How to Discreetly Pee Outside in Public

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Easy ways to relieve yourself discreetly in public or in nature
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Peeing outside can either be a convenience or a hassle, particularly when you’re attending a sports practice or other group activity. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to relieve yourself without drawing any extra attention. We’ll walk you through the best ways to pee in public without anyone noticing, how to stay clean during and after the fact (especially women/AFAB individuals), and how to relax when you’re peeing in an unfamiliar spot.

Things Females Should Know

  • Choose a location as far away from crowds as possible, or in a forested area with soft ground or a gentle slope.
  • Get into a lunge position or "wall sit" against a tree or other object to pee without soiling your clothes.
  • Hide your backside with a sarong or shawl or wear a skirt over your shorts to disguise the fact that you’re peeing.
Section 1 of 4:

Choosing a Suitable Location

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  1. Whether you’re with friends, teammates, or random strangers, make your best effort to find a semi-secluded (or completely secluded) place where you can conduct your business privately . A treeline or forest could be a great option if there’s one nearby.
    • If you’re a cisgender male, it's fine for you to start peeing as soon as you’ve found a semi-private spot. Just try to make sure that all cars or passersby are far enough away and will only see your back if they see you at all.
    • In the hiking and camping communities, it’s a common practice to step 200 ft (0.061 km) (around 70 steps) away from nearby campsites or hiking trails as a courtesy to others. [1] Try to follow that philosophy as much as possible whenever/wherever you decide to pee outside!
    • Some outdoor enthusiasts also suggest finding an inclined spot to pee, so the urine travels along the slope (rather than collecting near you).
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Section 2 of 4:

Best Peeing Strategies for Females

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  1. Slip into comfortable, snug shorts with a short skirt layered over top. When you have to pee, the skirt will keep you covered even after you pull your shorts down.
    • If you anticipate being in a situation where you’ll have to discreetly pee outside, try wearing a more flexible garment ahead of time, like shorts or pants made by Zip Hers (a brand that features a zipper that goes to the back waistband).
  2. Prop your right knee up so your right thigh and calf create a right angle. Rest your left knee on the ground so your left leg extends back. Carefully lower your shorts and maneuver the fabric so it’s not blocking your genitals. Start urinating whenever you feel comfortable doing so.
  3. Identify which side of the tree gives you the best coverage from any people you’re near. Squat down, leaning your back against the tree as you go. Then, carefully lower your shorts or pants so you have enough space to comfortably urinate without soiling your clothes. [2]
  4. Secure the sarong , shawl , towel, or another large piece of fabric around your hips (so your groin area is completely covered up). Then, squat down and do your business, letting the fabric completely block your backside. [3]
  5. Use a pee funnel . A pee funnel is a conical device placed near the urethra that makes it easier for AFAB individuals to direct and control their pee stream. If you’re able to find a somewhat secluded area, partially pull down your pants (or unzip your fly) and place the pee funnel over your urethra. [4]
    • There are a lot of different pee funnels out there. Browse online and find one that’s best for you and your body type!
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Section 3 of 4:

Staying Clean (for Females)

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  1. If you anticipate needing to pee outdoors frequently, it could be worth getting a pee rag—a reusable piece of fabric that you use in place of toilet paper. Any type of cloth can work for this, but a Kula Cloth is your best bet if you want something antimicrobial. Wipe yourself with the cloth in the same way you’d use toilet paper. [5]
    • Be sure to clean the pee rag as soon as you get back home.
  2. Stick a pantyliner to the center of your underwear if you expect you’ll need to pee outside. If you’re an AFAB individual, it’s easy to soil your underwear while peeing outside—a pantyliner can help soak up some of the mess. [6]
  3. It’s a great idea to take some toilet paper with you if you anticipate needing to pee outside. However, leaving your TP on the ground isn’t a great idea. Once you’ve wiped yourself down, stick the used toilet paper in a bag so it’s easy to dispose of later. [7]
    • If you aren’t able to bring any sort of rag or toilet paper with you, try to shake off the extra urine before standing back up.
  4. If peeing outside is a frequent necessity for you, it could be worth packing an extra pair or two of underwear before you head out. That way, if your underwear gets soiled by mistake, you’ll have a clean replacement at the ready. [8]
  5. Squeeze a small dollop of hand sanitizer onto your hands—make sure there’s enough to coat your fingers, palms, and the back of your hands. For the next 20 seconds or so, massage your hands together until they no longer feel damp to the touch. [9]
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Section 4 of 4:

