Am I not washing properly?

[Washerg]

Inspired (worried!) following a poster today talking about buttocks washing.

I shower daily. By this I mean I stand under the shower and clean under my arms with water only, same down below. I let the water run all over me for a good ten or fifteen mins but don’t actually scrub or touch other parts of my body. On days I wash my hair (weekly), the soap will run down my body obviously but that’s the extent of any soap that runs over me.

I have from time to time used some shower gel but only if I feel like it. Haven’t for about a year or so and before then it would be some weeks not others. Just don’t feel the need I suppose... and when I do use it, again it would be under arms and definitely not a big body scrub. I don’t think I’ve ever ever washed my toes apart from when I’ve been on the beach or outside with no shoes on in summer. I do use deodorant and perfume.

I’m actually worried now that I’m some sort of disgusting person who doesn’t realise it!! It’s not something I’ve ever discussed with friends. Am I weird? Should I be scrubbing away?! I’ve NC.

So you're asking if it's normal to shower without using any soap or shower gel at all?

It's not normal. Under arms especially needs soaping to remove swear. Your err bottom needs more than some water running over it

Am I really explaining this to a grown up?

Mumsnet is the worst place for competitive hygiene. Ask how often people wash their towels or bedsheets too - it's literally after every use if you ask people on here.

In reality, I'm closer to you. I use a body pouffe with shower gel on it that I rub around my body, but no, I've never scrubbed in between each of my toes or focussed on scrubbing my arse cheeks.

You need soap in your life.

The soap that's running down your body once a week has a week's worth of hair muck in it too.

If you're not using soap at all you can't really be clean? I think even eco warrior people that live in the woods with no proper facilities still use soap?

The nether regions I have always been told wash only with water. I have done that for literally years.

Under arms yes in the past sometimes use soap but can go a long time not doing and just scrub with water.

I’ve never scrubbed any other part of my body other than my hair. I feel a bit sick now reading these responses!!

It's not competitive hygiene to suggest using ruddy soap man. Seriously.

No way is this real. Just using water indeed

Teen ds is that you??

@EdwardCullensBiteOnTheSide

If you're not using soap at all you can't really be clean? I think even eco warrior people that live in the woods with no proper facilities still use soap?

I don’t know. I’ve not really considered it until reading on MN! I do think my family would have said if I smell when I’ve met them but maybe they’re too polite!

@Washerg

The nether regions I have always been told wash only with water. I have done that for literally years.

Under arms yes in the past sometimes use soap but can go a long time not doing and just scrub with water.

I’ve never scrubbed any other part of my body other than my hair. I feel a bit sick now reading these responses!!

Your actual vagina yes but your vulva probably needs a little more. And your bum too. That's where poo comes from.

@Santaiscovidfree

Teen ds is that you??

First thing I thought as well. You can always tell when they haven't washed with soap after being in the shower. Gets marched straight back in he does.

You must smell like stale grease?

Once a week hair washing. No soap on your bits and pits.

Yuk.

And I'm super slack in my hygiene- you are another level!

When I get in the bath or shower, I wash my hair twice with shampoo and then condition it. I wash my face with soap and wash my whole body from my hair line downwards to my feet including my back and this includes washing every part of my body and I tend to go over areas like under my arms and down below twice. I also scrub the soles of my feet and between my toes. I didn't think there was any other way to wash. You're not washing properly.

Oooh no OP, there's competitive hygiene, and then there's this, you need soap, every time, please start tomorrow!

It isn't competitive hygiene to suggest someone uses a bar of soap.

By contrast, I use a cleansing bar or shower cream. I create a lather using a konjac sponge and soap myself all over. I'm not particularly zealous about my shins maybe or my elbows!

I wash thoroughly under my arms and my nether regions and no - I don't soap inside

Water does not remove swear, odour err discharge

Just buy some Dove or something

It’s he just googled ‘washing body with just water.’ It seems to suggest on healthline that this is ok!

I’m mortified by these responses

@FancySomeChips

You need soap in your life.

I'm no clean freak but I agree with this. DD sometimes showers but skips soap. I can tell.

@selflove

Mumsnet is the worst place for competitive hygiene. Ask how often people wash their towels or bedsheets too - it's literally after every use if you ask people on here.

In reality, I'm closer to you. I use a body pouffe with shower gel on it that I rub around my body, but no, I've never scrubbed in between each of my toes or focussed on scrubbing my arse cheeks.

Same

Water alone won’t clean you properly. Would you wash your hands just using water after you’ve been to the loo? If not, why not?

Interestingly those who scrub their feet... do you have feet that smell ?

I do not ever. They get the soap under foot in shower but no active washing unless it's summer and I've been bare foot.

They are less than fresh if I actively scrub them with soap regularly.

Must be alone on this.

I'm a bit of a slattern, but yes, I use soap. I lather up an exfoliating glove with bar soap and have a good scrub all over while my hair conditioner is on.

Just water isn't washing, is it?

Water alone won't remove dirt, grease, sweat and faeces, OP. Most people are aware of this.

You are right about water in your nether regions.
Maybe you just don't sweat much?
I've a friend who doesn't seem to sweat.
I've no idea how she showers, but I've spent weekends camping with no shower facilities etc with her and she never smells.

@Connelloni

Water alone won’t clean you properly. Would you wash your hands just using water after you’ve been to the loo? If not, why not?

No definitely not I am an avid hand washer!!! I also clean carefully the nether regions/bum every day with water, I guess similar to a bidet - I’m very thorough just don’t use soap!

I have noticed under arms need a lot of attention and agree that soap would be good there and like I say in the past I have done that.

But all over scrubbing with soap I don’t think I have ever done.

I’m definitely going back to the soap under arms tomorrow.

Oh op don’t ask mumsnet! They all wash their innards with zoflora every 45 minutes. Look if you don’t smell it’s all good.