Bidets are no longer new inventions. In fact, the first bidet was designed more than 300 years ago (Link), in the 1700’s.
At this time, it was considered a French design, but over the years, bidets have grown popular throughout the world.
In many countries today, bidets are considered a normal addition to the bathroom. Statistics do show, however, that the use of bidets is not yet as popular in the United States (Link).
There are several benefits to getting a bidet installed in your toilet. You end up saving a lot of money on toilet paper over time. A bidet also contributes to better hygiene in the bathroom.
Once installed, however, the cleaning process is different compared to how you usually clean the toilet.
This is a complete guide to cleaning a bidet, including a daily, monthly, and semi-annual routine you should follow.
What Do You Need To Clean A Bidet?
A common misconception that people have is that they can use any chemicals to clean a bidet. (Sure, spraying on some bleach and rubbing the bidet will get it clean), but that’s also one way to damage the device.
This means you are shortening the lifespan of the bidet if you are currently using bleach and other harsh chemicals for cleaning purposes.
With this in mind, it is important to understand what you should have handy when cleaning a bidet. The truth is, you do not need harsh chemicals. Using a gentler approach tends to work just as effectively at removing daily debris from the bidet while also extending its expected lifespan.
To determine what you need for cleaning the bidet, you should take a closer look at the type of bidet you have installed. Even though the purpose remains the same, there is quite a large variety of bidets that you can choose from.
Some are manually operated, while others come with built-in electronic functions. If your bidet is an electronic device, then you should be careful when using water as part of the cleaning routine.
Getting water into the main electronic compartment can cause a shortage and other problems – which could end up damaging the bidet.
In terms of chemicals, note that some people prefer to only use a damp cloth to clean up the bidet. This is a good option for daily cleaning and hygiene. Sometimes, you may want to improve the overall efficacy of your cleaning routine – in this case, it is possible to use certain chemicals.
Always make sure the cleaning solution you use does not contain harsh chemicals. Choose a cleaning detergent that is free of ammonia. Try to find a detergent that has a neutral pH. This helps to avoid potential problems.
It is possible to clean the control panel of the bidet with chemicals too. You can use a spray detergent that has no ammonia in its formula. A single spray should be enough, followed by wiping with a cloth.
There are times when a deeper clean is needed for the bidet. In these cases, you may need a toothbrush or other small brush structure. The bristles on the brush should not be too hard, as this could damage the small components of the bidet.
If your bidet uses special filters to reduce mineral deposits, then these may need replacement during a semi-annual inspection of the device.
What Are The Benefits Of Cleaning Your Bidet?
There are multiple reasons why you should consider cleaning your bidet regularly. Hygiene is definitely the first factor that comes to mind.
As you use your bidet, small particles may attach to the structure. This can lead to poor hygiene in the bathroom over time.
By cleaning the bidet, you effectively remove these particles. This helps to prevent an accumulation of bacteria and other harmful micro-organisms in the toilet, which could be hazardous to your own health.
Hygiene is not the only reason why cleaning a bidet can be beneficial. Water generally contains certain minerals. These minerals can start to accumulate on the bidet.
Mineral deposits may cause problems with the jet of the bidet. This means the water will not have sufficient force to provide you with the functionality you expect from the bidet.
Additionally, take note that a buildup of mineral deposits can also lead to damage to the device itself. Water pressure builds up on the inside of the bidet but gets blocked by the deposits.
The excess pressure inside the bidet can cause structural damage to the interior parts. This means the lifespan of your bidet is affected. Instead of lasting well over a decade, your bidet may start to give you problems and need replacement only a few years after installation.
By cleaning the bidet regularly, you can prevent an accumulation of mineral deposits inside the bidet’s nozzle. You can also use certain techniques to remove any mineral deposits that have already accumulated. This means the jet function will continue to provide an appropriate pressure level.
Bidet Cleaning Guide
You should now realize why cleaning a bidet is important.
We’ve shared some tips on what to do and what not to do, but you still need to understand the specific process.
The truth is, a bidet takes maintenance. This is something you should understand from the very first day of installation. Avoiding maintenance will affect the functionality and lifespan of the bidet.
When it comes to cleaning the bidet, there are a few steps to follow. First, however, you should note that you do not have to do a deep cleaning every day – but still, daily cleansing remains important.
A gentle cleanse daily helps to keep debris off the bidet, but you also need to implement monthly and semi-annual routines to remove mineral deposits.
In this section, we divide the cleaning routine into three processes. Make sure to follow each of these at the indicated intervals, and you’ll find that your bidet provides better functionality and lasts longer.
A Daily Routine For Keeping The Bidet Clean
It may seem tedious, but daily cleaning of a bidet can be beneficial over a longer period of time. (You use your toilet every day)– and that means debris can accumulate in the nozzle of the bidet.
This is something that affects the hygiene of your toilet. The good news is, cleaning the bidet on a daily basis is actually a rather simple task. You are already regularly cleaning the toilet, so it should not take too much extra effort.
First, check to see if your bidet has a wash function. This is essentially a “self-cleaning” feature that minimizes the effort needed to clean the nozzle. A wash function on a bidet causes water to spray out onto the nozzle. As the water runs over the nozzle, it effectively removes debris.
Once you’ve completed a self-cleaning cycle, you should continue with a quick inspection of the bidet’s nozzle.
See if there is an accumulation of dirt or other debris on the nozzle. If this is the case, you need to add an extra step to your daily cleaning routine. If there is no dirt or debris, then you are done.
- If you find that there is only a light layer of debris, then simply get a soft cloth. The cloth should be damp. Use the cloth to wipe the nozzle of the bidet. It is a good idea to wipe off crevices that are easily reachable too. Remember that debris can accumulate on areas other than the bidet nozzle too.
