How to Install and Use a Bidet Toilet Seat

A bidet toilet seat will promote health and personal hygiene for both men and women. It is a wonderful addition to any bathroom and will be appreciated by those who use it.

Many Americans think that bidets are used by women only. This mistaken idea was started by American soldiers returning home from France after WWII. Many of these men had visited women who, ahem… conducted a commercial business, where they observed the ladies using a bidet before and after sex. This is one use for the bidet, but certainly not the only use.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Most bathrooms do not have room to install a large appliance such as a bidet. The answer has come from Asia, where the bidet toilet seat has become very popular.
   
   In Japan some bidet seats have many functions and may cost as much as $2000. Don’t worry, there are many models that work well and are far less expensive than that!

2. The simplest sort of bidet is a hand held device I used while vacationing in Thailand. Many hotels there have a device located next to the toilet that many foreign visitors call a “poo gun”.
   
   This looks like a dishwasher spray and does a very good job of cleaning up after using the toilet. This works well because in Thailand the water is always warm. In higher latitudes the cold water is uncomfortable.

3. 
    
   Electricity wired from nearby light switch.

   Although the “poo gun” may be used anywhere, the bidet seat is a much more elegant solution.
   
   There are two types of bidet seats: Electric and non-electric.
   
   The electric models must have an electrical receptacle within 3 feet of the toilet. They use only the normal cold water supply to the tank and electrically heat it to the desired temperature.
   
   The non-electric models must have both hot and cold valves located near the toilet.
   
   I highly recommend the electric type bidet seat because the water temperature and water pressure is easily adjustable.

4. Most bidet seats will have at least 3 modes of operation:
   Anal spray
   Feminine spray
   Enema wash
   
   In addition to these features, some seats have a massage function, a seat warming function, a warm air dry function, a charcoal filter to reduce odors and other features which may be had at added cost.

5. Why use a bidet seat rather than just good old toilet paper?
   
   a) Cleansing before and after sex.
   b) Prevention of urinary tract infections. These can be very painful for men and women, although it is a more common problem for women.
   c) Older persons who have a difficult time cleaning themselves find this to be a godsend.
   d) Cleaning with warm water reduces irritation to the anus, especially after periods of diarrhea.
   e) With constipation, the enema stream will encourage defecation.
   f) Reduce the irritation of hemorrhoids.
   g) The enema stream may be used on light pressure to clean deeper than may be done with the spray alone.
   
   Finally, it is wonderful to always feel fresh and clean, with no odors and never having messy underwear.
   
   I use a bit of toilet paper to dry myself, rather than to use the warm air function. It’s just personal choice. As I become older, I may have to use the air dry feature.

6. 
    
   The remote control is located in an easy location & has all the features.

   Which bidet seat to buy and how much will it cost?
   
   My main concern was finding a seat which gave the greatest water flow while washing. I felt that it was a case of “the more water, the better”.
   
   Another feature which is important is to have a remote control for the seat. This may sound silly to you, but the remote is important. The built-in controls on nearly all seats are in a rather difficult location, back near the seat hinge. Also, the remote will give access to more features. Believe me, get the remote control!
   
   Bidet seats will cost anywhere from $500 to well over $1000. I chose one that cost $495 and had all the features that are important to me.
   
   Check the features provided by various manufacturers and choose one that suits your needs.