Buying your first bidet toilet seat is an exciting experience. For some, this new method of cleaning yourself can also be a little intimidating. Feeling a little anxious before using your bidet seat for the first time is something we all experience. Here at Bidet King, we want to make sure you feel comfortable using your new bidet toilet seat and ensure you utilize it to its full potential. 

Like riding a bicycle, there’s a bit of a learning curve when using a bidet seat for the first time. We find that it generally takes a new user around 2-3 weeks before they get fully accustomed to it. This includes learning all of the bidet seat’s functions, adjustments, button layout, and most importantly - their own body positioning. 

So, let’s break down how to use a bidet toilet seat most effectively. 

REAR CLEANSING

First off, bidet seats are appliances that spray a jet of warm water to help you clean yourself more effectively after using your toilet. They are not miracle devices. They don’t magically clean your whole bottom and pat you dry.  Bidet seats are incredible tools that can help you achieve greater hygiene, but they do require some effort from the user. 

The bidet’s rear wash is its core purpose. During a rear wash, your bidet will extend out a nozzle from which a steady stream of warm water will spray.

Note that in order for the wash cycle to begin, you must be seated to activate the skin sensor.

By default, the nozzle will extend to a certain length and remain stationary during its cycle.  Since everybody’s anatomy is a little different, you may need to adjust the nozzle position forward or backward to have the spray hit the right spot.  What should you do if the spray isn’t cleaning you fully?

FOR BEST RESULTS: Some users will find that increasing the spray pressure and using the oscillation function may help in getting a better cleaning experience.  The higher pressure helps cleanse more thoroughly and the oscillation creates a wider cleaning area.

Customers should also note that body positioning plays an important role in achieving an optimal cleaning. Leaning your upper torso forward and backward will change the angle of your rear end enough for the nozzle spray to hit different areas. Also, shifting your body from side to side may also garner better results as the spray hits you from different angles.  

Some other factors that will affect a bidet seat’s ability to cleanse effectively include:

• Higher BMI: Larger users may need to adjust their bottoms a little more to allow the water stream to clean everything out.
• Height: Shorter and taller users alike may need to adjust their sitting position for the nozzle to hit the right spot
• Body hair: users with more body hair may find the need to wash longer for a better cleaning.

FRONT CLEANSING

Most bidet seats have a front feminine wash for women. The nozzle still comes out from the rear, but generally extends about an inch farther than the rear wash. The front wash is more gentle and has a wider spray pattern than the rear wash.

Some women may find that the front spray does not reach far enough forward for their anatomy. Shorter women in particular tend to have this complaint because it’s harder for them to sit back, especially on taller ADA toilets.  

The issue is that there’s a limit to how far forward the front spray nozzle can extend.  If it sprays too far forward, the water would ricochet straight out of the bowl after hitting the user.  

FOR BEST RESULTS: We recommend women to sit all the way back on the seat, not just the front half.  Then, lean their upper torso forward to change the angle down below.

DRYING

Another popular bidet seat feature is the warm air drying.  This function blows warm air toward your rear to help dry you after a wash cycle.

While the idea of air drying after a wash sounds amazing, users should be aware of its limitations as well.  They can work, but they do require patience as fans themselves are not very strong.  Users that expect the air power of a commercial hand dryer will be disappointed.

The intensity and overall strength of a bidet’s warm air drying fan is limited. This is due to the possibility of a very strong fan spreading microscopic/aerosolized fecal matter around the bathroom and jeopardizing the overall hygiene of the bidet itself. 

FOR BEST RESULTS: Always flush the toilet before starting a drying cycle. Users will find that a length of 3-5 minutes of warm air drying will usually be sufficient to dry the desired area.  Also, lean your upper torso and shift side to side to help the drying fan reach all the crevices down below. In some instances, it may still be necessary to use a small amount of toilet paper or a towel to dab off any remaining water. 

HEATED SEAT

A bidet toilet seat’s heated seat feature is a crowd favorite.  Sitting down on a nice, warm seat during those frigid winter mornings makes most users instant converts.  

The heated seat works via an internal heating element that runs inside the seat itself.  Different models use different style heating elements so while they all provide warmth, the exact feeling will differ from seat to seat. Users select the heat level on the remote control.

Sounds simple? Not so fast.  Bidet seats generally have an “eco mode” or “power saving” option.  These options, if active, will either reduce or completely turn off the heated seat temperature when idle.  This means that when you first sit down, the seat may be room temperature before heating up.

FOR BEST RESULTS: If you want a consistent seat temperature every time you sit down, be sure to disable all power savings options.

Conclusion

Getting accustomed to and familiar with the different settings and features on your new bidet seat can take some time, but do not let initial results discourage you. After a short time, you will know what each setting and feature does as well as how to best properly use them to fulfill your specific hygienic needs.  Bidet seats are wonderful tools and with aa little practice, can become your new best friend in the bathroom.