How Much Soap is Too Much

How about if you can taste it in your mouth 😜…

Ahhh, good point, @reddevil. Then you can probably keep it out of your nose and ears. But only if you’re not lying down, like I am during all my enemas…………. I don’t like soap in my nose or mouth, but I’m probably safe, since I never use more than 2 tsp Castile soap/quart, and in 55 years of enemas never exceeded 5 quarts.

Eric

This only happens with solid (sodium hydroxide saponification) soaps. When the cooling of the enema liquid trying to flow through the hose causes the solution to congeal in the hose. I've had that happen exactly once. It was a really super soapy solution. I was really cleaned out after that. But the soapy solution also sensitized the rectum to the point where it was really difficult to insert a simple nozzle to rinse the soap solution out.

@Enema_Runner,

You mean the solid soaps congeal in the cooling hose and block the flow, or tend to produce more bubbles? Did you decrease your enema soap concentrations after that one? 😉

Eric

@ericmacson

It tended to block the flow. In addition, as the bag cooled, it started to congeal there, too. Fortunately, the line had a Higginson pump and I could pump it into me.

Yes, I went to a lower concentration after that because this strength falls into the “self-sealing ” category and closes down the rectum so that nothing flows in an virtually nothing flows out.

@ericmacson

It tended to block the flow. In addition, as the bag cooled, it started to congeal there, too. Fortunately, the line had a Higginson pump and I could pump it into me.

Yes, I went to a lower concentration after that because this strength falls into the “self-sealing ” category and closes down the rectum so that nothing flows in an virtually nothing flows out.

@Enema_Runner,

Interesting! Meaning the congealing of rectal soap blocks the rectal lumen or it causes enough spasm to block it?

Eric

@ericmacson

Enough of a spasm to block it. Only other time I've experienced something similar is a 100% glycerin start to an enema. Closed me down tight!

On the rare occasions over 55+ years when I’ve actually intended to clean my colon for a procedure or my even rarer constipation, I’ve never used above 2 tsp Castile per quart or 10% glycerin. I’ve always had fine cleaning or evacuation results using at most 2 consecutive enemas. Unless some other member describes and should convince me I need need or want a much higher soap concentration, perhaps to intentionally induce cramps they feel they need or want, I suspect I’ll be just fine for both cleaning as well as my much more numerous recreational/sexual enemas for however many perhaps dozens or more enemas I take in however many years I have left now at age 70. All in all, I still only feel like I should be about 50!

Eric, MD (ret.)

@Enema Runner mentioned 100% glycerin. I've done two different 100% enemas first one was using a lube launcher, the large one from Clean Stream full of Dr. Bronner's liquid tea tree oil soap straight. It acted like glycerin with a strong urge about 20 minutes after instilling it. The second time same thing but actual liquid glycerin and third time a full launcher with Dr. B's peppermint. They all acted in the identical way. Had a rinse enema after each. Try it if you dare. 😩

I think everyone is different. Some like a really crampy heavily soaped Ivory enema that gives them cramps and a cleanout whether they want it or not. Others have trouble with soap giving them cramps and nausea. I would say try it and see what works best. Sometimes a squirt of baby shampoo which is very mild works when others don't. Good luck!

@Enema_Runner This only happens with solid (sodium hydroxide saponification) soaps. When the cooling of the enema liquid trying to flow through the hose causes the solution to congeal in the hose. I've had that happen exactly once. It was a really super soapy solution.

Wow! that sounds like one super strong enema! And I thought I liked extra strong soapy enemas 😈

Heres some info on saponification:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6225244/

I OD'd on soap one time and ended up blowing bubbles from my asshole.

For me when i get carried away with too much original ivory soap i will not be able to take even a 2qt enema

When you forget the bar of Kirks Castile soap fell in the bag and you thought the next 2 enemas were the rinse enemas!

I still can’t believe it when i see recommendations for 2-8 tablespoons in recipes….1 tablespoon = 15 ml

8 = 120ml = 4 oz enough to wash my car? 🥸🤪

@Sean In fact, a strong argument can be made that a bag full of dilute soap solution is far more effective in completely cleaning someone out, than a bag of much stronger soap solution. The dilute solution will go in far more easily, because the solution does not immediately cause cramping, which tends to prevent the solution from going higher into the recipients colon. A dilute solution can also be retained much longer….

Good point and something I will play around with - using less soap and holding in longer… It will be fun to feel/hear it churning around and the cramps slowly building up 😃

@reddevil

My preferred solution is a bag of water, just warm enough to feel distinctly warm, but not hot, with a swish of Ivory bar soap. I just swish a new bar of Ivory in the water for 20 to 30 seconds. If this is done in a clear glass pitcher the solution should appear just slightly milky. I use a vintage Rexall Roxbury fountain syringe, hung about 2 feet above me, and the original adult rectal nozzle.

I think this solution and setup are pretty much optimal for me. When the clip is opened I can take the entire bag without pause and this takes about 5 minutes. The solution is pretty mild and the enema doesn't work right away. After about 3 to 5 minutes, the enema starts working pretty strongly and, since my mobility is not great any more, sit on the nearby bedside commode. This enema usually produced a wonderful, easy poo, and, because it went in slowly and high, the poo is very complete. It takes 10 to 15 minutes to finish.

I don't measure the amount of Dr Bronner's. I just squirt in an amount that looks good - the water is the right amount of cloudy.

