Has cleaning a bidet always felt like a bit of a mystery to you? Well, we’re here to help. A mid-pandemic bump, particularly to tackle dwindling toilet paper stock, made the best bidets more common than ever in North American bathrooms. However, models that include a heated, self-closing seat and those with self-cleaning wands each will need cleaning every once in a while.
So, if you’ve wondered, “How often do we need to clean it? or “What’s the best way to sanitize my bidet?” Here, we’ll break down the best, most thorough and easiest methods for ensuring one of the most important items for cleaning ourselves remains clean itself.
Why cleaning your bidet is important
Because of the placement and often unusual shape and angles of add-on bidets, proper cleaning is essential. Failure to properly clean and sanitize your bidet can lead to bacteria buildup. Because a plume of air is released each time you flush your toilet, the germs and bacteria can spread to other surfaces in your bathroom or even find their way onto absorbent materials like towels or toilet paper that make contact with your skin. Properly cleaning your bidet can be a safety issue.
What you’ll need to clean a bidet
The good news is that you’ll likely already have most of the tools and supplies you’ll need to get your bidet sparkling. A good starter list of resources to have on hand includes:
- Latex gloves
- Mild soap or vinegar
- A rag, soft cloth or sponge for scrubbing
- A toothbrush for hard-to-reach areas
- A toilet brush or nail brush with a handle to clean the bowl and interior surfaces
- Disinfectant wipes, vinegar, a mild detergent or cleaning spray — however, be careful to only use any cleaning spray in well-ventilated spaces
- Microfiber cloth (for drying)
Though most commercially available bathroom cleaners should be safe to use for cleaning a bidet, avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive/coarse tools, which can damage some of a bidet’s more sensitive elements.
Step-by-step guide to cleaning your bidet
This bidet by Luxe costs $60 on Amazon and attaches to your existing toilet.
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.
If your bidet has a hot water connection, you’ll have to run a water line to your sink’s hot water supply.
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.
The bidet has a light and a drying fan.
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.
How often should I clean my bidet?
You should try to clean your bidet at least once a week, and more if it’s in a bathroom that sees frequent use. Another good habit to get into is deploying any self-cleaning functionality each time you use the bidet, which can help avoid blockages and save time when it comes to manually cleaning.
Can I use bleach to clean my bidet?
Though some bathroom cleaners include diluted bleach, it’s best to avoid using them when cleaning your bidet, as they can damage the sensitive elements and surfaces of your bidet/toilet.
How do I clean a bidet with hard-water stains?
A dilution of vinegar can help remove mineral buildup (often caused by hard water). Alternately, try a commercial descaling product or solution.
Is it safe to clean an electric bidet?
Yes, an electric bidet can be manually cleaned in the same way as a nonelectric unit, but be sure to fully disconnect the power before you begin cleaning.
Can I use disinfectant wipes on my bidet?
Yes, disinfectant wipes are generally safe to use while cleaning your bidet, but you should avoid wipes with alcohol or other harsh solutions, which can damage toilet surfaces or the bidet.