Relaxation Tips for Females

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  1. Before preparing to pee in a more public area, review some common relaxation strategies that can help lower anxiety and promote relaxation, like: [10]
    • Visualization: Envision a soothing place in your mind, like a calm lake or a babbling brook. Pretend that you’re actually there—what do you see? What do you smell? What do you hear?
    • Progressive muscle relaxation : Split your muscles into different groups (e.g., toes, feet, calves, thighs, etc.). Tense up and relax these muscle groups separately, ending with the muscles around your head. [11]
    • Deep breathing : Take several deep, slow breaths. As you breathe, focus on how your body feels during the process. [12]
  2. If the idea of peeing outside makes you anxious, don’t fret—instead, focus on adjusting yourself to the foreign experience. Start by peeing in places that are a little out of your comfort zone (like at a friend or relative’s home) before transitioning to more public locations (like a public restroom or in the great outdoors). [13]
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      Tips

      • If you plan on using toilet paper after urinating outside, make sure to store it in a baggy once you’re done. Dispose of the used toilet paper properly as soon as you’re able to. [14]
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • If you have a coat on, sit and throw the coat over yourself while you go. Ask someone to talk with you during this to help hide what you are doing.
      • If possible, try and find a proper toilet to use (even a portable one). Only pee outside as an absolute last resort.
      • If you're assigned male at birth, be careful peeing against a wall. The urine may splash back on you.
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      Warnings

      • Keep in mind that peeing in public is against the law in certain places. However, recent studies have consistently shown that these laws are out of the public sentiment in most cases. As a result, many laws in this regard have been modified.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aB28PUrXM-o&t=35s
      2. ↑ https://exploringwild.com/ways-to-pee-outside-women/
      3. ↑ https://exploringwild.com/ways-to-pee-outside-women/
      4. ↑ https://www.wta.org/go-outside/trail-smarts/how-to/how-to-poop-in-the-woods
      5. ↑ https://www.wta.org/go-outside/trail-smarts/how-to/how-to-poop-in-the-woods
      6. ↑ https://exploringwild.com/ways-to-pee-outside-women/
      7. ↑ https://www.wta.org/go-outside/trail-smarts/how-to/how-to-poop-in-the-woods
      8. ↑ https://blog.nols.edu/2021/06/04/how-to-poop-pee-manage-a-period
      9. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/about/hand-sanitizer.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/hand-sanitizer-use.html
      1. ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/shy-bladder-syndrome
      2. ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/relaxation-techniques-for-stress-relief.htm
      3. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/six-relaxation-techniques-to-reduce-stress
      4. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22208-shy-bladder-syndrome-paruresis#management-and-treatment
      5. ↑ https://www.wta.org/go-outside/trail-smarts/how-to/how-to-poop-in-the-woods

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To urinate outside discreetly, find a quiet, isolated space, like behind a wall or bush. If you can, find a dark place away from street lights where you won’t be noticed as easily. Try to find a soft surface to pee on, like dirt or grass, which will sound quieter than peeing on concrete or brick. If you’re stuck in traffic, try to find a wooded area near the highway, or have a friend hold up a blanket or towel for some privacy. Avoid peeing anywhere near children or on public transportation, as this can have serious legal consequences. For tips on urinating publicly as a homeless person, like how to defend yourself legally if you are fined, keep reading!

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        Jun 1, 2019

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