In the past few years, you must have noticed the hype around bidets. And let me tell you, they are worth the spotlight.
As someone who used toilet paper for a long time before making the switch, there is no going back.
From better hygiene to less waste, bidets make your life a hundred times easier.
But since they are a relatively new addition to most people’s bathrooms, there is often a concern surrounding how to use them.
And while the instructions can help you figure it out, you will not learn the proper etiquette.
To do that, you need to understand what the do’s and don’ts are when it comes to using a bidet.
So, let us get right to it.
Bidet Etiquette: How To Use Bidet Properly
Do’s of using a bidet
When it comes to a bidet, I know there are lots of functionalities waiting for me to be used. In fact, I upgraded to enjoy those benefits in the first place.
Thus, the list of do’s when it concerns employing a bidet is quite comprehensive, as given below.
1. Do use the bidet in its correct settings
Regardless of whether you are using a bidet for the first time in your own house or someone else’s, make sure the bidet is set correctly.
For instance, if the water temperature is too high, you risk scalding yourself.
The same applies to water pressure, air dryer, etc.
2. Do turn on the night light in the dark.:
Most modern bidets come with a night light to ensure you can see what you are doing. So, turning it on is the best way to go.
That will prevent any accidental slips. And this is particularly important if you are a guest and are unfamiliar with the bathroom layout of your host.
3. Do wash up after using a bidet
If you use toilet paper in your bathroom, you know you have to wash your hands right after. And the same applies after using a bidet!
The germs do not magically disappear just because you switch clean-up methods. So, use some soap and water, and wash your hands thoroughly.
4. Do clean the nozzles regularly
That rule only applies if you have a bidet in your bathroom. It is crucial to clean the nozzles regularly.
Otherwise, dirt might build up, which can lead to infections and other problems.
5. Do make the best out of your bidet
Your bidet has a primary function of getting your nether regions clean. But some several modes and settings can make your experience better.
So, I recommend looking at the instructions and finding out which ones work best for you.
For instance, if you suffer from bowel problems or inflammation, you might want to check out the enema mode that is available in several bidets.
6. Do wipe after using the bidet
A bidet provides a much more sanitary experience as compared to wiping with toilet paper.
But that does not mean you forego TP completely.
Even after spraying the unclean area, you need to wipe gently to get rid of the water.
Not doing so can cause urinary tract infections (UTIs) and other problems.
7. Do wash the right way around if you have a vagina
With bidets, the direction you clean matters if you are a woman.
Front to back is the correct way to go. Otherwise, you risk bacterial contamination, which may result in itching, inflammation, swelling, infections, etc.
8. Do keep bidet towels in the bathroom
As I mentioned before, wiping after using the bidet is a must. While you can use a wad of toilet paper for this purpose, it means you are back to an unsustainable option.
And there is no need for that since you can use bidet towels instead! These are soft, super absorbent pieces of cloth that you can keep in the bathroom and use right after cleaning yourself.
9. Do use bidet covers
Just like your toilet seat, your bidet can also be clad in a seat cover. That helps in providing an extra layer of sanitation, preventing direct skin contact with the bidet seat.
That is, of course, not required when you are using a bidet at home. But when you are at hotels or going as a guest, it is best to use a cover if it is available.
10. Do use the air deodorizer after each use
If your bidet is a manual one and comes with remote control, you must use the air deodorizer.
At the click of a button, your bidet will smell clean and fresh again, leaving it suitable for the next user.
For automatic systems, this is usually not a step you need to do. The bidet will do it for you.
Don’ts of using a bidet
A bidet is a permanent piece of equipment in your toilet. That means, unlike toilet paper, it is not disposable and cheap.
So, if you mess with it, you risk paying quite a bit of money on repairs. Thus, it is best to use a bidet wisely. People who are new to using bidets often make a few mistakes.
Hence, I have provided a list of things you must not do while cleaning yourself with a bidet.
Do not use a bidet as a guest if you are not invited
Bidets are cleaning gadgets for your private parts.
And while they maintain their sanitation through manual or automatic processes, some hosts might not like sharing their bidet.
That is especially the case if they got their equipment for some medical condition.
Thus, if you find a bidet in your guest’s toilet, it is a good idea to ask whether you are allowed to use it. It can be a bit awkward, but it is necessary.
2. Do not throw things in the bidet
The bidet is essentially a shower for your genitals. It is not a garbage bin. So, if you are a guest and the bathroom has a bidet, do not throw trash in it. It can clog up the entire system.
Besides, it is not polite to your host. Please dispose of your rubbish in the right place and use the bidet for its actual purpose.
3. Do not fiddle with the bidet as a guest
If you are a guest, it is likely the host has adjusted the bidet to its most basic settings.
You should not mess with it, especially if you are new to using bidets.
You can, of course, adjust the water temperature, pressure, etc., if needed. But other than that, it is best to not stir up trouble.
4. Do not use your bidet as a toilet, unless it is an attached one
Bidets come in various shapes, sizes, models, and most importantly, types.
Some bidets are meant only for washing up.
So, make sure you use them for that purpose only.
However, newer bidets are essentially normal toilets with a bidet attached. In fact, hand-held spray bidets are also pretty common.
5. Do not use the bidet for anything other than its original purpose
Some people like to double up their bidet as a foot-washing station or a washer.
But this is not recommended.
First of all, it is extremely unsanitary. Secondly, it can mess up the system of the bidet, causing technical problems.
6. Do not use the host’s towel
Most people prefer to keep a bidet towel handy in the bathroom to wipe down after washing.
That helps in keeping the area dry while avoiding toilet paper wastage.
However, as a guest, you must never use the bidet towel in the bathroom.
It should not be shared at any cost. Otherwise, you might end up with an infection.
7. Do not disrupt a bidet cycle
Many modern bidets are automatic in nature.
That means they operate without you having control of them. And thus, sometimes, they can run when you do not need them.
But that does not mean you should interrupt the flow.
That can cause your bidet to malfunction, sometimes inflicting irreversible damage to it.
That means you will have to call a plumber to get it fixed and pay for it.
8. Do not sit on the bidet unnecessarily.:
Bidets are meant to wash you up after you use the toilet.
And this clean-up only takes up to a minute. It is recommended that you do not sit on the bidet after that.
Especially with automatic bidets that continue to spray, you will risk getting irritation from the water.
Conclusion
In modern bathrooms, bidets are one of the most important fixtures. And to function optimally, they need to be used correctly.
The above list of dos and don’ts should help you figure out what exactly is allowed and forbidden when it comes to using a bidet.
It might sound like a lot of rules, but most of them are really obvious.
Apart from them, if there are any other rules specific to your bidet, you can find the related instructions in the user manual. And voila!
Now you know all about bidet etiquette, which applies regardless of whether you are a guest or a host.
