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Original poster

Am I not washing properly?

608 replies

Washerg · 10/01/2021 20:44

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.

OP posts:
Nunoftheother · 10/01/2021 23:21

Some people have a gene that means they don't have body odour (from armpits, at least) i think its colloquially known as the 'dry earwax gene' i may be wrong though, it's a while since I read about it.

Prince Andrew has that!

So he claims... Hmm

HeelsHandbagPerfumeCoffee · 10/01/2021 23:21

In the absence of using soap to cleanse it’s not fine. Honestly.
You need a soap to degrease,cleanse,remove dirt and debris

Op can I ask, do you regularly wash your hands with soap & hot water?

daisyjgrey · 10/01/2021 23:21

I use shower gel but I don't shower every day. I only wash my hair once a week/every ten days, my hairdresser says my hair is in good condition so I'm inclined to stick with it.

whoamongstus · 10/01/2021 23:22

I only wash my hair once a week (it's dry and frizzy otherwise cos it's curly) that's perfectly normal!

I am a obsessive between the toes and calf washer (WITH soap!) though, so...

Lennie16 · 10/01/2021 23:23

Maybe your parents just didn’t show you how to keep clean. I feel for you but you obviously know how to wash your hands with soap and we’ve all been shown clearly during the pandemic, please be advised this is how you should be washing your body to remove sweat, grease, germs, faeces that may not be able to see. Sperm ?,( surely you would wash after sex) Soap or shower gel should be used on the body and outside of the vaginal area , water alone isn’t sufficient-(like a shampoo is needed to wash hair-)it will thoroughly clean the skin-the inside of the vagina will clean itself.
You need to change your habits and start to improve your personal hygiene and if you have children teach them carefully so they never have to go through this awful realisation -hope it goes well and you get up in the morning- shower and start to feel fresh

TravelBugLife · 10/01/2021 23:23

@TatianaBis Yep. Exactly.

And the GMC also state "If you identify yourself as a doctor in publicly accessible social media, you should also identify yourself by name. "

People can come on here, claim to be whoever they want to be, be rude to people whilst stating they are acting in a professional capacity and thus, it's important to take things posted with a pinch of salt. Particularly when websites like the NHS etc. are stating otherwise.

ImnotCarolineHirons · 10/01/2021 23:24

I hardly think it's "howling at the moon" to expect an adult to have the very very bare minimum standards of hygiene. HmmHmmHmmUsing soap/gel to wash is surely the most basic thing ever.
Can't wait for the "I just brush my teeth with water" thread next, bring it on! Grin

ExpulsoCorona · 10/01/2021 23:28

Gosh, I'm really surprised about the reactions to OP but now realise why I see so much thrush, BV and eczema as a GP.

OP, you definitely don't need to use soap anywhere near your nether regions and most definitely not products like Femfresh which cause more problems than they prevent.

I don't sweat much so don't need to pay much attention to my feet but would tend to use an unscented shower gel for my pits and the rest of my body mainly because I like the way it feels but I could probably get away without.

People who are saying why do you think there are rows of products in the shops, do any of you understand marketing? Just because something exists, it doesn't mean we need it.

Lalliella · 10/01/2021 23:28

Soap dodger! Get some shower gel OP, and clean those pinkies!

Bluesmartiesandpandapop · 10/01/2021 23:30

My showers take less than 5 mins, and I clean everywhere. I can't imagine standing there for 15 minutes letting the water run over me. It would be like trying to wash the dishes with a hose and no washing up liquid or sponge/scrubber. There would be a layer of grease, grime, slime and residue.

Anotherdayanothernewname · 10/01/2021 23:34

Do you not exfoliate? How do you get rid of dead skin? Do you never treat yourself and moisturise?

Sceptre86 · 10/01/2021 23:36

Did noone ever teach you how to wash? Honestly asking, my kids are little and I am teaching them. I don't know how you can get to adulthood and not know about basic hygiene.

nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut · 10/01/2021 23:36

Its normal if you are a 13 year old soap dodger...

