No mess, no fuss: We tried PH’s 1st self-service pet bath
What can be accomplished in 20 minutes? You can make a sandwich, answer emails, take a power nap, or groom your dog.
The last one, we’re sure, is possible because my daughter and I decided to spend a weekend bathing our family dog. But we didn’t do it at home. Instead, we did it in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) after our beloved pet spent a day running on pavement and grass.
My daughter and I were the only people in the glass kiosk of Bubble-It-Yourself (BIY) by Pretty Bubble Boutique. BIY is the first self-service pet bath kiosk in the country, located at the G/F High Street South Corporate Plaza, 26th St., BGC, Taguig City.
BIY managing director Shin So-young said this type of grooming service is common in South Korea, where expensive labor has driven its popularity. She brought the concept to the Philippines after noticing many large dogs living in condominiums. Curious about how pet owners groomed their dogs in such confined spaces, she asked them directly.
“They said they get back pain from cleaning the house after showering their pets because it’s a mess,” So-young told Lifestyle.
Everything included
We walked into BIY and told the receptionist we were going to bathe our dog. They took one look at us and immediately handed us waterproof aprons and a towel.
We didn’t bring anything for this stop, but we never really had to. A table stocked with brushes, cotton buds, and ear-cleaning oil were available for use. We took our time detangling Bandit’s fur and cleaning his ears. There was no pressure to hurry, though their groomer, Jeric, would occasionally stand outside the cubicle to check that both the humans and the four-pawed guests were comfortable.
When we were satisfied that his fur was tangle-free, we placed Bandit in the wash tub. The tub had two levels to accommodate both large and small dogs. Bandit (named after the animated pup Bluey’s dad), sat in the tub curiously, awaiting what was in store for him. He didn’t bark or try to escape, so we didn’t need to put a leash on him. There was a circular slot designed for hanging the leash if needed.
“We’re just like Girl With The Dogs!” my daughter said when she saw the setup. She was referring to the social media-famous pet groomer who shares funny stories about the dogs she bathes.
At BIY, each cubicle has a machine that dispenses water, 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner, and a hair blower. A pre-loaded RFID card is provided to activate the machine. Instructions are printed under the buttons, but a video tutorial also plays on top of the timer, showing how to operate it.
A couple of taps on the card reader, and the wash tub lights up. Each 20-minute session costs P380, with an additional P190 charged for every extra 10 minutes.
The water temperature can be adjusted using a knob, while a pause button allows users to stop water flow at any time. However, the timer continues counting down even when the water and shampoo are paused. The shampoo-conditioner combo is pre-mixed into the water, and we were surprised at how quickly Bandit’s fur lathered up. Washing and rinsing took only 10 minutes.
With time to spare, we moved on to blow-drying. Bandit panicked at the sound of the dryer, but after adjusting the speed, we were able to calm him down. He was still slightly damp when our time ran out, but instead of extending our session, we opted to try their pet coat dryer with ionic technology for an additional P100 for five minutes.
Coat dryer
“Negative ions are really good and beneficial for pets, especially because they reduce frizziness, calm the skin, and improve blood circulation,” So-young explained. “That’s why, after it’s done, you can instantly feel that the fur is softer, and the skin is more moisturized.”
There were three glass-enclosed booths of varying sizes, designed to accommodate different dog breeds. If you bring multiple dogs, you could place three small ones inside the largest booth and pay the same amount.
So-young pointed out that this is a hack pet owners can use—bathing multiple small dogs at the same time as long as they fit inside the tub and booths. Since the service is time-based, pet owners can maximize their sessions.
Bandit panicked again when placed inside the glass enclosure, pressing his face against the glass to make sure we didn’t leave him. But as the warm air started blowing, his eyes slowly closed, and he drifted off to sleep—while standing.
He was still happy when we opened the door, though. The shampoo and conditioner were unscented, but pet owners could return to the booth to brush their dogs again and spritz them with the cologne provided. Bandit’s fur felt soft and shiny afterward.
Before leaving, we also tried the nail-cutting service. It was the only time we were hands-off. The entire experience felt like a pet-friendly version of a coin laundromat—you do everything yourself, but the machines provide all the tools needed for a professional finish.
