Bidet Toilet Seat Buying Guide
Features To Look For
You should consider a few factors before purchasing a bidet toilet seat.
First, you should make sure that the product has the same distance between the mounting holes as your toilet. On rare occasions this distance may be different, so it’s worth it to check. You should also make sure that you purchase an elongated seat if you have an elongated bowl.
Anyway, here are some of the important features to look for in a bidet toilet seat:
Material
You should take note of the material. Most seats are made from plastic. Some of the plastic ones may have a wood finish, which is fine. Just know that you will have to clean this a little differently than a normal plastic seat. It will also not last as long as a plastic or wood one.
Speaking of that, you can purchase a wood toilet seat. These will either be wood with a laminate finish or treated wood. Solid wood units are fairly expensive and fancy, so you don’t see them that often. They are nice, though.
I don’t recommend laminated toilet accessories if possible. They just don’t last nearly as long because of the humidity in the bathroom.
No-Slam Lids
As the name implies, a no-slam toilet lid does not slam shut when dropped. They are also referred to as a soft-close lid. These toilet lids tend to cost a little more money, but they are very convenient. Simply tip the lid, and it will quietly close.
I recommend this type of seat if you like having a closed toilet at all hours. The other benefit is you don’t have to listen to a slamming lid at night.
Coated Plastic
Some plastic seats have a coating that prevents staining, odor, and other gross stuff you find on a toilet. The treatment also makes cleaning as simple as brushing it with a damp rag. You don’t need to use commercial cleaners, bleach, or anything like that.
I recommend these types of seats, but you will pay a little extra money for them.
Air Dryer
An air dryer is one of those features that has started appearing on newer bidets. Personally, I like the air dryer, but many people find them very unsanitary. It is one of those features that costs a bit extra money.
The good thing about an air dryer is that you don’t have to use it. For instance, one person can use the dryer while another person doesn’t use it.
I highly recommend purchasing a bidet with an air dryer.
Bonus Features
You generally want a bidet that has a heated seat if you live in a colder climate. Trust me, you don’t want to sit on a toilet seat that feels like an ice cube.
A bidirectional nozzle is also a feature you want. It allows you to spray water from multiple angles, which just makes cleaning so much easier. All the units I listed have a bidirectional nozzle. Other nice features include an easy-to-use control panel and heated water.
Fortunately, most of these extra features come standard on an electric bidet.
Regular Toilet Seat vs. Bidet Toilet Seat
A bidet used to actually be an extra part of the bathroom. Basically, it was a washbasin. This all changed when Toto released the Washlet, which is a spray nozzle that goes under the seat. This allowed everyone to have a bidet in their home.
Despite this, the bidet toilet seat is still not popular in the United States, but it is popular in parts of Europe and most of Asia. In fact, many bathrooms in Japan only have bidet seats. You will definitely have to use this unit if you visit Japan.
Unfortunately, many people that have never used one consider them gross. They may even think they are a little gross. This all changes once you use them, though. Most bidet users absolutely love them after the first few uses.
If you have any type of disability that affects your mobility, then you will love the bidet. It will mean you don’t have to depend on people for a very personal task. It’s also more hygienic.
How to Install a Bidet Seat
Installing a bidet toilet seat is not a difficult project. You can probably do it yourself in under an hour or faster.
The only potential problem is having nearby access to a power outlet. However, not all units require electricity, so this problem may not even arise during your installation. You may also have an outlet near your toilet.
Well that said, here are the general steps for installing a bidet seat. Some bidets may require a slightly different installation, but the general concept will remain the same.
Step 1: Take off your old seat.
Step 2: Shutoff the water line to your toilet.
Step 3: Install the mounting plate to the toilet.
Step 4: Remove the water hose at the bottom of the tank. This is why you must shut off the water supply before beginning.
Step 5: Connect a ‘Y’ or ‘T’ connector to the hose. This connector should come included with the product.
Step 6: Install the bidet seat on the mounting plate.
Step 7: Plug the bidet into the outlet (if necessary).
Step 8: Turn on the water.
Using a Bidet Toilet Seat
Using is simple. Simply sit on the seat, adjust the controls (temperature, pressure, direction), and begin cleaning yourself. Some people like to face the faucet (sitting backwards), but it’s much easier to aim the sprayer if your back is facing the sprayer. The direction you sit mostly comes down to personal choice.
If you live in a cold climate, and don’t like sitting on your seat, then you should purchase a bidet with heating and a remote control. You can control the temperature of the surface, even when you’re not at your house.
You should also use toilet paper to dry yourself after using the bidet. This, of course, isn’t necessary. However, drying yourself after use just makes sense.
Cleaning a Bidet Toilet Seat
Everyone hates cleaning their toilet. It’s gross and annoying, but it is something that you should do every week. Don’t worry, you can save money by using normal bleach. It doesn’t even have to smell bad since many companies produce bleach that actually smells great.
Anyway, you will need some cleaning product, a measuring cup, and a brush. Just don’t use the measuring cup for cooking!
First, you should spray water all over the surface you want to clean. Next, dump about ¼ cup of bleach into the basin. Try not to spill any on the edge or floor. If you do, then clean it up to prevent staining.
You should now scrub the basin with a toilet brush. Make sure to scrub the area underneath the rim – it’s normally gross and hard to reach. Don’t use bleach to clean the nozzle. You don’t want traces of bleach spraying into your private parts. That would hurt.
Scrubbing should only take a few minutes. Once you’re done with that you should spray water until the bleach is completely diluted. Give the toilet brush a rinse, too.
If you have any stains, then let them soak in bleach for four to six hours. Then try scrubbing them out. The stains still may not come out. In that case, just let them soak for an even longer amount of time.
Summary
This article has covered everything that you need to know about bidet toilet seats. Everything from how to install them, using them, and some history about them. I even recommended a few of my favorite units. Also, not all the units come in white. It is a common color, but you do have a few options when it comes to the color of your bathroom accessories.
The decisions were mostly based on the features, quality, and value. Sure, some of the bidet seats may cost a decent amount of money, but those brands also had plenty to offer.
Last Updated: Many toilets these days do not actually have toilet seats on them. I bet you didn’t know that!
