How do you wash?

stickywicket

It isn’t a trick question.

I have to use a sort of lambswool-pad-on-a-stick to reach the…er…outer limits. I clearly have more strength than I’m aware of as the pad invariably parts company with the stick after a few washes. Once Mr SW has superglued them together again, it’s then OK for about 6 months. But it’s not an ideal travelling companion. I can get away with slapping myself with a facecloth for a couple of days but it’s not a long term solution.

I was amazed when I bought my latest replacement to be told that I’m practically the only person they sell them to. So, how do other people reach necks, ears, under arms, lower legs etc, not to mention the knicker area? I ask not out of prurient interest but just because I’d love a more portable method that didn’t depend on superglue.

dibdab

Hi Sticky,

I use a long handled thing that has something that looks like one of those shower scrunch things- layers of almost net gathered together- don't know what the proper name is, but it's quite hardy and didn't cost too much (about £4) from one those discount toiletries shops. It does the job and has lasted me for over 6 months so far, and it's easy to wash out afterwards to keep it fresh.

Hope you find a good solution soon too. Oh the joys of living with arthritis!!!! :?
Deb

suzygirl

With extreme difficulty and a lot of falls. I am currently trying to find an easier way myself. Hubby does not want a bathroom full of adaptions, so I am limited.

Many bruises as I also have extreme vertigo and no balance. Having a shower wipes me out most days.

dreamdaisy

Ooh, this is a poser, isn't it? I am fortunate in that my arms still bend and straighten, I can bend from the waist and (on better days) lift my feet so I can wash my soles. I no longer bath but I can clamber in and out of the shower and I use one of the plastic body puffs plus shower gel for everything. It's not easy at times though, I have seen washing sticks on our local disability store, they can't be easy to manipulate. I wonder if there is an alternative? And if not, why not? Thinking caps on methinks. DD

barbara12

SW I have a long handled brush...and a sponge on an handle....but I am now struggling with my shoulder so trying left handed .....we have an elderly neighbour that has a walk in bath....and has told me to go round whenever I want...but I would love my own...not quite the same having a bath at someone else's house....... :roll: my OH offered to put spinning brushes in the shower like a car wash...I wont tell you what the reply was .

MUM1

I can still wash reasonably well with a scrunchie albeit getting a bit of pain in my legs when washing the soles of my feet and spasms in my fingers and wrists from washing the knicker area (carpal tunnel in hands). Dressing can be a problem have to sit down to put on the socks and knickers and if fingers numb buttons are a problem.

Numptydumpty

I have various brushes and one of those scrunchy things on a stick, I also have one of those foot cleaners which stick to the shower tray or bath. It looks like a large sandal, with soft brushes top and bottom, and a pumice stone at the heel. It took some getting used to as I'm quite ticklish, but now I find it works well as you don't have to bend down or lift your leg.
It is a problem though, nothing seems to be ideal.

frogmorton

About once a week Sticky - whether I am dirty or not

He he!! Like the others a sponge on a stick and a loofah on a stick. I am after one of those footscrubbers Numptydumpty - I got one for my MIL and she loves it



love

Toni xxx

jillyb1

Wet room shower with seat and scrunchie things for my shower gel . Any bits I can't reach I have help from hubby . Jillyb

hileena111

I'm lucky in as much as I can still use a bath....most time I dont like the shower :roll:
I use a scrunchie on a stick {I dont know the name either } body wash or gel. I'm going to get one of the foot thingeys....seen them advertised.
Its not relaxing anymore....buy the time I get out I'm sorer than I was when I got in :shock:

Love
Hileena

bubbadog

We have a walk in shower with a flip down seat for me, I'm able to do my top half but my wonderful hubby does my bottom half for me. We try and have showers the same day so when I'm done he can jump in and have his. And I carry on and dry where I can and when he gets out he will dry where I can't and dry himself. Works for us at the moment.

tkachev

I stand under the shower head in the double-sized shower and my boyfriend scrubs me down- and he's very good at it.

