If you’re in the market for a bidet, you’ll be spoilt for choice. From a simple tap that provides the refreshed feeling you’re after, to a smart toilet that provides everything from lighting to deodorant.

You’d be forgiven for feeling a little confused!

Yet bidets are certainly an investment, and not just from a price perspective – we all spend, on average, 92 days of our lives on the toilet, so how we clean ourselves afterwards can considerably affect our happiness down there, and overall!

So if you’re looking to buy a bidet, here are the answers to six burning questions you’re likely asking yourselves:

#1 What are the benefits of a bidet?

They’re the epitome of good personal hygiene

Many bidet converts say that it’s impossible to understand the benefits of a bidet until you try it for yourself. That clean, fresh feeling, they say, is irreplaceable, and they quite simply can’t understand how toilet paper will ever again suffice.

And they’re right – bidets are the epitome of good personal hygiene. Science backs this up.

Cleaning yourself properly after going to the toilet is essential, says Dr Austin Chan, from Boston’s Brigham Women’s Hospital. If we don’t clean ourselves properly, we risk leaving nasty bacteria behind, which we can inadvertently wipe into other places. Over time, this can lead to an increased risk of irritation and infection. Infections can be anything from a urinary tract infection to bacterial vaginosis.

And that infection may not stay confined to our nether regions, either. Research shows that bacteria can easily transfer onto our hands (especially since an alarming 95% of people don’t wash their hands properly after visiting the toilet), which can lead to anything from respiratory infections to hand-foot-mouth disease.

So it’s fair to say that bidets not only help us feel fresher, they actually have a higher scientific purpose in decreasing the risk of bacterial transfer and infection.

They’re especially good in certain situations

While bidets help anyone feel fresher anytime, they’re particularly beneficial in certain situations when we might be feeling particularly icky down there, or when we might need a bit more help.

There are lots of these ‘situations.’ For women especially, a bidet can be particularly wonderful when you’ve had a visit from Aunty Flo, or when you’re late in your pregnancy and finding that getting an arm around to wipe is a little more challenging than you’d like! Likewise, if you’re experiencing haemorrhoids for any reason, a bidet can be an absolute godsend.

Bidets are also likely to be your best friend if you’ve injured your shoulder or arm, making wiping that bit tougher, or if you’re unable to wipe for any other reason.

In a nutshell, if you’re looking to buy a bidet, know this: They’re excellent for personal hygiene science says). And you’ll particularly love them in many situations.

#2 Are bidets actually safe to use?

For those of us who haven’t used a bidet before, they sure can seem a bit intimidating. You might be asking yourself, are there risks involved in washing down there? What do all of those buttons and gadgets do? Are they really safe when pregnant? Here’s everything you need to know:

Are there any risks associated with washing ‘down there’?

In a word: No. Washing yourself after you’ve gone to the toilet in fact carries many benefits, as outlined above. Provided that you dry yourself after, there are no known risks to washing ‘down there’ using a bidet.

Are bidets safe during pregnancy?

One of the many risks in pregnancy is that you’ll deliver early, and one of the risk factors for early delivery is contracting a vaginal infection that leads to inflammation. Inflammation around the fetus can often cause premature birth.

Several studies have conclusively shown, though, that bidets do not change the vagina’s bacterial balance, hence do not increase the risk of vaginal infection, and in some cases, may even decrease it.

What do all of those buttons and gadgets do?

There’s no doubt that many a tourist in Japan has emerged a little frazzled after using a bidet that can do, well, just about anything. One example is this incredible, $11,000 bidet… it offers everything from a tornado flush to ‘hospitality’ options.

But rest assured: these options may be grand, but they’re harmless!

If you’re purchasing a bidet, never fear – they’re safe for everyone, in every situation.

#3 Does bidets harm the environment?

When most of us use the loo, the environment is the last thing on our mind. But it should be – our toilet paper habit really costs us. Did you know that most of us use a staggering 20,000 sheets of toilet paper a year?!

This really adds up when it comes to our environment. Firstly, it’s the collective equivalent of 27,000 trees that we’re throwing down the drain – which is a huge issue for deforestation.. Then, in order to make the paper we need, we use 37 gallons of water (per roll!), and 235,000 tons of chlorine.

