How to Use a Bidet: A First-Time Guide for Australian Homes

Using a bidet for the first time can feel unfamiliar, but it only takes a few visits to get comfortable. Whether you've just had a bidet seat fitted, you're thinking about one, or you've come across a smart toilet seat on holiday, this guide walks you through how to use a bidet step by step.

We cover every type of bidet toilet seat Australia homes use: smart and electric bidet seats, non electric bidet seats, handheld sprays and portable bidets. You'll also find the settings to start with, how drying works, and how to look after your bidet seat.

The Main Types of Bidet in Australia

Before you start, it helps to know which type you're using, because the controls differ.

•       Smart bidet seat: also called a smart toilet seat or electric bidet seat. It replaces your toilet seat and heats the water and seat, so it plugs into a power point near the toilet.

•       Non electric bidet seat: replaces your toilet seat and runs on household water pressure only, with a side lever to adjust the flow.

•       Handheld bidet spray: a bidet attachment in Australia that sits beside the toilet and keeps your current seat.

•       Portable bidet: a bottle or sprayer that holds its own water and connects to nothing.

•       Smart toilet: a whole toilet with the bidet built in, sometimes called a heated toilet.

All of these sit within the wider range of toilet & bidet seats, so you can choose the one that fits your bathroom.

How to Use a Smart Toilet Seat, Step by Step

A smart bidet toilet seat has more settings than other types, so it's worth learning the steps once. Our smart seats are operated by a remote, a side panel or a side knob, depending on the model.

Step 1: Sit fully on the seat. On many smart seats, a sensor detects when you're seated. The wash won't start until it does.

Step 2: Choose your wash. Rear wash is for cleaning after a bowel movement. Front wash, sometimes called the feminine setting, is angled further forward. You can read more about what the feminine setting is for.

Step 3: Start on low pressure. Begin on the lowest pressure setting and increase it one step at a time. Our guide on how hard a bidet should spray explains the settings.

Step 4: Adjust the water temperature. A warm water toilet seat heats water instantly as you use it. On our Lyra and Arista, you can choose ambient, 33°C, 36°C or 39°C.

Step 5: Adjust the nozzle position. Move the nozzle forward or back until it's in the right spot. The Arista has five positions, and the Lyra and Nova have four.

Step 6: Stop the wash. Press stop, or wait for the wash to end automatically.

Step 7: Dry. Use the warm air dryer, pat dry with a little toilet paper, or both. If you're unsure of the order, here's whether you wipe or spray first.

Using a Heated Toilet Seat

On a heated toilet seat, the seat itself warms before you sit down. Each of our smart seats is a heated bidet seat, with temperature settings you choose. On the Lyra and Arista these are ambient, 33°C, 36°C or 39°C. On the Sylora, they're ambient, about 33°C and about 37°C. If the heated toilet seat is too warm, turn it down a level or switch it to ambient.

Using a Bidet With Auto Open Seat

An automatic bidet toilet seat adds a sensor-controlled lid. On our Ayora, when auto mode is on, the lid opens as you approach (from about 40 to 60 cm away). You use the wash, temperature and drying settings from the remote, just like other smart bidet seats. If you'd rather open the lid by hand, turn auto mode off from the remote.

How to Use a Non Electric Bidet Seat

A non electric bidet seat has fewer controls. On our Elara, one side lever controls the water pressure:

•       Turn the lever slowly to start the wash.

•       Turn it further for more pressure, or back for less.

•       Return the lever to the off position when you've finished.

The water comes from your household supply, so it's at the temperature it arrives. The Elara is a WaterMark bidet seat available as a D-shape bidet seat or O-shape seat. Each Elara comes with a D shape bidet seat manual (or O-shape manual) showing the controls, and you can read D shape bidet seat reviews from customers on the product page.

How to Use a Handheld Bidet Spray

A handheld bidet spray works like a small shower head beside the toilet. Lift it from its holder, press the lever gently to start, aim, and adjust the pressure with how firmly you press. Return it to the holder when you're done. Our Ember spray is WaterMark certified and comes in silver, black and gold.

How to Use a Portable Bidet

A portable bidet sprayer holds its own water. Fill it, aim the nozzle, then press the button or squeeze, depending on the model. Our portable bidet Australia range includes the Veyra bidet bottle (140 ml), the rechargeable Lumora (320 ml) and the Rinora with a 5 L tank. When flying, carry it empty in your hand luggage and fill it after security.

