Diving into Douching Products: Wash that Ass!

Let’s get real about keeping that booty squeaky clean, and explore the products you need to prep it for action! We’re talking about douching: the hygienic practice of rinsing out the anal canal with water, prior to anal sex or play.

While a healthy, high-fibre diet can help, some people prefer to douche before anal sex to minimise any potential mess. This is a personal choice, most bottoms (recievers of anal sex) douche their bums to provide themselves a peace of mind (i.e. “better safe than sorry") and we agree. It’s better to come prepared than not at all!

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of what products you need to keep things clean and comfortable, it’s important to know that it takes patience and some practice to learn how douching works, and sometimes things might not go as planned.

Keep an open mind and try not to get too squeamish about these things; a good sense of humour can go a long way. Now, let’s gear up that ass for a little spa treatment. Squeaky-clean bum, here we come!

What do I need to start douching?
Pushing a stiff nozzle up your bum (without lube) can cause ripping and tearing in places we don’t want. Not only will it be painful, but it can increase your risk for sexually transmitted infections. Therefore, we’re gonna need two things to start: a quality lubricant and a douche.

Lubricant is going to be your best friend when it comes to putting anything up your butt. Not using enough lube can significantly raise your chances of irritation and tears, so use lots (and lots) of it.

Silicone lubricant is going to be your best bet, it lasts much longer than water-based lubricant and you won’t need to reapply as much. Before you start, lube yourself and your douche’s nozzle generously.

Which douche should I start with?
Beginner-friendly douche kits are widely available at sex shops, ours included. Shower douches or hose attachments are only recommended for absolute pros, those who practice douching on the regular (hey gays, we see you). At Newside, we offer three different douches for you to choose from:

1. Aneros' Prelude Enema Bulb Kit
   
   
   
   This enema bulb is crafted from medical-grade silicone and boasts a unique slow-flow, one-way nozzle. This means liquid is introduced gradually and comfortably, steering clear of any uncomfortable cramping or messy blackflow. Out of the three options we have at Newside, this douche takes the crown for being the most user-friendly, particularly when it comes to insertion, thanks to its small-sized nozzle.
   
   
2. Renegade's Body Cleanser or Deluxe Cleanser
   
   
   
   Renegade's Deluxe Cleanser is the upgraded version of its classic douche, the Body Cleanser. They both come with removable nozzles for easy cleaning, but the Deluxe Cleanser has more of a body-conscious shape, featuring a greater tilt. Fair warning to beginners, you will get a larger bulb with this option (a larger bulb means you can hold more water) but that also means a larger nozzle. It’s a deeper clean than the enema bulb, but a bit more challenging to insert.

Frequently Asked Questions
Now that we’ve got the products you’ll need down, let’s answer some underlying questions you might have:

1. Can I use soap or other additives in the water?
   The short answer is no. You can’t use soap, olive oil, bleach, alcohol, or anything else you can find under your sink. For anal douching, it's best to use plain, lukewarm water.
   
   The reason being that your body maintains a delicate balance of electrolytes to function normally, and using the right type of liquid to clean out your butt is important. It’s either tap water or normal saline (a water mixture with the right amount of sodium electrolyte), those are your only two options.
   
   
2. How often should I douche?
   Well, you don’t want to over do it. Even if you douche with the right water, the right temperature, and the right lubricant and douche, you can still damage the lining in your butt. This can put you at a much higher risk of getting an infection from your partner.
   
   There’s no safe, magic number for douching, but try and limit yourself to once a day for two or three days a week.
   
   
3. Is it normal to feel discomfort while douching?
   It’s normal to feel a slight discomfort, especially for beginners. But pain is not normal, and if you’re experiencing it whilst douching, please stop immediately and consult a healthcare provider.
   
   It might be that you have hemorrhoids or anal fissures, and anal douching isn’t a good idea if you have either of these. It will cause more pain, and you can possibly injure yourself further if you continue to douche.

Anal douching is a game-changer to anyone curious about exploring anal sex, or to those who simply want an added touch of cleanliness. By understanding the types of anal douches available, following safety precautions and using step-by-step instructions, you can douche confidently and safely.

Bonus tip if you’re more of a visual learner: the best, illustrative guide we’ve come across to anal douching is linked here. You're welcome, and have fun besties!