- If there is a thicker layer of debris, then consider using a cleanser. The cleanser should use a mild formula. Make sure you check that there is no ammonia used in the cleanser’s formula. Spray the solution on the nozzle and then wipe it off with a damp cloth.
You can clean the control panel and the remote of the bidet on a daily basis too. Remember that micro-organisms can collect on the hands. Everyone is touching these parts of the bidet, so you want to get any bacteria or germs on the items removed. Again, don’t use a harsh chemical to clean these parts.
If you have an electronic bidet, only one or two sprays of the cleaning solution should be fine. Once sprayed, use a cloth to wipe the control panel clean. Do the same with the remote.
Take care that none of the sprays enters open holes or small crevices in these devices. No liquids should be left after wiping off these parts.
A Monthly Cleaning Routine To Ensure That Your Bidet Remains Clean
Daily cleaning of the bidet is important, but this won’t get rid of germs in hard-to-reach areas. There is also the risk of mineral deposits building up in parts of the toilet or the bidet.
With this in mind, you need to pick one day every month to do a deeper clean on the bidet. This process takes more time than the daily routine but is beneficial in promoting hygiene in the bathroom.
You will need a damp cloth for this process. Some standard dish soap you use in the kitchen can be used to help with the cleaning process. Just make sure the dish soap has a neutral pH balance, as you do not want to damage any parts of the bidet.
Some toilets with a built-in bidet use a deodorizing filter. These filters are great for limiting unpleasant smells that come from the toilet, but debris tends to accumulate on them as well. If your toilet uses one of these filters, then you will need a toothbrush for your monthly cleaning routine. The toothbrush should have soft bristles to avoid damaging the filter.
Here is a step-by-step guide for your monthly cleaning routine:
- Start by removing the bidet from the toilet. It is a good idea to remove the toilet seat too. This allows you to reach a bigger area of the toilet to ensure any germs that accumulated can be eliminated.
- Use dish soap, along with a damp cloth, to clean the bidet. Do the same with your toilet seat. Make sure you cover all areas without getting into contact with electrical parts of the bidet. Get a dry cloth and wipe the toilet seat and bidet. Make sure both of these items are wiped as dry as you can.
- A toothbrush can be used to remove debris from a deodorizing filter. This is only applicable for toilets that are fitted with such a filter. Rinse the filter afterward.
- Once all items are dry, you should begin to reinstall them piece by piece. Make sure to follow the appropriate steps to reinstall the filter, bidet, and toilet seat.
- Use a damp cloth to wipe the tip of the nozzle that fits in your toilet if you haven’t done so already.
A Deeper Clean Of Your Bidet, Every Six Months
Mineral deposits accumulate over time. While you may not see these deposits at a one-month mark after installing the bidet, there is sure to be a more visible coating of mineral deposits after six months. A deep clean every six months helps to remove these deposits, ensure your bidet continues to work without problems and reduces the risk of damage to the device.
The process works similarly to the monthly cleaning routine, but with a few differences. At this time, you want to use a soft-bristle toothbrush to clean the bidet. Make sure you look for areas of mineral deposits. Use the toothbrush to gently scrape these deposits off.
During your semi-annual maintenance, you should also consider any replacement filters that may be needed. If you have a hard water filter in your toilet, then take note that these filters need to be replaced twice a year.
Additionally, consider whether there is a strainer on your toilet seat. If this is the case, remove the toilet seat and thoroughly clean the strainer with a toothbrush.
What To Avoid When Cleaning A Bidet
The process of cleaning your bidet is fairly simple. You only need a few items, and with a proper cleaning routine, you get to avoid serious damage to the device.
There are, however, a few things that need to be avoided when cleaning your bidet. When you do not take precautions and implement certain steps, you could cause further damage to the bidet, affect its functionality, and even cause issues with the electronics in the bidet’s control panel compartment.
- As previously mentioned, harsh chemicals should be completely avoided when you are cleaning the bidet. These chemicals cause damage to the structure of the device. When you prefer to use a cleaning detergent, make sure it has a neutral pH level and does not contain any ammonia.
- We shared three different cleaning routines for your bidet. The daily routine is gentle and can be done frequently to prevent the buildup of micro-organisms and other particles on the device. The other two methods should only be done periodically, as indicated. If you use a toothbrush to clean the bidet every day, it will be too harsh on the device. This could damage the bidet over time.
- If your bidet uses filters, then make sure you replace them at appropriate intervals. Keeping old filters in the bidet will cause excess mineral deposits to accumulate. Other particles can also collect on the filter. This can cause a blockage over time and damage your bidet. Make sure to replace the filter with every semi-annual inspection and cleaning you do.
- Avoid water on the control compartment if your bidet uses an electronic system. Many modern bidets use power to control water pressure, nozzle adjustments, and the temperature of the water that comes out of the jet. If this is the case, getting water onto the control panel can be both a hazard to you and damaging to the bidet. While wiping the panel off with some gentle cleaning, detergent is appropriate; avoid spraying too much of the solution on the panel. You also want to avoid flooding the control panel with water – if you are using a damp cloth, make sure it is not dripping wet.
Conclusion
The use of a bidet helps you save money on toilet paper, contributes to enhanced hygiene in the bathroom, and offers a range of convenient features.
Failure to keep your bidet clean, however, can lead to several problems. Cleaning a bidet is not the same as cleaning the toilet, as harsh chemicals can cause damage to the device.
Our guide provided an overview of the process you should follow in cleaning a bidet. These instructions help to avoid hygiene-related problems with your bidet and ensure you can extend the expected lifespan of the bidet.