Is a Bidet More Sanitary Than Wiping?
Health ConditionsDigestive Health

Are Bidets Sanitary?

Are Bidets Sanitary?
Photos Courtesy of Brondell; TOTO; Tushy
By
Nick Nielsen
Updated on February 19, 2026
by
Bidets can be a cleaner alternative to wiping, depending on how you use them. They offer a more thorough rinse and less irritation and can also save you money on toilet paper.

What Are Bidets?

A bidet is a plumbing fixture designed to clean you after you urinate or have a bowel movement. It works by spraying water onto your undercarriage, eliminating the need for toilet paper.

Bidets can be fixed to your toilet, either as a nozzle inside the bowl or a hose attached to the side of the bowl. They can also be standalone fixtures you straddle, resembling a low sink.

Bidets are common in many parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, South America, and parts of Africa. Due to their reported health advantages, bidets are now gaining popularity in the United States.

Is a Bidet More Sanitary Than Wiping?

With proper usage and care, bidets may be more sanitary that wiping with toilet paper.

Water can be more effective at removing trace amounts of fecal matter than TP, and it also eliminates the risk of contaminating your hands during wiping.

A small study published in December 2021 in the Journal of Water and Health examined microbe contamination of the hands after defecation with and without the use of a bidet. Researchers found that use of a bidet toilet was effective at reducing the adherence of feces to the hands compared with toilet paper.

“A good quality bidet, when used and maintained properly, will deliver superior hygiene care,” says Christine Lee, MD, a gastroenterologist at Cleveland Clinic in Willoughby Hills, Ohio. “Toilet paper hygiene can have consequences — from not wiping clean to overzealous wiping.” Wiping with sharp or broken fingernails can also cut the skin or cause stool to be trapped under nail surfaces, Dr. Lee explains.

Can Bidets Cause Infections?

Research is still unclear about whether bidets cause vaginal or urinary tract infections (UTIs). Some studies suggest that rinsing with a bidet may spread fecal bacteria and disrupt the natural microbiome of the vagina and urinary tract. This can make them more vulnerable to infection.

However, selecting the right bidet and using it correctly can help minimize the risks. Many bidets allow you to adjust the water pressure and angle of the stream. This is important to avoid forcing water into the vagina or urethra.

Benefits of Bidets

Along with a more thorough wash of your behind and cleaner hands, bidets offer a range of other benefits, including:

  • Being Gentler Than Wiping TP can irritate your skin and cause tiny cuts and chafing. Rinsing may also be more comfortable if you have fissures or hemorrhoids.
  • Saving You Money The average household in the United States spends hundreds of dollars on toilet paper each year. Investing in a bidet could save you money over time.
  • Helping the Environment Manufacturing toilet paper requires cutting down trees and uses a lot of water and energy. Using a bidet reduces the need for those resources.
  • Preventing Clogs Not flushing wads of toilet paper can lead to fewer clogs.
  • An Easier Experience The function of a bidet can make for easier cleanup if you have trouble wiping or other mobility issues.

How to Use a Bidet Safely

A bidet can make for a cleaner bathroom experience with proper usage and maintenance. Here are some tips for using a bidet safely:

  • Avoid touching the tip of the nozzle with your body.
  • Sanitize the nozzle regularly.
  • Follow the manual’s instructions for cleaning and maintenance.
  • Adjust the pressure and temperature to avoid irritating your skin.
  • Adjust the angle and pressure to keep water on the outside of your body.

The Takeaway

  • Bidets clean more thoroughly than toilet paper and reduce the risk of spreading bacteria to your hands.
  • Proper usage and maintenance of the bidet nozzle can reduce the risk of vaginal or urinary tract infections.
  • Other benefits of bidets include reduced irritation, ease of use, less money spent on toilet paper, and lower environmental impact.
  • Adjusting the stream angle and pressure, regularly cleaning the nozzle, and following care instructions can help maximize hygiene when using a bidet.

FAQ

Are you still supposed to wipe when using a bidet?
Bidets clean more thoroughly than toilet paper, so you don’t need to wipe. But you can use TP or a clean towel to dry yourself afterward. Some bidets also have an air-drying feature.

Public bidets may be less sanitary than the one you use at home. This is because they are shared by multiple people and may not be maintained properly. Always use caution when using a public bidet.

EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Power Wash: Why Using a Bidet Is Sanitary and Safe. Cleveland Clinic. March 20, 2023.
  2. Oie S et al. Microbial Contamination of Hands With or Without the Use of Bidet Toilets (Electric Toilet Seats With Water Spray) After Defecation. Journal of Water and Health. January 1, 2022.
  3. Chong KW et al. Posttoilet Rinsing Predicts Prolonged Cystitis and Antibiotic Use in Adult Women With Uncomplicated Acute Cystitis. Tzu Chi Medical Journal. March 24, 2025.
  4. Toilet Hygiene Tips: What Is a Bidet and Should You Use It? American Academy of CPR and First Aid. April 23, 2022.
  5. Abney SE et al. Toilet Hygiene — Review and Research Needs. Journal of Applied Microbiology. 2021.
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Yuying Luo, MD

Medical Reviewer

Yuying Luo, MD, is an assistant professor of medicine at Mount Sinai West and Morningside in New York City. She aims to deliver evidence-based, patient-centered, and holistic care for her patients.

Her clinical and research focus includes patients with disorders of gut-brain interaction such as irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia; patients with lower gastrointestinal motility (constipation) disorders and defecatory and anorectal disorders (such as dyssynergic defecation); and women’s gastrointestinal health.

She graduated from Harvard with a bachelor's degree in molecular and cellular biology and received her MD from the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. She completed her residency in internal medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where she was also chief resident. She completed her gastroenterology fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital and was also chief fellow.

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Nick Nielsen

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