets are popular in Europe (Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal are strong admirers), as well as several Arab countries. So, what’s the hold-up?

While many of us originally thought butt baths were unusual, maybe this is one of the many ways a pandemic can transform people. Bidet demand has surged and shows no signs of abating anytime soon. As one bidet manufacturer, Amigo, states on its packaging: “The future is always strange at first.”

Do you know how to use a bidet toilet seat?

Here’s how it can help your bottom.

Everyone uses the restroom, and everyone is responsible for cleaning up afterward. This is when a bidet comes in useful. Don’t worry if you don’t know how to use a bidet. We have your back. Literally.

How to Remove an Existing Bidet Toilet Seat?

Removing an existing bidet toilet seat is usually pretty simple and straightforward. As long as you have some basic DIY knowledge, you should be able to install a new one in less than an hour. Remember that even if you are not planning on installing it yourself, you should at least know how to remove and install one for future reference. Remove any rubber stoppers under your toilet rim before beginning. You will need to know the instructions for connecting your new bidet seat when you remove the old one. And don’t forget to clean up any leftover pieces before proceeding!

After removing your old toilet seat, it’s time to install your new one. Start by putting in any rubber stoppers and brackets before attaching the bolts and nuts that hold your new bidet in place. Some of these parts might be different depending on what brand you get, so make sure you carefully read any included instructions! Also, if your bidet is pre-connected, remember that you’ll need to remove a little bit of excess water hose before using it for cleaning purposes. If all else fails, just look at where your old one was connected—similarly orientate and attach yours in its place! After successfully installing your new bidet seat, enjoy using it for years to come!

How to install a bidet toilet seat?

You may be asking how to install a bidet toilet seat if you have never used one. Bidets are gaining popularity in the US and globally as a convenient and cost-effective method to keep clean and fresh throughout the day. But with so many alternatives on the market, it may be difficult to decide which to purchase or how to install it. Don’t worry, here’s how to install a bidet toilet seat at home!

Installing a bidet toilet seat requires the necessary equipment and methods.

If you aren’t familiar with plumbing, you may install your own bidet toilet seat. Unlike freestanding toilet seats, bidet toilet seats connect directly to your toilet’s present water supply.

A couple of simple hose connections and a T-valve complete the job. This T-valve is included with your bidet toilet seat and connects to your toilet’s supply line to create a fully working bidet.

Tools needed to install a bidet toilet seat include:

Almost all bidet toilet seats follow these guidelines.

a screwdriver:

A flathead or Philips screwdriver may need mounting bolts. If you don’t already have one, consider obtaining a Multi-Bit Ratcheting Driver with several bit heads.

Adjustable wrench:

Plastic seat fittings may be tightened by hand, while metal connections need a wrench. No mistake with a 12-inch Channel Lock pliers set.

A little pail and a towel will do when you unhook your toilet’s supply line. Cleaning is simple with a cloth or paper towels.

How to install a bidet toilet seat:

Remove the old toilet seat.
Unplug your toilet’s water source
Attach the T-Valve to the toilet’s current supply line.
Fix the bidet toilet seat to the toilet.
Water supply to the bidet seat

Below are more comprehensive instructions.

Remove the old toilet seat first:

A pair of big mounting bolts will secure the seat to the rim. Because these bolts may have little plastic coverings over them, you’ll need to pry them free using a flathead screwdriver.
Once you’ve gained access to the tops of the bolts, remove them with your screwdriver. To untwist the nuts keeping them in place, you may need to reach behind the toilet. Some toilet seat mounting bolts are built into the seat itself, and there is no “top” to remove. However, there should be a pair of nuts beneath the rim on these seats, which you should be able to untwist and remove the seat.
After removing the nuts and bolts, raise the seat and it should come straight off. To prepare the rim for your new bidet seat, clean it. Some bidet gadgets, such as Tushy, utilize your current toilet seat, so keep it.

Next, cut off your toilet’s water supply:

Look beneath your toilet, near to the floor, for the toilet shut-off valve. You should connect the supply hose from the bottom of the toilet tank to the water supply pipe on the wall using an oval-shaped valve. This is the shut-off valve for your toilet.
Stop the toilet shut-off valve by turning it clockwise.
To drain the leftover water in the tank, flush the toilet.

Adding a T-Valve to your toilet’s supply line:

Your new bidet seat should come with a T-shaped valve called a “T-valve,” which you should connect to your toilet’s current supply line. Water will divert between the toilet and the bidet sprayer as a result of this. Because the majority of the components in this stage should be composed of plastic, hand-tightening should suffice. Use your wrench to tighten any metal fittings that you’re having difficulties with.

