There are three main types of bidet: the standalone bidets found in Europe, the handheld bidets found in some households, and the toilet seat bidets, embodied on the seat cover or fixed on the back or side toilet rim, called add-on bidets, that are common in Asia. Standalone bidet: These bidets are separate fixtures that usually sit right next to the toilet. Sometimes, however, you’ll find them across the room, or down the hall. Either way, you will need to use the toilet, then stand up and move over to the bidet. This is the original model of the bidet that originated in 18th-century Europe. Add-on side-toilet rim or seat bidets: Many bathrooms in Asia and America don’t have the space to accommodate a separate fixture next to the toilet – so many toilets are designed with built-in bidets or fixtures that fit over the toilet side rim or the seat. This way, you don’t need to get up to clean yourself. Handheld bidet: A bidet that hangs on the wall, and must be manually moved to the desired position to use.
If you are wearing pants, you may need to remove them to straddle the bidet facing the controls. If you don’t want to completely take off your pants, try stepping out of one leg so that you can swing your legs around the bidet. In add-on bidets, things are much more straightforward. You do have not to take off your pants. [4] X Research source In standalone bidets ultimately, the way you face may be dictated by the position of the jets, and which area of your body you wish to clean. That is to say: if you need to clean your front, it might be easier to face the jets. If you’re cleaning your rear, try facing away from the stream.
When you’re done, simply press the “Stop” button. The nozzle will rinse itself off and retract back into the seat. In mechanically controlled add-on bidets, you just turn the lever or pull a string and turn the mains valve.
In normally hot climates, such as the Middle East, you should start with cold water. The water will not need time to heat up, and you may end up burning sensitive areas if you turn the hot water on first. Be sure that you know where the water nozzle is, or you could end up with a surprise shower. If your bidet does have a spray nozzle set in the bowl (unlikely in the UK due to regulations), place your hand above it to subdue any jet of water and then either press or pull the diverter lever between or immediately behind the taps. [7] X Research source
When you use a mechanically handled bidet after you had finished the “job”, you don’t do more than use the external mechanism to turn the water jet nozzle to the center of the bowl and turn on the water supply valve, which is on your hands reach beside the bowl. On those bidet types, as the water jet is very thin, you don’t usually feel the water temperature. Of course, in some cases you can use warm water, taking the water from the bath’s supply.
Consider combining the bidet with toilet paper. You can use the paper at the end, to finish the job, or you can dampen the toilet paper in the water and use it to wipe yourself clean.
Make sure to turn off the jets before you leave the bathroom. If you run the stream, you’ll waste water.
