I just got back from a two-week vacation in Italy. I had a fantastic time in Roma, Venice, and other smaller towns. The one complaint I heard most often was the toilets.
They usually have both a toilet bowl and a bidet with them. 99% of the time, I could not figure out how to make the bidet work. I tried sticking my hand under the tap, but nothing seemed to work (the water was off half the time, anyway). Then I asked a local how to use it. He taught me how to use a bidet toilet in Italy.
That’s why I am writing this detailed guide for people traveling to Italy who needs to know how to use the bidet toilet in Italy.
You can use the bidet toilet, like any other toilet, by sitting down and pulling the lever. However, if you want to use the bidet function, press the button on the side of the toilet that says “bidet” and wait for the water to come out from under your bum. This will clean you up nicely.
What Is Bidet Toilet?
A bidet toilet is a type of toilet used in most homes in Europe and Asia. Unlike the traditional American toilet, bidets are designed to clean your bottom after you use them to go number two. It uses water pressure to wash away waste while you sit on the seat.
The bidet toilet is perfect for people who have limited mobility in their hands or legs because they can simply sit down on this toilet and have their genitals cleaned by the water jet.
This makes it easier for them to get up from their seat without worrying about getting wet or dirty themselves.
You’ll also find that there are many different models available depending on what your needs are. Some models include features like heated seats or air drying capabilities and adjustable pressure controls so you can choose how much water comes out of each nozzle during each cleaning cycle (which helps prevent irritation).
These toilets come in many different styles too! You can choose between round bowls or elongated bowls depending on what type of space you have available in your bathroom – either way works great.
Also Read:
Detailed Guide about squat (floor) toilet in italy
A Detailed Guide About Italian Toilets
How Does Bidet Toilet Work?
A bidet toilet works by spraying water on your body’s rear section while sitting on a toilet.
A bidet is a plumbing fixture with a spigot, nozzle, or shower head to clean the genitals and anus after using the toilet. It is not used for cleaning the rest of your body.
The bidet toilet seat, placed on top of the existing toilet seat, has a control panel with buttons for controlling water temperature, pressure, and other functions.
Such as oscillating and pulsating spray patterns, adjustable water pressure and warm air drying. The nozzle is attached to the front of the seat so it can be positioned at an appropriate height over your body.
Some bidets have a separate control panel that attaches to the wall or sits on top of the tank lid near your feet, so you do not need to lean forward to reach it.
You can add a heated seat feature if desired because this will make sitting down more comfortable and reduce any possible chafing from wet rags or paper towels used for drying purposes.
Prior to sitting down again after washing yourself off manually with soap and water from one hand and at the same time, holding onto toilet paper from another handheld directly against the skin at the same time (known as the ‘dry flush’ technique).
Types Of Italian Bidet Toilet
When I was in Italy, I found many different types of bidet toilets and believe me; each bidet toilet type is quite impressive and easy to use. Here I am mentioning some most commonly used Bidet toilets in Italy.
- Electrical Bidet Seat
- Separate Unit Bidet
- Washlets or Stretchable Seat Bidet
1) Electrical Bidet Seat
An electrical bidet seat is the most common type of bidet toilet. It’s a separate unit from the toilet but installed directly onto the toilet bowl. The electrical bidet seat is connected to the water supply precisely like any other sink or wash basin.
This can be done by running flexible water supply lines underneath or through your flooring or walls or by connecting directly to your existing plumbing system.
In most cases, you will need an electrician to install this type of bidet seat for you – although if you have some DIY skills and are confident working with electricity, then you may be able to do this yourself (though it still wouldn’t hurt to get a professional opinion).
2) Separate Unit Bidet
The Separate Unit Bidet Toilet is a separate unit from the toilet seat. It has a water supply and control panel installed after the toilet seat.
The bidet toilet is more accessible to clean than a conventional toilet because it only requires you to clean the bidet itself instead of cleaning the whole bathroom.
3) Washlets or Stretchable Seat Bidet
A washlet is a bidet toilet seat or attachment that can be installed in any bathroom. The name “washlet” comes from the Japanese for “wash” and “seat.” A washlet has many features that make it more convenient than other types of bidets, including:
- Dual nozzles that provide a warm-water spray and decisive pulsing action
- A heated seat temperature sensor
- Automatic cleaning cycles after each use
The most common types of washlets have electronic controls and stainless steel. Other models are made with plastic parts. Some models include an integrated dryer function, which uses high-speed air circulation to dry you off after your bath or shower, while others don’t have this feature but work well enough on their own.
How To Use Bidet Toilet In Italy | Pro Steps
Well, I must say, when I was in Italy, I loved the bidet toilet. I found it excellent and convenient. Bidet toilets are a common feature in Italy. But how do you use them?
Here are the steps to follow while using Bidet Toilet In Italy:
Make sure your toilet has a bidet option. If it doesn’t, you can buy an add-on kit.
Step 2:
Turn on the hot water knob on your bidet and let it run until it’s warm enough to cleanse. You may need to adjust this setting as needed throughout the year, depending on how cold or hot it gets outside.
Step 3:
Open up one of the nozzles on the bidet and wet yourself with warm water from head to toe (if desired). Alternatively, you can use toilet paper if you prefer not to use water!
Step 4:
Use the sprayer nozzle like a shower head or garden hose—use short bursts directed towards specific areas of your body (such as between toes or behind ears) until clean and dry again.
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How Long Do You Let a Bidet Run?
When it comes to using a bidet, there’s one question that many people have: how long should I let the water run?
Well, I must say, It depends on your needs! If you’re washing your hands, I recommend keeping the water running for about 30 seconds. When cleaning your bottom, you’ll want to turn the water on and off a few times to get everything clean and dry.
You might have heard that you should leave your bidet running for at least 10 minutes. But that’s just not true. If you let your bidet run for more than sixty seconds, it could damage your toilet.
This myth has been around so long because it’s freezing when the water first comes out of a bidet. So if you stand there for 10 minutes, it’ll feel like ice water on your bum.
But after just a few seconds, the water will warm up and start feeling like what it’s supposed to: clean and refreshing.
Also Read:
Why There Is No Toilet Seats In Italy?
Why People Use The Second Toilet In Italy?
Precautions and Tips For Using Bidet Toilet In Italy
While bidet toilets are widespread in Italy and elsewhere in Europe, they are not yet widely used in the United States. While many people use them, some are still unfamiliar with how to use them or may be hesitant to try them out.
If you have never used a bidet before, I want to ensure that your first experience is as positive as possible. Here are some essential tips and precautions for using a bidet toilet in Italy:
- Do not put the nozzle in the wrong setting. This can result in water spraying everywhere and messing up your bathroom floor!
Do not sit on the seat until you have finished washing with the nozzle. Suppose you sit down before getting off of it. In that case, wastewater will run into your toilet bowl instead of down into the drain—this could cause clogging problems later on because it’s more difficult for waste to flow through pipes when they’re already full of water from previous use.
- Make sure plenty of toilet paper is available for drying off after washing yourself with the nozzle (if desired). There should always be at least one roll of paper towels within arm’s reach so that you can quickly grab one when needed.
- Make sure there is enough room around the toilet seat to sit comfortably without hitting yourself on anything else in your bathroom.
Ensure enough water pressure from the faucet to wash away any waste left behind by using only one hand (the other hand will be holding onto something) instead of both hands. This will save time because it will take less effort than washing your hands manually every time after using a traditional toilet by hand instead.
Conclusion
After reading this detailed guide, I hope you will find out how to use bidet toilet in Italy and be confident about using it next time. If you have any questions or need more clarification, please leave your comment below, and I will try to respond as soon as possible.