You generally do not wipe in the traditional sense, but you do need to dry off. Since water washes away waste, you only need to pat yourself dry to prevent moisture from being trapped in your underwear.
Bidet Etiquette in Europe
Remember, after using it, you should dry yourself with the dedicated small towel provided or toilet paper before leaving the bathroom. France: While not as ubiquitous as in Italy, bidets in France are often considered a sign of a well-appointed home.
In fact, bidets are good for hemorrhoids because they help soothe irritation and could help to prevent them from forming. Plus, since water is much softer on hemorrhoids than dry toilet paper, bidet use may also be associated with a lower risk of anal fissures.
To use a bidet as a woman, sit normally on the toilet, facing the wall. If using a standalone bidet, you can straddle it facing the controls. Lean slightly forward to center your body, select the gentle "feminine" or front-wash setting, and use toilet paper or a bidet towel to pat dry.
If a bidet doesn't fully clean, start by learning to properly use a bidet: adjust the water pressure to a comfortable level and check that water pressure is enough, plus tweak water temperature for a more effective rinse, and you can wipe before using a bidet to remove bulk residue first—this rinse before and after use ...
While bidets offer excellent hygiene and reduce toilet paper waste, they come with a few notable drawbacks. Potential cons include high upfront costs for electric models, tricky installations, potential disruptions to vaginal flora, and extra bathroom cleaning duties.
Doctors say bidets can support comfort and hygiene, but only if used properly. Learning to use a bidet properly helps prevent irritation, infection, and overuse.
Muslims use bidets—or water-based cleansing—because personal hygiene and ritual purity (Taharah) are foundational to the Islamic faith.
Good anal hygiene
Gently wash and dry your anus after pooing and before going to bed. Use wet toilet paper or a wet washcloth. Use plain water only, or an unscented soap. Wear cotton underwear that isn't tight.
A bidet's rear wash targets the anus, whereas the front wash is designed for the vulva. The rear spray is more direct and slightly stronger for thorough cleansing after a bowel movement. The front wash is gentler, using a wider spray angle specifically tailored for feminine hygiene and menstruation.
The cause is not fully understood, but low intake of dietary fiber may be a risk factor. Chronic fissures typically have a cyclical history of intermittent healing and recurrence, but about 35% will eventually heal, at least temporarily, without intervention.
Cleaning the anus after defecation using a bidet contributes to hand hygiene and local comfort, and may be effective against constipation. However, excessive bidet use may cause rectal disorders, such as rectal mucosal prolapse syndrome and solitary rectal ulcers.
Anal Hygiene: How to Cleanup Down There
Around 70% of the world doesn't rely on toilet paper in the way we do, turning to water before tissue.
Wiping your butt correctly helps avoid infections and irritation. Use soft toilet paper and a gentle technique. Wiping from front to back prevents health complications like urinary tract infection and skin irritation, and avoids aggravating any existing rectal issues, like hemorrhoids or anal fissures.
Proper bidet etiquette requires a simple routine: use the toilet first, gently wash with the bidet's stream (or a cupped hand), and finish by drying with a dedicated towel or air-dry. Always start with low water pressure to avoid splashing, never use the bidet as a toilet, and leave shared spaces tidy.
Less efficient pelvic floor muscles may allow for accidental stool leaks even while you're trying to wipe clean. Plus soft, sticky stool leaves more fecal matter behind after you poop, causing you to have to work through more toilet paper than usual.
How to Make Your Butt Smell Good
There is no single "correct" way to wipe; it comes down to personal preference, flexibility, and comfort. Both sitting and standing have their pros and cons, and both are widely practiced.
Many traditional Amish communities consider manufactured toilet paper an unnecessary luxury and use resource-saving alternatives instead. In outhouses, families often repurpose old newspapers, magazine pages, or catalogs (like the Sears and Roebuck catalog). To make the paper soft enough to use, they crumple it vigorously multiple times.
Italy uses standalone bidets the most, with usage rates estimated at over 97% of households. It has been a legal requirement to install a bidet in every Italian home since 1975.
Muslims practice Istinja, the Islamic rule for washing private parts after defecation. Instead of dry wiping, the tradition requires washing with water to ensure absolute purity.
Many people find bidets gross due to the mental image of water causing unsanitary splashing, the fear of unclean shared nozzles, or the perceived awkwardness of air-drying or manually drying off afterward.
Gynecologists recommend white, unbleached, unscented, and dye-free toilet paper. Scented or ultra-soft varieties often contain lotions, chlorine bleach, or artificial fragrances that can disrupt your natural pH and cause allergic reactions or chronic irritation in sensitive intimate areas.
Yes, using someone else's bidet is sanitary—provided it is a modern, well-maintained model. Since the water sprays directly from a clean supply line rather than being recirculated, it is as hygienic as using their shower.