How to Prep for Anal Play: A Complete Guide to Clean, Confident Backdoor Pleasure

Exploring anal play can be exciting, empowering, and deeply pleasurable—when you're prepared. If you're curious about how to get your booty ready for anal sex or play, this step-by-step guide will walk you through everything you need to know to feel confident, clean, and fully relaxed.

Preparation Matters for Anal Play

Contrary to common misconceptions, anal sex doesn't have to be messy or uncomfortable. With proper hygiene and preparation, anal pleasure can be a safe, satisfying, and deeply intimate sensual experience. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your routine, these expert-backed tips will help you ease into anal play with peace of mind.

Step 1: Have a Bowel Movement First

The most natural way to prep for anal play is to go to the bathroom beforehand.

• Feces are stored higher up in the colon, not in the rectum.

• Once you've had a bowel movement, there’s usually very little left in the anal canal.

• However, if you're constipated, have an irregular diet, or suffer from digestive issues, more residue may remain.

Tip: If your bowel health is unpredictable, adding more fiber to your diet and drinking plenty of water daily can improve regularity.

Step 2: Embrace Realistic Expectations

It’s important to acknowledge: the anus is where waste exits the body. Even with cleaning, trace amounts of fecal matter may remain. This is normal and nothing to be ashamed of. If the idea of encountering a little mess during anal sex stresses you out, it's okay to take your time or stick with external stimulation.

Some people laugh it off and clean up; others prefer extra preparation—and that’s where enemas come in.

Step 3: Consider an Enema for Extra Confidence

What Is an Enema?

An enema is the process of gently flushing the rectum with water to help clear out any remaining fecal matter. It’s a safe and simple way to feel squeaky clean before anal play.

How to Use an Enema Safely

1. Choose a proper enema kit – Available at most pharmacies or online.

2. Use only lukewarm, clean water – Tap, distilled, or filtered water is ideal. Avoid hot water, soaps, or douches.

3. Take your time – Allow yourself to expel the water naturally, repeating if needed.

4. Wait at least 2 hours before anal sex – This gives your body time to settle and avoid last-minute surprises.

5. Clean your enema kit after use – And never share it with others.

Hygiene Tip: Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after the process.

Step 4: Practice Good Anal Hygiene

Taking a shower or bath is essential before any anal activity.

• Use a mild, fragrance-free soap to avoid irritating sensitive anal skin.

• Gently clean the outside and, optionally, use a soapy finger to clean just inside the anal opening.

• Rinse thoroughly.

You can repeat this step for a more thorough cleanse, but avoid being too aggressive, which can cause irritation.

Step 5: Explore Solo Play to Build Comfort

Before inviting a partner into your backdoor adventures, start solo. Familiarizing yourself with anal sensations builds trust in your body and helps you relax.

How to Start:

• Use a lubed finger to gently massage the area around your anus.

• Start with just the tip of your finger (short nails only!).

• Focus on slow breathing and relaxation.

• Allow time for your internal and external anal sphincters to adjust.

The external sphincter is the outer ring you can see and control. The internal sphincter is a bit deeper and takes more time to relax.

Step 6: Train with a Small Butt Plug

Butt plugs are an excellent tool for preparing your body for anal play.

• Start with a mini or medium-sized plug.

• Always use plenty of lube – the anus does not self-lubricate. We love this silicone lubricant by Sitre

• Practice inserting it during solo sessions or even while masturbating to increase comfort and stretch over time.

Product Tip: ONNA BONBON plugs come in mini, medium and large sizes and three colours, perfect for both beginners and pros. Choose the mini size if you are just starting out. 

Extra Tips for Safe, Pleasurable Anal Play

• Always use lots of lube—more than you think you need.

• Communicate with your partner and go slowly.

• Stay relaxed and curious—you’re exploring a powerful source of pleasure.

• Read our complete guide to anal pleasure for beginners

Ready to Explore Anal Pleasure and Actually Enjoy It?

Anal play isn’t some high-stakes performance. It’s a personal, intimate experience that gets better the more relaxed, curious, and informed you are. Cleanliness helps, but confidence and communication are what really make the difference.

You don’t need to be an expert. You don’t need to get everything “perfect.” You just need to be comfortable in your body, open to sensation, and okay with learning as you go.

Take your time. Go at your pace.
Laugh if it gets awkward.
Pause if it doesn’t feel right.
Celebrate when it does.

Anal pleasure is a practice—not a test. And the more you explore, the more you’ll discover just how good it can feel.