Marking a silicone bag - what works?

I had been either getting a pitcher out or simply estimating how much water I was putting in my bag before. I had thought I was pretty good at estimating, but I checked it out and though I generally shoot for about 2-2.5 quarts (I have a 4 quart bag), I was off sometimes by a half quart or more. I'm pretty sure this wasn't a big deal, as I'm not pushing capacity limits or using strong solutions (generally water or weak/moderate soapsuds), but it's nice to be reasonably accurate and I have had days when I have had to redo enemas because they weren't very effective, and now I wonder if it was partially because I was taking significantly less water than I had thought.

I put lines on my bag every half-quart about a month ago to make it easier to estimate on those days when I don't feel like going for a pitcher, but Sharpie permanent marker doesn't stick very well to silicone. Anyone know of something that does last better?

I do like having the lines, not only for filling the bag but also for checking on progress. Being able to glance up and see how much water has gone in when I get a strong urge/cramps/feeling of whatever seems to help me evaluate how backed up and/or uncooperative my bowels are at that point, and there have been times when it's been nice to be able to tell myself "just a half quart more - you can take it." I could get a two quart bag, but I'd have to mark it anyway if I want to be able to track progress during an enema.

I guess I can stick with the Sharpie and just plan on redoing it every month or two, but that means re-measuring the bag every so often to minimize "line drift." If there's a better way I'd like to try it.

A black ballpoint pen works fine. I marked one in pints.

If the markings fade, go over them before they disappear and you won't have to re-measure.

It's NOT rocket science.

I have a 4 qt silicon bag that I have marked in 'quart' elements. That way I take two Sse, one at a time and then refill with Salt & Soda and take it in 'two qt' at a time series. I'm on a regimen, out of necessity, and have to do that every other day. By doing it this way saves a lot of re-fill energy and accomplishes the cleaning out process. A 'Sharpie' marks the bag easily.

I do use a one-liter measuring container for accuracy.

the boxcar

A label maker works

Or go old school and use Zipatone

What I've noticed with Sharpie and would be the same or worse with a label maker is that the marks come off. Perhaps I just need to minimize rubbing during cleaning and storage.

I know I can re-mark, but I'm scatterbrained enough to where I only remember when the bag is wet. Probably should get the Sharpie/ballpoint and leave it out on the bag until I re-mark. I thought there might be something "stickier" that would eliminate the problem.

I take a somewhat reverse approach. My Jugbag,which is transparent, holds four quarts filled to the top with enema water. Starting at the top of the meniscus, I make a permanent mark with a water proof ink pen. That is zero pints and quarts have been injected. I then drain the water into a measuring cup, one cup, eight ounces, at a time. I make a mark with a permanent marker at the new meniscus, one cup at a time. At a normal enema flow, that should take one minute to inject. At two cups, i.e. one pint, I make a second mark. Other measured marks are made as the bag empties into the measuring cup at one cup, pint and quart intervals. When the bag empties, I have made sixteen calibration marks. It's good to know how much water you are taking and your flow rate, one cup at a time. Sixteen cups then should take sixteen minutes. For me, a four quart enema can take up to a half hour to inject. Speaking of cups of water, it's coffee time! But that can be a whole other subject.

The graduated bag adds a new dimension to your daily enema and an enema a day keeps the doctor away!

I marked my 4 qt silicon bag from Klst...something; marked the bag accuratly with a Sharpie, and yes ya gotta 're-new' your marks about every month. My normal session is 2 qts Sse twice and then 2 qts Salt & Soda twice. It helps not having to refill, etc.

the boxcar

Use a black ball point pen. I use my bag often and renew the marking about once a year.

Interesting question and I would imagine lots of us do it.

I used a Sharpie to mark the 2 quart level on my one silicon gallon bag. I usually go beyond that mark when filling but I want at least 2 quarts in the bag to start with. It's often hard for me to take more than 2 quarts on the first enema. I do watch the bag during my filling process and having that two quart mark is useful.

I kind of wonder why the bags are not manufactured and calibrated with markings. It would certainly be helpful for everyone who likes to fill to a certain level. It would certainly be useful on translucent silicon bags where you can see the liquid inside the bag. But until then, we enthusiasts will mark our own bags.

I suspect a big reason is convention. There's no point in marking an opaque bag, and transparent bags are kind of a new thing, at least for the heavy duty silicone bags. Vinyl bags look like they're marked.

I have used Sharpies years ago, and I keep trying to tell you guys a ball point pen back and forth a few strokes is MUCH MUCH better than a sharpie.

TRY IT. Allow the ink to dry for a few hours. It really is quite resilient and lasts a LONG time.

I have used Sharpies years ago, and I keep trying to tell you guys a ball point pen back and forth a few strokes is MUCH MUCH better than a sharpie.

TRY IT. Allow the ink to dry for a few hours. It really is quite resilient and lasts a LONG time.

Don't worry - I'm going to. I just haven't had the time to sit down with the bag and some alcohol to clean it off.

Once again SwitchableSusie has good advice. Re-did the bag with a Bic a while ago and the marks have stayed on nicely, much better than the Sharpie marks they replaced.

Big pointer: invest in a new quality ballpoint for this. Don't grab the 8-year old grungy ballpoint from the bottom desk drawer or use a super-cheap promotional pen that barely writes on paper.

For those with a woman in your household.....just use her nail polish on your bag. No stain, no muss, no fuss.

For those with a woman in your household.....just use her nail polish on your bag. No stain, no muss, no fuss.

Have you actually used it?

Nail polish isn't flexible and it sounds like it will pop off the bag when cleaning it.

Hi Susie,

I use nail polish all the time on my transparent four quart silicone bag. It really stays on well, only fragmenting after a few months. Over about six years with this bag, I have retouched the marks once. Thanks for your response.

Actually prefer her bright red.....my color....lol..

Interesting comments...I tried several waterproof markers on a new silicone 3L bag with little success...all the previous mentioned problems... so I found a roll of sort of transparent 'bandage tape' and placing this on the bag from top to bottom, marked off various levels from 1/2L to 3L. The tape is such one can either take it off or leave it on, is water and 'fold' proof, and has worked out fine over the past year. If it begins to not stick simply make up a new strip (as I did first time last week) and you're good to go. It leaves no residue on the bag and works great...give it a try

As usual, Susie is spot on again. The ball-point pen is the only method I have seen that works over long periods and many uses. Clean the bag thoroughly first, let it dry, make your markings and let that set in for several hours, preferably over night, and have good indicators for many months, and through many cleanings.

^^^^^ Thank you for the confirmation!

The ballpoint pen also doesn't pick up gunk like tape does (I really don't like having visible gunk on enema stuff). When it starts to rub off it will be in one part so you just refresh the marking and you're good to go. The Sharpie tends to come off all or most at once.