Although bidets are incredibly popular in other parts of the world, they are only now beginning to rise in popularity in the United States. As a result, many people ask pretty common questions about the best practices for bidet use. One of these common questions is, “Do you use a bidet after peeing?”
The answer to this is, actually, up to you! There is certainly nothing wrong with using a bidet, and if you prefer to use them after you urinate, that’s perfectly ok. While most people use them after a bowel movement, many use them after urination.
What are bidets?
Before we dive into some of the other common questions (other than do you use a bidet after peeing) people have about bidet use, let’s first cover what bidets are. A bidet, pronounced “bih-DAY,” is a particular type of bathroom fixture designed to wash your rear end after using the bathroom. Many people use them after a bowel movement, urinating, or both. Bidets are intended to replace the need to use toilet paper.
Many different bidets are available, but they all perform the same essential function. Some bidets attach directly to your toilet and connect to the waterline, while others are standalone fixtures that resemble a cross between a toilet and a very low sink.
If you’d like to explore the different types of bidets, take a look at some of best bidet articles:
- The Best 5 Smart Bidet Toilet Seats
- 5 Best Bidet Toilet Combos
- The 6 Best Heated Bidet Toilet Seats
- Best Brondell Bidets
- The 12 Types of Bidets Including Weird and Wonderful Options
Do you need to wipe before using a bidet?
Wiping before you use a bidet is unnecessary, but it might help you achieve a cleaner behind in some instances. Bidets were designed and intended to be used in place of toilet paper, but sometimes a combination of both methods is ideal.
Here are some of the main reasons to consider wiping before using your bidet.
If you use a standalone bidet
If your bidet is a standalone bidet, meaning it is an entirely separate fixture from your toilet, wiping before using the bidet can help keep the bidet clean. This may seem backward (isn’t the bidet supposed to keep you clean, not the other way around??), but there is logic.
After a particularly erm, intense bowel movement, using just a bidet can cause some feces to transfer to the basin of your bidet. Depending on the design (some have detachable hoses, and some do not), if your bidet lacks a detachable hose, you need to clean the stool out of the basin manually. Before using your bidet, a quick pre-wipe with toilet paper can help you avoid this.
If your stool has a soft consistency
As everyone knows, stool consistency can change from day to day depending on your diet, health, and other factors. If your stool is firmer, it’s unlikely to leave much residue on your behind, but this is not the case with softer stool.
When your stool is very soft, things can get a bit messy if you only use the bidet without wiping it first. If your stool is soft, it may be a good idea to pre-wipe before using your bidet, as this can help deliver a more effective clean.
Your bidet is not very powerful
Some bidets have very powerful streams of water, but other bidets are a bit weaker. When the water flow is powerful, it can clean your behind more effectively by using water pressure to eliminate any remaining feces.
If your bidet has a weaker water flow, it won’t clean your behind, and a stronger water flow will. Therefore if your bidet is one with a weaker water flow, wiping before you use the bidet is a great idea to achieve maximum clean.
If you have limited mobility
To achieve total clean with your bidet requires a little bit of maneuvering to make sure the water is cleaning in the right spots. If you have limited mobility or are a senior adult, it might be difficult for you to fully clean your behind in one single bidet use. If this is the case for you, pre-wiping before your bidet use will help make your bidet more effective and your experience more positive.
Are bidets safe for everyone to use?
Yes, bidets are safe and sanitary for anyone to use. This question is understandable, especially since vaginal health is very complex, and it is crucial to keep the fecal matter out of the vaginal area.
Some bidets even have a special “front wash” or “feminine wash” feature specifically designed to help women clean their vaginas. As is the case with wiping after a bowel movement, you should only spray water in a bidet from front to back. This can help keep the vaginal area clean and help prevent UTIs and yeast infections from occurring.
Can you stop buying toilet paper after purchasing a bidet?
You can certainly stop buying toilet paper after you purchase a bidet, but it might be a good idea to keep some on hand for emergencies or special circumstances. For example, you might have a guest who isn’t comfortable using a bidet (and is also not comfortable asking you for a quick bidet lesson). Having toilet paper for them would be considerate, even if you don’t use it yourself. You also may want to have toilet paper on hand (check out this zero-waste toilet paper!) if the power goes out and you need to use the bathroom.
Additionally, as discussed in the above section, there are some instances where you may wish to both wipe and use your bidet. Having toilet paper available for instances like these can help keep you comfortable.
In summary
I hope our article has answered any questions you may have had about bidets, including “do you use a bidet after peeing?” Bidets are great options that are also an eco-friendly alternative to toilet paper. Many people have many common questions about bidet use, but most of the answers to these depend on your personal cleaning preferences.