Even though bidets were invented a few hundred years ago, they are still new to most Americans. Many people choose to use a bidet attachment instead of an electric bidet seat since it is more affordable but still gets the job done well.
When you get your first attachment, you may not know how to use it. Therefore I layout this guide to teach you how to use a bidet attachment properly.
If you don’t have a bidet attachment yet, you should check our picks for the best bidet attachments.
What is a bidet attachment?
The bidet attachment refers to the bidet that attaches to your original toilet. Instead of replacing the whole toilet seat as bidet seats do, the brackets of bidet attachments stay between the toilet seats and bowls. The nozzles are in the middle of the bracket.
There is a side panel connected to the bracket so that you can adjust the water pressure and water temperature (if it is a dual-temp model).
Installing a bidet attachment is easy peasy. Use a T-valve to divert water to the bidet inlet and put the bracket under the toilet seat, and you can start to use it.
One thing that sets the bidet attachment apart is its affordability. You can get a nice one for under $50. While it doesn’t come with many advanced features, it is powerful and effective in cleaning your butt.
Buying a bidet attachment is a sensible idea for those who are unsure if the bidet is your type of thing. But I don’t recommend it to people with mobility issues as you need to wiggle around to find the best position and bend over to dry you off.
Using a bidet attachment in the right way
How to use a bidet attachment? While it will take some trial-and-error, you can master it in a short time.
Step 1: Test the spray
Since bidet attachments directly utilize the home’s water supply pressure, the spray coming out from the wand is usually strong. It could lead to uncomfortable experiences for your sensitive area.
Therefore I advise you to test the spray with your hand in advance. You can start from the lowest pressure and add it gradually to see which level may fit you best.
If you have a dual-temp attachment, you should also test the water temperature, preventing the hot water from damaging your sensitive skin.
Step 2: Wipe with toilet paper or not
After doing your business, you could opt for wiping or not. Some people prefer to wipe away some large pieces of feces with one or two sheets of toilet paper. If you don’t intend to do this, it is totally fine. Most bidet attachments could effectively wash away the waste without spraying poop everywhere.
Step 3: Find the best position and adjust the water pressure
As bidet attachments are non-electric, so the nozzle position is not adjustable. Different users have various body sizes and preferred sitting positions. It is possible that the water stream can’t aim at the correct area in the first place.
If it is the case, you will need to wiggle around and make sure the spray can wash your nether region correctly.
Meanwhile, you need to adjust the water pressure by turning the knobs on the side panel. Since you have tested at the first step, you will have a better idea at this time.
Step 4: Enjoy your bidet spa
Once you find the right pressure level and position, you can let the power of water wash off all your waste. The water is endless, but a typical session often lasts less than one minute.
You could also use the bidet attachment to clean your vulva. But overdoing it may lead to damage to the genital environment.
When you feel completely clean, you will need to bend over and look down to turn off the knobs on the side panel.
Step 5: Dry off
Again, as bidet attachments are not powered by electricity, they don’t have an air dryer to dry you off.
If you have some time to kill, you could air dry it. In this way, you can move away from toilet paper usage completely. However, for those who live in a cold area, it could take even a longer time to freeze your butt off.
So most people would choose to dab the butt with one or two sheets of toilet paper. Don’t worry! You can still save about 75% of TP. It is not for wiping, just for dabbing.
You could also use some bidet towels to take away the water. It means you could ditch the TP and save time simultaneously. The downside of using bidet towels is that you have to wash them frequently and store them in a clean place.
Sum up
This article is for people who don’t know how to use a bidet attachment properly. You can see there are no complex steps involved. All your feces and urine will be washed away by turning the knobs or levers on the side panel and changing your body position.
As the water pressure propping out from the attachment is pretty high, you should test it ahead to avoid any possible damage to your skin. You should also adjust the temperature if you have a cold/hot water bidet attachment.
It will take some practice, but you can get the hang of it hands down.
