How to Take a Shower if You're Blind or Visually Impaired

Showering as a blind or visually impaired person should be as comfortable as it is for anyone else. Rely on your sense of touch, choose the right kind of products, and design your bathroom in a way that works for you. Follow a few safety guidelines and good habits, and showering will be no problem at all.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Developing Good Showering Habits

Whether or not you’re using a shower that you’re familiar with, turn on the cold water first. Then, mix in hot water until the water reaches the temperature you desire. Use your hand to test the temperature of the water before you jump in the shower. This will keep you from being scalded by overly hot water, or shocked by water that’s too cold.
2
Rely on your sense of touch as you shower. Once you begin taking a shower, keep in mind that your other senses will guide you. In particular, use your sense of touch to help you determine how much of products like shampoo and body wash to use, and to check for areas that need to be cleaned or rinsed, etc.^{[1]XResearch source}
- For instance, while you may not be able to see exactly how much shampoo is coming out of the bottle, you can distribute it from the bottle into the palm of your hand so that you can feel how much is there. That way, you won’t use too much or too little.
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3
Keep shower items in easy reach. Designate places for things like shampoo, body wash, washcloths, and your towel. Be consistent about putting these things in the right place before, during, and after your shower. That way, you won’t have any problems finding what you need, and showering will be more streamlined and comfortable.^{[2]XResearch source}
- Hanging a shower caddy is an easy way to gather all of your showering products into a single place.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Selecting Products to Use

Whenever possible, purchase shower products that come in non-breakable containers. This will help eliminate the risk of accidents.
Many products, including shampoos, body washes, and lotions come in containers that have pump dispensers rather than tops that twist off or pop open. Not only are these convenient, they will also help you avoid spills. Choose products with pump dispensers whenever possible.
You can also rely on your sense of touch to help you select the right materials to use in the shower. For instance, you can use one cloth for washing your face, and select a cloth with a contrasting texture to use for washing your body. Likewise, if your shampoo and conditioner bottles are the same size and shape, place a rubber band around one of them so you can tell them apart.^{[3]XResearch source}
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Equipping Your Bathroom

Slip-resistant stickers, strips, and mats are readily available, and are designed to prevent falls on the slick wet surface of your shower. You can find these sorts of materials at home supply stores and many general merchandise stores. They usually install easily, just like a sticker.
2
Install a grab bar in your shower. Getting in and out of your shower will be much easier if you have something to hold onto. You can also use a grab bar as an orienting point while you are showering.
- Grab bars can be found at home supply and hardware stores.
It’s a good idea to have a mat to step onto once you get out of the shower. This will collect any water that drips off of you, keeping it from pooling on the bathroom floor and posing a slip hazard. Look for a mat that has a bottom surface that is non-slip or that will attach to the floor (with suction cups, for instance).
4
Install additional lighting. If you are partially sighted, having your bathroom as bright as possible will make it easier to find items in your shower, and to get in and out safely. You can have additional light installed on your bathroom wall or ceiling, or just add a lamp to increase illumination.
- Position the lights so that they illuminate the shower itself and the sink area. These are the places which will benefit the most from additional lighting.
5
Choose contrasting items and decor. If you are partially sighted, then increasing the contrast of items will make it easier to locate things and to distinguish similar items. This applies to shower and bathroom fixtures as well as to toiletries and showering products. For instance:
- If you have a light-colored shower, choose a dark-colored shower curtain.
- Choose cloths that contrast sharply in color (such as a black one and a white one).
- You can also do things like install a dark colored toilet seat on a light colored toilet, and put a strip of high-contrast tape at your desired fill line in your tub, to make it easier to navigate your bathroom in general.
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