Cleaning (myself) up after a ride and before work

[BatCoach]

This brings me back to when I boarded that a place w/ no electricity or arena lights so when winter came the only time I could ride was in the mornings before work. It also had only porta-poties, so I had to change at work. Thankfully my office had a bathroom where I could lock the door and have total privacy rather than trying to strip of tall boots and breeches in a bath room stall (impossible!)

Cover as much of you as possible, gloves, long-sleeved sunshirt, cap or bandana. Since the heat is a problem, can you ride earlier in the morning when it is cooler out thus making you sweat less?

The products I always had in my ‘quick change’ bag
Batiste dry shampoo was a total lifesaver. its like $6 and you can get it at some target stores.
makeup remover wipes - cleans better and less sticky than a baby wipe
scented lotion - its not as heavy as a spray, depending on the brand
deodorant.
totally fresh change of clothes - including undergarments and shoes.
makeup bag - putting on some makeup after scrubbing my face with the wipes me feel like the transition from barn to business was complete.

I also totally agree with have an opaque nail color - it can be a neutral tone as long as its thick enough to hide the barn scuz!

[meupatdoes]

I would get a bikini top and wash my top half inclusive of hair in the washstall.

Or do a $10 planet fitness membership as someone else suggested.

But then again, I can’t even sit in my house with barn on me. Maybe in my youth, but no more.

[StGermain]

Does your hospital have a fitness center for employees? I had a friend who would ride before work and shower in the work fitness center. She had to pay maybe $10/month to join, since most of the cost is paid by the company (it reduces their insurance rates to have a small gym on-site).

StG

[amb]

Today I learned that there are trailers with living quarters that include a shower and thought of this thread. (Clearly I move in the wrong circles!) Barn doesn’t have a shower? Bring your own!

Looking around at some of the more elaborate options makes me wonder if there are barns that would just let you live in your trailer. There are some dang nice setups out there.

[Renn_aissance]

@TWH Girl

You guys are lucky. I got the sweat gene. I sweat just existing, let alone exerting any physical energy! lol I so want to be the person who’s eye make up does not sweat into their eye, or who has long flowing hair, just slightly flat after an 80 degree ride…sigh. Very jealous here. Carry on!

Primer, powder, and setting spray. Let me know when you figure out the hair. Mine gets outrageously gross.

OP, I wash my hair in the wash rack with Vetrolin bath and do a sponge bath in the bathroom. 100% agreed on keeping your barn shoes on until you get back to the car to go to work!

[OverandOnward]

Instead of baby wipes, use “grownup wipes”. These are disposable wipes/washcloths that can be bought in packs from many drugstores, are pre-wetted with comfortable cleaning stuff, and are ready to clean up anything on an adult human body. (Anything!) Conquering odor is a primary purpose of these wipes. Have a clean washrag as well, and after the wipe, wipe off again with a clean wet washrag to remove the light cleaning stuff and lotion the wipes leave behind.

They can be found in many drugstores, but for example CVS has them labeled as “premium wash cloths” that “clean, moisturize and deodorize”, and come in a white plastic box with a blue lid, 32 to the box. I think it’s about $9/box. Depending on how adept you are with their use, you may get by with 1 per cleaning session as they are not small (but not large either).

These wipes are designed for caring for bedridden and other patients who can’t get into a bath or shower. Body odor can be a problem in those situations and the wipes are excellent with that. The wipes take the place of sponge baths, and like sponge baths they do need a clean-cloth wipe as a follow-up. They are brilliant anytime a body cleanup is in order without a bath or shower.

You may also need to learn more effective cleaning techniques. They teach classes in this to caretakers and nurses, and there is plenty of video online. Caretakers have learned that there is a way to give one to two swipes under the arms that gets the job done, and in other places as well. Fast, comfortable and efficient.

Oh and, if the ‘barn odor’ really is more from the barn than the body, check where you are storing your change of clothes - in what bag, and next to what. Odor is transferable. Not to mention that we call it “the barn car” for a reason.

[quietann]

Update: I tried several things recommended, and what I have settled on is

(a) sponge bath with Dr. Teal’s lavender Epsom salts (doesn’t have to be rinsed and the scent is OK for my workplace.) Sponge bath is all over; I strip down to nothing and have a completely fresh change of clothes to get into.

I have discovered that I prefer washcloths over “poufs.” I put a big beach towel down on the floor to absorb the drips and splashes.

(b) I found that dry shampoos dried out my hair too much, but the foaming shampoo product made for showerless senior hair care is just fine. I should note that I have shortish, curly hair that doesn’t really require any “styling” as long as I am OK with some variation day to day. It’s truly “wash and wear.”

This is working pretty well. A/C in the bathroom really helps a lot, and to get from the bathroom to the car I take two steps into the barn aisle and then go through the very clean tackroom… I asked a coworker I trust if she could tell when I went to the barn before work, and she said only because I’m coming in late and I have a smile on my face!

Dirty fingernails are the bane of my existence and still an issue…

[mkevent]

Dirty fingernails- as kinda weird as it sounds, I use a wet bar of soap and scratch my fingernails into the bar. I then use the sharp end of a metal nail file to clean under my fingernails. It works pretty well.

[andhourspass]

Great update quietann, thanks! Do you mind sharing what brand of the senior showerless shampoo you’re using?

[quietann]

@andhourspass

Great update quietann, thanks! Do you mind sharing what brand of the senior showerless shampoo you’re using?

It’s the CVS generic one. It’s a foam, should be located with products oriented toward senior care.

[jumperanonymous]

This is the best thread ever.

I had the reverse going when I worked in NYC full time. I would change from work clothes to riding clothes in the NJ Transit train bathroom. I had to do this in order to have enough time to take up for my 7 pm lesson. It was gross, but I needed to ride.

I would also suggest essential oils to be used as a perfume. A mint one is great as its refreshing and natural so shouldn’t bother others like a body spray.

Someone suggested a gym membership, and yes, Planet Fitness is only $10 a month. But you would need to get in your car, drive there get out, bring all your stuff in, and I think a lot of time would be wasted.

If you keep moisturized regularly, your skin will be less absorbant. This could also help.

I’ve got to ask all of you though, what deodorant are you using? I have tried all kinds and nothing seems to really work well through a hot riding session.

[Mukluk]

I keep mine at home so don’t have this issue. However, given my lack of time I sometimes use this https://www.rei.com/search.html?q=no…=stores%3Anull on a washcloth to clean up when I’m in too much of a hurry to take a shower. I think it is more economical and better for the environment than wipes. Also use dry shampoo as needed. I think it’s great that you are getting your rides in despite the inconvenience!!!

Edit: There are more choices of no rinse body bath at Amazon and you can buy in larger volumes there as well.

[paintedtrails]

Love this thread, I’m usually going from work to the barn but when I have middle of the day appointments with vet or farrier I have to run back and forth (or early and then to work) and know there is always that hint of barn smell off my boots at least if I didn’t fully change.
I have used my trailer dressing room many times for changing one way or the other! lol But, I have been searching for a ‘dry shampoo’ to use so I will check out the senior hair care stuff. I too have short hair and it is usually wash & wear except in winter when I dry it to not freeze!