Wash My Back?
By Marie Anne
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
United States
September 18, 2008 12:46pm CST
I do NOT want this to turn into a discussion about showering together and washing each other's back, I really do have a legitimate question.
When taking a bath/shower, how do you wash your back?I prefer using a washcloth, but obviously can't reach everywhere with that alone. I've tried various different bath brushes and still don't feel like they work, there are just some places that I can't reach well enough since I'm not a contortionist.
I've used those strap-type back scrubber things with loofah on them that you hold in both hands and they're ok, but I don't feel like I get enough pressure with those either.
What do you use, and do you feel it does the job?
Am I just not coordinated enough to bathe myself properly?
10 people like this
34 responses
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
18 Sep 08
I just use a normal facecloth, although I must admit my hands are not that flexible to reach every part of my back If my wife happens to be near I just ask her to wash my back. She is better than any scrubber.
3 people like this
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
18 Sep 08
A washcloth feels good, just rough enough, but I reach everywhere. Dragon posted above that she uses a small towel, and that sounds perfect!
1 person likes this
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
18 Sep 08
Ugh ... of course that should say I CAN'T reach everywhere.
1 person likes this
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
18 Sep 08
I too have a problem washing my back with a back brush. As you have stated I can't seem to get enough pressure on it to do any good. I have in the past used a hand towel as a wash cloth as they are longer and I can get them all over my back. I have one of those back scrubbers as you have pictured but there still seem to be places that I can't get to.
3 people like this
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
18 Sep 08
No it's not just you. I had found a nice scruffy Thing at the dollar store at one time I got 2 of them. I don't know what they were called but when I went to use the second one it has just disappeared. I need to try to find one at the dollar store again.
2 people like this
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
18 Sep 08
Ok, so it's not just me!
I think a new invention for this dilemna would be worth a fortune.
2 people like this
@cobrateacher (8432)
• United States
18 Sep 08
My long-handled brush is a wonderful thing! I've tried the other things you mentioned, but I always go back to that brush and I love it. Now and then I'll try something new that catches my eye in the store, but the boar-bristle brush is my thing.
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
18 Sep 08
I like a brush and have used several different types, but I just can't seem to get the pressure against my back. I'm not sure what my problem is, but you would think that at 51 yrs old I would have figured it out by now.
2 people like this
@cobrateacher (8432)
• United States
18 Sep 08
They don't all have thesame angles. Maybe you need one that is bent more, or maybe straighter. I'd try a few from the dollar store for the best angle before spending more. Good hunting!
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
18 Sep 08
I've always had a problem with that. I finally decided to use a hand towel. It's textured enough to get my back feeling clean. The loofah things feel too rough for me and the hand towel is just right. I can't deal with back brushes.
3 people like this
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
18 Sep 08
Ooooh, good idea! I may have to try that one.
1 person likes this
@Shar19 (8231)
• United States
18 Sep 08
I always use a washcloth. I kind of just slide it down my back lenghwise to the middle part of my back, then I'll do the bottom part of my back. I guess you just have to be a little more flexible. Maybe do some stretching exercises. I would have thought that a long brush would be helpful for you. Do you put shower gel onto the brush? Maybe that would help too.
3 people like this
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
18 Sep 08
I can reach ok with the brush, but I can't get any pressure, if that makes any sense.
I use a washcloth too and that seems to work best so far, but I still think there is a spot or two I can't reach well.
1 person likes this
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
18 Sep 08
I sometimes just do that too, but I still feel the back needs a good scrubbing, especially in warm weather when you sweat more.
1 person likes this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
30 Mar 09
I am forever washing my husband back since he can't reach all the various angles on his back..He at times might wash mine as well.. I have tried told loofah's and avon back scrubbers and your right they work some but right in the middle they don't give enough pressure I feel to get the job done right.
1 person likes this
@1grnthmb (2055)
• United States
18 Sep 08
We have a sponge that has a handle on it. With my arthritis I can not reach hardly any of my back so this is the only way that I can wash my back. I have tried brushes and those nylon sgrungy things and do not like them. But the sponge is nice. We got it at Bed Bath and Beyond several years ago.
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
18 Sep 08
I don't worry too much about my back - it doesn't get all that dirty for the most part. But, I let my hair take care of it. I have very long hair, past my waist, and it rubs against my back while I'm shampooing. I do reach around a bit with my sponge thingy, but I'm sure it's not getting all of it.
2 people like this
@checapricorn (16061)
• United States
18 Sep 08
[i]Hi Ldy,
I am just using my own hands and try to stretch my arm in reaching my back..LOL! I will have so much actions actually and that is the portion that will take me time..ANyway, I remember my aunt before, she used to soap and wet a towel and will hole both end with her two hand and rub it at her back..I tried it too and it was okay, it is more stronger than using a loofah![/i]
2 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (45487)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
18 Sep 08
I use a long-handled brush, but I had to try out several different ones to find one that worked well for me.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (45487)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
18 Sep 08
Well, that's why I had to try out several different ones...
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
18 Sep 08
I think a brush is just too rigid. I think I'll try the towel thing that dragon mentioned above.
1 person likes this
@makemyday_nice (39)
• United States
18 Sep 08
Well I don't actually scrub my back that often, but if I do I either ask someone's hand or extend my hand all the way there then let the shower do everything for me:)
@gitfiddleplayer (10362)
• United States
18 Sep 08
I just crank the heat up in the shower and let the water do it. Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever washed my back. Hmmm, I wonder what it looks like, hold please... yea, just some shoulder blades and a spine, it can't get that dirty can it?
2 people like this
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
18 Sep 08
I don't think it gets dirty as in 'dirt', but we shed cells all over our body and I don't want any 'icky stuff' accumulating there.
1 person likes this
@sweetdesign (5142)
• United States
2 Oct 08
LOL!! I use a back brush. I find it is the only adequate way of washing my back. I have used those strap type things and they would be great if you could get the propper preasure with them. I have a nice hand held shower head that has multiple settings so I just set it on the strongest one and give myself a water massage on my back lol.
@ajithlal (14716)
• India
30 Mar 09
I use phone shower for taking bath. Sometimes I pour water from the bucket and mug into me. I also like taking baths in the rain water during the rainy season. I do not use any brushes for taking bath. I use towel to dry myself and my back.
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
2 Oct 08
I just use a regular ole bath brush for my back and feet. Can't bend over very well in the shower any more to wash my feet properly so figured if good for my back, good for my feet as well. lol
Your not supposed to scrub your back real hard. No matter what you use, it will effectively clean your back long as you use soap.
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
19 Sep 08
Have you considered a back brush? You can reach easily with one of those..
@bombshell (11256)
• Germany
20 Sep 08
i use a big brush with long handle.yes it satisfy me and put lots of liquid soap.
@onlydia (2808)
• United States
20 Sep 08
I use one of those back washer things. And it works good enough for me I stand with my back to shower and have on massager so that works plus feels good. If I want the great scrub job then it's a drive out to my friends house. And then I get two. LOL. But I look at like this my back don't get as dirty as my front as I'm never on my back. haha working on cars or anything. SO that is how I feel. Have a nice day. Your friend onlydia.
