9 essential bath aids for the elderly who can't shower (2024)

Everyone has days when they just don’t feel like showering, and that’s OK. Unless you do lots of physical activity, you probably aren’t going to start smelling or looking dirty after a 24-hour period. In fact, skipping days may even be better for your skin and hair in the long run. However, if someone avoids showering for a little too long, it can lead to body odor, an itchy scalp, acne, fungus, and infections.

While it may be frustrating to face resistance to showering (whether as a caregiver or from your own brain), there are many reasons why the process can feel overwhelming. For instance, for those who require help from a caregiver, daily hygiene may feel especially uncomfortable, vulnerable, or even embarrassing. Thankfully, there are lots of personal hygiene products designed to help get you clean without committing to traditional bathing.

Here are nine great bath aids for the elderly and disabled that work when showering isn't possible.

Great water-free bath aids worth buying

1. Nurture XL Ultra Thick Body Wipes for Adults

The Nurture XL Ultra Thick Body Wipes are an easy and effective alternative for removing sweat, odor, and dirt. These hypoallergenic wipes are pH-balanced, alcohol-free, and will leave you feeling refreshed and clean after every use. Plus, their disposable nature makes them especially convenient, because it partially negates the need for laundry or other additional chores.

2. Scrubzz Disposable No-Rinse Bath Sponges

For those who want a thicker or more textured product for cleaning their body, Scrubzz Disposable No-Rinse Bath Sponges may be a better choice. These thin sponges are light and easy to use while still providing a thicker surface than most wipes, making them easier to hold and manipulate.

Though you will need to add a small amount of water to use the sponge, the suds it creates may be more satisfying to some who use it, because it simulates bathing and showering more closely. From there, no rinsing is required. Just towel dry, and enjoy the clean feeling this sponge leaves.

3. No-Rinse by Cleanlife Body Bath

For caregivers, the No-Rinse Cleanlife Body Bath may be the cornerstone of good personal hygiene for those you care about. It requires more upfront work than other products, though, as you have to create a mixture of the provided liquid and water. That said, there is less waste from disposable, individual-use wipes. This cleaner is great for giving bed baths, chair baths, and sponge baths because its no-rinse solution means the process is quick and relatively dry.

4. Medline Remedy Shampoo and Body Wash Foam

For those looking for as little prep work and as few products as possible, the Medline Remedy Shampoo and Body Wash Foam can be especially helpful. Simply use the built-in dispenser to apply the foam to the part of the body that needs to be cleaned, then rub it in, and towel it dry.

Since this handy product can be used on the body or the hair, it’s one less toiletry clogging up the medicine cabinet (and one less texture change for those with sensory sensitivities). This product does have a vanilla scent, so if you or the person you’re shopping for needs a scent-free product, consider a scent-free alternative like the Aloe Vesta Cleansing Foam.

5. Dove Volume & Fullness Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoo is a modern miracle that I give thanks for daily. It’s a great solution whether you need a little oil reduction between normal washes or want a clean-feeling head of hair without running water.

While dry shampoo shouldn’t be used entirely in place of other forms of hair cleaning, it’s a great way to freshen up and improve the appearance of hair without using any liquid. We tested dry shampoo to determine the best product available, and we continue to stand by as one of the lightest feeling dry shampoos on the market.

6. No-Rinse Shampoo

For something a little wetter (but still less work than a shower), No-Rinse Shampoo can be a life saver. Simply apply it to the scalp like you would any other shampoo, and rub it in until your hair is damp. Then, massage well and towel off. This shampoo is pH-balanced to avoid irritation, though it does have a light scent, so keep this in mind when shopping for anyone who may be scent sensitive.

7. Vive No-Rinse Shampoo Cap

One of the best parts about the Vive No-Rinse Shampoo Cap is how easy it is for someone to use independently. Just slip on the cap and massage the hair until it’s been reached by the formula. Its scentless and waterless no-rinse setup is great for those who may be sensitive to changing environments. Caregivers looking for ways to lessen temperature changes can also microwave the cap beforehand to help make the experience more pleasant and less disruptive.

8. Aravenel Quick Clean Hair Mist

Though the Aravenel Quick Clean Hair Mist is applied similarly to dry shampoo, it works a little differently on the hair. Some products can leave hair dry or damaged, though the mist from this Black-owned business “not only cleans and neutralizes odors, but also refreshes, soothes, and conditions.”

It works well for any hair type but is especially ideal for those with braids, locs, weaves, and protective styles. It’s worth noting this product is vanilla scented and boasts a dye-free, sulfate-free, paraben-free, and chemical-free makeup.

9. Cottonelle Freshfeel Flushable Wet Wipes

We all know that, for some bathroom trips, toilet paper just won’t cut it. It can be frustrating to get such a personal area clean, and it’s often the last place anyone wants to ask for hygiene help. Cottonelle Freshfeel Flushable Wet Wipes are a great way to get truly clean in your most personal areas, and they’re significantly easier and less overstimulating to use than a shower, bath, or bidet.

While most “flushable” wipes are infamous for clogging plumbing, Cottonelle has made it a priority to create a product that can be flushed with confidence. With more than 126,000 reviews on Amazon alone, it’s easy to see why this product is so popular.

How to bathe and shower as a caregiver

As a caregiver, it’s easy to become frustrated with a family member who refuses to bathe. The subject can be a frequent source of argument, especially for those caregiving for people with dementia or other conditions that affect the brain. While most people can’t (and shouldn't) go indefinitely without bathing, there are some tricks to keeping everything sanitary in the interim in a way all parties can agree on.

Focus your most frequent efforts on the biggest sources of smell and potential bacteria: the groin, buttocks, armpits, and underneath breasts are all common areas worth investigating. Once you know where those problem areas are, approach the process slowly, by only cleaning one of them each day.

A similar piecemeal strategy can be adopted when removing clothing as well. Consider keeping the person’s clothes on whenever possible by cleaning under their clothing instead of removing it. Alternatively, only remove one garment at a time (and immediately provide a fresh one once the area is clean). When it's time to pick your bath aids, select ones that avoid triggers like water or temperature changes based on what you know about the person.

Personal hygiene is a challenging subject, so your goal as a caregiver is to make the person being cared for as comfortable as possible. If this means the process has to happen outside the bathroom, so be it. Some folks may even feel more comfortable being fully bathed by a stranger as opposed to a family member. It might take some trial and error to get right, but it's all about finding whatever system works for the individual situation.

While a caregiver's odds for success may vary on a daily basis, remember to be patient (with the person you’re caregiving for—and with yourself, too). Needing assistance with something as personal as bathing can be a vulnerable, embarrassing experience. Accept that sometimes it just may not happen, but that doesn’t make you a bad caregiver. Do what you can when you can, and seek help when you need it.

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.