Most women who give birth here in the United States should be familiar with perineal bottles because they are offered in hospitals to mothers after they give birth (at least that’s what I’ve been told by women in the know).
I ordered 50 perineal bottles from the Medical Supply Company for about $25, that’s 50 cents a bottle not only to use at home, but to keep one in my bag for when I’m out and about or traveling, and in my car.
I hope to convince some local masajid to begin using perineal bottles in their bathrooms as they are small enough to fill in the sink, come with tops that close to prevent accidental spills, are small enough to fit in and maneuver effectively with one hand, and are dirt cheap. I mean what else can you buy for 50 cents that doesn’t come in a gumball machine?
The ubiquitous flower watering cans that are now in use in many masajid as well as other plastic containers of varying size are often too large and unwieldy to fit in the regular bathroom sinks, are not that portable, are not easy to clean, and are prone to spill because there is no top or cover to prevent waterflow.
I hope to start a campaign for perineal bottles to be used in the masajid and during Muslim functions at hotels and schools. So watch out, perineal bottles may be coming to a bathroom in a masjid near you.
Ify Okoye 
I found a small one at Target, but Im looking for a slightly larger 1 for my bathroom.
Asalamu alaykum,
It’s good to hear J-Money that more people are catching on to the perineal bottles for use in istinja, it is simply fantastic. Welcome to the blog.
This is an awesome idea mashaAllah. I remember from conventions and almaghrib classes the bathrooms are basically destroyed: water everywhere, random cups and half-bottles around the sinks and toilets clogged up with paper. subhanAllah. And the sad part is that usually bathrooms in masajid look like this on a regular basis. We need some classes on bathroom etiquettes, purity is half of emaan.
When I was on my way to Makkah we had a flight delay in Qatar and subhanAllah I’ve never seen such dirty and digusting bathrooms. And even in the airport in Jeddah, it was horrible! I get nauseous just thinking about it. I don’t understand why Muslims have bathroom issues.
(… btw, I can’t stand those watering cans…)
LOL @ this.
HEYAH MA…i’ve got two at home. i always forget to take them with..but i’m a put one in the car with my spare Jilbab and diapers. (yes i’m a mom and have had to use them on two occasions).
Ma salaam
Ummie
I am very particular about using bathrooms, so if a bathroom is dirty, crowded, or there is water all over the place, I tend to just hold it. I definitely had AlMaghrib seminars and other Muslim functions in mind when I ordered the bottles because these events are often held at schools or hotels without facilities for istinja or wudu.
So this is an anti Lota campaign, ay? I would join the Committee for the Defense of Perineal Bottles………however……… there are some issues that might come up with their use:
1. I have seen people use these bottles in a particular Masjid … and it did not result in a decrease in water puddles on the bathroom floor. I mean….I think, and Allahualim, that its all about one’s technique. For example, if a person makes a mess with a typical lota or other device — I don’t seem to see that person will all of a sudden transform his/her messy habits and make sure that there is no water puddles on the bathroom floor.
2. At least in the Mens/boys bathroom….I see one drawback. I believe, again Allahualim, that our rambunctious Muslim youth will take advantage of these bottles and use them as makeshift water guns. Let the FUN begin boys!
3. The perineal bottles are small. What if (I won’t get graphic) someone needs an immediate refill. At least LOTAs are large enough to carry more water …. and furthermore … if there is some water still left in the LOTA — the next guy who comes in after you can benefit from the remaining water (especially if he forgets to put water in) — hey, it happens okay.
4. The perineal bottles seem a bit small and could become easily damaged or stepped on in a bathroom emergency.
5. Perineal Bottles are plain and quite frankly speaking…they lack the Bling! No decorative colors…a relatively boring shape…thin plastic body. C’mon give us something interesting to look at and ponder while we’re…uhh…nevermind.
This is definitely an anti-lota campaign.
Your points are well taken, I’ve never quite understood why people feel free to litter in public spaces nor why they feel free to leave a place dirtier than it was before they came.
I can’t say that I’m that familiar with men’s bathrooms, my focus was mainly on women’s bathrooms.
The perineal bottles hold 8 oz. of water, I think that is more than enough for most people and someone that requires more might need a lesson in water conservation.
The bottles are plain but are very portable and oh so easy to clean.
