How to Use a Kohler Bidet Seat

On this page (8 sections)

1. What are the controls on a Kohler bidet seat?
2. How do you set up a Kohler bidet seat before the first use?
3. How do you use a Kohler bidet seat for the first time?
4. How do you adjust water temperature and pressure?
5. How does the manual Kohler bidet seat work?
6. How do you keep a Kohler bidet seat clean?
7. What mistakes should you avoid with a new bidet seat?
8. How do you use a Kohler bidet seat every day?

To use a Kohler bidet seat, sit down, choose rear or front wash on the side panel, and set the water temperature and pressure to a level that feels comfortable. After the wash, run the self-clean cycle, dry off with warm air if your model has it, and only then stand up.

That short routine is the whole skill, and most people settle into it after a few tries.

This guide walks through how to use Kohler bidet seat controls step by step, from your first seated wash to the settings worth changing later. It covers both the electric PureWash models and the manual lever version, because the controls differ.

What are the controls on a Kohler bidet seat?

Kohler bidet seat controls sit on a side panel, with buttons for rear wash, front wash, stop, water temperature and pressure. The electric PureWash E590 has larger control buttons than most seats, and its side panel is built into the seat.

On the E590 you'll also find drying controls, a heated seat setting and a nightlight. The buttons light up so you can find them in the dark without turning on the bathroom light.

The manual PureWash M300 uses a single side lever in polished chrome instead of a button panel. You turn it to start the spray and to change pressure.

There is no water heating or drying on this model, so the water arrives at room temperature.

Before your first use, find the stop button or return the lever to the off position. That way you always know how to end a wash, whatever the spray is doing.

How do you set up a Kohler bidet seat before the first use?

Set up means mounting the seat, connecting the water supply and, on electric models, plugging it in. Do this before you sit down, because a bidet seat won't spray without a water line.

Most Kohler seats fit elongated toilets. The E590 and M300 both use the toilet's existing water supply line, and the E590 needs a nearby power outlet.

You'll often need a T-adapter to split the water between the tank and the seat. The SOMDARHK adapter handles that job with a 7/8 in by 7/8 in by 1/2 in thread setup and a single shut-off lever.

Turn off the toilet's water valve first and flush the tank to empty it. Then fit the adapter, tighten the nuts by hand and give them a small turn with a wrench, and open the valve slowly to check for leaks.

If your seat's inlet hose is 3/8 in, fit a 1/2 in to 3/8 in adapter. The SOMDARHK unit doesn't include one, so buy it at the same time if your setup needs it.

Check the seat's inlet size against your hose before you start.

How do you use a Kohler bidet seat for the first time?

Start with rear wash at the lowest pressure and work up. Sit fully back on the seat so the wand lines up with your body, press rear wash, and let the spray run for a few seconds.

You don't need to reach or aim anything. The wand extends on its own, sprays at an angle, and retracts when you press stop or press rear wash again.

Front wash is a separate mode meant for washing the front of the body. On the E590 you can also choose an oscillating spray that moves back and forth, or a pulsating spray for a massage-like feel.

Start with a short wash and pat dry with toilet paper or a towel. Once you know how the spray lands, you can lengthen the wash and raise the pressure.

Our guide to how to use a bidet toilet seat covers the general first-time routine if this is your first bidet of any kind.

How do you adjust water temperature and pressure?

Press the plus or minus buttons to change pressure, and use the temperature control to warm the water. Change one setting at a time so you can tell what actually made the difference.

The E590 lets you set both water temperature and pressure, and it uses a hybrid heater that keeps water warm rather than cooling between sprays. That matters on longer washes and on second washes in the same sitting.

The M300 has no temperature setting because the water comes from your home supply at room temperature. Move its side lever to change pressure only.

If the spray feels too strong, drop the pressure rather than shifting your body. If it feels cold on the E590, raise the temperature in small steps and give the heater a moment to catch up.

Our comparison of the best Kohler bidet seat picks out which models heat water and which don't.

How do you use the E590's heated seat and dryer?

Use the seat heating and warm-air dryer as comfort extras, not as part of the wash. The E590's Grip-Tight seat has five heat settings, so you can set it once and leave it.

After washing, press the dryer button and adjust its temperature. A short burst of warm air handles most of the drying, and you can pat with paper for the rest.

The seat's built-in nightlight helps for middle-of-the-night trips. Turn it on when you set up the seat and leave it.

How does the manual Kohler bidet seat work?

The manual PureWash M300 works without electricity or batteries. You turn the polished chrome side lever to start the spray, and the water comes straight from your home supply at ambient temperature.