Settings to Start With on Your First Use

•       Pressure: lowest setting.

•       Water temperature: a middle setting, such as 36°C.

•       Seat temperature: a low or middle setting.

•       Nozzle position: the middle position, then adjust.

•       Drying: a middle temperature setting.

After a few uses, you'll know which settings you prefer.

Looking After Your Bidet Seat

•       Wipe the seat and lid with a soft, damp cloth.

•       Our smart seats and the Elara have a self-cleaning nozzle that rinses before and after use.

•       The Arista has a reusable water filter, which should be cleaned every 3 to 12 months.

•       Follow the manual that came with your bidet seat for any other care.

Choosing a Bidet Seat in Australia

If you're comparing options, start with three questions. Do you want warm water and a heated seat? Is there a power point near your toilet? Do you prefer a remote, a side panel, a side knob or an auto open lid?

People searching for the best bidet seat, the best smart toilet seat in Australia or the best bidet toilet seat in Australia usually start with these same questions. The answer depends on which features matter to you. Smart toilet seat price also varies with features, so check current pricing on each product page. You'll find smart toilet seat reviews and bidet seat reviews from customers on each product page too.

Every bidet seat that connects to your water supply must be installed by a licensed plumber. Smart toilets also need a licensed electrician. Compare the full range of toilet & bidet seats in Australia.

Quick Answers to Common Searches

Smart toilet seat Australia: what does it need? A power point near the toilet, plus a water connection fitted by a licensed plumber.

Heated toilet seat Australia: what temperatures can I choose? On the Lyra and Arista, ambient, 33°C, 36°C or 39°C. On the Sylora, ambient, about 33°C or about 37°C.

Electric bidet toilet seat Australia: does it need a hot-water connection? No. Our electric seats heat water instantly from your cold water supply.

Japanese toilet seat Australia: is it the same as a smart bidet seat? Yes. Japanese toilet seat and washlet are common names for an electric bidet seat with warm water wash, a heated seat and drying.

Bidet seat Australia: which shape do I need? Look at the back of your current seat. Squared off means D-shape, and fully rounded means O-shape.

Best D shape bidet seat: what should I check? WaterMark certification, a D-shape fit, the correct inlet side, front and rear wash, and customer reviews.

Best smart toilet seat Australia: what should I compare? Controls (remote, side panel or side knob), whether you want an auto open lid, heated seat settings and reviews.

Best bidet toilet seat Australia or best bidet toilet Australia: where do I start? Decide between a smart seat with warm water, a non electric seat with no power, or a handheld spray, then check shape and inlet side.

Best portable bidet Australia, best portable bidet or best portable bidet bottle: what's the difference? Compare capacity and power: Veyra holds 140 ml on AAA batteries, Lumora holds 320 ml and recharges by USB-C, and Rinora has a 5 L tank.

Smart toilet Australia, best smart toilet Australia, heated toilet Australia or best heated toilet: what's included? Our Viora and FlushGreen are integrated smart toilets with a heated seat, warm water wash and automatic flushing. Compare them on our smart toilets page.

Bidet attachment Australia: what are my options? A handheld bidet spray keeps your current seat and connects to your water supply through a T-valve.

Toilet & bidet seats Australia: where can I compare them? On our toilet & bidet seats page. Toilet & bidet seats reviews from customers are on each product page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you use a bidet for the first time?

Sit fully on the seat, choose rear or front wash, start on the lowest pressure, then adjust the water temperature and nozzle position. Stop the wash and dry with the warm air dryer or a little toilet paper.

How do I use a smart toilet seat?

Use the remote, side panel or side knob to choose your wash, pressure, water temperature and nozzle position. Our smart bidet seats also have a heated seat and a warm air dryer.

How does a non electric bidet seat work?

It runs on household water pressure. Turn the side lever to start the wash and adjust the pressure, then turn it off when you've finished.

Do I still need toilet paper with a bidet?

That's your choice. You can use the warm air dryer on a smart seat, pat dry with a little toilet paper, or both.

What is a bidet with auto open seat?

It's an automatic bidet toilet seat with a sensor that opens the lid as you approach. On our Ayora, you can turn auto mode on or off from the remote.

How do you use a portable bidet when travelling?

Fill the bottle or tank, aim the nozzle and press the button or squeeze. Carry it empty through airport security and fill it afterwards.