5 Tips for Anal Hygiene

Anal hygiene is one of the most common concerns that people have about anal play. Fortunately, it isn’t difficult to manage. In fact, these 5 simple steps are all you need to know on how to prep for anal.

Type in "Anal Hygiene" or "How do porn stars prepare for anal?" on Google, Quora or Reddit and you'll find the same tips shared over and over again. Why? That's because you don't have to do anything special before anal play.

Prepping for anal is easy and comes down to common sense. Here's our certified, 5 step guide on how to prep for anal:

1. Rule of Anal Hygiene: Keep it clean

Some people like to shower or clean themselves before having sex, and the same principle applies for anal play.

How do I clean my butt for anal play?

'Easy' clean: Go to the bathroom 30-60 minutes before anal play. Empty your bowels and wash the anal area with regular soap and warm water. Unscented, hypoallergenic baby wipes are a great alternative.

For most people, this easier method of cleaning is enough.

'Deep' clean: This isn’t a full colonic, in which you get water all the way up into the colon.

For the very best experience, make sure to do any type of enema 1-2 hours before anal play.

To prep for anal play, you only need to use a couple of cups of water because you’re just rinsing out the last 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) of the rectum. In fact, if you use too much water, you can stimulate your digestive system and make things messier.

You’ll want to use warm water, so check it against your wrist. Too cold and you’ll cramp. Too hot and you’ll irritate the tissues. Be sure to use water you’d drink. If you filter your tap water, use filtered water for an enema.

How to do an enema before anal sex

There are three main ways people do this:

First, you can attach a specially designed hose to the bathtub faucet. This is an easy way to do it, but you can accidentally use too much water. And if someone turning on the kitchen sink on changes the water temperature or pressure in the bathroom, don't go with one of these. You need consistent control over the water.

Or you can also use an enema bag. You fill the bag with water, attach the hose, and hang the bag on the door knob or shower curtain rod. Open the valve and you’re good to go. But again, it’s easy to use too much water since it’s hard to regulate.

Enema bulbs are often the easiest way to do this. You can try a reusable one, or you can use a disposable enema (available at any drug store). If you use a disposable one, pour out the laxative solution, rinse the bottle out, and fill with warm water.

Whichever method you prefer, get it set up and lubricate the nozzle. You can do this on your elbows and knees or while lying on your side. Insert the nozzle, open the valve or squeeze the bulb. Hold the water for 10-15 seconds and release it into the toilet. You can repeat this a few times if you like. If you’re using a bulb enema, you can also hold the water in while refilling the bulb. Repeat and then release all the water at once.

Rinsing out can take some practice, so the first few times you do it, give yourself plenty of time. It’s also a good idea to do it a couple of hours in advance if you can. Water can get trapped in the folds of the rectum and take a little time to come out. Stay near a bathroom until it does.

Do I have to clean my butt before anal play?

No, it's completely fine to be spontaneous. A lot of people don't bother rinsing out prior to anal play. It depends on your comfort level and how well you know your body, especially your digestive system.

If you're in a rush, you can use alcohol-free or baby wipes for a quick clean.

2. Rule of Anal Hygiene: Use a Towel

An easy way to help keep things clean is to put a towel down on the bed before you get started.

If anal play gets messy, the towel is there for you. When you’re done, just fold it up and put it in the laundry. Besides, it’s also a great way to keep lubricant from getting on your sheets.

3. Rule of Anal Hygiene: Use gloves

Performing an anal massage is a great way to prep for anal sex. Massaging stimulates the erotic nerve endings located at the anal opening and prepares the body for penetration.

And although some people think they interrupt the flow of a date night, using gloves is an efficient way to keep anal play clean and easy.

You can get a box of them at the drugstore, though they don’t always look super sexy. Tattoo artists use gloves that are thinner than medical gloves and they come in black, which is a lot sexier. You can find them on the internet.

Latex gloves fit best and are often less expensive, but some people are sensitive to latex, especially for anal play. Plus, latex is not compatible with oils. Nitrile gloves work great and you can use oil-based lubricants with them.

There can be some variation in glove sizes, even within one box. If you put on a glove and it’s loose enough to have wrinkles, discard it and try a new one. Folds in the glove will irritate the anus.

Lastly, a lot of people discover that after a couple of awesome anal play sessions, watching a lover put on a glove becomes foreplay. Make it sexy by telling your partner how much fun you’re about to have with them. Tell them that you can’t wait to get your hands on them. It’ll make a big difference.

4. Rule of Anal Hygiene: Don't go from anal play to vaginal play without cleaning up

Never, ever go from anal play to vaginal play without cleaning up first.

This is perhaps one of the most important tips when it comes to anal hygiene. 'Double dipping' from anal to vaginal play is sure fire way to give yourself or your partner a really unpleasant infection.

One of the great things about gloves is that you can get your partner all warmed up with your hands and take the gloves off before doing something else. That saves you the trouble of running to the bathroom to wash your hands.

If you’re going to have vaginal intercourse after anal play, make sure that lubricant or oil doesn’t get transferred from the anus to around the vagina or onto the penis. It’s really easy to do that accidentally and cause a vaginal infection.

5. Rule of Anal Hygiene: If anal play gets messy, keep calm and clean up

While the 4 anal hygiene tips above will reduce the chances of accidents, they can still happen, so it’s best to be realistic about that.

For some people, it means ending their sexual session. For others, it means cleaning up, taking a quick shower, and then doing something different once they get back into bed. You and your partner get to decide what feels best for you.

The important thing is to not get too freaked out about it. Yes, it can be a hassle. But it doesn’t have to turn into a disaster. Keep calm, clean things up, and move forward. If you make it a big deal, it becomes a big deal. If you keep calm, then it doesn’t become a disaster. Keeping a positive mindset will go a long way.