How To Use A Handheld Bidet?

When it comes to toilet accessories, the bidet is one of the most useful options that you can get. 

There are several types of bidets available today, such as standalone bidet seats, attachments, portable bidets, handheld bidets, and others. The last one is particularly popular due to the convenience it offers. 

However, many people do not know how to use it properly, which subsequently affects the usefulness of this accessory. And that is why we have made this guide, which discusses how to use a handheld bidet. 

What Is A Handheld Bidet?

Before we get to the primary discussion, let us talk a little bit about handheld bidets for those who are not familiar with them. A bidet is a device that can be used to clean your back and private area after you are done using the toilet. 

On that note, a handheld bidet sprayer is a type of bidet that can be easily operated with your hand (hence the name). It is essentially a miniature water hose for your toilet.

A handheld bidet is a bit different from other bidet types, such as standalone bidets and attachments. These options are usually bigger than a typical handheld bidet, and that is why they cannot be held in your hand as easily. Besides, you cannot control the water flow and the direction of these bidets as conveniently as a handheld option.

Handheld bidet sprayers are quite popular in Asia, particularly in the Middle East. In fact, they are a common sight in most Muslim households, which is why they are otherwise called Muslim showers or Shattafs. That’s because cleanliness plays a key role in the culture of Muslims. After using the toilet, they use a handheld bidet to clean themselves up meticulously.

However, the popularity of these bidets has spread to Europe and America as well. Nowadays, many homeowners opt to install handheld bidets for the sake of cleanliness and convenience.

How To Use A Handheld Bidet?

Now that the basics are dealt with, let’s discuss how you can use a handheld bidet. The fundamental principle for it is the same as that of using a regular bidet. That said, there are certain differences that you will need to keep in mind here. 

A handheld bidet sprayer has three primary components that you need to keep in mind. These components are: 

• T-valve
• Bidet spray nozzle
• Bidet hose

The T-valve is the component that controls the water flow to the bidet. Likewise, the spray nozzle generates a stream of water that you can use to clean yourself. And lastly, the bidet hose connects the T-valve with the nozzle head. 

With that in mind, here’s a stepwise process for using a handheld bidet. 

Step 1: Turn On The T-Valve Of The Bidet

Turning on the T-valve is the first step to using a handheld bidet. As we have mentioned before, it acts as a sort of shut-off valve that controls the flow of water from your main supply to the bidet. It is generally found on the underside of the toilet tank and is placed adjacent to the toilet’s fill valve. 

Once you have located the T-valve, you will need to turn its handle to the “ON” position, which will allow the water to flow into the bidet. But the water won’t come rushing out of the nozzle right away, which means that you can’t use it to clean yourself just yet. 

Step 2: Position The Sprayer Head Properly

Next, you need to hold the sprayer nozzle in a suitable position so that your rear side and genitals can be cleaned. For first-timers, this step may be a bit difficult to master. After all, you have to ensure that the bidet sprayer head is in a position that will allow you to control the water pressure and direction conveniently. 

First, you need to lower the nozzle head into the toilet bowl carefully. You can hold the nozzle either to the front or to the back of your body. Just make sure that you are comfortable while holding the bidet. 

Whichever position you choose, try to keep the nozzle pointed toward the area between the legs. Once the bidet is in a suitable position, you can proceed to the next step. 

Step 3: Turn On The Nozzle And Clean Yourself

In order to turn on the water spray, you will have to press the button or squeeze the trigger that is present on the sprayer head. When the water starts flowing, you can adjust the direction and angle of the bidet if it doesn’t feel quite right. 

You can maneuver the bidet head during this step to clean yourself more thoroughly. For example, if you move the sprayer in an up-and-down motion, you can cover a larger area. In any case, after you are done cleaning, you can release the trigger or the button to stop the spray of water through the nozzle. 

Step 4: Turn Off The T-Valve

Place the bidet sprayer on the bidet holder and turn off the T-valve to finish using the device. This is a crucial step that many people tend to ignore. But believe us – you should never bypass this step if you want the bidet to last longer. 

If a T-valve is always kept on, it may cause the bidet hose to start leaking. That is because the water flow to the hose is not terminated in that scenario, even if you release the trigger of the nozzle. As a result, the pressure inside the hose keeps accumulating until it bursts. 

But when you turn the valve off, the water flow stops altogether, which prevents such an issue from occurring. Additionally, it prevents the water from corroding the inner walls of the hose, which further improves its lifespan. 

Tips For Using A Handheld Bidet

Here, we have mentioned some additional tips and suggestions to keep in mind while using a handheld bidet. If you follow them, you can get used to the device quicker.

1. Give The Handheld Sprayer A Trial Run After Installation

It is a good idea to give the bidet a trial, for that will give you a general feel of the device. Besides, if there are any issues with it, they can be identified and resolved accordingly. Simply point it toward the toilet bowl and press the trigger to gauge the water pressure. You can also move it around a little bit to check its maneuverability.

2. Gradually Increase The Pressure

Do not press the button fully when using the bidet, as the pressure may be too much to handle. Instead, you should press the trigger gently to keep the pressure low at first. Then, you can slowly increase the flow by pressing down on the trigger further. 

3. Hold The Nozzle At An Upward Angle

While positioning the sprayer head, we would advise keeping it pointed at an upward angle. That will allow the water spray to clean your nether regions more effectively. Moreover, it will ensure that the dirty water falls into the toilet bowl and not anywhere else.

Are Handheld Bidets Expensive?

Compared to a bidet attachment or a bidet seat, a handheld sprayer is pretty inexpensive to purchase and install. With that being said, the final cost depends on factors like the brand and the quality of materials used. 

A bidet made by a reputed brand will naturally cost higher than a bidet made by a lesser-known brand. Furthermore, if it is made using premium-quality materials, its price will automatically go up. 

Is A Handheld Sprayer Worth It?

Yes, a handheld bidet is absolutely worth it, for it comes with several advantages. It is a great replacement for toilet paper, which means that you won’t have to purchase new rolls frequently. 

Besides, a handheld bidet can be used for other tasks too. For example, you can use it for a bidet shower, or you can use it for bathing your pets. The bidet spray can be highly effective for cleaning the bathroom as well. Similarly, you can use it to clean your baby’s diaper cloth or other textile clothing items. 

How Is A Handheld Bidet Different From A Freestanding Bidet Toilet Seat?

The biggest point of difference between a bidet seat and a handheld bidet is the design. Most handheld bidets are quite compact and can be easily attached to the existing toilet. Bidet seats, on the other hand, are much larger and require you to replace your existing toilet seat.

Another major difference between handheld bidets and bidet toilet seats is the power source. While the former is non-electric by nature, the latter is available in both electric and non-electric variants.

How Long Do Handheld Bidets Last?

The longevity of a handheld bidet sprayer depends on its usage and maintenance. If you use a bidet sprayer carefully and maintain it from time to time, it will last for several years, and vice versa.

Of course, the build quality of the bidet plays a major part here. A high-quality bidet will last for around five years at least, provided you maintain it properly. Conversely, a cheap, poorly built bidet may malfunction after a few days of use.

Conclusion

Given the advantages and convenience of using a handheld bidet sprayer, there is no reason for you to delay installing one. 

Thanks to its simple design, this toilet accessory can be easily installed alongside your toilet. If you have some prior DIY experience, you can get it up and running within a few hours at most. You can also use a bidet converter kit to make the process more convenient. 

Alternatively, you can seek help from a professional plumber to get this job done in no time. And once it is installed, you can use the information in this guide to start using it.