Plus Sized Wiping Recommendations
You know what grinds my gears? The lack of toileting information for plus sized people!
I’m going to right that wrong by talking about plus size bathroom equipment that I use as an occupational therapist with my clients. These recommendations help plus sized people who have a hard time wiping when they go to the bathroom, get on and off the toilet, or pull their pants up and down.
Watch the video down below or keep reading this blog post for more!
Maria making a kissy face and peace sign next to toilet paper roll.
Plus Sized People Matter
It’s important for me to talk about equipment recommendations specifically for plus sized people for two reasons: 1) in the U.S. healthcare system, plus sized people are commonly discriminated and 2) do not have access to resources to address self care issues (Obesity Reviews, 2015).
At Toilet Talk, we are body positive and welcome all body shapes, sizes, and abilities! There are many friends and family members in my life who happen to be plus sized. And as an occupational therapist, I’ve had tons of experience helping plus sized people with toileting in the hospital, skilled nursing facilities, and the community.
I’m here today to share my recommendations with you, my love!
If you’re looking for more help, please ask your primary care provider to refer you to an occupational therapist. Occupational therapists are medical professionals who help you figure out how to clean your booty easier after using the toilet!
You can also take a look at my online course, “Hard Time Wiping? Let’s Talk A-booty It!” It teaches you toilet techniques and four options to clean your bottom easier all in the comfort of your own home!
Let’s get to these toilet tips!
Personal Hygiene Wand
Sometimes, people tell me that it’s hard for them to reach and wipe because their arms are “too short”. It can be difficult to coordinate holding their belly or panus while reaching to wipe front to back.
Personal hygiene wands help reach around larger bellies and buttocks to wipe front to back after urinating or pooping. The Freedom Wand is a type of personal hygiene wand that I’ve had a lot of success using with plus sized clients.
The Freedom Wand has an ergonomic handle that curves around bellies and buttocks to wipe. It comes in pieces that extend up to 25 1/2 inches. You can buy additional extensions to lengthen the wand to 30 inches!
The wand has fingers that retract inside to hold toilet paper securely while wiping. Then you release the toilet paper by sliding the button the opposite way!
This tool is totally multifunctional! It can hold loofahs, ointment sponges, and disposable razors! You really get your money’s worth!
Please make sure to wash the Freedom Wand after every use! No heinie infections, please! Lukewarm water and mild soap does the job!
Positioning Tips
When you’re sitting on the toilet, it can really help with reaching between the cheeks if you sit on the toilet first and very gently pull your butt cheeks apart side to side.
The key word is gently pull! Take good care of your darling booty!
Pulling your butt cheeks apart helps you thoroughly clean your bottom when wiping or using water.
You may also use a Squatty Potty to place in front of the toilet and prop your feet up. This flexes your hips and can pull your buttocks apart a little more to make sure you clean thoroughly.
If propping your feet up on the squatty potty causes discomfort around your hips, belly, or back, then maybe this isn’t the best option for you. It’s important for you to be in a comfortable position while cleaning your booty!
Personally, I like the Squatty Potty that has the folding legs. When you’re finished using it, you can fold up the legs and store the stool out of the way so you don’t trip and fall!
Electric Portable Bidet
If you prefer to use water over toilet paper, an electric portable bidet is a good option to consider! The water stream is more intense than soft plastic portable bidets. You can use the reservoir that the bidet comes with or use a large plastic water bottle container if you need more water.
I’d recommend looking for an electric portable bidet with an adjustable angled neck. Adjusting the neck allows you to place the water stream exactly where you need it.
The best part about portable bidets is that you can use them at home and take them anywhere with you! I love traveling with a portable bidet because bidet seats are never guaranteed at my destination. Electric portable bidets are also great to take with you to work, school, or while you’re visiting family and friends!
Use the electric portable bidet in addition to the positioning tips above! You’ll feel so fresh and so clean between the cheeks!
Bidet Seat
I love using water to clean my bottom! I’m not gonna lie! Water is the most effective, gentle way to clean your butt compared to toilet paper!
So this next suggestion is for my plus size people as a long term investment! Are you ready? You need to treat yourself with an electric bidet seat!
Bidet seats go on your existing toilet at home right underneath the toilet seat. You use a mounted or remote control to use the water controls to aim and spray water at your butt.
There are non-electric and electric bidet seats available. GFCI outlets are a MUST for electric bidet seats, unless you want an electrical fire in your home! You’ll want an electric bidet seat because there are a whole bunch of lovely functions, like water temperature control, that you’re gonna love!
If you opt for a bidet seat with a mounted control on the side of the toilet, this can be difficult to access due to spillage from the booty, hips, and thighs. You won’t be able to turn the water and adjust the intensity with a side mounted control.
A bidet seat with a remote control completely eliminates this issue. You can hold the remote control in your hand and easily operate the bidet while sitting comfortably on the toilet.
The BioBidet BB-2000 is a great choice for plus sized people:
400 lb weight capacity
remote control
enema-like water intensity
3 year warranty
This particular bidet seat has very high reviews! It’s definitely worth checking out and considering for your toilet!
Grab Bars
No bathroom is complete without grab bars!
Grab bars help you lean and get in the best position for cleaning your bottom, standing up, sitting down, and pulling your pants up!
The grab bars in the Toilet Talk store have an average of 350 lb loading capacity, as long as they’re properly installed into studs or blocking in the wall. To be considered “bariatric equipment”, bathroom safety products need to have a loading capacity of 300 lbs.
Grab bars help you feel secure while leaning side to side cleaning your bottom and getting on and off the toilet. Hold onto the grab bar with one hand while pulling underwear up and and down to keep your balance.
Conclusion
My plus sized peeps, you’ll feel so fresh and so clean with these recommendations! Choose one option and try it out! Please come back and tell us what you think in the comments below.
Have you already tried any of the suggestions listed above? Is there something that I missed? Share your thoughts in the comments or contact me!