Anal hygiene and preparation: shower, gel, and cleaning
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by Verpakkingdeals.nl
5 min reading time
Which anal douche, which gel, and what should you prepare? A factual overview of sizes, materials, price per milliliter, and post-use cleaning.
Most questions about anal play aren't about the toys themselves, but about the preparation: what do you use to clean, what kind of lubricant is different from regular lube, and what do you prepare so you don't have to deal with bedding afterwards. These are practical questions, and they have practical answers.
Below you'll find what's in the assortment, how these products differ, and the order in which to use them. No promises, no health advice – just what a product is and what to consider when choosing.
What an anal douche is and what sizes you'll find
An anal douche is basically a reservoir with a nozzle. You fill it with lukewarm water, carefully insert the nozzle, and squeeze the reservoir empty. That's all there is to it, and that's precisely why the differences between models are small: it's about capacity, material, and the shape of the nozzle.
Two models from the assortment, both with a capacity of 220 ml:
What to look for when choosing: whether the nozzle can be unscrewed (which makes cleaning and drying much easier), how flexible the reservoir is, and whether the nozzle has a smooth, rounded tip. Always use lukewarm water — not hot, not cold — and don't force anything. If you have concerns or doubt whether this is advisable for you, consult your doctor; a webshop is not the appropriate party for that.
Anal gel and lubricant: what's the difference?
Regular water-based lubricant works fine for many situations. For anal use, thicker gels are often offered, which stay in place longer and are absorbed less quickly. Three examples:
Note the difference in price per milliliter: the 150 ml bottle costs about five cents per milliliter, the 50 ml bottles significantly more. For those who use it regularly, a larger size is more economical. Those who want to try something out are better off buying small.
If you just want a standard water-based lubricant, the Peep Pleasure Water-based Lubricant - 100 ml for € 7.95 is a neutral choice. Water-based is also the safest combination with silicone toys; silicone lubricant can eventually damage the surface of silicone toys.
The order that works in practice
If you list it out, you'll notice that most of the hassle comes from things not being prepared. A workable order:
Prepare beforehand: douche, gel, towel, and something to cover the bed with.
Clean: shower as you normally would, possibly with a wash gel designed for it.
Build up slowly: plenty of lubricant, start smaller than you think you need, and stop as soon as something doesn't feel pleasant.
Afterwards: clean toys immediately and let them dry before storing them.
Most people skip this last step, and that's precisely where complaints like "it smells weird" or "it feels sticky" arise later.
Wash gel, cleaner and the difference between them
You don't use the same product for your body and for your toys. For daily care, there is the Intimate Wash Gel 400 ml – pH-neutral for € 7.95: a large bottle that lasts a long time and, according to the product description, is pH-neutral and suitable for daily use.
A practical point for toys used anally: clean them separately from the rest and store them separately. Toys with an easily accessible, smooth shape are easier to keep clean than models with seams, grooves, or fabric around them.
Bedding, towels, and tidying up
Lubricant gel on a mattress is more annoying than on a sheet, because you can't wash a mattress. A cover layer helps: the PVC Bed Sheet 160 x 227 cm - Black and Brown for € 19.95 is 160 by 227 centimeters and can be wiped clean instead of washed. An old towel also works, but covers a smaller area.
For water-based gels, they can usually be removed from textiles with lukewarm water and soap; do not let stains dry in. Silicone gels are more stubborn. If in doubt, check the washing instructions of the textile itself.
What you'll want to have on hand
If you do this a few times a year, a short list will get you a long way: a douche for around ten euros, a gel in a size that suits how often you use it, a toy cleaner, and something to cover the bed. All together, that's under fifty euros, and most of it will last a long time.
Two things people often order afterwards are a larger bottle of lubricant, because 50 ml runs out faster than expected, and a second toy cleaner to keep by the nightstand instead of in the bathroom.
Further reading
Everything mentioned above can be found in Intimate Hygiene and Lubricant. Cleaners are grouped together in Toy Cleaners, and related toys in Anal Sex Toys. Don't know which size or type of gel suits your situation? Ask your question by email via info@verpakkingdeals.nl; we answer product questions, but for medical questions we refer you to your doctor.
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