After a knee injury made it difficult for Norwegian photographer Claus Jørstad to shower while standing, he came up with what seemed like a practical solution: using an IKEA Marius stool as a makeshift shower seat. The inexpensive plastic stool allowed him to sit down while bathing and seemed like a convenient way to make the process easier while he recovered.

However, the simple solution quickly turned into an extremely embarrassing mishap. During a hot shower, one of his testicles became trapped in one of the holes in the stool’s seat. The heat from the water caused swelling, making the situation even more difficult and leaving him unable to free himself immediately.

Jørstad eventually managed to escape the unusual predicament after the water cooled and the swelling went down. Rather than keeping the embarrassing experience private, he decided to share the story on IKEA Norway’s Facebook page, along with an explanation of what had happened. The bizarre incident quickly attracted thousands of shares and comments online.

The story became a viral example of how an ordinary household product can sometimes be used in ways its designers never anticipated. IKEA Norway responded with a humorous warning reminding users to use the stool appropriately. What began as a simple solution to a knee injury ultimately became an unforgettable internet story and a rather unusual reminder to be careful with everyday furniture.