I love those! I have been using these since I gave birth to my first son in 04′. They are great. Long Live The Perineal Bottles! 🙂
Have you seen this website,-
http://www.wudumate.co.uk/
It seems to be an excellent invention by Muslims in the UK.
Great idea!
i still support the Lota. i think that it should simply be decreased in size a bit.
Why don’t they just install water hoses? I guess I’ve got spoiled living in Saudi. Masha’Allah.
My sister has just given birth and introduced me to a version of the perineal bottles..except the ones she was provided with are very small and the top is difficult to keep on. Can anyone order the bottle you show or does one have to be a medic?
Umm Adam: I think it might be a money issue, but even in bathrooms where I have encountered water hose installations, I feel like a might need a manual to use one of those things. Perineal bottles are much simpler for me. I like some things to be low-tech like can-openers and methods of istinja.
EFfloresce: Welcome to the blog, anyone can order from that website but shop around, check Amazon.com, you might be able to find one for less or I could send you a couple if you want.
Umm Adam,
The masjid that I go to has water hoses but there’s barely any water pressure in them so the water just trickles and its basically useless…
Assalamu alaykum sisters-
What a great idea! I havent had children yet, so I had no idea these bottles were in existence. Currently, I find watering cans difficult to use/aim SO, i buy regular spring water bottle with the squirty top for drinking, and then save them. I’ll be sure to pick up a few peri bottles for home, car and work. I honestly cant imagine sharing one with anybody, except maybe my husband. I guess I am a bit of a germ freak.
Nonetheless, a brilliant idea! May Allah (swt) reward you for making my life a little easier!
Jazzakullahu Khayran!
Hidaya
Asalamu alaykum Hidaya,
Welcome to the blog, glad that you found some benefit here.
Thanks! Good posts here 😉
Ma Salama!
Assalamu Alaykum,
Can I buy one off of you? hmmm. Or maybe I’ll try Target. I just use Spring Water bottles. I’m really really particular about public restrooms too. We really need to focus on educating the Muslim Ummah on bathroom etiquette and cleanliness in general 😉 After taking ‘The Purification Act’ with AlMaghrib my whole idea of hygiene has changed. Now I have a better understanding of why hygiene is sooo important in Islam.
Nice and beneficial post =)
Asalamu alaykum Nafsee,
I forgot to give you the bottles last weekend, in sha Allah this weekend I’ll bring a couple for you, free of charge.
This is cool! I actually already have been promoting them for a while. These things are really great. Forget men then. If they don’t want them, women should use them.
Does no one use tomato sauce bottles, you know the cheap ones you can buy at the supermarket: http://www.buyfromhome.co.uk/images/5012904094196.jpg
Asalamu alaykum,
Umm Layth: I think perineal bottles are great, lightweight, highly portable even when full, and affordable.
Umm Yasmin: The tomato sauce bottles are definitely more stylish but I think I’ll stick to the clear plastic of the perineal bottle as it fits the decor of any bathroom.
As Salaamu Alaikum;
I don’t know about you, but the watering cans SUCK! They are too, big, too difficult to aim (how many times have you gotten water on your jilbab, so that when you leave the hamaam it looks like you don’t know how to use it properly?! Try aiming those bad boys behind you when you have to clean “back there”!), and worse of all, they get a slimy residue at the bottom (ya’ll know what I’m talking about) because no one ever cleans the things! It’s standing water! It collects bacteria! YUCK! Why would we want to put that water back on our bodies for cleansing! I have seen scum in people’s bottles! Ewww!
CLEANING HINT: Whether you prefer the can or the bottle, clean that blickie at least once every two weeks (more if there are lots of people in your house). Pour about 2 tablespoons of bleach into the watering can or bottle. Fill it up with water and let it stand for about 1 hour. Have a back-up for people to use while the other one is being cleaned. After an hour rinse it several times WELL with warm water, then put plain water back in it. For the bottle, do this with the cap, too. Soak it in 1 teaspoon of bleach in a cup of water, then rinse it well also.
The perineal bottles are wonderful; 1)easy to fill, 2) easy to aim, 3) the soft plastic makes them easy to squeeze, 4) the holes in the top feel like your getting a nice little shower.
Muslim Apple, you can get them for less than 50 cents per bottle. Try this site: Perineal Bottles, Fifty bottles for $18.25 comes out to 37 cents/bottle. Buy a case and give to the local masjid.
