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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:
Somethingkindaoooo · 10/01/2021 23:52

I think people should wash their bum crack everytime they shower..Every. Time

HeelsHandbagPerfumeCoffee · 10/01/2021 23:52

Can I just reiterate Soap and hot water kills COVID. Obliterate it easiest action you can take is regularly wash hands. Hand sanitiser are intended where soap & water isn’t available not as a replacement

Soap & water obliterate the COVID virus. Hands have oils on them that attract pathogens such as common cold and COVID they are retained there in skin fold or under nails. Washing with soap and hot water dissolves the virus bi-layer that contains the virus genetic material. Once the bi-layer is dissolved it is curtains for the virus

queenofSI · 10/01/2021 23:54

@TravelBugLife

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".

Well her being a gynaecologist is pretty relevant to the rest of her post isn’t it. I’m not sure why you’re so offended by what she’s said on here, you seem to have a real chip on your shoulder about a doctor giving advice for some reason
ShalomToYouJackie · 10/01/2021 23:55

@minipie OP says she uses her hands to rub clean

OP said she rubs her armpits with her hands but doesn't touch any other part of her body, she just stands with the water running over her.

queenofSI · 10/01/2021 23:57

@HeelsHandbagPerfumeCoffee

Can I just reiterate Soap and hot water kills COVID. Obliterate it easiest action you can take is regularly wash hands. Hand sanitiser are intended where soap & water isn’t available not as a replacement

Soap & water obliterate the COVID virus. Hands have oils on them that attract pathogens such as common cold and COVID they are retained there in skin fold or under nails. Washing with soap and hot water dissolves the virus bi-layer that contains the virus genetic material. Once the bi-layer is dissolved it is curtains for the virus

Yes we all know. Why do you keep posting about Covid? What’s that got to do with the thread?
Dogissue · 10/01/2021 23:58

And your bum too. That's where poo comes from. Grin Grin Grin
So much this OP! I'm not a hygiene freak AT ALL but yes, the smelly bits need some form of detergent!

minipie · 10/01/2021 23:58

Oh I thought she said she gives her bits and bum a thorough scrub with her hand? Agree just letting the water trickle over isn’t going to get into the crevices or remove any residues.

minipie · 10/01/2021 23:59

[quote ShalomToYouJackie]**@minipie* OP says she uses her hands to rub clean*

OP said she rubs her armpits with her hands but doesn't touch any other part of her body, she just stands with the water running over her. [/quote]
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!

From OP’s fifth post

TravelBugLife · 11/01/2021 00:00

you seem to have a real chip on your shoulder about a doctor giving advice for some reason

I am concerned because she has given incorrect advice, accused her professional colleagues of profiteering off a product they are not and because of her attitude and rudeness having already stated she was a doctor.

No chip on my shoulder about doctors giving advice - hell I shared the advice doctors gave to me (which that poster than attempted to tear apart).

JaquiMcquacky · 11/01/2021 00:01

Honestly, you don’t need a load of people on a forum to tell you if you’re clean or not. If you’re happy with your body and your routine, you are healthy and you don’t smell (or don’t care that you smell) it’s your gig, stick with it. How filthy to people get? And, what on earth does it have to do with anyone else how you wash. Just get on with it.

Kittromney · 11/01/2021 00:01

YANBU OP, ignore the competitive washing on mumsnet. I remember a thread once about washing bedsheets and one poster literally says she gets up in the middle of the night to change sheets in the summer. I change mine once every couple of months ! I saw the bum washing thread too - bonkers.

I do the same as you, except I shower every other day. Humans over wash - unless you’re out doing hard physical labour in the mud each day you really don’t need to shower daily - obvs fine if people prefer to - I don’t. Using soap or shampoo every day over strips the skin and hair of natural oils. I do use soap on my pots and bits every time I shower and change pants regularly though. Ignore the people telling you that you must smell - I don’t smell.

queenofSI · 11/01/2021 00:02

@TravelBugLife

you seem to have a real chip on your shoulder about a doctor giving advice for some reason

I am concerned because she has given incorrect advice, accused her professional colleagues of profiteering off a product they are not and because of her attitude and rudeness having already stated she was a doctor.

No chip on my shoulder about doctors giving advice - hell I shared the advice doctors gave to me (which that poster than attempted to tear apart).

She didn’t tear anything apart, she gave her professional opinion Confused . Where was she rude to you?
Finally2021 · 11/01/2021 00:02

I'm surprised there's such a strong reaction. Eczema suffers are regularly told not to use soap or even commercial shower gel.

