Hygiene

None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.

How this was put together

If you only read a few

Try using a bidet for hygiene.
It provides a crisp, shower-fresh feeling.
- One user noted they still have to wipe, possibly due to incorrect usage.
2 people, independently
- Use a bidet to clean thoroughly without smearing feces, which often occurs with toilet paper alone.5
- Expect a significant shift in your daily life experience after adopting a bidet.1
Spray with the bidet first to remove waste, then use toilet paper only to dry off.
Wiping first just rubs poop around; spraying removes it.
2 people, independently
Use distilled water or boiled tap water to dilute soap for storage to prevent bacterial growth and mold.
Bacteria in tap water can multiply in stored soap, and opened water can grow mold over time.
one person who lived it
Ensure only the top sheet touches your body to reduce how often blankets need washing.
Blankets don't need washing as often and last longer.
one person who lived it
Use a wand-style bidet instead of attached models or spray guns.
Wands are thin, requiring less contortion, and do not get messy like attached bidets.
one person who lived it

Use a bidet to prevent residue from staining your underwear.
Incomplete wiping can leave dried fecal matter that creates marks on clothing.
one person who lived it
Blot dry with paper or sit briefly to air dry after use rather than using a blow dryer.
Using a blow dryer wastes electricity and looks ridiculous.
one person who lived it
Sit down to urinate at night to avoid aiming errors and allow yourself to rest.
Sitting eliminates the risk of missing due to grogginess or lack of depth perception, provides comfort, and avoids cleaning up urine.
6 people, independently
Put smelly shoes in the freezer to eliminate odors.
Freezing keeps bacteria at bay.
one person who lived it

4 more on this

Use brand-name Q-tips instead of generic cotton swabs for better structural integrity.
Generic swabs may lack strength.
one person who lived it
Choose toothpaste containing stannous fluoride rather than sodium fluoride.
stannous fluoride works better at preventing cavities
- sodium fluoride is more common because it is assumed to be cheaper
one person who lived it
Accept cold water from standard bidets as refreshing rather than unpleasant.
The sensation stops being noticeable after a second and becomes comfortable with use.
4 people, independently
Sit down to urinate to virtually eliminate splashing and trap any residual splash below the seat.
This method virtually eliminates splashing and traps any that occurs below the seat.
one person who lived it