BIDET ETIQUETTE: 18 DOS AND DON’TS FOR GUESTS AND HOSTS

Bidet etiquette is important, especially when using one at a friend’s house or in a hotel. Learning the Dos and Don’ts of bidet use for guests can help you avoid offending your host.

Bidets are a great solution for personal hygiene. They are found in various settings – from homes to public restrooms to hotels.

They are much different from toilets and some people don’t know the dos and don’ts for using one, especially if they’ve never interacted with one before. Trying to figure out bidet etiquette can be a daunting task that could make your bathroom visit awkward and unpleasant.

Bidet etiquette isn’t something you can just make up as you go along; this post will help guide you on how to use a bidet properly so that there is no confusion or awkwardness when visiting with friends or family who have one.

 

Bidet Dos and Don’ts for Guests

Bidet etiquette can make or break friendships. Here are the dos and don’ts for using a bidet that is not in your home:

1. Don’t use the bidet unless invited to. Never use the bidet in someone’s home unless they explicitly invite you to or already told you it’s alright to use.
   Not everyone wants guests using their bidet because it might make them uncomfortable having people who aren’t family members using their intimate cleaning gadgets!
   If you are visiting a friend’s house, ask them before using their bidet if it’s ok or not so they can also inform you of the rules beforehand!
2. Do not use the bidet as a trash can or receptacle. Does your host’s bathroom not have a trash can to dispose off trash such as female sanitary products, or a receptacle to store some of your stuff if you’re staying longer? Please request them to show you where to place your stuff or dispose of your trash.
   The last thing any host wants is to find their bidet stuffed with their guest’s trash, makeup, toiletries, or other personal stuff.
3. Don’t wash anything but genitals. Bidets are not for washing clothes, hair, or feet and should never be used as such.
   
   

4. Use bidet seat covers whenever provided. Some homeowners and hotels provide bidet seat covers. These work similarly to toilet seat covers to provide a sanitary barrier between the fixture and the user.
   Be sure to use a cover, if provided, before engaging with the bidet. To dispose of the bidet seat cover, you can flush it down the toilet as toilet and bidet covers are made from flushable materials that disintegrate in water.
   Alternatively, you can wrap the seat liner in toilet paper and dispose of it in the trash bin.
5. Don’t be wasteful. Some bidets have an automatic timer that will turn off features if there is no activity on the lever or knob within a few seconds!
   For instance, if you find yourself using a bidet that continues to spray water long after you’re done cleaning yourself, please turn off the water manually so as not to waste resources.
6. use soap when washing up after using a bidet. After bidet use cleansing is just like handwashing: one needs running water, soap, or towels.
   Always wash your hands after using the bidet to avoid contaminating other surfaces with urine and fecal matter.
7. Don’t use the bidet as a toilet. Use the toilet first for bowel movements and urination and only use the bidet for a more thorough cleaning.
8. Don’t use the bidet as a substitute for wiping. You should use the toilet as you would in the absence of a bidet, including wiping afterward.
   It is best practice to wipe before moving to the bidet to prevent excess fecal from clogging the bidet drain or stinking up the entire space.
9. ’t use your host’s bidet towels to dry yourself. Some people prefer to use a dedicated bidet towel, which is usually smaller than a hand towel, to dry off after cleaning on the bidet.
   In some homes, bidet owners assign dedicated colored towels to each member of the household. You may also find that the towel hanging off a rack or hook close to the bidet is in fact a hand towel.
   As a general rule, as a guest, don’t use bidet towels or other towels to dry your nether regions after bidet use, unless specifically directed by your host.
   A great fall-back option is to use toilet paper to dry yourself off and flush it down the toilet.
10. ’t sit on a bidet if not using it. They are meant only for cleaning up after using the toilet.
11. Don’t fiddle with bidet settings. Some bidets have advanced functions such as adjustable jet streams, seat warmer and wash/dry cycle features, nozzle position adjustment options, and remote control options.
    If you are unsure how the bidet works in general, or how to adjust the various settings, please ask your host. Don’t fiddle with the controls.
    Also, if you do know how to adjust the settings, you may use your preferred settings, but it’s always best to restore your host’s preferred settings after you’re done using the fixture.
12. Some things not permitted in public restrooms such as smoking and eating food in the bathroom should also apply when using a private bathroom space like your friend’s home.
    Keep your food, cigarette butts, and cosmetic products off your host’s property as could clog the bidet drains.
13. Never disrupt the bidet mid-cycle. This applies, particularly to automatic bidets.
    Disrupting an automatic process, for instance, tagging at the nozzle as it retracts could cause the bidet to malfunction, requiring maintenance that could cost your host money.
14. Don’t flush anything down a bidet. This includes anything normally flushed down the toilets such as toilet paper, seat covers or flushable wipes. Instead, use the toilet or trash can to dispose off any trash.

Bidet Dos and Don’t for Hosts

As a host, it’s courteous to make your guest’s stay as comfortable as possible. To achieve this, here are some things you can do with regard to bidet etiquette:

1. Don’t force your guests to use the bidet. Bidet use is not universal bathroom practice. Bidet owners need to be mindful of those who do not use a bidet or cannot for any reason
2. Respectfully inform your guests beforehand if you prefer them to not use your bidet.
   If you prefer to keep the bidet use within the family, it would be best to have your guests use a bathroom without a bidet, if available.
3. Provide wiping options. Offer your guest sturdy toilet paper or a dedicated bidet towel if they are staying a while.
   Flimsy toilet paper will disintegrate upon contact with water as one dries off, leaving little lumps of TP everywhere. A good 2-or 3-ply toilet paper should suffice.
4. Inform your guests of your bidet dos and don’ts beforehand. This may seem like an awkward conversation to have, but it could save you -and your guest- a lot of agony and awkwardness, especially if you guests will be around for a while.

Final Thoughts

How you interact with your host’s bidet could affect how they feel about you afterward if you don’t treat their personal space with respect.

On the other hand, hosts should be mindful of their guest’s personal hygiene choices. After all, wiping only is considered sufficient in many cultures, especially in North America.

We hope this blog post has given you some insight into how to be courteous when using someone’s bidet whether they’re a guest in a house or hotel.

If there is still something we haven’t covered that will help make things clearer, feel free to get in touch with us at any time by clicking here.