I can usually tell it was too much if I can heavily smell the soap on my sub's breath.

@MissStress I don't measure the amount of Dr Bronner's. I just squirt in an amount that looks good - the water is the right amount of cloudy.

During the pandemic lockdown when older daughter moved back with us, showing her about adding just the right amount of Dr. Bronners so she’d get relief from being backed up without a lot of cramping. It brought back memories of being Nurse Mom for so many years. Standing side-by-side in our bathroom pouring warm “milky” looking water into her fountain syringe, I looked in the mirror at the two of us and started to cry. This was one of those rare mother-daughter moments that I couldn’t help holding back tears. I also teared up later when we were sitting together having tea and she was feeling like herself again. An enema was just what she needed.

We sometimes take relationships in families for granted, but they are one of the most precious things in life. One of my longtime friends lost her only daughter this week to breast cancer. She was only 35, just a few years beyond our older daughter.

Depending on my girl mood, I squirt the bottle from 1 to 3 times for her 2L bag.

I don't measure the amount of Dr Bronner's. I just squirt in an amount that looks good - the water is the right amount of cloudy.

I can usually tell it was too much if I can heavily smell the soap on my sub's breath.

@MissStress,

Wow! I have no doubt you’re right about excessive soap if you can smell it on his breath! However, it would also seem to me that unless you were using a closed-top enema bag with the solution prepared in another room, you’d probably be smelling the soap aroma in the room air coming from the bag before it ever made it from his rectum and bloodstream to his breath! I’m sure I use much less soap than you give him, and I get a noticeable soap aroma in the bathroom just by mixing it in my quart glass measuring cup and pouring it into my open-top rubber enema bag.

Eric

it would also seem to me that unless you were using a closed-top enema bag with the solution prepared in another room, you’d probably be smelling the soap aroma in the room air coming from the bag before it ever made it from his rectum and bloodstream to his breath!

@ericmacson it is a closed top bag. The smell is coming from his exhaled breath. I tend to be rather close to him during most enemas so I know where the smell is coming from. 😉

It's too much soap when you become faint, nauseous and your colon won't take any more water to help rinse it out. That's not fun. Other than that, enjoy the ride

In the documentary of Dr. Bonner, “Dr. Bronner's Magic Soapbox ,” one girl testifies that her mother raised her on frequent enemas and stated that she was told the enema was effective when she could taste the Dr. Bronner's peppermint. I used to use Dr. Bronner's in my enemas and still use it to bathe, but for enema soap I have migrated back the the traditional Ivory and occasional Dove soap. I do not think Dove is a popular enema soap, that I am aware of, but it was one of my mother's favorites, and so I like to keep tradition alive.

When your asshole has the same after affect of a bad night of drinking tequila and you are holding onto the toilet with all your mite and have puked up everything your stomach has to offer and are now trying to puke up what you will eat next week!!! Oh yeah, AND with a burning flavor of whatever soap you used!!! That should be close!!

In the documentary of Dr. Bonner, “Dr. Bronner's Magic Soapbox ,” one girl testifies that her mother raised her on frequent enemas and stated that she was told the enema was effective when she could taste the Dr. Bronner's peppermint.

Not sure if this video is available for free anywhere. Didn't find one doing a quick search. The part about a girl testifying her mother raised her on frequent enemas reminds me of the apartment house where I grew up. It was there, early 1950's, that I overheard one mother telling my mother about another mother who lived down the hall who supposedly gave her daughter lots of soapy enemas.

I OD'd on soap one time and ended up blowing bubbles from my asshole.

Yes there is such thing as too much but for me blowing some soapy bubbles out the back is just the beginning… so for me, lots and lots of bubbles!

A little bit of soap goes a long way with some people, like me. Growing up I received frequent enemas but just plain water, just like my Mom used for her own enemas. Once I was severely constipated the Dr. ordered a soap suds enema for me. Well I don't think my Mom had ever made one. She fixed it and inserted the black bat shaped nozzle into my rectum and opened the shutoff. I immediately felt cramping, and soon could taste the soap in my mouth. I told my mom this and she was shocked. Soon I was cramping so bad we had to stop. I sat on the toilet shitting my guts out, throwing up in a trash can… worst enema of my life! If that is the only enema I had growing up I would not be on this forum!

I always use baking soda and water now for a very soothing enema.

I don't use any soap, as I'm into long (a couple of hours) term retention, and soap causes quite a bit of intestinal lumen irritation. I can easily hold the salt/soda solution with no irritation or urge to release, greatly enhancing the experience.

I'll occasionally use soap, either Dr. Bronner's or Ivory, when I want a very good cleaning out. Otherwise my usual enema is two tsp baking soda to a bag of warm water. It usually is quite satisfactory and is my “go to” solution.

Nope. Baby shampoo, peppermint castile, Kirk's, are all fairly mild. One ounce or with bar soap until it's a nice milky and bubbly solution works just right for me❤🚀😜

I’ll mix in a little soap if I’m bound up more than a couple of days. I love the feeling of sloshing ContI Castile bar soap with olive oil in a bowl of warm water before pouring it into my syringe. it reminds me of what nurses did in hospitals in the old days before they gave an enema to a patient. My grown daughters tell me I should’ve been a nurse. I can’t help but get a nice twinge of anticipation.