Bidets are life-changing when it comes to rinsing your behind. However, it might be time to clean your bidet if you notice dust and dirt accumulating on the head.
Bidets are easy to clean, but there are different types of bidets and the cleaning process varies depending on the bidet you have.
You do not need to clean a bidet after every wash because most bidets have a self-rinsing feature that helps keep them clean.
It is recommended that you deep clean your bidet from time to time. The steps are simple, and you can do this while cleaning your bathroom as well.
What Type Of Cleaning Tools Do I Need For Cleaning My Bidet?
Now that you are ready and raring to clean your bidet, you may be wondering, what tools do I use? You do not need to buy any specific tools and most equipment you need is already in your home.
Below are some of the tools you can use for cleaning your bidet.
1. Any Type Of Brush
Whenever you need to clean, it is a good idea to use a cleaning brush. You need this cleaning brush to scrub away the dirt on your bidet. You can also use a toothbrush if you do not have a cleaning brush.
2. Plastic Bag And Vinegar Mixture
Vinegar is one of the most powerful cleaning solutions (Link) available in your home. You can use a part of vinegar and a part of water to create a cleaning solution. You are also going to need any container or plastic bag so you can soak your bidet on the mixture later on.
3. Mild Cleaners
We all know where we use our bidets, and we do not want harsh chemicals coming into contact with our bodies. When it comes to deep cleaning your bidet, we recommend using mild cleaners to prevent any allergic reaction.(Link)
One of the common mild cleaners is lemon and baking soda (Link). Always keep in mind to wear cleaning gear like gloves and properly wash your hands after cleaning. This precaution can help prevent the spread of bacteria and cause illnesses.
4. Clean Cloth
You are also going to need a clean cloth to wipe your bidet clean. If you are using a stand-alone bidet, you can use a cloth soaked in a cleaning solution to wipe the toilet clean.
Cleaning bidets are pretty easy, and you do not need a lot of tools to clean them. However, we do recommend cleaning the bidet from time to time to prevent the buildup of bacteria on the equipment.
While bidets are not as popular in the United States compared to other countries, bidets are more economical and green for the planet. Bidets are also more hygienic and can clean you better than toilet paper.
Different Types of Bidet And How To Clean Them
There are different types of Bidet, and each bidet type needs to be cleaned differently. Below are the different types of bidet and how you can clean each one of them.
1. Stand-Alone Bidets
Stand-alone bidets are bidets that look like separate toilets. This bidet is not as common in the United States. However, people living in Japan and Europe usually have a stand-alone bidet installed in their bathrooms.
While they are a classic option, stand-alone bidets can be expensive. They also require their own plumbing and extra space.
Below are the pros and cons of Stand-alone bidets and how to maintain them.
Pros
- This bidet is perfect for people who prefer a thorough cleaning or rinsing.
- The temperature of the water can be adjusted according to your preferences because it has plumbing.
- You only need to clean under the toilet seat yearly.
Cons
- Installing the stand-alone bidet can be expensive and challenging.
- Stand-alone bidets have separate toilet seats, which is why they are not suitable for smaller spaces.
How To Clean Stand-Alone Bidets
If you already have a Stand-Alone Bidet in your bathroom, you may be wondering how to clean it.
Do you need to clean it often? You do not need to clean your stand-alone bidet after every wash but we do recommend cleaning the seat weekly.
Step-By-Step Process:
- Use disposable or cleaning gloves.
- Create a vinegar solution and soak a clean cloth.
- Use the cloth to wipe down the seat weekly.
- Leave the seat to Air-dry.
- You can also clean under the bidet seat every year by lifting the seat and using a mild detergent.
- After cleaning the seat, you can also replace the carbon air deodorizer with new ones. These deodorizers can help keep your bathroom smelling clean and fresh.
Stand-alone bidets can be expensive to install in your home. However, they are a great addition if you love a thorough wash and would like to reduce your use of toilet paper.
2. Portable Bidets
Portable bidets are one of the innovative ways to keep yourself clean and hygienic on the go. Portable Bidets are relatively cheap and are a great replacement for toilet paper. These bidets are great for people who travel a lot.
