Foot washing in the shower

[Kitty]

I made a comment in another thread about buying a bottle brush from Temu to wash my feet, and being amused that all the reviewers had ordered them for the same thing. Seems no one washes bottles with them!

I thought I'd add here it as an idea for people who struggle to clean the soles of their feet. I find it hard even with a good shower chair; leaning forward is a really efficient way to generate PEM from minimal effort.

Bottle brushes are soft enough not to be uncomfortable, but have enough friction to give the skin a good wash. My latest one cost 89p and can be reshaped a bit to give you the optimal curve. Don't know how long it'll last, but we'll see! (I ordered two in case it eventually rusts.)

 

[Trish]

I confess I don't even try to reach my feet when sitting on a shower stool in the shower. The bits of me I can reach easily get a rub with flannel and liquid soap. The rest gets doused with shampoo from hair washing and water, and dried with a towel. That has to be good enough. Just showering at all is a major and irregular achievement.

 

[Mij]

I can see how that longer handle would help. The wooden foot brush i have doesn't have a handle so I have to sit on the bath floor and scrub.

I find just scrubbing my feet helps me feel good and sleep better when I don't have the energy to take a shower.

 

[Chandelier]

Interesting, I use a (much more expensive) motorized brush to clean most of my body.
The Beurer FC55:

Body Brushes - Beurer

Discover Body Brushes in the Beurer website. Top quality since 1919 ✓

www.beurer.com

I find this brush very helpful since it allows me to save a lot of energy and it’s the only way I can exfoliate my old skin without risking PEM.
The motor noises can be quiet annoying, though.

Which brings me to another point that took me a while to figure out: maybe the noises in the shower contribute heavily to your exhaustion and you might not even realize it. Try experimenting with earplugs in the shower.

I found several people recommended a shampoo brush to clean their hair.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Massager-FReatech-Cleaning-Silicone-Bristles/dp/B07Q6XPH2F/

I got one bit haven’t used it yet. It should reduce the energy required in your hands.

If hair washing is your nemesis and you have a carer, hair wash bassins for use in bed could be something:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TZEKING-Bedridden-Shampoo-Pregnant-Post-Operative/dp/B0CZN1DQMD/

I ordered one but haven’t had the opportunity to try it out yet.

I use a bath tub but one shower user on reddit recommended to sit on the shower floor instead of a shower chair and use a suction shower head holder.
Then elevate your legs on the wall. That helps them to shower more frequently without PEM.

> dried with a towel
I use a terry cloth bath robe with hoodie. After my bath I just lay on my bed until I’m dry, that’s a huge energy saver for me.

 

[Trish]

Interesting how we all try to find ways to manage washing ourselves. Before the pandemic I emplyed carers to come 2 or 3 times a week mainly to help me shower. I stopped them at the first lockdown and never restarted, as in the end with a high turnover of staff it was more exhausing explaining what I wanted to do, and coping with some of their foibles, like one who pressed down so hard on my head when washing my hair I could barely stay upright, and several others were so careless using the hairdryer they kept blowing hot air on my face.

I can't sit in the bath as I'd never get out again.

 

[Kitty]

The rest gets doused with shampoo from hair washing and water

I know it's not quite what you mean, but I always use shampoo to wash my feet in the summer. It seems to cut through grime better than shower gel, so I get more cleaning for less rubbing.

Also use it to remove Factor 50 children's sunscreen, which I need to use because I can't always reapply it while I'm out. It's designed not to come off even if kids are in and out of water, so I don't have to worry about sweat affecting the protection.

It means it's a nightmare to remove, of course, but cheap shampoo for greasy hair is great. It's not harsh enough to make my skin react, but it is very good at removing cream with a heavy oil base. If I try to wash it off with shower gel or soap I have to scrub my face and neck three or four times; supermarket shampoo reduces that to two.

 

[Chandelier]

I can't sit in the bath as I'd never get out again.

Yes, I struggle with that too sometimes. So far, I managed to avoid drowning or starving… don’t mean to flex!
However, standing while working with my arms and hands, especially above my head, drains my energy like nothing else.
I wonder whether a combination of an anti-slip mat and a suction hand rail might help wonders?

 

[Trish]

However, standing while working with my arms and hands, especially above my head, drains my energy like nothing else.
I wonder whether a combination of an anti-slip mat and a suction hand rail might help wonders?

I can't do the standing, arms above head etc. I have a shower stool that fits in my bath and I put it on an antislip mat and have grab rails.