There's a moment that almost everyone who has ever used a Japanese toilet describes in exactly the same way. It's not dramatic. It doesn't involve a revelation or a life-changing epiphany. It's more like the quiet realisation (usually about thirty seconds in) that this is considerably less alarming than you expected, and considerably more pleasant. Followed, fairly quickly, by the thought: why haven't I always done it this way?
If you're about to use one for the first time, whether you've just had a Washloo delivered, you're staying somewhere that has one, or you're simply trying to decide whether to take the plunge. Washloo's Japanese toilet guide gives you a quick picture of what these toilets are and how they work. This piece is more specific: it's about the actual experience. What happens when you sit down. What to press. What it feels like. And what most people get wrong the first time.
Before You Sit Down
The first thing most people notice is the seat. It's warm. Not hot, not uncomfortably warm — just the quiet surprise of sitting down onto a surface that isn't cold, which if you've spent a lifetime encountering cold ceramic seats first thing in the morning is a genuinely pleasant change. The heated seat is one of those features that sounds like a luxury and immediately feels like a necessity.
On most Washloo models, the seat sensor activates the moment you sit down, unlocking the wash and dry functions. Nothing happens automatically at this point; the wash only starts when you press a button. You're in control throughout.
If you're using a model with an auto-opening lid, such as the Washloo Supreme, the lid will open as you approach, triggered by a foot sensor. You don't need to touch anything. On other models, the lid opens manually, or you can use the remote to open it. Either way, by the time you're seated, the remote or side panel is within reach.
The Remote: Don't Overthink It
The remote looks more complicated than it is. There are a lot of buttons, and if you've just unpacked the unit and haven't read the manual, the symbols can feel cryptic. The blog earlier in this series, “What Do All Those Symbols on a Japanese Toilet Remote Actually Mean?”, decodes every button in detail. But for the first time, you only really need to know three things:
The rear wash button — the one with the figure and the upward spray arc, is the main wash function. This is what you'll use after a bowel movement.
The front wash button — marked with a similar symbol but positioned forward, often with a female indicator, is the feminine wash function.
The stop button — usually a square symbol, clearly marked; stops whatever is running immediately.
Everything else can wait until you're more comfortable. The Auto/One Solution button, which runs the entire wash-and-dry sequence automatically with a single press, is worth knowing about too; it's the simplest possible way to use the toilet and is particularly good for a first experience.
Starting the Wash: What to Expect
Press the rear wash button. The nozzle will extend from within the seat. You won't see this happening, but you'll hear a very quiet mechanical movement. Then the water starts.
The first thing most people notice is the temperature. If it's been set correctly, which on most Washloo models means starting at a low or medium heat setting, the water is genuinely warm. Not lukewarm, not a shock of cold, but pleasantly warm in the same way that washing your hands with warm water feels natural. This is the moment when most people's scepticism quietly dissolves.
The second thing they notice is the pressure. On the default or low setting, the spray is gentle; more like a soft, targeted flow than the aggressive jet people tend to imagine beforehand. Start with low pressure for your first experience. You can increase it with the pressure buttons if you want more, but beginning gently gives you time to adjust the nozzle position if needed before committing to a stronger setting.
The nozzle position can be adjusted forward and backwards using the position buttons on the remote. Most people find the default position works well, but a small adjustment (one or two presses in either direction) can make a noticeable difference in coverage. This is worth doing on the first use rather than leaving it to chance.
The Oscillating/Massage Function
Once you're comfortable with the basic wash, the oscillating or massage function is worth trying. Rather than a fixed stream, the nozzle moves gently back and forth, providing a wider coverage area and a softer, more thorough clean. Many people find this more effective and more comfortable than the static spray, and it's included in the Auto cycle automatically.
If you're using the Auto/One Solution button, the sequence runs like this: rear wash, oscillating wash, warm air dry, stop. You press one button, and it takes care of the rest. For a first experience, this is the lowest-friction way to try everything without having to navigate individual buttons.
The Dryer
After the wash cycle (either manually activated or as part of the Auto sequence), the dryer runs. It blows a gentle stream of warm air, similar in feel to a hand dryer but considerably quieter and softer. The drying cycle on low or medium temperature takes roughly one to two minutes to complete effectively.
Most people find the dryer works well, though it's worth setting expectations honestly: it's not instantaneous in the way that towelling dry would be. If you're in a hurry, a small amount of toilet paper to finish off is perfectly fine, particularly in the early days. Over time, most people find they use the full dry cycle more consistently as they get used to the routine.
