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.

I once discovered that my ex-husband used to think that shampoo foam running over his body as he washed his hair would suffice for cleaning. It didn't 🤢.

I'm sorry but you need soap. Shower gel I don't find cuts through dirt, nor does it properly clean armpits. Just get a bar of soap - whatever sort - and use it. And yes, people often are too polite to tell you if you smell.

Definitely not normal. Showering without soap is gross and not actually scrubbing or touching any part of your body is too, you can't get clean by just letting water run over you

You don't need to hose yourself with disinfectant but washing daily with a soap product is necessary. Yes you might not smell overtly of body odour but having known someone similar (she did wash with soap but due to heating issues mostly only with cold water) people who don't wash properly do smell a bit stale/ musty or greasy, basically unwashed. Said friend also used to have a lot of scaly or flaky skin patches, not a skin condition as such but because she never exfoliated either as well as only washing in cold water so she wasn't sloughing off the dead skin.

Some soap would be good op! I use a shower creme or something non scented due to sensitive skin. I shower daily and not the most thorough washer...defo no soap on the bits or it’d be an instant yeast infection but your armpits will have remnants of deodorant and sweat...they deserve a wash!

I sit in a very large saucepan on the hob and bring myself slowly to just below boiling point (not a euphemism)
I find this is pretty effective at cleaning all those nooks and crannies.

This can't be real.

You don’t soap under your arms

OP, i don't ever use soap or showergel or anything, though i do wash my hair every couple of days.

I have the most horribly honest husband of all time - if i smelled i would definitely know about it.

You haven't mentioned if you share a bed with anyone op.

I absolutely fail to believe you don't use soap or shower gel. You use shampoo so why wouldn't you use soap or shower gel 🙄

I use unscented shower gel all over, though admittedly I don’t scrub below the thighs, I just let the water run down from there unless I am shaving my legs.
Wash hair every 2 days or more if I am running.
I’m assuming you don’t exercise op? If I washed with just water after running I would honk.

OP, I'm much closer to you in my habits, I only actively clean under my arms. I don't soap the "nether regions", mainly because I've found it drying/irritating. I don't think I smell....but who would tell me?! I know I don't sweat much though, because in hot rooms/places I have seen colleagues, friends, family etc visibly sweating, patches under arms etc and I've got nothing. Perhaps I'll get the soap out a bit more....

But don’t you wash your feet properly too, with soap and water?
I tend to use soap under arms, around nether regions and on feet. I don’t scrub all of my body or soap every part but I do a general clean everywhere with soap or shower gel and focus more on underarms, f it he below and feet 🤷🏻‍♀️

I use body wash myself, but I don't think what you're doing is gross or wrong in any way, your skin is probably loving not having all its natural oil stripped away and dried out by soap, if you don't smell and don't have hygiene issues then I'd carry on as you are

Hi Op
I am just wondering have you got hyper sensitive skin and in the past/or recently experience Allergic reactions of some sort for e.g itchy ,rashes blotches on skin.?

Is this why reason you prefer not to wash with soap often then?

As there are liquid body wash brands like Sanex brand and Nivea brand Dove etc or even check out envoriment brands of body wash online or other outlets

People wash too much OP. Although I do use soap I suffer with dry skin and probably shouldn't wash so much. Some people sweat and smell more than others too.

@Connelloni

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?

I suppose I just think my hands can get very dirty. I’m always washing my hands, even pre covid!

Hmm I don't use soap - I wash my hair every day and kind of wash with the foam - under arms and bum /lady parts etc (not inside though!). I'm very clean and definitely don't smell. Sometimes if I've been doing something sweaty I'll have a second shower in the evening, but that's always just a quick 2-minute rinse in just water.

I think washing your hair just once a week sounds a bit grim sorry - I think every couple of days is more normal.

@thosetalesofunexpected

Hi Op I am just wondering have you got hyper sensitive skin and in the past/or recently experience Allergic reactions of some sort for e.g itchy ,rashes blotches on skin.?

Is this why reason you prefer not to wash with soap often then?

As there are liquid body wash brands like Sanex brand and Nivea brand Dove etc or even check out envoriment brands of body wash online or other outlets

I was always told not to wash nether regions with soap and I’ve just applied it everywhere...except under arms which from time to time I do!

Some people sweat less than others. Some people's sweat smells, other's does not.
Some ethnicities need to wash less than others -or are less stinky.

Unfortunately I'm of the type that definitely needs to (and does!) wash regularly, with soap!

@DustyVenetian

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 the same! Unless I've had bare feet, I've always considered standing in soapy water good enough!! My feet never smell, something dh can confirm as he's very keen on them

@Frickinfreezinginthishouse

But don’t you wash your feet properly too, with soap and water? I tend to use soap under arms, around nether regions and on feet. I don’t scrub all of my body or soap every part but I do a general clean everywhere with soap or shower gel and focus more on underarms, f it he below and feet 🤷🏻‍♀️

No literally never washed my feet unless been on the beach or muddy.

@queenofSI

I’m quite suspicious of this thread as I find it VERY hard to believe that it didn’t occur to you that soap or shower gel is necessary

As PP said, did you not walk past aisles of shower products and, yno, wonder about them?

You definitely smell if you’re ‘cleaning’ yourself with water only

You’re suspicious of the thread?

I’m aware people use soap, obviously. I was hoping others might be similar to me.

I’m also aware shops sell dettol, not everyone uses that either.

We can't smell ourselves and hair smells just as much as bodies. You need to wash all over with soap daily and shampoo your hair at least twice a week.Your friends, family and colleagues will be relieved I'm sure.