How Do Bidets Work?
Bidets are relatively simple to design, install, and, most important, use. No matter which style you choose, you’ll find that the basics of a bidet are the same: a dedicated water supply passes through a nozzle to provide a thorough and refreshing clean.
All types of bidets direct a concentrated spray of water to clean your undercarriage. Water is a more sustainable and effective way to clean your rear or feminine area than toilet paper.
There are plenty of features that level up the luxury factors, but the main bidet function is almost identical.
What is a Bidet?
A bidet is a device that cleans the inner buttocks, anus, and female genitalia after you go to the bathroom. Users control the stream of water with a knob or a button to initiate a nozzle at the rear of the toilet bowl.
Today, most bidet users have a bidet attachment or a bidet seat. Both attach to your existing toilet to provide an immediate upgrade in cleanliness and sustainability.
When it’s time to replace your old toilet, an all-in-one fully electric bidet toilet might be a good luxury upgrade for your home!
While bidet attachments, seats, and full toilets all accomplish the same goal, providing you with a similar superior cleaning experience and saving you all or most of the money you would otherwise spend on toilet paper, there are some nuances between each in terms of price and functionality.
Read on to learn the details below …
How does a bidet attachment work?
The bidet attachment is the most affordable and tends to be the perfect option for someone curious if a bidet is right for them.
Basic mechanics: A bidet attachment installs between the existing toilet and toilet seat. It’s powered by water pressure and not electricity, making it an easy solution for DIYers to install. Like the water-powered bidet toilet seats (see below), a bidet attachment activates when a knob is turned, releasing the water through the system. A nozzle pops out to spray water on your backside and retreats in when the knob is turned to the off position.
Features: While basic, bidet attachments can come with knobs to control water pressure and, with some models, water temperature.
How does a bidet toilet seat work?
A bidet toilet seat replaces the seat of your existing toilet. It features one or more of several backside-cleaning technologies, transforming your existing toilet into a bidet in minutes with a simple DIY install.
Basic mechanics: The most basic bidet toilet seats don’t require electricity. Instead, the bidet is powered by water pressure from the bathroom’s water supply. It activates when a knob is turned (like a faucet) releasing the water into the bidet. As the water travels through the system, a nozzle protrudes from the bidet and sprays a controlled water stream on your posterior. Once the water is cut off via the knob, the nozzle recedes into the bidet, once again hidden from sight.
Features: More advanced bidet toilet seats include high-tech features found on the more expensive bidet toilets.
The electric-powered BB-1000 Supreme, for example, is a bidet seat activated via a remote that includes controls for water and seat temperature, water pressure, and an air dryer to further reduce your need for toilet paper to dry after bidet use. That bidet toilet seat, which requires an electrical hookup, also includes Bio Bidet’s patented Vortex wash, an enema wash that doubles as a natural way to assist with bowel movements.
The more affordable SlimEdge bidet attachment doesn’t require an electrical hookup but does feature a battery-powered night light to illuminate those late-night bathroom visits.
How does a bidet toilet work?
A bidet toilet is an all-in-one solution that combines the cleaning luxuries of a bidet with a new, modern electric toilet. These are the most luxurious class of bidets on the market.
Basic mechanics: At the touch of a button, the water-spraying posterior nozzle – or feminine-washing nozzle, is activated. After the wash, which lasts for about 20 seconds, the nozzle will be automatically rinsed before it retracts and disappears back into the unit.
Features: Bidet toilets like the Discovery DLS Toilet are packed with high-tech features. Some of those features include …
Warm-air dryer for after your wash (with no need to even pat yourself dry, your toilet paper use will be nonexistent or close to it.)
- Touchless flush (keeps your hand perfectly clean)
- Motion-detecting lid that opens and closes automatically (ditto)
- Heated seat (pure comfort)
These features do require an electrical hookup.
Bidet vs. a Normal Toilet
The biggest difference between a bidet and a normal toilet is a bidet includes a water-spraying nozzle that leaves your derriere or feminine parts sparkling clean. The best part? Almost any toilet can be converted into a bidet with the simple installation of a bidet seat or attachment.
Do I Need a Bidet?
Sure, your toilet works just fine, but toilet paper just doesn’t cut it. If a bird poops on your shoulder, you’re going to wash it off with water. So, why not do the same after you go number two?
There are also other benefits when you switch to a bidet:
- You’ll save money on toilet paper since a bidet drastically cuts down on the need for it.
- You’ll improve your bathroom hygiene.
- Your toilet won’t clog as often because you’re using less – or no – toilet paper.
Bring Home the Right Bidet For You
Bidets are easy to install, easy to use, and simple to operate. The hardest part is narrowing down the right model from so many neat options! Take our Bidet Quiz to find the perfect model based on your personal preferences and use our Resource Center to get answers to all your questions.