Sitz Bath Timer: Soak for 10 to 15 Minutes

A sitz bath is a short soak in a few inches of warm water that covers just your hips and buttocks. MedlinePlus suggests 10 to 15 minutes at a time, 2 to 3 times a day. Pick your time, press start, and relax. A soft chime tells you when you're done.

For education only, not medical advice. This timer is a comfort tool. It doesn't diagnose or treat any condition and doesn't replace your doctor. Use warm, not hot, water. Stop if the water feels too hot or your skin gets irritated. If you think you have a medical emergency, call 911.
Step 1
Get set up
Step 2
Choose your soak time
15:00Ready

All done. Stand up slowly and gently pat the area dry with a clean towel. Don't rub.

Step 3
Today's soaks

0 soaks today

Counted automatically when a timer finishes. MedlinePlus suggests 2 to 3 soaks a day. Saved only on this device.

How to take a sitz bath, step by step

  1. Clean your tub or sitz basin first.
  2. In a tub, add 3 to 4 inches of warm, not hot, water. The water should cover only your hips and buttocks.
  3. Sit down with your knees bent and start the timer.
  4. Soak for 10 to 15 minutes.
  5. Stand up slowly and gently pat yourself dry with a clean towel.

Want more detail, photos, and tips? Read our full guide on how to do a sitz bath at home.

How long and how often

MedlinePlus recommends sitting in a sitz bath 2 to 3 times a day for 10 to 15 minutes each time. Harvard Health describes the same 10 to 15 minute soak and notes that a regular sitz bath can relieve itching and irritation from hemorrhoids.

Do I need to add anything to the water?

No. Plain warm water works. Some people like a bath additive for scent or feel. If you do, our Sitz Bath Soak Mix is an optional add-in for external use only. Patch test first and stop if irritation develops. If you use it, here's how to clean the residue from your tub.

When to call a doctor instead

Harvard Health advises seeing a doctor for rectal bleeding, a lump in the anus, or ongoing rectal pain, since these can be signs of a different or more serious problem. A sudden, hard, very painful lump may be a thrombosed hemorrhoid. Contact your doctor, as it may need a procedure.

Frequently asked questions

How long should you sit in a sitz bath?

About 10 to 15 minutes each time. That's the range both MedlinePlus and Harvard Health describe.

How many sitz baths a day?

MedlinePlus suggests 2 to 3 times a day. Follow your doctor's instructions if they gave you a different schedule.

Should the water be hot or warm?

Warm, not hot, as Harvard Health advises. Test the water with your hand first so it feels comfortably warm.

Can I use my bathtub instead of a sitz basin?

Yes. Fill the tub with 3 to 4 inches of warm water and sit with your knees bent. A sitz basin fits over the toilet seat and uses less water.

Keep reading

More free tools

Sources: MedlinePlus, Anal fissure (sitz bath directions); Harvard Health, Help for hemorrhoids. Last updated September 2026.

Medical disclaimer: This timer and the information on this page are for general education and comfort only and are not medical advice. They do not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition, and they are not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a doctor or other qualified healthcare provider. Always follow your healthcare provider's instructions, including any after surgery or childbirth, and never delay getting care because of something you read here. Use warm, not hot, water and take care getting in and out of the tub to avoid slips. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. Hemorrhoid.com and Revivol-XR do not provide medical services. Your soak count is saved only in this browser; we don't collect it.