Does Your Bidet Need A Water Filter (And How Often Should You Replace Them)?

Installing a bidet is an excellent way to improve bathroom hygiene habits, but, like all other functional elements of a home's plumbing, you need to be sure it's operating properly. Typically, you should add a water filter to your bidet, as doing so will remove much of the material flowing from your water source into your home. The filters help to ensure the water is clean and may also help to reduce hard water deposits that can build up in some environments. If you don't have hard water in your home, however, you may not need to install a filter for your bidet — though there's no drawback to doing so anyway.

If you need a water filter for your bidet, you may wonder how often to replace it. Unlike the filter in your refrigerator, the one for your bidet isn't likely to offer a visible warning that it's time to change it out. The frequency of changing bidet filters is dependent on how often you flush the fixture. For the average home, aim to replace your bidet's filter every five to six months, and that's for a bathroom that's used routinely. If you don't use the bathroom often, you can delay replacing the filter for some time, but remember that it can't do its job if it has been used to the maximum level. This frequency also depends on the overall type of filter you have.

A bidet water filter can remove particles, such as rust and sediment, from the water coming into a home. Depending on the type of filter selected, the filter may also be able to remove hard water deposits. Iodine filters are typically the higher-end option as they work to release a tiny amount of iodine when used, which works to sterilize the bidet seat with each use. This is a significantly different function from other filters because it doesn't actually filter anything away.

More common options include carbon filters, which help to remove most sediment and debris from the water, helping to prevent the lines from buildup within them. Carbon filters are moderately priced and tend to be readily available. A third option, called an ion filter, will do the same work as a carbon filter but also remove minerals from the water. As a result, this can slow down the flow of water (as there's more for the water to flow through), often resulting in less overall pressure from the system. However, these are the best options for any area with hard water.

Keeping a bidet in good working order ensures it can continue to help you (and your backside) remain clean. Typically, you'll need to clean the nozzle and seat daily, much like you would any toilet. However, when it comes to the filter, changing it out every month to every six months is an option. That's a significant range and one that is really dependent on the frequency of your use and preferences. In situations where you want to extend the life of the bidet seat, changing the filter more often, especially when there's hard water present, is necessary.

Most homes don't need to do this more than once every six months, though. The key to purchasing a bidet filter is to turn to the bidet manufacturer for several things. First, be sure the manufacturer recommends the use of a water filter (some brands do not). Also, some bidet styles don't allow for the placement of an inline water filter. Most others are super easy to install, however; simply requiring you to screw them on the water supply line that connects to your bidet seat.

Second, research size and specifications. Most bidets are standardized except for Toto- and Inax-branded bidets, which typically don't work with inline filters. You can purchase bidet filters online and even set up a routine subscription service that will automatically send you a filter on the schedule you select. That way, you won't forget to replace your filter when it's time.