To be extra sanitary, slip on a pair of disposable gloves before you get started. [3] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source

Your test kit might have also come with a separate form—be sure to fill this out with your name, birthdate, address, and any other requested info.

If your plastic wrap doesn’t seem super secure, hold it in place with some tape. Some test kits might come with a “toilet hat” that goes directly over your toilet bowl and is held in place with the toilet seat. True to its name, it resembles an upside-down hat. [8] X Research source Some kits may come with paper that you can drape over your toilet bowl. [9] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source This step prevents toilet water from contaminating your sample.

Check your test kit instructions to see how much stool you need to collect. Many tests require a coin-sized amount (like a US quarter) for the sample. [12] X Research source

Check your test kit instructions and see if the sample needs to be placed in a brown paper bag or covered in foil instead (to keep it out of the light).

Make sure that your fridge is set to 4 °C (39 °F) when you store the sample. [17] X Research source

If you’re collecting your stool sample in the summer (or you live in a warm area), it might help to transport the specimen in a cooler during your drive to the laboratory or doctor’s office.

To prevent any pee from compromising your specimen, relieve yourself before you produce and collect any stool. Mail-in stool samples are typically collected as part of a Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT), which scans for blood in your stool (which is a potential sign of colon cancer). [20] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source

You can flush the toilet once you’ve collected the sample—the stool collection paper won’t clog your sewer or septic system. [22] X Research source

FIT tests need to be processed within 2 weeks of collection, which is why it’s important to mail them so soon.