There are a lot of models out there but most portable bidets have two parts, the bottle, and the nozzle. You refill your bottle with water and use the nozzle to clean yourself.
More high-end options use a battery, giving you more water pressure and water capacity.
Pros
- Portable Bidets are inexpensive and prices range from $10 to $50.
- Portable Bidets do not take a lot of space and you can bring them anywhere.
Cons
- You cannot adjust the temperature of the water.
- You need to constantly refill the water and clean the bidet after every use.
- It is not as hygienic as hands-free bidet options.
How To Clean Portable Bidets
Portable Bidets are a great addition to your travel kit. This option is also great if you would like to slowly switch to using bidets but do not want to invest a lot of money yet. However, this portable bidet does need regular maintenance.
Step-By-Step Process:
- Take off the nozzle and empty any remaining water in the bottle.
- Use lukewarm water and mild soap to gently clean the inside of the bottle.
- You can use a small toothbrush or a dish scrubber to thoroughly clean your portable bidet.
- Clean and scrub any dirt on the nozzle as well, to keep your portable bidet hygienic.
- You can bring an extra portable bidet if you tend to use them often.
Portable Bidets are a great option if you are just starting on using bidets. They do not require a large investment and you can bring them everywhere. However, this bidet does not have water temperature control and requires regular cleaning.
3. Handheld Bidets
Handheld Bidets are more common compared to other types of bidets. This bidet is usually connected to a water valve next to the toilet and you can hold the bidet to clean yourself. Simply squeeze the trigger, and the water will come out of the nozzle.
Handheld bidets are inexpensive and are incredibly easy to install. Simply turn off the water supply, connect the T-valve and bidet hose, and you are good to go. You can also add a hot/cold water valve so you can control the temperature of the water coming out of your bidet.
Pros
- Relatively cheaper compared to built-in bidets and stand-alone bidets.
- Handheld Bidets are easy to install.
- You can control the temperature of the water if you install a cold and hot water valve.
Cons
- You have to hold the bidet, making it less hygienic compared to other bidets.
How To Clean Handheld Bidets
Aside from being affordable and easy to install, Handheld bidets are also easy to clean. However, since these bidets need to be held, they are more prone to bacteria and germs.
Below is how you can clean your Handheld Bidets.
Step-By-Step Process:
- Get a brush, toothbrush, or dish scrubber.
- Put on some cleaning or disposable gloves.
- Make a vinegar or baking soda mixture for cleaning.
- Put the mixture in a plastic bag or any container and soak your bidet for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Press the trigger to turn on your bidet and spray the remaining vinegar or baking soda mixture.
- Use the scrub or toothbrush to clean out any remaining dirt on the nozzle.
- Do not use harsh chemicals to prevent the material from corroding.
- Clean and Sanitize the body of the handheld bidet. This part commonly comes in contact with multiple people, making it prone to bacteria.
Handheld Bidets are the most popular choice for people who want to install a bidet in their home. While they are not as handy as portable bidets, they are inexpensive and easy to install.
However, we recommend cleaning the nozzle from time to time and sanitizing the body often.
4. Built-In Bidets
Built-in bidets are one of the more luxurious options when it comes to bidets.
Built-in bidets typically comes with other features such as a heated seat or retractable nozzles. This type of bidet is more common in Japan, and most of them have a self-cleaning feature.
Because of the self-cleaning feature, most built-in bidets do not need constant cleaning. However, the downside to all these wonderful features is that built-in bidets are much more expensive compared to other bidet types.
Pros
- Built-in bidets can have a lot of additional features like a heated seat and retractable nozzle.
- Most built-in bidets have a self-cleaning feature, requiring almost no maintenance on them.
- Built-in bidets are sturdy and built with materials like porcelain.
Cons
- Built-in bidets are on the more expensive side compared to other bidet types.
- Most Built-in bidets require electricity to run.
How To Clean Built-In Bidets
Most luxurious Built-in Bidets do not require constant cleaning. However, cleaning them once in a while can help maintain and prolong the lifespan of your Built-in Bidets.
Below are steps on how to maintain your built-in bidet and remove any persistent stain on your toilet.
- If your bidet has a self-cleaning feature, you can activate it by twisting the knob to nozzle cleaning.
