If you’ve recently switched to a bidet, you’ve probably wondered what to use for drying yourself after.
Bidet towels are the answer — and they’re simpler, more hygienic, and more eco-friendly than you might think.
What Is A Bidet Towel?
A bidet towel is a small, reusable cloth you use to pat yourself dry after rinsing with a bidet.
Unlike toilet paper, it is not disposable — you wash it and use it again, making it a much more sustainable option for your bathroom routine.
It should be made from a skin-safe material like bamboo or organic cotton, which are soft, absorbent, and gentle on sensitive skin.
You can use a bidet towel with any type of bidet: a standalone unit, a bidet seat or handheld sprayer, or even a simple non-electric attachment.
Should You Use A Towel With A Bidet?
Yes — and here’s why it matters.
After rinsing with a bidet, there is residual moisture left behind.
Leaving that area wet creates a warm, damp environment where bacteria can thrive, which is the last thing you want.
Patting dry with a bidet towel eliminates that risk and keeps you feeling fresh and comfortable.
Some electric bidet seats, like those covered in our best bidets with dryers roundup, come with built-in warm air dryers.
But these are typically found on premium models that aren’t in everyone’s budget.
If your bidet doesn’t have a dryer — and most don’t — a bidet towel is the cleanest and most practical solution.
How Do You Use A Bidet Towel?
Using a bidet towel is straightforward, especially once you’re comfortable with your bidet.
Here is a simple step-by-step routine to follow:
1. Rinse thoroughly with your bidet until you feel completely clean.
2. Pick up a fresh, clean bidet towel.
3. Gently pat — don’t rub — the area dry.
4. Place the used towel in its designated basket or wet bag for washing.
If you’re used to wiping with toilet paper, the patting motion may feel different at first.
Hold the towel in place for a few extra seconds to allow the fabric to soak up the moisture properly.
You’ll get the hang of it quickly, and the result is noticeably more comfortable than rough paper.
Are Bidet Towels Sanitary?
This is the question that trips most people up — and the answer is a clear yes, provided you’re using your bidet properly.
A bidet towel is not meant to clean away residue — that’s what the bidet itself is for.
By the time you reach for the towel, you should already be clean.
The towel is only absorbing water, which is no different from drying yourself after a shower.
Think of it like a bath towel — you wouldn’t hesitate to use one of those after washing.
The key is rinsing thoroughly with your bidet before you dry.
If you’re unsure whether you’re getting a good clean, explore our article on the pros and cons of bidets to understand how to get the best results from your setup.
One thing to watch out for: a damp towel left to sit can harbor bacteria.
Always let your towels dry fully between uses, or use a fresh one each time.
Are Bidet Towels Safe For Women?
Yes, bidet towels are safe for women.
The only extra step to keep in mind is front-to-back direction when patting dry, just as you would wipe with toilet paper.
If cross-contamination is a concern, keep two separate sets of towels — one for the front and one for the back.
Women who use bidets during their period will find bidet towels especially useful, since they pair perfectly with the thorough rinse a bidet provides.
For more on this topic, check out our article on using a bidet on your period.
How Often Should You Wash Bidet Towels?
This comes down to personal preference, but there are a few common approaches.
The most hygienic option is to use each towel just once before washing.
A practical middle ground is to swap to a fresh towel each day.
If you plan to reuse a towel more than once, make sure you let it air dry completely after each use — a wet, crumpled towel sitting in a basket is where problems start.
However often you wash them, the routine is easy: toss them in with a gentle detergent on a warm cycle, air dry or tumble dry on low, and they’re ready to go again.
Skip the fabric softener — it coats the fibers and reduces absorbency over time.
How Should You Store Bidet Towels?
Good storage habits make the whole system work smoothly.
The simplest setup is two separate baskets or bins near your toilet: one for clean towels, one for used ones.
Keep lids on both to keep out dust and odors.
If floor space is tight, a small hanging wet bag on the wall next to your toilet is an excellent substitute for the used-towel bin.
Just drop in your used towels as you go, and toss the whole bag in the wash when it’s time.
Label your towel containers if you share a bathroom, so there’s no mix-up between family members.
Can You Reuse Bidet Towels?
Yes, you can reuse a bidet towel multiple times before washing — that’s the whole point.
As long as you let it dry fully between uses and store it in a clean, designated spot, it is safe to do so.
A small hook or bar mounted on the wall beside your toilet is ideal for hanging a towel to dry between uses.
Keep it away from children and pets, and do not share it with other household members.
This system is not much different from how many households manage face cloths or hand towels.
What Are The Best Bidet Towels?
Now that you understand how bidet towels work, you need a set that’s actually worth using.
For a bamboo option that’s built specifically for bidet use, the Clear Rear Royal Treatment towels are one of the most popular choices available.
Clear Rear – The Royal Treatment Bamboo Towel Set
These towels are made from 100% bamboo, which is naturally soft, highly absorbent, and biodegradable — making them both skin-friendly and eco-conscious.
You get five towels per set, which gives you enough to rotate through the week without constantly doing laundry.
The bamboo material means they stay soft wash after wash, and the hypoallergenic construction makes them ideal for sensitive skin.
Check its current price on Amazon
If you’re not yet using a bidet and are wondering where to start, check out our best bidets for home use guide to find a model that suits your bathroom and budget.
How Do Bidet Towels Compare To Toilet Paper?
When you stack them up, bidet towels win on almost every front.
Toilet paper is a one-time-use product that most Americans go through at a staggering rate — contributing to deforestation, waste, and ongoing household expense.
Bidet towels, by contrast, are reusable for years with basic care, which means they pay for themselves quickly.
There’s also the hygiene angle: toilet paper smears rather than cleans, while a bidet followed by a towel dry leaves you genuinely clean.
For a deeper comparison of alternatives, our article on bidet vs wet wipes breaks down the cost and effectiveness of each option.
And if you’re weighing up the broader case for switching, the pros and cons of bidets is a great place to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just use a regular washcloth as a bidet towel?
Yes, any small absorbent cloth can work as a bidet towel.
Standard washcloths or even cut-up flannel fabric work perfectly well.
The advantage of purpose-made bidet towels is that they’re often made from bamboo, which is more absorbent than standard cotton and dries faster between uses.
Do bidet towels smell bad?
Not if you manage them properly.
The smell issue only arises when towels are left wet for too long before washing.
Let each used towel air dry fully before putting it in the laundry bin, and wash the whole lot regularly.
A good bidet hygiene routine makes this a complete non-issue.
How many bidet towels do I need?
A set of five to seven towels is a good starting point for one person.
That gives you enough to use one per day and wash them once a week.
If you prefer to use a fresh towel every time you use the toilet, you’ll want a larger set of around ten to twelve.
Are bidet towels better than using toilet paper to dry off?
Without question.
Toilet paper can leave behind lint and residue, especially when damp.
A soft bidet towel simply absorbs moisture without friction, which is gentler on the skin and more effective at drying.
Paired with a thorough rinse from a quality bidet — whether that’s a handheld sprayer or an electric seat — you’ll notice the difference from the very first use.
Conclusion
Bidet towels are a small addition that makes a big difference to your bathroom routine.
They’re hygienic, reusable, easy to maintain, and a perfect complement to any bidet setup.
Whether you’re brand new to bidets or just looking to ditch toilet paper for good, a quality set of bidet towels is the missing piece.
For more help finding the right setup for your bathroom, explore our best bidet towels roundup, browse our bidet toilet seat comparison chart, or check out the full range of options in our best bidets for existing toilets guide.
