Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

How do you use a bidet?

105 replies

TheClitterati · 10/02/2023 23:45

I've no idea. Do you face forward or back? Does water get everywhere? Do you dry yourself with loo roll? That seems to defeat the purpose. Is the water cold? Is it nice? Will I get addicted? 😂

I've just booked a holiday in Italy and all the hotel bathrooms have bidets so I'm going to give it a go. But I really don't want to Google instructions- cause yikes!

Please enlighten me Mumsnet!

OP posts:
Luredbyapomegranate · 11/02/2023 12:42

When I had one I used it to water plants, wash dusty feet in summer, shave my legs if I didn’t want to get in the bath, and soak clothes.

They are v handy, but I think when it comes to washing your undercarriage, daily showers have made them near obsolete.

2bazookas · 11/02/2023 12:44

thesonicoscillator · 11/02/2023 09:50

I don't know about others, but in this household we don't jump on the bidet post poo without cleaning up using some paper first!

Jesus. For those at the back of class, please pee, poo, change tampon on the toilet and wipe/flush as usual.

THEN use the bidet. Never ever pee/poo on the bidet.

But it is a damn fine place to soak/ scrape/pamper your feet in warm water before giving them a little TLC. SO much nicer than a foot spa.

tatyr · 11/02/2023 12:44

For those tempted to trial water, a small watering can with a longish spout is also a common low tech solution

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Home improvement
JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 11/02/2023 13:16

Wow. Never used a bidet but I want to now! The only time I've seen one was when on holiday - I used it to rinse my swimsuit 🤣

Original poster
TheClitterati · 11/02/2023 16:01

Bum gun 😂😂😂

OP posts:
Original poster
TheClitterati · 11/02/2023 16:04

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 11/02/2023 13:16

Wow. Never used a bidet but I want to now! The only time I've seen one was when on holiday - I used it to rinse my swimsuit 🤣

I'm excited to visit Venice again but even more excited to get on the bidet. 👍🏽👍🏽

Thanks to all for sharing the wisdom of the big B. And the bum guns too.

OP posts:
asblindasabat · 11/02/2023 16:06

Sorry to Hijack your thread OP as I don’t have an answer to your question as I’ve never used a bidet before, but do bidets substitute wiping your bottom with loo roll after you have a number 2?

Or is it basically a fancy addition to wiping your bottom with loo roll?

Stuffynosetime · 11/02/2023 16:11

asblindasabat · 11/02/2023 16:06

Sorry to Hijack your thread OP as I don’t have an answer to your question as I’ve never used a bidet before, but do bidets substitute wiping your bottom with loo roll after you have a number 2?

Or is it basically a fancy addition to wiping your bottom with loo roll?

It’s an addition 😱

asblindasabat · 11/02/2023 16:13

Stuffynosetime · 11/02/2023 16:11

It’s an addition 😱

Show quote history

I thought it was a substitute 😂

cptartapp · 11/02/2023 16:18

TheClitterati · 11/02/2023 10:28

My friends (in England) had a hose with attachment thing installed on the side of their loo in their fancy new bathrooms. Apparently it's to use like a bidet but on the normal loo. I've never tried it. Water everywhere???

They have those in Tunisia, as I found out to my cost when my elbow accidentally knocked one on when sat on the loo. It was like a wild hosepipe spraying everywhere. Water dripping down the walls. I had to try and dry myself down with loo roll.

CherrySocks · 11/02/2023 16:37

Very informative thread!

Muchtoomuchtodo · 11/02/2023 16:52

Ooh. I’m off to Italy this week, I’m hopeful now that our hotel will have bidets!

I remember some holiday apartments that we used to go to as kids having them. They were used for foot washing or rinsing our swimming gear out! The lack of bum washing on the bidet as a kid was because I had no idea that was their intended purpose!

birdglasspen · 11/02/2023 17:04

We are on holiday and I heard son saying “it’s the tiniest sink ever” while turning tap on and me shouting “no!! It’s not a sink it’s for peoples bums, don’t touch!” This was in public pool toilets. No sign of a communal towel 😳🤢

TheBlessedCheesemaker · 11/02/2023 17:09

Japanese loos are the way to go. No need to move from loo to bidet… no loo roll needed, no towels (they have blow drying function).
I am addicted to mine

Buttalapasta · 11/02/2023 17:10

I live in Italy and the toilets at work have a bidet in them. I don't know if anyone uses it and brings their own towel - I have never seen anyone drying their nether regions under the hand dryer. 😂

MeinKraft · 11/02/2023 17:11

TheBlessedCheesemaker · 11/02/2023 17:09

Japanese loos are the way to go. No need to move from loo to bidet… no loo roll needed, no towels (they have blow drying function).
I am addicted to mine

We have been assured on this thread that bidet users are using toilet roll but now you're blowing that theory wide open!

DesertRose64 · 11/02/2023 17:11

MuseThrower · 11/02/2023 08:41

Do they work? I mean…I can’t imagine just trickling water would get poo off, and I wouldn’t fancy using my bare hand, soap or no soap.

I just don’t get it.

You would use toilet tissue as usual then have a wash on the bidet.

DesertRose64 · 11/02/2023 17:13

cptartapp · 11/02/2023 16:18

They have those in Tunisia, as I found out to my cost when my elbow accidentally knocked one on when sat on the loo. It was like a wild hosepipe spraying everywhere. Water dripping down the walls. I had to try and dry myself down with loo roll.

Show quote history

These are the norm throughout the Middle East.

Fairysilver · 11/02/2023 17:19

TheBlessedCheesemaker · 11/02/2023 17:09

Japanese loos are the way to go. No need to move from loo to bidet… no loo roll needed, no towels (they have blow drying function).
I am addicted to mine

They had those on Maternity ward when I gave birth in the 1990s!

cannaethink · 11/02/2023 17:21

I had a bidet growing up, loved it! Excellent for feet too.
When I was in India there were some of your “bum guns” which I think is a great idea too. No towels or paper though, you just had to drip dry.

margegunderson · 11/02/2023 17:29

Bidets are great! I used to get regular UTIs and they are a lifesaver. Always face the tap and don't point the water st you until it's at your chosen temperature.
If it's post-poo, wipe till clean first then soap your bum hole and rinse on the bidet. Make sure that dirty soapy water doesn't go on your vulva as you don't want E. coli there.
Post sex, wee on the toilet and then rinse front to back with cool water to get rid of any bugs introduced during sex and to take down any inflammation.
Also brilliant during periods or on a hot day. Love mine.

Original poster
TheClitterati · 11/02/2023 17:34

TheBlessedCheesemaker · 11/02/2023 17:09

Japanese loos are the way to go. No need to move from loo to bidet… no loo roll needed, no towels (they have blow drying function).
I am addicted to mine

Im more envious than I ever though was possible

OP posts:
LulooLemon · 11/02/2023 17:42

I have a question re bidets - if someone washes their backside after a poo, I guess tiny fragments of poo can then be found on the porcelain of the bidet. So do you bleach/antibac the bidet after each use?

nuttyslackster · 11/02/2023 17:44

We have a bidet spray and I love it! I don't know anyone else who has one, but I would never install a bathroom without one now.

KnittedCardi · 11/02/2023 17:49

LulooLemon · 11/02/2023 17:42

I have a question re bidets - if someone washes their backside after a poo, I guess tiny fragments of poo can then be found on the porcelain of the bidet. So do you bleach/antibac the bidet after each use?

No. Do you bleach the bottom of your bath or your shower after every use?