# Home improvement to help shave legs in standup shower? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 4, 2013, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-improvement-to-help-shave-legs-in-standup-shower/646023 "2013-01-04T02:39:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2013, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-improvement-to-help-shave-legs-in-standup-shower/646023/21 "2013-01-04T15:50:20Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Am I the only one who imagines that thing falling and the the girl who was using it headbutting/faceplanting the wall. I don’t think I would trust something like that to put my weight on. > > I’d sooner go with a step stool or shower chair type thing. It might do better than you think. That’s a large suction cup, and it looks rather like the ones on the temporary grab bar we installed when I broke my foot. That grab bar held on surprisingly well (a year later it was still there). ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2013, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-improvement-to-help-shave-legs-in-standup-shower/646023/22 "2013-01-04T16:27:33Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > It might do better than you think. That’s a large suction cup, and it looks rather like the ones on the temporary grab bar we installed when I broke my foot. That grab bar held on surprisingly well (a year later it was still there). Come to think of it, the temp grab bar would also work for such purposes. If that thing could help my hefty carcass balance, it should be usable for a single foot for a minute or two. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2013, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-improvement-to-help-shave-legs-in-standup-shower/646023/23 "2013-01-04T16:34:23Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > It might do better than you think. That’s a large suction cup, and it looks rather like the ones on the temporary grab bar we installed when I broke my foot. That grab bar held on surprisingly well (a year later it was still there). But that’s two suction cups and closer to the wall, so more surface area and less torque. Imagine if you wanted to (purposefully) pull one of them off the wall. Would it be easier to pull the grab bar off the wall or that step thing (by standing on it)? I’m not saying it’s actually going to give out, it’s more that if it would give out, the user would fall right into the wall since they’re already leaning towards it and they’re hands are too occupied to catch themselves. ---
**Author:** ![Lightlystarched](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Lightlystarched](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightlystarched)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2013, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-improvement-to-help-shave-legs-in-standup-shower/646023/24 "2013-01-04T20:06:40Z")
I have [this](http://http://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/H-2478/Store-Operations/Rubbermaid-Step-Stool?pricode=WU343&gadtype=pla&gclid=CLicva2_z7QCFYKPPAodviMArQ) one in my shower. argh. > **[Rubbermaid® Step Stool H-2478 - Uline](http://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/H-2478/Store-Operations/Rubbermaid-Step-Stool?pricode=WU343&gadtype=pla&gclid=CLicva2_z7QCFYKPPAodviMArQ)** > > Lightweight, portable. Order a bunch to use in every closet. Supports up to 300 lbs.ULINE offers over 41,000 boxes, plastic poly bags, mailing tubes, warehouse supplies and bubble wrap for your storage, packaging, or shipping supplies. ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2013, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-improvement-to-help-shave-legs-in-standup-shower/646023/25 "2013-01-04T20:20:57Z")
That’s a perfect opportunity to practice your balance. 😉 I just stand on one foot and bend the other knee. ---
**Author:** ![BetsQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/fbc32d/32.png) [@BetsQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BetsQ)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2013, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-improvement-to-help-shave-legs-in-standup-shower/646023/26 "2013-01-04T20:43:27Z")
I just put my foot on the wall at about waist height to help me balance. Not sure why something else would be necessary. This is like the cereal milk thread. “There are people who don’t do it exactly like I do?!?!” ---
**Author:** ![shantih](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@shantih](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shantih)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2013, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-improvement-to-help-shave-legs-in-standup-shower/646023/27 "2013-01-04T21:42:50Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > While I can’t vouch for it personally, the same product is sold in adult stores for, um, recreation in the shower. I’m a bit dubious as to the safety myself, but apparently it can take quite a bit of weight. I saw that in the description of the foot rest, and I must confess to being mystified. Where would it be positioned? Who rests which limb on it? I suspect the answer is blindingly obvious and I will totally :smack: when I’m enlightened, so … enlighten me? Please? ---
**Author:** ![pbbth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2013, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-improvement-to-help-shave-legs-in-standup-shower/646023/28 "2013-01-04T23:18:02Z")
> [@don\_t\_ask](#): > > Get your partner to do the bending and shaving. This sounds like more fun than it actually is, trust me. The last month of my pregnancy my husband helped me shave my legs and it was just awkward and unpleasant. ---
**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-improvement-to-help-shave-legs-in-standup-shower/646023/29 "2013-01-05T01:13:12Z")
There are building codes for everything else. Every shower and tub should have an area on which to sit and a grab bar. Most home accidents happen in the bathroom. Those two things will do a lot to reduce them. It’s not just for the elderly. If you have ever had a bad back, blown out a knee, or just got the flu (or even a hangover) you will agree with me. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-improvement-to-help-shave-legs-in-standup-shower/646023/30 "2013-01-05T01:38:06Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I’m a guy, but why would you need to put your leg up on something to shave it? Do you use razors that come with a cover over them to protect it before you use the blade for the first time? Actually, a smaller tube of toothpaste would probably work too. Go get in the tub with it and pretend to shave your leg from hip to ankle and see if you can reach everywhere without lifting your foot. As for the OP, please use a stool rather than that suction cup thing. I’ve never had a suction cup anything that stuck to the shower wall worth a damn and don’t want to read about you needing stitches because the damn thing let go on you. ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-improvement-to-help-shave-legs-in-standup-shower/646023/31 "2013-01-05T01:44:33Z")