The wand gives front and rear cleansing, and the self-cleaning wand rinses itself after each use. Pressure is set by how far you move the lever, so a light touch gives a gentle wash.

This is the simpler option for a bathroom without an outlet near the toilet. It also skips the heated seat and dryer, so you dry with paper or a towel.

The seat fits most elongated toilets and uses Quick-Release hinges so you can lift it off for cleaning. Grip-Tight bumpers hold it in place while you sit.

How do you keep a Kohler bidet seat clean?

Run the self-clean cycle after each wash and wipe the seat and lid about once a week. The wand is the part that needs the most attention, since water sits on it between uses.

The E590 cleans its stainless steel wand with UV light automatically. That handles the wand between washes, but the seat surface still needs a normal bathroom wipe.

Use a mild cleaner on the seat and avoid abrasive pads. Don't spray cleaner straight into the control panel or the nozzle opening.

The M300's wand rinses itself after each use. Its Quick-Release hinges let you remove the whole seat for a deeper clean around the mounting bolts.

For the bigger picture on what these seats cost to buy and run, see how much does a bidet toilet seat cost, which covers both heated and manual models.

What should you do if the spray stops working?

Check the shut-off valve on the T-adapter first. If someone closed it during cleaning, the seat gets no water and the pump or valve runs dry.

Next, check the power. The E590 needs its outlet live, so confirm the plug hasn't been pulled and the outlet works.

The manual M300 needs no power, so a dead spray there points to the water supply.

If the spray is weak but present, run the self-clean cycle and open the valve fully. If the wand doesn't extend at all on an electric seat, unplug it for a minute and try again.

What mistakes should you avoid with a new bidet seat?

The most common mistakes are starting at full pressure, staying seated too long, and skipping the dryer. Each one makes the first few washes less comfortable than they need to be.

Start low and short. A 10-second wash at gentle pressure tells you more than a long one at high pressure, and you can always go longer.

Don't lean forward to meet the spray. Sit back so the wand reaches the right spot, then let the oscillating mode do the moving if your seat has it.

Keep toilet paper or a small towel within reach for the first week. Even with a dryer, most people want a quick pat until they trust the airflow.

Read what is a bidet toilet seat if you're still deciding whether a seat or a full bidet toilet suits your bathroom.

How do you use a Kohler bidet seat every day?

The daily routine is short: sit, wash, self-clean, dry, stand. Most people run a rear wash for about 10 to 20 seconds, then use front wash only when they need it.

Set your preferred temperature and pressure once and leave them. The E590's hybrid heater keeps the water warm, so a second wash later in the day feels the same as the first.

For anyone learning how to use Kohler bidet seat settings, the best approach is to change one control at a time. Pick rear wash and low pressure first, then try front wash, then the dryer.

A heated seat with a nightlight suits night-time trips; a manual lever seat suits a bathroom without an outlet. Both do the same basic job of washing with water instead of paper.

Whichever you own, the habit forms quickly once the controls stop feeling new.

Frequently asked questions

How do I turn on a Kohler bidet seat?

Press the rear wash button on the side panel while you are seated. The wand extends and sprays warm water; press the same button again or the stop button to end the wash.

The electric PureWash seats run off a power outlet, so the seat must be plugged in first.

Do I need to dry myself after using a bidet seat?

No, but most people do. The electric PureWash E590 has a warm-air dryer with adjustable temperature, so you can dry without toilet paper.

You can also pat dry with a small towel, which many first-time bidet users find faster.

How do I adjust the water pressure on a Kohler bidet seat?

Use the plus and minus buttons on the side panel to raise or lower pressure while you are seated. On the manual PureWash M300, move the side lever to change pressure.

Start low for your first few washes, then increase it once you know how the spray feels.

Can I use a bidet seat without electricity?

Yes. The Kohler PureWash M300 is manual and needs no electricity or batteries, because the water pressure comes from your home supply and the side lever controls the spray.

The heated, drying PureWash E590 needs a nearby outlet.

Why does my Kohler bidet seat spray feel weak?

A weak spray usually means low household water pressure or a partly closed shut-off valve on the T-adapter. Open the valve fully and check the supply line.

If the spray is still weak, the nozzle may need its self-clean cycle run once or twice.

How often should I clean a bidet seat?

Wipe the seat and lid with a mild bathroom cleaner about once a week and run the wand's self-clean cycle after each wash. The PureWash E590 cleans its stainless steel wand with UV light automatically, which helps between deeper cleanings.