Remove the supply pipe from the toilet tank’s bottom. If there is a tiny quantity of water remaining in the tank, have your bucket and towel ready.
Place the T-valve at the bottom of the toilet tank, next to the supply pipe.

Reconnect the supply hose to the T-bottom. valve’s

To attach the bidet toilet seat to the toilet, follow these steps:

A flat plastic mounting plate should be included with your bidet seat. Place this mounting plate on the rear of the rim, aligning it with the bolt holes that already exist. The whole item is a mounting plate for installing a bidet gadget like the Tushy.

Thread the provided mounting bolts through the bolt holes and hold them in place under the rim with their nuts. These nuts and bolts may be metal rather than plastic, depending on your bidet seat. Use your wrench and/or screwdriver if this is the case.

Push the bidet seat towards the rear of the toilet onto the mounting plate until it snaps into position.

Connect the water supply to the bidet seat:

Your bidet seat will come with its own hose for water delivery.
Connect one end of the bidet hose to the T-remaining Valve’s aperture, and the other end to the connector on the side of the bidet seat. Make sure that all of the hose connections are secure. Now it’s time to re-open the shut-off valve you closed previously.

Turn the toilet shut-off valve counterclockwise to open it. This will fill your toilet tank and provide the water your bidet seat need to work. Check for leaks and tighten any hose connections that need to be tightened.

If you have an electronic bidet seat, be sure it is plugged into a GFCI outlet that is grounded (these are designed to prevent accidental electrical shock, and are usually found in home bathrooms and kitchens). Use an extension cable if there isn’t an outlet nearby.

It’s time to utilize your bidet toilet seat now that it’s been fitted.

How to properly use a bidet toilet seat?

The process of using a bidet is as straightforward as it gets:

Take a seat on the toilet.
Go about your business.
Activate the wash function on your bidet seat or attachment by pressing the button.

Oh, and don’t forget to wash your hands after each use!

Instructions on how to properly use a bidet

Before you begin, read the handbook.

There are several bidet styles and manufacturers on the market. Before using your bidet, read the instruction handbook that came with it. This will offer detailed information about your bidet and avoid the danger of you misusing it. This will prevent you from burning your skin or washing your whole bathroom with excessive water pressure.

Sit on the toilet seat normally.

In comparison to a standalone bidet, there is no need to straddle your toilet seat backward. Simply take a seat, do your business, and flush. Before turning on the bidet, you may choose to use toilet paper to eliminate any waste product.

Begin the wash and then adjust the water pressure and temperature as necessary.

Once the bidet is ready to use, use the remote control or side buttons to turn on the water and modify the pressure. If you have an electric bidet, you may also use these controls to set the water temperature to a comfortable level.

Adjust the angle of the nozzle.

Certain toilet seat bidets have angle-adjustable nozzles for cleaning your rear end or vagina.

For portable devices, open the toilet shutoff valve.

If you’re using a portable type, you’ll need to release the shut-off valve on your toilet, which is often turned clockwise, to allow water to flow into the bidet hose. Certain handhelds have hold buttons or squeeze triggers that let you control the flow of water.

Spray until you feel completely cleansed.

Aim the sprayer and let the stream of water wash you from back to front for about 30 seconds, or as long as you believe is necessary.

Select your preferred method of drying.

Frequently, electric bidet toilet seats have an air-dry feature. If your bidet lacks an air-dry function, dry yourself with toilet paper and flush.

Bidet seats and accessories come in a variety of styles.

When it comes to adding a bidet to an existing toilet, there are various options:

Bidet toilet seat with an electric bidet

These are intended to be used in lieu of regular toilet seats. They include an integrated water heating system that allows you to adjust the temperature of the water for optimal comfort. Certain models have the ability to heat the seat itself, providing additional comfort in chilly conditions. Additionally, remote controls, oscillation jets, and warming air-dry jets that reduce the need for toilet paper are available.

Bidet toilet seat that is not electrical

Non-electric bidets are substantially less costly than electric bidets due to their less bells and whistles. Additionally, they remove the need for an unattractive electrical line to connect to a power source. There are two kinds of non-electric bidet seats: those that link to the hot water line in your sink and those that connect directly to the clean water line in your toilet. If the model provides warm water or temperature control of the water without the use of power, it must be connected to the sink’s hot water line. While a non-electric variant connected to the toilet’s water supply is likely to be less costly and quicker to install, the primary disadvantage is the restricted temperature selection. With this bidet, you have just two options: chilly or cold.

