If you’re reading this, you are likely among the growing number of people who have heard about the health and hygiene benefits offered by a bidet toilet seat. Modern bidets are packed with features which provide a healthier and more comfortable experience when using the bathroom. Washing with water is common sense in other aspects of our lives, so it makes sense we should absolutely be washing ourselves with water after going to the bathroom. So it is easy to see why more Americans are adding bidet toilet seats to their homes. While deciding to add a bidet to your bathroom is an easy choice to make, deciding which specific model is right for you means knowing what to look for, so here are some basic guidelines on what to look for when you are choosing a bidet.

The first thing to know is that modern bidet toilet seats are not separate plumbing fixtures like the old fashioned version, but rather are designed to install directly on your existing toilet. They offer greater economy of space for your bathroom as well as easier use since you do not move from the toilet to the bidet. They are also much easier to install – the do-it-yourself installation means most people can install it on their own within about 30 minutes. Most modern bidet seats are also electric, so you will need to plug it into a standard outlet. There are some non-electric attachments as well however they are much more limited in their functionality compared to the electric models. Next we’ll explain some of the wash functions of the electric models.

Any good electric bidet will have some basic wash features such as adjustable water pressure, adjustable water temperature and adjustable nozzle position. Everybody is built a little differently, so being able to make these adjustments to best suit your needs is essential. Being able to wash with warm water is a huge plus for most people, so it’s important to note the water heating system of the different units. Some models use a reservoir tank water heating system which holds a reserve of heated water which provides about 45 seconds of warm water per wash. Other units use a tankless water heating system which uses an instant heating coil that heats the water continuously. The benefit of reservoir tank heating is that these units tend to be more affordable. But the benefit with the tankless design is that you can wash for as long as you want without running out of warm water.

There are some additional wash functions to be aware of, such as oscillating wash. This feature moves the wash nozzle during the cleaning cycle to provide a larger coverage area and a more thorough cleaning. Another wash feature available on some seats is a massage wash, which pulses the water stream like a strobe light for a massaging effect. A few units like the BB 2000 include an enema wash (or turbo wash) which can help induce movements for users who have difficulty going to the bathroom. All of the various wash features can add up to create a better cleaning experience.

Besides the wash functions, there are also a variety of non-wash functions available. A heated seat with adjustable temperature is very popular, especially during the winter months. Some models have warm air dryers which dry residual moisture after washing and can help eliminate toilet paper consumption, although some people will use a small amount of toilet paper to speed up the drying process. Air deodorizers can help remove unpleasant odors from the bowl area, while night lights can make it easier to see at night without needing to turn on bright bathroom lights. Most units have slow closing seat and lid so they won’t slam closed, and a couple have an automatic opening and closing lid. Another important feature to note is whether the unit is operated by remote control or an attached control panel. Most people find the remote controls a lot easier to use compared with the attached panels. The remote control includes a wall mounting kit so you can place it wherever is most convenient. Like with other home appliances, there is also the warranty to consider. Most warranties are between one to three years with either full or partial coverage, although a couple of brands do offer extended warranty options.

As more and more people trend toward installing bidet seats as a regular part of their bathroom, it’s important to have a resource to know the differences and similarities of all the various brands and models available. If you are planning on upgrading your bathroom with a bidet, we hope our website offers a great resource for you to familiarize yourself with your options, and you can always give us a call or send us an e-mail and get advice from the bidet seat pros here at bidetsPLUS!

Some people are very clearly DIYers (Do-It-Yourselfers). If there’s a project to be done around the house they dive right in. They actually enjoy putting together all those holiday gifts and see those dozens of parts as a fun puzzle. Then there are others who see all of those parts and want nothing to do with them. Regardless of your DIY skill level, we’ve got the perfect indoor project you can do yourself that will instantly make your life better: installing a new bidet toilet seat in your bathroom. The bad news is, some do-it-yourselfers just might find installing a bidet too easy!

If you hear “bidet” and think of a big, cumbersome plumping fixture that kind of looks like a toilet without the seat, then the first thing you should do is update your notion to the twenty-first century. Rather than a large porcelain base that requires a plumber and some extra water pipes, not to mention some extra square footage in your bathroom, modern electric bidets are designed to fit directly on your existing toilet. They simply replace your existing toilet seat. No invasive plumbing. No extra pipes. No extra floor space needed. All you need is a toilet, an electrical outlet, and about 30 minutes. And since these modern units install right on your toilet, they are a lot more convenient to use than the old fashioned bidets of yesteryear.

After choosing a bidet and making sure you have the right size for your toilet (round or elongated), there are just a few easy steps to install your new seat. First off, you will remove your existing toilet seat. To do this, you will simply unscrew the mounting bolts that hold the seat in place which can typically be done with a screwdriver. With the seat removed, you will then secure the bidet seat mounting bracket to the toilet. The mounting bracket is secured to the toilet using the same mounting holes that held the regular seat in place. The bracket position can be adjusted a bit farther forward or backward to get an optimal fit. Once the bracket is positioned you can tighten the mounting screws and slide the bidet into the bracket. If you listen, you can hear the unit “click” into place.

Next you will connect the unit to the water supply. To connect the water, you will simply split the existing water supply behind your toilet using a T-connection (aka "splitter") that comes with the bidet. First, turn off the water shut off valve on the wall and unscrew the water supply hose from the bottom of the water tank. Then thread the T-connection to the bottom of the water tank and reconnect the supply hose to the bottom of the T. From here, attach the included bidet hose to the side opening of the T-connection, and attach the other end of the hose right into the water inlet on the rear left side of the bidet seat (as you are facing the toilet). With the lines now connected, you can open the water shut off valve again and make sure everything is secure with no leaks.

The last thing you’ll need to do since this is an electric appliance is plug the unit into an outlet. The power cord on most bidet seats is around 3 and a half feet long and is a standard three-prong grounded plug designed for a grounded outlet. We recommend using a GFCI outlet which are commonly used in bathrooms. If needed you can use a grounded extension cord, just be sure to secure any cords for safety.

With your new bidet seat installed, you can now begin familiarizing yourself with all of the various features these modern cleaning machines have to offer. We have a bidet toilet seat comparison chart that may be helpful when deciding which model has the features you want. You can also contact us here at bidetsPLUS if you need help choosing a model or if you have any questions about the installation. Enjoying a healthier, cleaner bathroom experience is just a few simple steps away for any Do-It-Yourselfer with bidetsPLUS!