How to Clean a Bidet: A Step-by-Step Guide to Maintaining a Sanitary Bidet

Bidets aren’t while unique as they used to be in North America; they are becoming more prevalent in rooms. In part due to a mid-pandemic knock when toilet paper was disappearing from shop cabinets, bidets are more of a common device in houses. From models that include a cooked, self-closing seats to self-cleaning wands built into high-end bright toilets, wide adoption is gradually moving us toward our promised, cleaner future.   But, bidets are still new to some people, and some may not know how to clean one.

Cleaning a shower is a bit of a puzzle. How often do we need to wash it, and what’s the best way to confirm that they’re completely sanitized? We’ll tear down the best, most-thorough and best practices for ensuring one of the most important products for cleaning ourselves remains clear itself.

Why cleaning your shower is critical

Because of the position and often strange shape and points of add-on bidets, suitable cleaning is essential. Failure to properly clean and sanitize your shower can lead to bacteria formation. Because a jet of heat is released each time you wash your bathroom, the germs and bacteria can spread to different areas in your toilet, or even find their way onto porous materials like towels or toilet paper that make contact with your body. Correctly cleaning your shower can be a safety issue.  

What you’ll need to clear a shower

The good news is that you’ll probably now have most of the tools and supplies you’ll need to find your shower beautiful. A nice starter list of tools to have on hands includes:

• Lime boots
• Mild lotion or wine
• A rags, soft towel or sponge for scrubbing
• A brush for hard-to-reach places
• A toilet clean or hammer tip with a control to clean the plate and interior areas
• Disinfectant wipes, acid, a mild cleanser or cleaning apply– but, be careful to only apply any cleaning spray in well-ventilated spaces
• Microfiber cloth ( for drying )

Though most commercially available bath cleansers may be safe to use for cleaning a shower, avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive/coarse tools, which can harm some of a bidet’s more delicate elements.

Step-by-step guide to cleaning your bidet 

Step 1: Run the bidet and flush

Before you begin cleaning yourself, it’s always a good idea to flush the toilet and run the bidet to clear any lingering residue. If your bidet has any kind of self-cleaning function, this is a great time to run a cycle, though bear in mind that self-cleaning mechanisms are limited, especially in terms of their ability to disinfect, because they typically just rely on a water cleanse.

Step 2: Turn off the power ( for electric bidets )

If your bidet draws power, you’ll need to disconnect it while you’re cleaning, to ensure your safety. Even if your bidet has an on/off switch, it’s always a good idea to fully unplug it to ensure there’s no voltage flowing between the outlet and the unit.

Step 3: Wipe down the exterior

Now it’s time to get down to proper manual cleaning, starting with any exterior surfaces. Using a soft cloth or rag treated with a mild cleaner, or a pretreated disinfectant wipe, wipe down the seat, nozzle surfaces and lid, as well as any control panels or, if your bidet includes one, the attached remote. Before cleaning any electronic elements, make sure that your cloth is properly wrung out and only minimally damp; excess moisture can destroy or damage electronics if it penetrates the surface.

Step 4: Clean the nozzles or wand

The next step is to address the interior of any nozzles or the cleaning wand. While the self-cleaning cycle of many bidets will flush the nozzles/wand with water, we recommend occasionally deep cleaning them with a toothbrush and some mild soap or detergent. Be aware that many nozzles or wand elements are constructed from a soft plastic or other delicate material, so avoid using harsh chemical cleaners or vinegar for this step.  

You can also use vinegar to clear blockages in nondetachable nozzles. Just fill a plastic baggie with vinegar and affix it to the nozzles with a rubber band, then allow to soak for several hours or overnight. Then, run water through the nozzles and clean with a toothbrush as recommended above.

Step 5: Clean the interior and bowl

After the nozzles have been thoroughly cleaned, it’s time to move on to the bowl. Using a cleaning spray or dilution of vinegar and water, scrub out the interior of the bowl and any other interior surfaces or elements. We recommend a toilet brush or nail brush with a handle for proper scrubbing, but avoid abrasive cleaners that may damage the porcelain. Pay extra attention to underneath the lip of the interior toilet bowl, which often gets neglected because it’s more difficult to see.  

Step 6: Replace the carbon air deodorizer

Some bidets, or toilets that include built-in bidets, come with a carbon air deodorizer that filters the air. While some don’t require changing or may last several years, others include filters or modules that need to be replaced at more regular intervals.  

Step 7: Carefully rinse and dry

Finally, rinse off the interior and the nozzles/wand with some clean water, and dry the entire unit with a microfiber cloth. This can help avoid unsightly water spotting and also reduces lingering moisture, where bacteria can breed.

Tips for maintaining a clean bidet

To keep your bidet sparkly and fully functional, it’s important to clean it at least once a week. Also, if your bidet includes any kind of self-cleaning function, get into the habit of using that every time you use the bidet. This will not only keep the bidet and toilet cleaner overall, it’ll also reduce the labor required when you go to manually clean it.

You may also want to use a water softener or softening salts in your water system to help prevent mineral buildup in your toilet ( as well as in sinks and tubs and on other surfaces ). Additionally, as mentioned above, always avoid using abrasive chemical cleaners or tools that can damage surfaces, as these can lead to further buildup of bacteria and residue.