How to Use a Bidet, According to People Who Swear by It

Let’s face it: do you know what a bidet is used for? While bidets are common throughout Europe, it’s virtually impossible to spot one in the United States. But thanks to brands like Tushy, bidet attachments are becoming increasingly popular as they are easy to install in toilets at home.

With a name derived from the French word for “pony” or “little horse,” which refers to the position people assume when using it (essentially, it’s like sitting on a horse), the bidet was first invented in France in the 18th century. Designed to resemble that of a toilet bowl, it’s essentially a bowl designed to be sat on (or sat on, depending on which part of your body you want to rinse) “to wash your lower abdomen after using the toilet,” according to Jo Hayesan etiquette consultant and the founder of Etiquette Expert. In other words, there is no need to use toilet paper.

Originally, bidets were mounted on wooden legs, but today they usually have a jet of water that is directed at the desired spot. In addition, they are equipped with a lot of other technical gadgets that have made them indispensable, such as the installation of taps, extra water pressure, automatic flushing, odor neutralizing properties and much more.

According to a questionnaire of US adults, conducted by Propeller Insights on behalf of Bio Bidet in 2022, found that only 12% of Americans “know a lot about” bidets. But bidet users outside the US have very positive feelings about it.

“Bidet users often report a sense of improved hygiene and cleanliness,” said Doctor Farhan Malika health and wellness expert who also focuses on best practices for personal hygiene. “Overall, bidet users report feeling refreshed and revitalized after using the device.”

Malik says this feeling comes largely from the way bidets are constructed and how they are intended to be used.

“The direct application of water for post-toilet cleansing removes residual fecal matter more effectively than toilet paper alone,” he noted. “This can help prevent skin irritation and inflammation in the genital area. The gentle, focused water stream also reduces excessive wiping and pulling, which can lead to discomfort.”

While there’s no official or medically recommended way to use bidets, the process involves sitting or straddling one and then directing the water to rinse your lower body. In some parts of Europe — notably Italy and France — home bathrooms also typically have a “bidet towel” handy for drying off after use, and this is usually hung on a separate rod next to the bidet and out of the way of towels.

“Many people who use a bidet consider it a cleaner option than dry toilet paper,” Hayes says.

The hygienic properties of bidets compared to toilet paper have been debated for years.

“The purpose of the bidet was to promote better personal hygiene, as using dry toilet paper alone was not considered adequate cleaning by bidet proponents,” Malik said. “Washing with water was seen as a more thorough method of cleaning after bowel movements or urination.”

When asked which cleaning process he finds most hygienic, Malik praises bidets for a number of reasons: The water jet flushes away fecal matter more effectively than toilet paper, as it penetrates the orifices more easily. It’s also a gentler process on the skin.

“The friction and pressure of repeatedly wiping with toilet paper can lead to inflammation, pain and even bleeding,” he said. “The water from a bidet provides a soothing cleanse without irritation.”

Hayes agrees with that sentiment. “Many Americans find the bidet unsanitary, but when used properly, it is generally just as hygienic, if not more hygienic, than toilet paper,” she added.

Those who don’t use bidets don’t necessarily disagree with these ideas — they just don’t seem to know much about them. Bidets are not, in fact, part of American culture — but why?

“The lack of bidet acceptance in the United States is an interesting cultural phenomenon that stems from several factors,” Malik noted, noting that the habit of using toilet paper is “deeply ingrained” on this side of the Atlantic and that bidets are historically associated with European cultures and therefore seen as foreign. “Additionally, the added cost and plumbing required to install bidets can be prohibitive, especially in older homes.”

According to both experts, many people also worry about “splash” when it comes to bidets – as you clean yourself, water can splash onto the floor around you or perhaps onto your shirt – but that’s a problem that’s easily solved if you follow proper etiquette.

“There is a chance of ‘splash water’ over and around the toilet bowl, but that would be due to poor bidet use/bad etiquette rather than the toilet bowl itself,” Hayes said.

Malik also notes that most bidets don’t spray water directly onto the user’s body, but rather have a removable nozzle with adjustable pressure and positioning, which also prevents back splashing.

“When I first recommended bidet toilet seats to customers, many assumed the water would splash everywhere and make a mess,” he recalls. “However, when they tried an adjustable bidet, they were pleasantly surprised by the clean and comfortable experience. The right education goes a long way in reducing that fear. Bidets are an easy way to improve hygiene and durability.”

While everyone is entitled to their own bathroom routine, perhaps Americans should consider giving bidets a try. After all, who wouldn’t appreciate a cleaner, fresher butt?