# How do hoomans use shower gel with no devices? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 17, 2019, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-hoomans-use-shower-gel-with-no-devices/837200 "2019-07-17T08:50:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Calavera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calavera/32/70_2.png) [@Calavera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calavera)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-hoomans-use-shower-gel-with-no-devices/837200/1 "2019-07-17T08:50:43Z")
A basic question I should know the answer to already no doubt. However I grew up either using bar soap or shower gel and a sponge. In my entire adult life I have either used bar soap or shower gel with sponge. I had to take a shower at some friends house, and they just had shower gel. I presume they’re not the weird ones, but I had no idea how to get full body clean without using a huge amount of shower gel, any of which I put straight in my hand quickly disappears. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-hoomans-use-shower-gel-with-no-devices/837200/2 "2019-07-17T09:27:56Z")
That thing at the end of your arm? You can use it to close the water while you soap up. Those things at the end of your legs? You can use them to step back from the jet. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-hoomans-use-shower-gel-with-no-devices/837200/3 "2019-07-17T09:37:03Z")
Make a kind of cup with the thing at the end of your arm. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-hoomans-use-shower-gel-with-no-devices/837200/4 "2019-07-17T09:42:24Z")
Depending on the shower, you may be able to step out of the spray, or redirect the spray, rather than turning the water down. And somepeople only soap their smelly bits anyway, so they don’t need much gell. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-hoomans-use-shower-gel-with-no-devices/837200/5 "2019-07-17T09:53:50Z")
I’m puzzled about why this is puzzling. You squirt a small amount of shower gel into your palm (the brand I buy comes in a bottle with a little folding hanger on the end so you can hang it from the shower). The you rub it over your wet skin/hair and lather it up - best to stand out of the heaviest spray so that it doesn’t all wash off. I haven’t used a flannel or sponge in the shower for years - they always just strike me as a big germ reservoir unless you used a brand new one each time. ---
**Author:** ![Cugel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cugel/32/1199_2.png) [@Cugel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cugel)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-hoomans-use-shower-gel-with-no-devices/837200/6 "2019-07-17T10:49:11Z")
The nozzle in my shower is directly above me. I turn it to a 45 angle for 20 seconds whilst lathering up then turn it back downward. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-hoomans-use-shower-gel-with-no-devices/837200/7 "2019-07-17T11:23:16Z")
Failing every other suggestion, one _could_ seek out that new, high tech, latest invention, the face cloth and use it as a vessel to hold the gel whilst getting clean. Just sayin’ ! It’s not a sponge, of course, but still might prove 100% effective! ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-hoomans-use-shower-gel-with-no-devices/837200/8 "2019-07-17T12:00:09Z")
Another vote for perhaps they use a washcloth. Taken from the linen closet before the shower along with the towel. Thrown in the laundry pile/basket/whatever along with the towel after the shower. Hence you don’t see it. ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-hoomans-use-shower-gel-with-no-devices/837200/9 "2019-07-17T12:04:13Z")
Just came in thread to make sure a dog wasn’t asking the question. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-hoomans-use-shower-gel-with-no-devices/837200/10 "2019-07-17T13:51:45Z")
> [@Calavera](#): > > A basic question I should know the answer to already no doubt. However I grew up either using bar soap or shower gel and a sponge. In my entire adult life I have either used bar soap or shower gel with sponge. I had to take a shower at some friends house, and they just had shower gel. I presume they’re not the weird ones, but I had no idea how to get full body clean without using a huge amount of shower gel, any of which I put straight in my hand quickly disappears. I’ve used just my hands in a pinch, but yeah, you end up using a lot more. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-hoomans-use-shower-gel-with-no-devices/837200/11 "2019-07-17T16:11:11Z")
I’ve never used anything but my hands. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-hoomans-use-shower-gel-with-no-devices/837200/12 "2019-07-17T16:14:35Z")
For the record, I’m on the OP’s side here. I’ve always used bar soap, and the concept of shower gel confuses me. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-hoomans-use-shower-gel-with-no-devices/837200/13 "2019-07-17T16:14:40Z")
You can even use the back of your hand. I cannot maneuver my left hand enough to put its palm up, so I just use the back of the hand. Works fine. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-hoomans-use-shower-gel-with-no-devices/837200/14 "2019-07-17T16:20:36Z")
Since the OP is looking for advice, let’s move this to IMHO. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-hoomans-use-shower-gel-with-no-devices/837200/15 "2019-07-17T16:33:01Z")
I guess I’m lucky and my hair and skin don’t suffer because of what soap I use. So basically, my hair is a soap/shampoo reservoir during my shower. Put all you need on your head, lather it up and dispense where necessary. ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-hoomans-use-shower-gel-with-no-devices/837200/16 "2019-07-17T16:48:34Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > For the record, I’m on the OP’s side here. I’ve always used bar soap, and the concept of shower gel confuses me. Does all liquid soap confuse you? ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-hoomans-use-shower-gel-with-no-devices/837200/17 "2019-07-17T17:52:43Z")
My body is pretty much one big loofah, so no problems here. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-hoomans-use-shower-gel-with-no-devices/837200/18 "2019-07-17T19:54:12Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > I cannot maneuver my left hand enough to put its palm up, so I just use the back of the hand. Works fine. Still trying to get used to that. Failing. In other news: I will occasionally wash my face with body wash. Still have never been caught. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-hoomans-use-shower-gel-with-no-devices/837200/19 "2019-07-17T20:05:42Z")
> [@KidCharlemagne](#): > > Just came in thread to make sure a dog wasn’t asking the question. Well, we really don’t know, do we? ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-hoomans-use-shower-gel-with-no-devices/837200/20 "2019-07-17T20:05:55Z")
The _real_ question to ask though: How do aliens use a shower at all? Especially if they are the M. Night Shyamalan kind… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-hoomans-use-shower-gel-with-no-devices/837200.md?page=2)