The idea of never washing my vulva and between bum cheeks with soap has actually made me feel a bit ill.

For the record I've used shower gel to wash pubes and in between labia etc every day for 30 years and never had thrush. I think that's an old wives tale.

LuluJakey1 · 10/01/2021 23:38

I have a bath every morning and scrub myself all over with a hard nail brush and neat Dettol then carbolic soap, including the nether regions. At night I have a shower and DH sprays me with Dettox anti-bacterial spray before I get to bed.

QueenPawPaws · 10/01/2021 23:38

@nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut everyone is different
I can't have antibiotics without thrush treatment and often need more than one
Scented toilet roll gave me thrush and then a raging UTI. I've had thrush from soap before and needed 6 months treatment to get rid of it
The wash I use is actually called Lactacyd and is an unscented one based on lactic acid which is used as a BV treatment. No thrush from it

HeelsHandbagPerfumeCoffee · 10/01/2021 23:39

@TravelBugLife that was 2013 guidance not and it’s been widely discussed . As guidance it is not mandatory. The guidance is to protect the public and the doctor. Identifying as A doctor and posting online potentially means the posts will have a credibility and expectation of sound advice

Understandably the advice is doctors should be circumspect and exercise good professional judgement online

IMO @quince2figs has not offered a professional opinion or consultation nor have they sought a leverage or personal gain so I’d say it is an informal chatty post

But yes it can be problematic

And it’s why many Doctors don’t identify themselves online as they don’t want to subsequently have to disclose Name or GMC number

puppychaos · 10/01/2021 23:40

I don't understand this. I lather my entire body in soap and properly scrub it in. Shampoo running down your body will do nothing- you have to actively scrub for soap to do what it's meant to do.

minipie · 10/01/2021 23:41

@nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut

Its normal if you are a 13 year old soap dodger...

The idea of never washing my vulva and between bum cheeks with soap has actually made me feel a bit ill.

For the record I've used shower gel to wash pubes and in between labia etc every day for 30 years and never had thrush. I think that's an old wives tale.

I’ve not had much thrush (only once I think) but I did develop vulval eczema. Since then, at the instruction of the vulval dermatologist I saw, I only use water.
Viviennemary · 10/01/2021 23:43

Most people would use soap of shower gel. I take it that when you wash clothes you use some sort of cleaning agent to wash them. Otherwise there's no point.

LaceyBetty · 10/01/2021 23:43

Vulva washing is controversial I suppose, but surely bum, pits, feet etc are not. Unless you have a skin condition, these body parts need more than water.

thenightsky · 10/01/2021 23:43

I once read Sting self cleanses...

Bet he doesn't get many blowjobs.

converseandjeans · 10/01/2021 23:44

Not read all the replies but no you need soap!

TravelBugLife · 10/01/2021 23:46

Identifying as A doctor and posting online potentially means the posts will have a credibility and expectation of sound advice Exactly

She clearly came in and said she's a gynaecologist, there was no need for that unless she wanted to offer a professional opinion and seek leverage.

Don't identify as a doctor then - it's pretty simple, but to come on here and give false information is actually really shit, and her attitude is totally unprofessional as well (given she just pointed out she was a doctor). She's also accused several medical professionals of recommending a product for financial gain - which is not the case, as well as giving misinformation about the product I specifically reccommended.

It's really not a good look is it? And there really was no need for her post to start with "I'm a gynaecologist".

AnEleanor · 10/01/2021 23:49

I thought I was used to contradictions on mumsnet by now but the one thats really got me here is the ‘15 minutes in the shower is wasteful’, compared to the ‘I wash my bedding on 95 every time’ thread of the other day. Are these the same people?!

I shower every third day which on MN makes me a vile sewer rat but in reality I just don’t sweat much at all. I have genuinely made friends smell me when they were dubious about this.

minipie · 10/01/2021 23:52

the one thats really got me here is the ‘15 minutes in the shower is wasteful’, compared to the ‘I wash my bedding on 95 every time’ thread of the other day. Are these the same people?!

Yes they are the same people!! Ridiculous isn’t it