How to Use a Bidet | Benefits, Types & Costs

Once you get to grips with how to use a bidet, you will wonder why it has taken Australia so long to catch on. There are lots of models on the market now, far more widely available than a few years ago.

Title: Bidets! Everything you need to know. Upload Date: Apr 22, 2023 Description: A medical professional explains how bidets work, covering electronic bidet seats, handheld sprayers and standalone fixtures, along with the health benefits and practical considerations of each type. Video Credit: Your Friendly Proctologist

How Does a Bidet Actually Work?

So just how does a bidet work? A bidet uses water to clean after using the toilet. That is the general principle, but the particular make and model dictates exactly how you clean. An electronic bidet seat has an extendable nozzle around the edge. Press a button and it slides out to release a fine spray. With most you can select the water temperature from 30 to 40 degrees Celsius. A handheld bidet is plumbed to your toilet water supply via a T-valve and sits in a wall holder. Water flow is controlled by your thumb on a small trigger—you control the direction yourself. A freestanding bidet is what you will see more often in Europe: a separate porcelain bowl to the side of the toilet that you straddle. Not as common in Australia, due to the extra floor space and plumbing required.

Modern white smart toilet with bidet seat in a contemporary bathroom with beige tiles

Types of Bidets Available in Australia

There are three main types are available in Australia. Electronic bidet seats are by far the most popular right now. They replace your existing seat and plug into a power point. The simplest models start at $300, with top units featuring warm air dryers, heated seats and deodorisers coming in at $1,500 or more. Brands stocked at Reece and The Blue Space have helped increase accessibility. Bidet sprayers are the most affordable way in. A quality kit costs between $50 and $150 and only takes about 20 minutes to install. Some people prefer manual control rather than a motorised nozzle. Standalone bidet fixtures are the least practical choice for most Australian renovations due to dedicated plumbing, separate drain, and floor space. Prices start at around $1,000 plus plumbing.

White toilet paper roll on a chrome holder mounted against a natural stone bathroom wall

Bidet vs Toilet Paper: The Practical Comparison

The comparison between bidets and toilet paper comes down to hygiene, cost, environmental impact and comfort. In terms of hygiene, the evidence tilts towards the bidet. Dermatologists agree skin is cleaned more effectively with water, with far less risk of irritation. When you get something on your hand, do you dry it or wash it? Toilet paper can be a real expense. An average Australian household spends $120 to $180 a year on rolls. A handheld bidet sprayer costing $80 pays for itself within a year. Even an electronic seat at $500 covers the expense within three to four years. Environmentally, the average Australian uses around 4 kilograms of toilet paper per person each year, requiring 140 litres to produce just one roll. A single bidet wash uses approximately half a litre.

Smart bidet remote control panel wall-mounted beside a toilet showing wash and dry function buttons

How to Use Each Type of Bidet Properly

It takes about five minutes to learn how to use a bidet. For an electronic seat: sit as you normally do, push the wash button on the control panel or remote. Start with low pressure and increase as needed. There will generally be different settings for front and back. Use the warm air dryer or pat dry with a few sheets—adds roughly 30 seconds. For a handheld sprayer: while seated, reach back with the sprayer and pull the trigger gently, pointing it where needed. Within two or three uses you will find your preferred angle. Leaning forward slightly can help. Regardless of which one you use, begin with lower pressure. You do not want a hard blast of ice cold water on day one (trust me, you have no idea).

Plumber installing a handheld bidet sprayer with wall mixer plumbing connection

Installation Tips and What It Will Cost

Knowing the bidet installation cost in advance helps with budgeting. A bidet sprayer is the easiest installation. Attach a T-valve to your cistern and bidet hose, screw the hose into the valve, and add the wall holder. Total: $50 to $150, no plumber necessary, 15 to 20 minutes. An electronic seat needs a power outlet within one metre of the toilet. If there is not one, an electrician charges $200 to $400 for a new circuit. Remove your current seat, fit the toilet seat bidet using the T-valve provided, bolt it down and plug in. Check seat hole spacing and bowl shape before purchasing. A bidet in toilet seat form means no additional floor space is needed. A standalone bidet requires hot and cold supply lines, waste drain, and minimum 700 millimetres clearance. This is full plumbing work. Budget $1,000 to $2,500.

FAQs

Do I still need toilet paper when I have a bidet?

Most people use a little paper to pat dry. Electronic seats with warm air dryers can virtually eliminate the need for paper, though drying takes an extra 30 to 60 seconds. Keep a roll nearby for guests who have not used a bidet before.

Can I install a bidet seat on any toilet?

Most standard Australian toilets are suitable. Check seat hole spacing (typically 150 millimetres apart) and bowl shape—round or elongated. TOTO and Coway have compatibility charts on their websites. Some toilets with curved back edges may not be ideal for a bidet seat.

Is a bidet actually more hygienic than toilet paper?

Yes, water cleansing is more hygienic than dry paper. The Australian Continence Foundation recommends water-based cleansing for people with sensitive skin and continence issues.