Toilet Wiping Tips You Didn’t Know You Needed

Nobody really talks about the proper way to wipe the butt after using the toilet. It’s not exactly dinner table topic. But is there really a right or wrong way to clean your butt after relieving yourself in the toilet? Apparently, there is. Experts divulge the proper and the recommended way to wipe after toilet use.

Why Should You Wipe Properly in the First Place?

So, why is it important to reach every nook and cranny and get rid of every little bit of fecal matter in there? Why is toilet wiping so important?

Keep in mind that fecal matter contains bacteria. Residue left on the skin can cause itching, irritation and an unpleasant smell, and stool spread toward the genitals can lead to infections. Leftover residue can also dry and become harder to remove. This can lead to over wiping later on that will inflict small wounds to the skin on your butt. It can lead to irritation and discomfort later on. Not wiping properly is unhygienic as you are leaving behind wastes.

Proper Toilet Wiping Tips You Should Start Doing Right Now

Now on to the tips. Here are the things you should do:

• Use a good toilet paper.

If you use toilet paper rather than a bidet, it is important that you look for one that has a soft texture and one that doesn’t tear easily. There are also hypoallergenic and all natural toilet paper that is better for people with sensitive skin. If you are used to rough toilet paper, you will be amazed at how much better toilet wiping is with the help of softer and more hypoallergenic toilet paper. They tend to cost more money but if you are serious about giving your behind the same care you give to the other parts of your body, this shouldn’t be too much of a hassle. Make enough layers to ensure that the toilet will keep your fingers safe from the fecal matter and that it will not tear easily.

• Keep wiping until you see nothing on the toilet paper.

This might seem like a basic thing, but you would be surprised how many people hurry up the wiping process once they are done passing stool. It’s not just important that you wipe out all those big particles. It is important that you keep on wiping until the toilet paper comes out clean – not just semi-clean with faint brown marks. If you can still see faint marks, it is still not sufficiently clean. Go back there and wipe some more.

• Lean slightly to your side and wipe.

The easiest way to reach your butt is to lean slightly to your less dominant side and use your dominant hand to wipe. You would want to start in the middle and work your way upwards near the crook of your spine. Avoid wiping forward as that would just cause the muck to get in your genitals. If you are a woman, this matters even more: Cleveland Clinic advises wiping from front to back so you don’t spread stool toward the vagina, which can cause infections. Always wipe front to back (upward, toward your spine), so you avoid spreading the bad bacteria.

• Dig deeper.

Your butt cheeks can hide a fair amount of the muck. Try digging deeper. You can slightly push aside your butt cheek to access the anus more. Just be careful not to aggressively push the butt cheek away. Keep in mind that it is still an area that needs to be treated gently.[1] This is also known as the snowplow method. It effectively gets rid of all the gunk in one go, so you don’t need to use as much tissue paper.

• Consider using wet wipes.

There is a reason why it is better to use wet wipes to cleanse a baby’s butt. It is gentler as there is less friction. It effectively removes stubborn gunk as well, so there is a lesser need to repeatedly wipe. The moisture in the wipes also has a cleansing action, which helps in removing residues after a diarrhea attack. Consider getting wet wipes. There are different types out there including medicated and scented ones. Fragrance-free wipes are the safer pick if you have sensitive skin, since perfumed products can irritate this area.

Put used wipes in the trash, not the toilet. Even wipes labeled “flushable” don’t break down like toilet paper and can clog pipes and sewer systems.

• Use the right amount of pressure.

If you are too gentle, you risk leaving behind residues. If you are too forceful, you risk injuring your delicate skin in this area. Find a middle ground. If it chafes your skin, you are doing it too much. Reduce pressure and be more delicate. If you need a lot of toilet paper before it comes out completely clean, try a damp wipe or a bidet rather than pressing harder.

• Position your fingers on the toilet paper correctly.

Fold the toilet paper into the desired size. Usually, you just follow the tear marks on the toilet paper. Place your four fingers underneath the folded toilet paper and hold it down with your thumb. The thumb should be positioned on top of the toilet paper. Cup your four fingers slightly so that you have enough force to reach that area. Let the toilet paper get in there and use your four fingers as a guide while the thumb keeps it in place. Wipe and lift and do this in repeated as you pass the toilet paper through the length of the anus and upwards. This will work better as it prevents the collected gunk on your toilet paper from being smeared once again to the butt.

When you are done, dispose of the toilet paper neatly. Flush the toilet down. Keep an eye on it to make sure all of the stool gets flushed down. Some toilets do not have enough force, so you might have to do it again. Make sure you wash your hands properly as well. Wet your hands under clean, running water and use regular soap; antibacterial soap isn’t necessary. Thread your fingers together to spread the soap in between the fingers, and scrub the backs of your hands and under your nails. The CDC recommends scrubbing for at least 20 seconds, about the time it takes to hum “Happy Birthday” twice. Rinse them well and dry with a clean towel.

If you have ongoing itching, pain or bleeding when you wipe, see a doctor rather than wiping harder.

Check out our guide to the best toilet paper and help you find the best option for you.

Sources

• About Handwashing, CDC
• Vaginitis: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention, Cleveland Clinic