Have you ever travelled abroad and found a porcelain wash basin sitting next to the toilet? You start to think if it’s something you’re supposed to wash your hands with but wait a minute, you see another sink for that. Is it a urinal for men? What the heck are you supposed to do with that thing?

It’s called a bidet. And if you don’t know what it is, you could probably use a lesson on how to use a bidet. Instead of toilet paper, bidets use water to clean you after using the restroom. Those porcelain fixtures are a descendent of the original model invented in the early 18th century, also referred to as basin-type bidets. These days, you’ll also find an upgraded version known as the electronic bidet.

We’ll show you how to use a bidet in this article. And since we mentioned a couple of different bidet types, we’ll walk you through how to use both:

The Basin-Type Bidet – Within this family of bidets, there are actually two sub-types and they are each used a bit differently. The first type we’ll show how to use is the "Classic" basin bidet, which looks like a faucet sink but is much lower to the floor. When you’ve finished your business on the toilet, move over and sit on the bidet. Accessing the controls is easier if you face towards the wall while sitting. That said, sitting away from the wall means you don’t have to remove your clothes. Turn the bidet’s water on and it will start to come out of the faucet. Use your hands and the water to clean yourself.

The second type of bidet in this family is referred to as a "French" basin bidet. Like the Classic bidet, the French bidet is a separate porcelain fixture that sits next to the toilet. As mentioned above, move over to the bidet when you’re finished on the toilet. Both of these bidets work similarly, except the French version has a spout at the bottom of the basin which shoots the water upwards as you squat over it. The French bidet offers a key advantage, in that you don’t need to use your hands since the water is directed at your bottom for you.

The Electronic Bidet – With the modern electronic bidet, things get even easier. These bidets are operated with a control panel (or remote control) and all functions can be activated by pressing a few buttons. Moreover, these bidets attach on top of your existing toilet so you don’t need to move over and sit on another fixture.

When you’re finished on the toilet, simply press "Wash" on the bidet’s control panel. Telescopic wash nozzles will extend from the bidet and spray your bottom, and then retract back into the unit when done. After washing, press the "Dry" button and this will activate the warm air dry. It’s similar to hand dryers commonly found in public restrooms, except this air dry blows across your bottom and helps with residual moisture after washing.

The electronic bidet also offers a variety of customization features. The nozzle position can be moved forward or backward to get you in the right spot. Water pressure, water temperature, and air dry strength can all be adjusted as well. The bidet has a heated seat (seat temperature is also adjustable), so you can avoid the discomfort of having to sit on a cold seat in the mornings. All of these adjustments can be made through the use of the control panel.

Now that you’ve learned how to use a bidet, go out and try one. It’s quite an experience, and given the world’s preference for bidets over toilet paper, it’s one that you’ll probably enjoy.