- If you prefer to clean your nozzle manually, you can use a vinegar mixture and a toothbrush to thoroughly clean it. Most built-in bidets have a cleaning setting, allowing the nozzle to come out without any water.
- If your nozzle is detachable, you can detach the nozzle and soak it in the vinegar mixture to clean it. After it has dried, you can attach the nozzle back in.
- You can also use a vinegar mixture to scrub any persistent stains on your toilet.
Built-in toilets are huge investments. However, they have a lot of additional features that can help keep your experience comfortable. These bidets do not need manual cleaning if you use their self-cleaning feature often.
5. Sprayer Attachment
Say you want to invest in a built-in bidet but cannot invest in their hefty price, this is where sprayer attachments come in. Sprayer attachments are bidet seat attachments that you can use on your toilet.
These sprayer attachments can give you good water pressure and an option to control the water temperature. However, you would need to manually clean the attachment itself. You also need to look for the right sprayer attachment size for your toilet.
Pros
- Sprayer attachment is a less expensive option for people who would like to have a retractable bidet nozzle.
- You can control the water temperature and nozzle of sprayer attachments.
- You have the option to go for an attached or detachable bidet seat.
Cons
- Most Sprayer attachments need manual cleaning.
- You have to find the right size sprayer attachment for your toilet before buying.
How To Clean Sprayer Attachments
While Sprayer attachments or Bidet seats are more affordable, you do need to clean the seat weekly to prevent any germs or bacteria. You also need to clean underneath the seat yearly to prolong its lifespan.
Step-By-Step Process:
- Put on disposable gloves and mix a vinegar cleaning mixture.
- Get a cleaning cloth and dampen the cloth using the mixture.
- Wipe down the toilet seat using the damp cloth.
- When cleaning underneath the seat, some bidet seats can be removed with a touch of a button, if not, you have to manually lift the seat.
- Use a mild detergent to clean the part underneath the seat.
- Clean the nozzle using the vinegar mixture and wipe it down using a clean towel.
If you do not like handheld bidets, sprayer attachments are a great, budget-friendly alternative to built-in bidets. Sprayer attachments can include a lot of different features and you can purchase a bidet according to your preference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before buying a bidet, you should always do your research and find the type that is most suitable for you.
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions that you may have when it comes to using a bidet.
How To Use A Bidet?
If you are using a built-in bidet or a sprayer attachment, you simply need to press a button and the retractable nozzle will come out to spray water. Most built-in bidets can adjust the water pressure and temperature to your liking.
Portable bidets are much cheaper and handy compared to other bidets but the cheaper ones would require you to manually squeeze the bottle for use. On the other hand, stand-alone bidets will require you to straddle the bidet to clean your bottom.
Handheld bidets will have a trigger that you can press to let the water flow. Overall, bidets are still more environmentally friendly and cheap than the constant use of toilet paper.
What Is A Bidet Seat Water Filter?
A bidet seat water filter is a filter that can remove the sediments and rust from your water before it comes out of your bidet seat. This feature can help prolong the lifespan of your bidet seat because some sediments can cause your piping to corrode over time.
While most bidet seats do not require a water filter, they can help maintain the quality of your bidet seat. If you live in the city and have a good water filtering system, you may not need the addition of bidet seat water filters.
How Often Should I Clean My Bidet?
If your bidet has a self-cleaning feature, you may not need to clean your bidet seat at all. This feature is common in built-in bidets.
However, if you have a sprayer attachment or standalone bidets, you need to clean the bidet seat weekly to avoid bacteria.
If you are using a handheld bidet, you also need to clean the nozzle and body weekly because it is constantly being held by people.
As for the portable bidet, we recommend cleaning it after every use to prolong its lifespan.
What Are The Benefits Of A Bidet?
Installing a bidet in your home can be a terrifying investment at first. However, it can save you a lot of money compared to toilet paper.
Studies also show that using a bidet may help prevent hemorrhoids. (Link)
Conclusion
Keeping your bidet clean can help prolong its lifespan and prevent contact with bacteria.
There are different types of bidet and depending on your bidet, you may need to clean them more often.
Built-in bidets with a self-cleaning option do not need to be cleaned constantly.