Have you installed a bidet attachment to your toilet seat and are still trying to find your way around it? Or, you might be traveling to another country where bidets are the norm and you want a little introduction on how to use a bidet.
Well, you’re lucky because this article explains the entire process from A to Z. So, are you ready to dive in?
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How to use a bidet as a man
Step 1: Identify the Type of Bidet You’ll Be Using
One of the most interesting things about bidets is that they come in several forms, and each one should be used a certain way.
Before you get on the toilet seat to do your business, always take a look at the bidet to understand how you’ll proceed. We’ll describe each type of bidet right below so that you can identify it once you see it.
Handheld Bidet sprayer
This form of bidet is usually found in modern bathrooms across several regions of the world such as Asia and some parts of Europe. You can easily tell this bidet apart because it resembles a miniature shower head that’s mounted on the wall right next to the toilet seat.
Sometimes, the sprayer could be attached to the toilet tank itself. Yet, either way, both locations should allow you easy access to the sprayer head from your position on the toilet seat.
Handheld bidets are a breeze to use because of their freedom of movement. You can direct the stream of water to the exact spot you want to wash without having to lean forward or backward.
Built-in Bidet
Built-in bidets can sometimes be hard to notice because their location is more discreet than handheld bidets. See, a built-in bidet is just a nozzle that sits right underneath the rim of the toilet seat, shooting water in one direction, unlike a handheld bidet.
Some built-in bidets automatically release a vertical stream of water after you flush the toilet. Others are manual, depending on you to turn on a wall-mounted or toilet-mounted knob to work.
Similar to a built-in bidet is a bidet attachment, which also includes a nozzle shooting water at your rear. Yet, what makes an attachment different is that it usually comes with a small control pad that allows you to tinker with the water pressure, angle, and, sometimes, temperature.
Freestanding Bidet
A freestanding bidet will look you in the eye as soon as you walk into a bathroom!
It’s hard to miss a freestanding bidet since it resembles a cross between a sink and a toilet seat, and it’ll usually sit right next to the toilet.
Normally, freestanding bidets are equipped with jets or faucets, and you can use them facing backward or forward. It’s based on the area you want to wash.
Now that you’re familiar with the different styles of bidets, it’s time to learn how to work your way around each one of them.
Step 2: Use the Toilet and Wipe With Toilet Paper
The next thing you should do is use the toilet. Then, you’ll have the option either to wipe your genitals with toilet paper before using the bidet or go straight for the bidet without wiping. It’s all up to your preferences.
Yet, for a first-time user, we recommend that you use toilet paper first if you don’t want your hands to get dirty. This scenario is also better if you’ll need to get up and move over to a freestanding bidet, which, in some cases, may not be very close to the toilet.
Step 3: Wash Your Front or Rear Using the Bidet
Based on the type of bidet you have, it’s time to direct water to your genitals and get yourself clean. Yet, before you do that, it’s always a good option to remove your pants or undergarments if you’re worried that they might get soaked in the process.
Here’s a more in-depth description of the proper way to use each bidet:
Using a Handheld Bidet
After finishing your business and wiping, unhook the handheld bidet from its position on the wall or the toilet tank. On the mini showerhead, you’ll find a lever that releases a stream of water once you press it.
Simply enough, position the sprayer nozzle where you need to clean yourself and let the water do its job. If you want to increase your sanitary experience, you’ll want to get your other hand involved to make sure your front or rear is completely clean.
When you’re done, just put the spray head where it was, dry your body with toilet paper, and wash your hands with water and soap.
Using a Built-in Bidet
Here, you’ll need to be extra careful so that you don’t shoot a strong stream of water that might hit the opposite wall!
When turning on a built-in bidet, slowly turn on the knob, letting the water pressure build up gradually until you get the desired results. You might also need to shift a little bit in your position on the toilet seat to let the water reach your front or rear.
Then, just like the previous method, use your hands to thoroughly clean your genitalia. After that, turn the knob to stop the water stream, dry your front or rear with toilet paper, and wash your hands.
Using a Freestanding Bidet
After wiping your genitals with toilet paper, get up and straddle the freestanding bidet so that the area that you need to clean faces the jets.
Then, simply put those jets to work and wash your front or rear until you’re 100% sure they’re clean.
If you’re a woman or anyone with a vulva, remember to wash your front first before directing the water to your rear just like you’d wipe front-to-back. This ensures that no bacteria that resides around your bottom gets to your front and causes all kinds of trouble!
Final Thoughts: using a bidet as man or woman
Ever wondered how to use a bidet properly?
Hopefully, after taking a look at our guide, the seemingly-daunting experience shouldn’t appear so challenging anymore.
If you plan to travel to Japan, it is important that you know how to use a bidet as they don’t use a lot of toilet paper. In this post, we have outlined what you should do to use this.
It can take some time to get used to using a bidet. Luckily most modern bidets are easy to use. Most of them even heat up the water to make it more comfortable to use!
Some people even install a bidet once they return from their trip as they enjoy using it. In most instances, this is pretty easy to do yourself. Your plumber can help you with this if you don’t want to do it yourself.