The temperature can be adjusted in real time during the drying cycle. If the default feels too warm or not warm enough, adjust it with the temperature buttons — you'll find your preferred level quickly.
What People Get Wrong the First Time
Starting with the pressure too high. The instinct, for many people, is to try the strongest setting first out of curiosity. This tends to produce a less comfortable first experience than starting low and adjusting upward. Start gently.
Not adjusting the nozzle position. The default position works for most people, but not everyone. If the first wash doesn't feel quite right (if the coverage seems off), try adjusting the nozzle position by one or two presses in either direction before deciding the product isn't for you.
Expecting it to be strange. The imagination tends to be considerably more dramatic than reality. People build up a mental image of something clinical, forceful, or bizarre, and the actual experience is... warm water. Controlled, adjustable, pleasant. Most people's reaction is relief rather than surprise.
Abandoning it after one use. Like any new routine, using a Japanese toilet properly takes a few sessions to become second nature. The first time you use a remote control television, you have to look at the buttons. By the second week, you don't think about it. Japanese toilet use follows the same pattern — the habit forms faster than most people expect and, once it does, most people don't want to go back.
The Things That Tend to Convert People
There are a handful of specific moments that tend to turn a sceptic into a convert. They're worth mentioning, because they're not always the ones people expect.
The heated seat on a cold morning. Especially in winter. It sounds trivial and it turns out to matter quite a lot.
The first time after an illness. Anyone who has experienced the discomfort of wiping when already unwell, whether from a stomach bug, haemorrhoids, or post-surgical sensitivity, tends to feel the difference very sharply. The gentleness of warm water versus the abrasion of paper is not a subtle distinction in those moments.
The Auto button. Discovering that the entire routine runs itself with a single press, and that the result is cleaner and more comfortable than before, is the moment most people mentally commit.
The hygiene realisation. At some point, usually after a few weeks, most people have the thought: if I got something on my hand, I wouldn't just wipe it off with dry paper and consider the matter resolved. The logic of using water rather than paper for personal hygiene, once it lands, tends to be hard to unsee.
A Note on Guests
One of the practical questions that comes up frequently is what to do when guests use the bathroom. The short answer is: they'll either be curious, baffled or both, and the remote is usually the first thing they pick up.
A small laminated card with the three or four main buttons explained in plain English (rear wash, front wash, dryer, stop) is a genuinely useful thing to leave beside the toilet for visitors.
Some hosts prefer to switch the remote's memory settings before guests use the bathroom, putting it on a comfortable mid-level temperature and pressure. Most Washloo models remember the last-used settings, so whatever you set last is what a new user encounters; worth bearing in mind.
What If You Don't Get On With It Immediately?
Most people do. But for those who don't take to it immediately, a few things are worth checking before drawing conclusions.
Water temperature: Is it actually warm, or has it defaulted to off or low? Try increasing it by one or two levels.
Water pressure: Is it comfortable, or does it feel too strong? Turn it down. The low setting is considerably gentler than the medium or high.
Nozzle position: Does the coverage feel right? A press or two forward or back makes a significant difference.
If the experience feels cold, harsh or just not quite right, it's almost always one of these three settings rather than a fundamental mismatch with the product. Washloo's customer service team is also available to help, and because they deal with these questions regularly, they're good at diagnosing what needs adjusting based on a brief description of what isn't working.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the water be cold the first time I use it? Not if the unit has been installed and running for a few minutes. Washloo seats use instant heating but the unit should be plugged in and active before first use. The water reaches temperature very quickly once the seat is connected.
What if I accidentally press the wrong button? Press stop. Every function can be stopped immediately. Nothing activated by the remote causes any harm if pressed accidentally — the seat sensor also prevents wash functions from running if nobody is seated.
How long does it take to feel normal? For most people, two to three uses is enough to feel comfortable with the routine. By the end of the first week, the majority of Washloo users report that it already feels like a natural part of their routine.
Is it normal to still use a small amount of toilet paper? Completely. Many people use a small amount of paper to finish off during the first few weeks, particularly while they're still finding their preferred dryer settings. Over time, most people reduce this to nothing, but there's no rule that says you have to go entirely paper-free from day one.
Can children use it from the first day? Yes, using the Kids function, which sets the pressure to minimum and the temperature to a safe medium level. It's worth supervising young children for the first few uses to help them understand which buttons to press.