I have a shower stall too and I just use a shoebox-size Rubbermaid box of water to rinse off the razor, and sit on the shower floor. I don’t really like shaving my legs standing up with the shower on, then the water is just trying to rinse off my shave gel. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-improvement-to-help-shave-legs-in-standup-shower/646023/32 "2013-01-05T02:08:32Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > Do you use razors that come with a cover over them to protect it before you use the blade for the first time? Actually, a smaller tube of toothpaste would probably work too. Go get in the tub with it and pretend to shave your leg from hip to ankle and see if you can reach everywhere without lifting your foot. Are you kidding me? That’s why I asked the question in the first place. Of course I can reach from my ankle to my hip. I’m 50 years old and simply reaching down to my ankle is as easy as, I dunno, tying my shoes. Is this a prohibitively difficult maneuver for women? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-improvement-to-help-shave-legs-in-standup-shower/646023/33 "2013-01-05T03:50:32Z")
> [@Rachellelogram](#): > > I thought it would be cool if they sold corner-shaped porcelain-shelf doohickers to put your foot up on. A stool will definitely work, though. I found [this stepstool](http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1287578) at the ace site, I think it’s better because it’s taller (and cheap enough). Actually, they _did_ used to have just that such a thing. I know, I’ve seen them. But I haven’t been able to string the right terms together to make a google match. I’m pretty sure, though, that it was in a catalogue like Harriet Carter. Perhaps you could try one of those. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-improvement-to-help-shave-legs-in-standup-shower/646023/34 "2013-01-05T03:55:57Z")
If you want to go with a suction cup dohikey then possible the jointed version with [3 suction cups](http://stores.instockmedical.com/-strse-27581/Swivel-Bathtub-%26-Shower/Detail.bok) might work. All 3 are not likely to give way at once. ---
**Author:** ![kbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4491bb/32.png) [@kbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kbear)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-improvement-to-help-shave-legs-in-standup-shower/646023/35 "2013-01-05T10:22:34Z")
I’m actually more intrigued by the pee activated urinal video games in the first link! ---
**Author:** ![gracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@gracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gracer)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-improvement-to-help-shave-legs-in-standup-shower/646023/36 "2013-01-05T11:04:32Z")
It’s funny, my BIL is an industrial designer, and this stuff is one of the things he likes to do. He says that the world is designed by men, for men. He just observes my sister doing stuff, and then notes how it hasn’t been designed for what she needs. One of the things he has always wanted to do is design a set of showers, ready to install, that have a built-in shelf for shaving legs. He says if men had to shave their legs all showers would have them. He’s a good guy 🙂 Sometimes you’ll be doing something innocuous, not even thinking about it, and suddenly he starts asking all kinds of questions: why do you do that? can you reach? how do you do this? what if you need to…? etc. It’s really sweet! ETA: **Leaffan** , yes I can reach my ankles by bending down, but it’s uncomfortable, the blood rushes to your head, and it’s usually a little darker down there as well. It’s much easier to put your leg up. Try both, and actually spend the time you would navigating around your ankles, moving slowly up. Leg up is far, far easier. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-improvement-to-help-shave-legs-in-standup-shower/646023/37 "2013-01-05T11:17:05Z")
> [@gracer](#): > > ETA: **Leaffan** , yes I can reach my ankles by bending down, but it’s uncomfortable, the blood rushes to your head, and it’s usually a little darker down there as well. It’s much easier to put your leg up. Try both, and actually spend the time you would navigating around your ankles, moving slowly up. Leg up is far, far easier. Fair enough. Question though: how often do women typically shave their legs? Once a week? Twice a week? Once a month? I have no idea. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-improvement-to-help-shave-legs-in-standup-shower/646023/38 "2013-01-05T12:40:20Z")
Jeesh, the whole idea of lifting one leg in the shower makes me nervous. I hope you girls use those sticky pad things. ---
**Author:** ![gracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@gracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gracer)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-improvement-to-help-shave-legs-in-standup-shower/646023/39 "2013-01-05T12:42:46Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Fair enough. > > Question though: how often do women typically shave their legs? Once a week? Twice a week? Once a month? I have no idea. Good question. For me it varies widely depending on which people will be seeing how much leg and how much of fuck I give about that. Could be several times a week/every other day, could be once a month. I suspect there are many people more consistent in behaviour, but there will be huge variation. My MIL has never shaved her legs, proper hippy that she is. My mum only for special occasions. Prissy people probably shave every day or every other day no matter who sees their legs. And there’s [this.](http://www.quickmeme.com/meme/35ibow/) 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-improvement-to-help-shave-legs-in-standup-shower/646023/40 "2013-01-05T13:34:03Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Fair enough. > > Question though: how often do women typically shave their legs? Once a week? Twice a week? Once a month? I have no idea. In my case, highly variable. If I know I’m not going to be able to get away with keeping the legs covered (pants, long skirt, opaque tights, black pantyhose), I’ll deal with hair removal. I’m clumsy enough that I tend to favor Nair over a razor. I have an electric shaver that does an acceptable job on my legs (although it can’t be used on underarms unless I want to put up with very irritated skin for a few days). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-improvement-to-help-shave-legs-in-standup-shower/646023.md?page=1)