HeelsHandbagPerfumeCoffee · 11/01/2021 00:04

Well reading the thread it appears people do not actually know about chemical properties of soap or undertake adequate cleansing. Running Water falling from a shower head onto a body is not adequate body cleansing. There needs to be a manual removal of debris,dirt with a soap

And yes seeing we are discussing good hygiene I will of course link that to COVID, as I have said soap and hot water is a significant defence as it disrupts the virus. So I think it’s very relevant

queenofSI · 11/01/2021 00:04

@Kittromney

YANBU OP, ignore the competitive washing on mumsnet. I remember a thread once about washing bedsheets and one poster literally says she gets up in the middle of the night to change sheets in the summer. I change mine once every couple of months ! I saw the bum washing thread too - bonkers.

I do the same as you, except I shower every other day. Humans over wash - unless you’re out doing hard physical labour in the mud each day you really don’t need to shower daily - obvs fine if people prefer to - I don’t. Using soap or shampoo every day over strips the skin and hair of natural oils. I do use soap on my pots and bits every time I shower and change pants regularly though. Ignore the people telling you that you must smell - I don’t smell.

leaving your sheets a couple of MONTHS between washes is truly disgusting
unfortunateevents · 11/01/2021 00:05

I'm sorry if you have already answered this but are you seriously just letting water run over your body for 15 mins in the shower? Are you just standing there - or are you composing poetry, compiling a shopping list, singing songs, something else? Even if you were scrubbing your body I can't imagine that taking 15 mins?!

TravelBugLife · 11/01/2021 00:06

@queenofSI I guess you should read her posts again.

Anyway, the worst was what she said about the other doctors, and really given mumsnet history of accusations against doctors you'd think a doctor would be the last person to do that.

I'm off to bed, I've had proper advice on my washing activities from in real life doctors and nurses and way forwards to not have a repeat of the damage shower gel did.

Worried234 · 11/01/2021 00:07

God almighty. Fucking wash with soap, you must reek.

Goldieloxx · 11/01/2021 00:09

I never clean between my toes, my feet don't smell. I think you would know if you did smell so I wouldn't worry too much but would advise some soap

SirVixofVixHall · 11/01/2021 00:12

If you don’t smell, and your skin gets a clean, then what you are doing is fine. I have dry and sensitive skin, I don’t sweat much at all ( I do use deodorant in Summer but most of the year I don’t need it ) and although I do use soap under my arms and between my legs, I never wash with it all over. I am in a bath of slightly soapy water every night, and actually my skin would probably prefer it if I washed less. I bath because I like the fresh feeling, and I find it relaxing, but as a child in the sixties and seventies, at home and at boarding school I had a bath once a week and I was fine, and my skin happier.
I think in general people over use detergents.

GlomOfNit · 11/01/2021 00:14

Reluctantly, OP, I have to say that it's probable you smell a tiny bit... it's not just body grease and dirt and bacteria build-up, it'll be cooking smells too.

I'm not a competitive washer by any means and I don't 'groom', but I wash my pits and under boobs and just generally all over with shower gel, and face, bumcrack and vulva with unscented soap. I don't use soap internally but will definitely swish out with water and fingers daily. I wash my hair every day which I know is probably bad for it, but once a week sounds rank, sorry.

I don't scrub my feet though! Unless I've been gardening, then they're horribly muddy and I have to.

Othering · 11/01/2021 00:14

I honestly don't know how grown adults get to adulthood without knowing or figuring out how to wash themselves properly. It's really not difficult.

Kittromney · 11/01/2021 00:19

Can you explain why @queenofSI ? I sleep in pyjamas and shower before bed. I don’t sweat at all. I don’t go to bed covered in mud and filth. I live alone and if my boyfriend is visiting we never get semen on the sheets. I change my pillowcases a bit more often but other than that, what is so “truly disgusting” about it.

HibernatingTill2030 · 11/01/2021 00:22

@Kittromney

Can you explain why *@queenofSI* ? I sleep in pyjamas and shower before bed. I don’t sweat at all. I don’t go to bed covered in mud and filth. I live alone and if my boyfriend is visiting we never get semen on the sheets. I change my pillowcases a bit more often but other than that, what is so “truly disgusting” about it.
You'll have skin flakes and hair and salvia and general dirt on the sheets, though, surely? I'm far from super hygienic, but 2 weeks is my absolute maximum in the winter.
BuntysTwinkle · 11/01/2021 00:22

The nether regions I have always been told wash only with water.

Vagina, yes. The internal part. But doesn't your vulva get itchy and gross if you're only rinsing it with water?

If you don't wash your body properly it will probably end up a bit grubby looking because you're not washing the dead skin cells away.