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Bidets are fairly new to the US market. In fact, many people aren’t quite sure exactly how a bidet works or what a bidet feels like. But those of us who are lucky enough to own a bidet, appreciate their convenience.
That said, there is some maintenance that goes into keeping your bidet a sanitary place to wash up at. Otherwise, you risk mucking up your bathroom with foul smells.
To avoid that unhygienic nightmare, we’re here to answer common questions bidet owners have.
Among them are: why does my bidet smell? And how can I properly clean it?
Why Does My Bidet Smell?
Before we get into the reasons behind your bidet’s foul odor, it’s best you consider other factors first. For example, you could have a plumbing issue or blocked sewer pipes.
If you’re sure it’s the bidet that’s the problem, here are the 5 possible reasons why your bidet smells:
- Electricity problems
- Condensed toilet waste that evaporated into the air due to heat
- Plumbing and draining issues
- Structural damage
- Incorrect or infrequent disinfecting and cleaning of the bidet
It’s important to point out here that some of these reasons are specific to certain bidet kinds.
Electrical issues, for instance, only happen with built-in bidets. Other issues, like plumbing, are universal across all bidets.
After you identify your bidet’s type, go through the list and note which reason sounds the most plausible.
To make it easier for you though, we’ll help minimize those possibilities by telling you what reason causes what smell.
Why Does My Bidet Smell Like Urine?
A urine-like odor is a common issue with built-in bidets and those attached to electrically heated seats.
If you have a stand-alone bidet that shoots warm water, you might face this problem too.
Simply put, the cause for this is that heat and urine don’t mix well.
It’s inevitable, of course, that some pee will trickle down the walls of a stand-alone bidet or your toilet.
But washing it away with warm water or turning on the heat function afterward is not the solution.
Doing this only results in the condensation of the urine, causing it to evaporate in the air. This makes your bathroom smell like pee.
Why Does My Bidet Smell Like Sewer Waste?
If your bidet smells like a sewer, the reason might be plumbing or structural damage.
This can happen with all bidet models. Meaning, you’ll need to check your bidet for broken seals or blocked drains.
For standalone bidets, often a missing S- or P-trap will cause flushing problems. These traps are pipes located underneath the toilet and are responsible for draining sewer waste.
All models, on the other hand, have sealing attachments that link your bidet to the bathroom’s plumbing system.
A seal failure causes sewage to block your pipes and befoul the air.
How to Clean a Standalone Bidet
If you have a standalone bidet, you need to wash it with cold water after every use. You may add some bathroom cleaner or a diluted Dettol solution.
Once a week, remember to wipe the bidet’s bowl with vinegar or a mild-scented detergent.
Make sure you use a soft cleaning cloth. Leave it to air-dry and don’t use the heat drying function if you have it installed.
You don’t want to use strong scents or concentrated solutions.
You also shouldn’t use coarse material to wipe the bidet’s seat or bowl. Doing any of the above might cause damage or scratch your standalone.
How to Clean an Electric Bidet
An electric or built-in bidet requires frequent handling and cleaning. If you’re not up for it, you can purchase high-tech Japanese bidets that are self-cleaning.
However, these modern electric bidets use nozzles to clean the bidet. You’ll need to clean these nozzles with a vinegar-soaked toothbrush every few days.
Having said that, to clean an electric bidet, you’ll need to remove the toilet seat and wipe both down. Use a gentle kitchen dish soap and a dry, soft cloth.
In case you have a deodorizer filter installed, brush it with toothpaste to clean it out. You can also opt to replace it when you feel it’s no longer effective.
Conclusion
If you’re wondering, why does my bidet smell? There are a couple of potential answers to that question.
Once you’re positive that the smell isn’t caused by other plumbing issues, you can check your bidet for damage.
Luckily, maintaining and cleaning your bidet is quite simple. Regardless of the bidet’s type, frequent wiping and regular check-ins on the seals will go a long way.
If the smell persists, you may want to contact your local plumber.
