What Is A Bidet Explained
A bidet is usually a toilet fixture that is fast growing in popularity all over the world. It typically looks like a toilet, but has water jets or cleaning purpose for personal hygiene purposes after you have used the toilet.
Bidets are particularly useful for people who have physical disabilities or for those who have dexterity problems limiting their range of motion. It is also helpful for people who have medical conditions that involve the rectal or genital areas, hence requiring better hygiene after using the toilet. Bidets can also be ideal for women who want better feminine hygiene during their monthly menstrual periods.
Types Of Bidets
The traditional bidet is a big ceramic floor-mounted bidet that looks almost exactly like a toilet but is a completely separate unit. These are often found in luxury hotels. The past decade has seen the emergence of a large number of innovations, and there are now a number of different types of bidets available.
- Toilet-seat bidet
A more recent invention, the toilet-seat bidet is fast gaining in popularity. It is a great option for people who have limited space in their bathrooms since toilet-seat bidets do not take up additional space. They also come in two main types – electric toilet-seat bidets, and manual toilet-seat bidets. 
The most basic of manual toilet-seat bidets is simply a cold water jet. More advanced options include jets with varying water temperatures, bidets with self-cleaning functions (i.e. operated via the turn of a dial), and even some with feminine washes (i.e. bidets designed to suit the female anatomy). Manual toilet-seat bidets are generally cheaper than their electric counterparts, but they are definitely as effective in terms of personal hygiene. They are also a more eco-friendly option.
The electric toilet-seat bidet comes with a huge range of options. They sport countless features such as toilet seat warmers, specific spray pressures and angles, specific water temperatures, deodorizers, and even air dryers. However, these electric bidets tend to be rather costly.
- Hand-held bidet
The hand-held bidet is less commonly-known, as compared to the standalone bidet and the toilet-seat bidet. It has Middle Eastern origins, and hence is also commonly known as a Shattaf. It is basically a hose with a spray at one end, connected to your toilet’s water supply, and is extremely inexpensive and convenient. They are also much easier to install as compared to other types of bidets. 
The SmarterFresh hand held bidet is classified as a hand held type or bidet sprayer. You can learn more about this and check out the reviews on Amazon.com.
- Portable bidet
The portable bidet, as its name suggests, is easily transported and hence is favored by travelers. It’s inconspicuous and can be carry around in a purse or backpack. It allows for a cleansing “on the go” and there are never any worries about being without one in a time of need. 
They can also be used at home. It is simply a small device similar to a water bottle, which features a spout. They come in different sizes, and the one by SmarterFresh is 650 mL, making it one of the biggest and most useful on the market.
Check out the reviews of the SmarterFresh portable bidet here.
- Traditional ceramic bidet
he traditional ceramic bidet comes in two types – the more common floor-mounted version, and the wall mounted version. They also come in a variety of styles, ranging from antique to contemporary, so you can be sure that there will definitely be one to suit the design of your bathroom. Typically they are a separate fixture found in the same area as the standard toilet. 
The user is expected to straddle the bidet and turn on the water at an appropriate rate and temperature to clean the genitals and rectum area. It’s a great replacement for toilet paper as only a small amount of paper is needed to pat down and dry the area.
How Exactly Should I Use a Bidet?
Most people may find using bidets a little daunting initially, but they are actually not difficult to use at all. Simply follow these steps for a stand-alone bidet and enjoy better personal hygiene:
Step 1: Use the toilet before you use the bidet. People often mistakenly use the bidet as a toilet, but the fixture is not an actual toilet.
Step 2: If the bidet is a standalone fixture, you should straddle the bidet. You can choose to either face the controls or face away from the controls. However, most people find that it is easier to make adjustments to the controls when they sit facing the controls.
Step 3: Adjust the water temperature and pressure to a level that you are comfortable with. Be careful if your bidet features different water temperatures, because you don’t want to end up with water that is too hot or cold.
Step 4: Move so that you are in a position so that the jets of water hit the areas that you are trying to clean. You can try to hover or squat in order to achieve that position. For bidet models that do not have water jets, but instead have a tap that fills up a basin, you should use your hands to clean your genital or anal area, in the same way you would in a shower or bath.
Step 5: Rinse the bidet and dry off. You can either do this with a towel or with toilet paper. It is also a good idea to wipe up any water that has splashed out of the bidet whilst you were using or rinsing it.
Which Countries Use Bidets the Most?
Bidets are commonly used in many European and East Asian countries. Italy, in particular, considers the bidet an essential bathroom fixture – it can be found in 97% of Italian households. Spain, Greece, Turkey, Vietnam and Iran are just some of the other countries where the bidet is considered a common bathroom fixture. They are not commonly found in the North American bathroom are gaining in popularity as the United States becomes more diverse and need ideas are brought into the country.
- Kevin Thill