Handheld bidet that is not electric

These accessories have the appearance of handheld showerheads. Handheld bidets are connected to the cold water supply line of your toilet and are fastened to the toilet tank or wall. The advantage of a portable bidet is the lengthy hose, which enables you to precisely guide the water stream. Handheld bidets often come with a variety of water pressure levels.

Bidet transportable

Once you’ve acquired a bidet, you’ll never want to be without one, even when traveling. Portable bidets come in a variety of styles. Certain models resemble foldable water bottles that you may fill and squirt. Others include lengthy, retractable nozzle heads with many holes for a gentle clean away from home.

The advantages of bidets

Bidets help you stay clean.

The most apparent advantage of utilizing a bidet is its cleanliness. Whichever kind you choose, you’ll be improving your hygiene game. Warm or cold water is just more effective at cleaning than dry toilet paper.

Bidets can assist those with limited mobility in regaining their independence.

If you’re pregnant, old, or have difficulties manually washing your behind, a bidet might make you feel much cleaner.

Bidets are more environmentally friendly.

You’ll be conserving toilet paper, which is both environmentally and economically beneficial.

Bidets are less damaging to your plumbing system than wipes.

If you are already using wipes, you will be doing your bathroom pipes a favor by discontinuing usage. Even flushable wipes disintegrate far more slowly than toilet paper. They are often to blame for sewage system backups, overflows, obstructions, and blockages that need costly, expert clearance.

Those wipes are also detrimental to the environment. Numerous products include preservatives, chemicals, and plastic fibers, which pollute rivers. Wipes are sometimes mistaken for food by aquatic critters, resulting in serious and occasionally lethal results.

Bidets cleanse you naturally, without the use of chemicals or irritants to the skin.

Wipes may be to fault if you suffer from regular anal irritation or a rash on your behind. Preservative-containing baby wipes have been linked to contact dermatitis in adults who use them. A bidet’s water pressure may fully remove the need for wipes.

The disadvantage

Bidets are not without their “disadvantages.”

You must maintain a clean bidet.

It is critical to keep the inside of your toilet bowl clean and to wash the nozzle and bidet seat with an antibacterial cleaner. Bacteria may develop uncontrolled on these surfaces, negating the purpose of your bidet. Bidets have been demonstrated to transfer pathogens from patient to patient in hospital settings.

Certain high-end bidet seats and accessories have self-cleaning nozzles that help eradicate bacteria and other germs, which may be worth the additional expense.

If not cleaned often, handheld bidet heads may get moldy or infected, particularly if they come into contact with the surface of your skin on a regular basis.

Using a bidet incorrectly might result in complications.

Bacterial vaginitis has been connected to bidets. Due to the fact that fecal bacteria may cause this ailment, you may be able to prevent it by ensuring that your bidet cleans you properly, from front to back, rather than the rear to front.

Now that you’ve cleaned your bottom, it’s time to conquer the world.

Cautions:

Bidets may be an excellent alternative to toilet paper, but that does not mean they are without inconveniences or hazards. Bidets are not for everyone, and those with a weaker immune system may want to hold off on attempting one.

If you have male genitalia, using a bidet before a bowel movement may cause an itching sensation on the anus. A 2016 research in Japan found a high correlation between using the bidet before elimination vs shortly thereafter and itching feelings.

Using bidets may raise your chance of developing bacterial vaginitis if you have female genitalia. At least one research has proven that using a warm water bidet aggravates the vaginal flora’s normal equilibrium.

According to a 2017 study Trusted Source conducted in hospitals, electric warm water bidets can provide a general risk of bacterial contamination.

Finish Up:

The Bidet seats have become very popular, and for good reason: It makes going to the bathroom a more comfortable experience. Many individuals that they like them so much that they decide to make the use permanently. You should examine the bidet equipment carefully and ensure that you are adequately prepared for the jets before you attempt to use one.

To install one on your own, you’ll need some basic tools and know-how. Each bidet is different in how it attaches, but you should expect that they’re mostly permanent fixtures; while they can usually be disassembled in case of an emergency, it’s not something most people do on a regular basis. Before installing one yourself, make sure you check with your plumber or contractor first. Do note that some models are much easier than others and that there are DIY guides available online for those who want additional help.

Bidets may be beneficial for those who suffer from illnesses such as hemorrhoids or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), among other things.