Most cats hate water, right? That’s why they go through the trouble of licking themselves and coughing up disgusting clumps of their own fur, all in an attempt to avoid ever having to be cleaned. Despite this fact, many people insist on bathing their hydrophobic felines. If you are one of these people, here’s a handy three step guide to bathing your cat (awesome/pitiful pictures included).

Step 1: Find a cat that actually likes taking a bath.

If your cat looks like this, you did something wrong:

Step 2: Wash.

Just like newly permed hair, your cat’s ears must be protected. Try using a shower cap. If none are available, a plastic bag will work just fine.

Step 3: Dry.