How to Use a Bidet
Learn how to use a bidet properly, from standalone basins to seat attachments and handheld sprayers. Covers positioning, pressure, drying, and common mistakes.
About 80 percent of Japanese households have a bidet. In Italy, the law requires one in every home. In the United States, only about 12 percent of people have ever tried one. But that number is changing fast. Bidet sales surged tenfold during the 2020 toilet paper shortage, and adoption has kept climbing since. A 2025 survey found that the share of Americans who have never used a bidet dropped by 11 percentage points in a single year.
If you are curious but have no idea what to do when you sit down, the mechanics take about one try to learn. This guide walks you through every type of bidet, from traditional standalone basins to modern seat attachments, handheld sprayers, smart toilets, and portable travel bidets.
Know your bidet type
Bidets come in several forms, and each one works a little differently. Standalone bidets are separate porcelain basins next to the toilet, common across Europe. Bidet seat attachments replace your existing toilet seat and add a retractable spray nozzle. Handheld sprayers mount to the side of your toilet and work like a small showerhead. Built-in bidet toilets (like TOTO Washlets) combine the toilet and bidet into one unit with electronic controls. And portable travel bidets are squeeze bottles with angled nozzles you can take anywhere. Each type follows the same basic principle: use water to clean instead of (or alongside) toilet paper.
Use the toilet first
With a standalone bidet, you use the toilet as normal and then move over to the bidet basin beside it. With every other type (seat attachment, handheld sprayer, built-in, or portable), you simply stay seated on the toilet after you go. There is no need to get up or transfer anywhere.
Position yourself correctly
For a standalone bidet, you can either straddle the basin facing the controls or sit with your back to them. Whichever position gives you better aim. For a bidet seat attachment or built-in toilet, sit all the way back on the seat and lean your torso slightly forward. This centers you over the nozzle. For a handheld sprayer, hold the sprayer with your dominant hand and angle it from behind or between your legs, aiming upward. For a portable bidet, hold the bottle with the nozzle pointing upward toward the area you want to clean.
Good to know: Women should always direct the water from front to back. This prevents bacteria from moving toward the vaginal opening.
Start the water on low pressure
This part is important, especially if you are new to bidets. Always start at the lowest pressure setting. For a standalone bidet, test the water temperature on your hand before sitting down and turn the knobs slowly. For a seat attachment, turn the dial to the first notch or press the lowest wash setting. For a handheld sprayer, squeeze the trigger gently. For a portable bidet, give the bottle a light squeeze. Higher pressure does not mean better cleaning. A gentle, aerated stream often cleans more effectively than a narrow, high-pressure jet.
Heads up: If you have reduced sensation due to neuropathy, MS, or a spinal cord condition, always test the water temperature on your hand first. There have been documented cases of burns from hot water bidet settings.
Adjust the temperature and nozzle position
Non-electric attachments typically use cold water only, though some models have a hot water connection. Electric bidet seats and built-in toilets offer adjustable warm water with multiple temperature levels. Let the water warm for a few seconds before starting. Most electric models also let you adjust the nozzle position forward or backward. Experiment until the stream hits the right spot. Many models have a separate "feminine wash" or "front wash" mode that angles the nozzle further forward.
Wash for 30 to 60 seconds
Let the water do its work. Thirty seconds is usually enough for a thorough clean, but up to a minute is fine. With a standalone bidet, you can use your hand to help wash the area, the same way you would in the shower. With an attachment or built-in bidet, some models have an oscillating mode that moves the nozzle back and forth automatically for broader coverage. You do not need soap. Warm water alone is sufficient and medically recommended. Adding soap to the bidet can actually disrupt your skin and cause irritation.
Dry off
After washing, you have three options. The simplest is to pat dry with a few squares of toilet paper. Do not rub, just pat gently. Some people keep a dedicated washcloth or small towel near the bidet for drying. This is more sustainable but requires regular washing. If you have an electric bidet seat, you can use the built-in air dryer. It takes one to two minutes, which is slower than patting dry, but it is completely hands-free.
Clean and maintain the bidet
Most modern bidet seats have self-cleaning nozzles that rinse automatically before and after each use. Beyond that, wipe the seat and exterior with a soft damp cloth daily. Once a month, extend the nozzle manually (there is usually a button for this) and wipe it with a damp cloth. Every few months, check the inlet strainer or filter by shutting off the water supply, removing the filter, and rinsing out any sediment. Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach or abrasive powders. Chlorine-based products can weaken rubber O-rings and gaskets, which leads to internal leaks.
Using a bidet is one of those things that feels awkward for about 30 seconds and then makes you wonder why you waited so long. Start with the lowest pressure, figure out your positioning, and give yourself a few tries to get comfortable. The environmental case is hard to argue with. Americans go through 36 billion rolls of toilet paper every year. A bidet cuts that by 75 to 80 percent while using roughly 16 ounces of water per wash. And the hygiene benefits are real. Water cleans more thoroughly than dry paper, which is why bidets are recommended by dermatologists for a range of perianal skin conditions. Whether you go with a $30 attachment or a $3,000 smart toilet, the learning curve is the same. A few days of use and you will not want to go back.
Questions we get asked about this
Answers from experience, not a textbook.
Yes. Water removes fecal bacteria more effectively than dry paper. One study found 7 to 10 times fewer bacteria on the hands of bidet users compared with people who used toilet paper alone. Think of it this way. If you got mud on your hands, you would wash with water rather than wipe with a dry paper towel.
The water comes from the same clean supply that feeds your sink and shower faucet. It is not recirculated toilet water. Modern bidet seats also have self-cleaning nozzles that rinse before and after each use.
The risk is minimal with proper use. A 2010 study found an association between habitual bidet use and changes in vaginal microflora in women, but a follow-up 2013 study of pregnant women found no increased risk of bacterial vaginosis or preterm birth. The key precaution is for women to always direct water from front to back, never the reverse.
About one-eighth of a gallon, which is roughly half a liter or 16 ounces. That is about the amount in a single-serve water bottle. A single toilet flush uses 6 to 12 times more water than a complete bidet wash.
You need far less. A few squares to pat dry afterward is the usual amount, or a dedicated towel or the built-in air dryer instead. Typical toilet paper reduction is 75 to 80 percent. You do not eliminate it entirely unless you exclusively use a towel or air dryer for drying.
Yes. Americans use approximately 36 billion rolls of toilet paper per year, requiring roughly 15 million trees and hundreds of billions of gallons of water in manufacturing. A bidet reduces toilet paper consumption by 75 to 80 percent while using only about 16 ounces of water per wash.
A basic non-electric attachment runs $30 to $80 and installs in under 30 minutes. Handheld sprayers cost $20 to $50. Electric bidet seats range from $300 to $800. Built-in smart toilets start around $1,000 and can go above $5,000. A $50 attachment can pay for itself in 3 to 4 months for a family of four through toilet paper savings.
Bidets offer real comfort for people with hemorrhoids, anal fissures, IBS, and similar conditions. Water cleaning avoids the friction and irritation of repeated wiping. A randomized controlled trial found bidets comparable to warm sitz baths for post-hemorrhoidectomy pain relief. Dermatologists also recommend bidets for perianal skin conditions including eczema, psoriasis, and pruritus ani.