Elizabeth

tjt6768

I've also got wet room shower with seat but I do struggle and end up hurting more afterwards. .
I was also considering one of those foot thingies.

Elizabeth. . . :shock:

dachshund

Hello DD
we have a wet room with a seat or we use a shower chair
and we have handles fixed on the wall we use flannels and shower gel so we can manage.
take care
joan xx

stickywicket

Thank you all for your replies. What an inventive lot we are :!:

Dibdab - I have a ‘long-handled’ shower scrunchy thing which I sometimes take away in addition to/instead of the face cloth but for everyday use I need a VERY long-handled something.

Suzygirl – you shouldn’t be falling. **** what the bathroom looks like. Priorities, girl.

DD, Hileena, bubbadog and tkachev – I can’t use our shower. I have a bath lift but I confess I don’t have a bath every day :oops: A walk-in /sit in shower would be lovely but we can’t afford one.

Barbara – Ohs are full of brilliant, witty suggestions – for other people :roll: Please don’t go near a car wash with him :shock: I’m even more destructive with sponges on sticks than I am with the soft pad.

MUM1 – check disability stores for dressing aids. I have a sock aid, a button fastener and a multi-purpose stick (for tossing sweaters over my head ).

Numpty – I keep meaning to invest in one of the foot thingies and might well do now.

Toni – naughty, naughty I asked how, not how often. (Wouldn’t dare )

Jillyb1 tjt and Joan – a wet room is out of the question for the same reason as a walk-in shower. Cost. A husband is pretty much out of the question too for everyday use though he does oblige once or twice a week.

It looks like I shall be continuing with my superglued pad-on-a-very-long-stick and should probably be grateful that, on the whole, I can manage unaided and unsupervised. However, I keep wondering if Hileena’s husband might have a point about those car wash things :idea:

mike26

hi sticky wicket
I never thought it could be so difficult washing,but as we all know on hear you just get on with it best we can.
yes i got a foot washer brusher thingybob and i tell you it works 4 me great, feet problem solved.
This is where mrs mike comes into her lovleyness... back and head wash,, solved (anouther 1 bites the dust ) what a woman..
:P but i must say im a bit jelous some on here got walk in showers woooo thats what i want walk in sit down and shower to heven..
by the way i do the front ie--- face down to knees..job done
when finished i make mrs mike a nice cuppa and jammy dodger..
mmmm

hileena111

Wasn't my husband......it probably would have been if only he had thought of it first

Love
Hileena

stickywicket

My apologies to Barbara, Hileena and their respective husbands. It was Barbara's husband who suggested the car wash. Clearly, it could have been Hileena's and, equally clearly, it could have been mine.

Has anyone done any research into whether arthritis is caused by wise-cracking husbands :?:

dreamdaisy

It's not caused by them but there are times when they don't help matters. :roll: DD

stickywicket

Thanks for the suggestion, Unsure. They have provided me with the bath lift but we own our house so wouldn't get much, if any help with installing a walk-in shower which is what would really help.

jillyb1

Just to add an extra comment on , I have the advertised foot thingy too , it doesn't work very well for me as my feet are misshapen and " lumpyfied " so suggest a good footie examination before buying ! Jillyb

Airwave!

You have me stumped! As for 'reaching every bit', I can't! I like the idea of a car wash type shower, maybe driven by a pressurised water pump, whirling sponges and brushes, heaven!

stickywicket

jillyb1 wrote:

Just to add an extra comment on , I have the advertised foot thingy too , it doesn't work very well for me as my feet are misshapen and " lumpyfied " so suggest a good footie examination before buying ! Jillyb

Thanks for the tip, jillyb1. Thanks to your excellent description, I think I have your feet :roll: I shall re-think

Unsure - we did look at walk-in showers a few months back but I think it would be a big job in our small bathroom. I'd certainly need something to sit on. We concluded it's one for when we win the lottery

Airwave! wrote:

You have me stumped! As for 'reaching every bit', I can't! I like the idea of a car wash type shower, maybe driven by a pressurised water pump, whirling sponges and brushes, heaven!

I would have some concerns about them whirling and twirling in all the wrong places though