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.

Water doesn't clean, it just rinses. A quick lather with a cheap bar of soap is all that's needed for the vital parts. Love a good squeak.

@M0rT

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.

I don’t think I smell but then again would my friends say? Not necessarily. I don’t know.

Which are you - eco warrior or a an aging rock star, I once read Sting self cleanses...

If not you are somewhat unusual (and I say this as someone who only soaps my entire person once or twice a week, so I am not a mumssnet hygiene fanatic, but I do attack the vital bits more or less daily, with soap.)

@Washerg

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

Maybe for a newborn but not an adult ! Or anyone above about 3 months.

I think you are clean enough OP, it is more usual to wave a bar of soap around (shower gel just encourages more smell so avoid that) but your shampoo and natural oils your body produces are obviously doing a good job. You just obviously never learned the habit rather than choosing not to.

Even ds 6 follows the tits, pits and bits rule!!

@Regularsizedrudy

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.

Haha thanks! I guess it’s hard to know whether you smell though as you’re used to it?! I don’t think I do but I’m not sure people who smell always know!

In answer to your question, yes, you should be scrubbing away all over your body with soap or shower gel.
I can’t imagine water just ‘running over your body’ gets rid of dead skin cells / dirt.

OP- if this has always been your washing or lack there of routine for years, then obvioulsy your family already know that is what you smell like!!! When you were a child, did your parents never use soap or any cleaning product on you???

What do you actually think soap and body wash is for? I mean, the rows and rows you see in supermarket and pharmacy aisles? OP- did it NEVER occur to you that the majority of the population actually use them???

@partyatthepalace

Which are you - eco warrior or a an aging rock star, I once read Sting self cleanses...

If not you are somewhat unusual (and I say this as someone who only soaps my entire person once or twice a week, so I am not a mumssnet hygiene fanatic, but I do attack the vital bits more or less daily, with soap.)

I’m your most average person, professional job, nothing wild or wonderful. Clearly I’m usual here though!

The doctor who wrote this Guardian article is with you and suggests that the skin care industry is based on advertising lies!

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/jul/28/soap-dodger-meet-the-doctor-who-says-we-have-been-showering-wrong?CMP=fb_gu&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1610108879

Soap is what you need. Just water doesn’t do the job properly, I don’t think shower gel is that great either to be honest, a bar of soap lathered up in your hands then a good scrub under arms and undercarriage, sorted! (Not internally btw just the outer bits).

@Elouera

OP- if this has always been your washing or lack there of routine for years, then obvioulsy your family already know that is what you smell like!!! When you were a child, did your parents never use soap or any cleaning product on you???

What do you actually think soap and body wash is for? I mean, the rows and rows you see in supermarket and pharmacy aisles? OP- did it NEVER occur to you that the majority of the population actually use them???

Yes I used to use them loads when younger. Had all the oils and gels and soaps. I just stopped liking it, I guess.

Have to say I am amazed people have commented on the once a week hair wash. I definitely did think that was normal!

I only use soap on the smelly bits. No need for the rest as it doesn't get dirty.

Don't worry about it

Would you wash your clothes without adding any Persil to the wash?

Nope.

So afford yourself the same and use soap. Arm pits, arse crack, vulva, under your boobs, your back as a minimum. Legs and buttocks appear to be optional. 😁

I wash privates with femfresh, then shower gel on a scrubby all over Hairwash daily

@Covidcovid

Would you wash your clothes without adding any Persil to the wash?

Nope.

So afford yourself the same and use soap. Arm pits, arse crack, vulva, under your boobs, your back as a minimum. Legs and buttocks appear to be optional. 😁

My only point here would be that I’m pretty slight...I can’t imagine washing my tiny little boobs specifically wouldn’t seem worth the surface area!!

If it wasn’t Sunday I would be off to Tesco right now.

Competitive hygiene? Soap/gel is a necessity

But if you see the importance of washing your hands with soap after the toilet, why don’t you think you need to use it on the rest of your body to properly clean it?

@Washerg you aren’t supppse to use products in sensitive areas and certain showers gels like simple and skin sensitive ones have very little scent. If you feel clean do it your way but i soap up especially when I’m having a shave/hair wash kinda shower but I’m quite hairy for a women so my shave showers have to be done more often 🤣

I got some lovely neils yard shower gel for Christmas
just thought I'd share that for no reason

Masks last summer gave me relief from stinky people - almost 100% of whom did not know they smell. I have never told someone they smelt even when they are honking so people never having told you that you smell is pretty meaningless.

My dermatologist said it is best not to use soap on any part of the body, except underarms. And even there, a cloth scrub might suffice.

Washing hair once a week is fine too. Depends on where you live and the weather.

Apart from the sheer unpleasantness of it all, you’re missing out on so many beautifully fragrances shower gels and soaps. Why wouldn’t you want to wash properly?

Water only on your vagina as soap and perfumes upset the ph balance - everywhere else needs soap! Imagine all the dead skin cells and gunk in areas like between toes and bellybutton if they aren't being washed properly!!