And then for the paper to be manufactured and transported to us? Another 17.3 terawatts of electricity.

Replacing some of your toilet paper with a bidet wash, then, can do more than just wonders for your bum – it can help save trees, chemicals and electricity – and ultimately, our environment.

#4 What are the different types of bidets?

If you’ve travelled overseas, you’ll know that technically, there are hundreds – if not thousands – of different bidets available. But for the average bidet-user, there are just two types: the bidet toilet seat and the bidet toilet suite. Here is a detailed description of both for you:

Bidet toilet seat

A bidet toilet seat is the most basic form of a bidet. We say basic, but in reality, this type of bidet can do a lot of things!

Most usually, a bidet toilet seat is a bidet that attaches to your existing toilet via a threaded tee pipe adaptor (also called an add-on bidet). From here, you have a lot of choices when it comes to what your bidet does. Some bidets have movable or fixed nozzles that attach to your existing toilet, and some replace the toilet seat altogether.

Then, you have a choice of nozzles. Some bidets feature a vertical water jet. Others feature what’s called a ‘family nozzle’ for washing the anus and then a second bidet nozzle for washing the vulva.

Most bidet toilet seats are mechanical, so you will need to control the nozzle yourself by turning it on and off.

Finally – if you want it to be – a bidet toilet seat can be an entirely separate porcelain chamber in your bathroom. These separate chambers do require their own plumbing, but can be a luxurious investment!

Bidet toilet suite

If you’re considering a bidet toilet suite, you really have some exciting options!

Bidet toilet suites are the next step up from the standard toilet seat. The sky’s really the limit with toilet suites – there’s nothing they can’t do!

Bidet toilet suites, otherwise known as smart toilets, really do live up to their name. The average smart toilet does everything from offering a cosy heated seat to automatic flushing, to electric nozzle adjustments, and just about anything in between.

When shopping for a toilet suite, the most basic would have an electrically controlled nozzle, and then you’d have other options from there on in.

#5 How complicated is it to use a bidet?

If you’re new to the world of bidets, you’re more than forgiven for asking this. Back in the day, a parent taught you how to wipe your behind. But wash it? *Crickets.* But before we get to that, let’s quickly answer a few questions we know you have but are too afraid to ask:

Do I still need to use toilet paper when I use a bidet?

Yes. If you’ve finished your Number 1, toilet paper is useful to dry yourself off after you use your bidet. If you’ve made a true sacrifice to the porcelain throne, we suggest a wipe pre bidet, and then another post, for drying. Clearly, depending on how your sacrifice went, you may need to adjust this – you get our drift.

Will my clothing get wet when using a bidet?

That is generally not the idea. We recommend positioning the nozzle so it sprays your nether regions, as opposed to towards your t-shirt/pants/shoes etc.

Instructions on how to use a bidet

Bidets do come in a million different varieties, so it can be hard to provide uniform instructions, But in general, if you follow these guidelines you should generally get the result you’re after:

1. Do your thing: Answer the call of nature, as you need…
2. Adjust the temperature: If you’re using an adjustable bidet, adjust the water pressure and temperature to your liking.
3. Angle the nozzle: After you’ve made the adjustments, it’s go time! Angle the nozzle to the right spot or alternatively, angle your body to the correct position.
4. Dry off: After you’re all done, pat yourself dry or if there’s the option, use the air-drying function.

#6 What is the difference between cheap bidets and expensive bidets?

For the value they provide in hygiene and enjoyment terms, not to mention the benefit to the environment, bidets are relatively affordable but what you pay is what you get in terms of quality.

Bidet toilet seats (the most basic toilet seat attachment) start at around $100 and can be anything up to $1000+. If you decide to have a separate bidet altogether, you’ll also have to factor in plumbing costs.

Bidet toilet suites are usually more expensive. Given their incredible range of functionality, they usually start at $1,500. The higher-end models can really make you feel like a king, ranging up to $11,000.

Conclusion

And there you have it, 6 essential things you needed to know before buying a bidet. Hopefully, this will help you make the right choice if you’re in the market for a bidet.