I had a little bazaar at my house once and sold them along with little cloth sacks that I sewed that had a drawstring closure. I used pretty fabrics so sisters could put them in guest bathrooms or in purse/diaper bags and not feel weird from the stares of non-Muslims in the public bathrooms. But sometimes if they see the bottle it can be an opening into a good discussion about Muslims and what they do. So many people think we’re strange, but if they learn about something as simple as cleanliness in Islam, they may leave with a different opinion about Muslims. Europeans use bidets…our bidets are just portable!
Asalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah,
Welcome to the blog Umm Atiyya, I think you said it perfectly, having the ability to clean the istinja containers is super important and those watering cans cannot be cleaned properly or maneuvered well.
As Salaamu -Aleh-kum
Im a muslim from the United Kingdom, and i have been trying to obtain a perineal bottle, but the website/company does not ship any out of the U.S. Therefore i was wondering if someone could send me one after ive sent them payment for a bottle via paypal??
W/Salaam
Asalamu alaykum, Mr Khan.
Surely, there must be some medical supply distributors of perineal bottles in the UK? Don’t the hopsitals use them over there for women after childbirth? I think it would be easier and much cheaper to try to find some locally but if not, then perhaps I can help you in sha Allah.
I cant seem to find any. The hospitals do use them over here (i think), but they do not supply products to the general public. If you could send me one, and i will send you payment for it via paypal?
Salaams,
Is water from plastic bottles really safe? More and more plastic is becoming quite controversial. In fact, many are turning away from drinking water from plastic bottles. As I understand it, the water leeches toxic chemicals from the plastic which we in turn consume. There’s no telling what the implications may be for squirting water from plastic bottles onto the genitals. Of course, Allahu Alam.
Anyway, I’ve had a practice of saving my dish detergent bottles for istinja use in my home bathrooms, but I’m currently pondering some other ideas now.
Asalamu alaykum Pamela,
Yes, I agree that recent studies have raised concerns about certain kinds of plastic used commonly in drink bottles but I’m not too worried about my perineal bottles. Give the perineal bottles a try, if you have been using dish detergent bottles then I think you will enjoy them.
Salaam!
I wanted to know if anyone could help me find a good ayah, hadith, or a good quote from a reliable source on Cleanliness in Islam. The bathrooms at my masjid are ALWAYS scary to go into especially on nights that we are having Qiyaams so I’m hoping to remind people that if you’re coming to pray make sure you don’t destroy the Masjid while you’re at it! Thanks.
Asalamu alaykum,
May Allah make it easy for you Sarah. There are ayat and hadeeth about cleanliness but most of them emphasize keeping yourself clean, which is arguably what those people that make a mess in the bathroom are doing as opposed to keeping the area clean, which should be a given and common sense.
“Allah loves those who turn to Him constantly and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean.” [Baqarah 2:222]
Narrated AbuMalik al-Ash’ari:
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Cleanliness is half of faith and Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah) fills the scale, and SubhanAllah (Glory be to Allah) and Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah) fill up what is between the heavens and the earth, and prayer is a light, and charity is proof (of one’s faith) and endurance is a brightness and the Qur’an is a proof on your behalf or against you. All men go out early in the morning and sell themselves, thereby setting themselves free or destroying themselves. (Sahih Muslim Book 2, Number 0432)
http://islamic-world.net/sister/h20.htm
It is reported that the Prophet (peace be on him) said:
“Cleanse yourself, for Islam is cleanliness.” (Reported by Ibn Hayyan.)
“Cleanliness invites toward faith, and faith leads its possessor to the Garden. (Reported by al-Tabarani.)”
http://www.itsislam.net/articles/cleanliness_in_islam.asp
I was surfing the net one day looking for a Bidet Attachment for the toilet which I had seen at someone’s house. To my surprise I found a Muslim Business in Toronto Canada called
( http://www.istinja.ca ) in my hometown. So after surfing the selection that they had on line i decided to give the brothers a call to get a little bit more information about the bidet attachments and the installation process. I decided that I wanted the Gold Bidet from there website the brother delivered the bidet to my house for free. It came with all the parts needed to install and easy to fellow instructions. It took me about a half hour to install on my own and I’m not even a technical guy. I only have one thing to say this is the best investment i have ever made.
Honestly if this is in public place I would not use, after having children and useing this type , I would not want to share with anyone else sorry , santary issues there …