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.

Do you have children?

Is this a windup?

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, uts a while since I read about it

I've worked with several staff members that absolutely reeked!! I never mentioned it to them, as assume they must have known that their lack of basic hygeine was offnensive. Reading this thread though, (if true?) maybe they thought that was normal???

OP- if someone actually said to you 'Hey washberg, are you aware that you stink like an 'old fanny/areshole/blocked drain/sweat box' that you'd actually do anything different?

How do you only need to wash your hair once a week? Is it very dry hair? Or a coarse texture? Mine is greasy after one day. We all wash our hair daily, me, DH and two teenage sons. My hair absorbs cooking smells, amd my skin. So if i have cooked for dinner I can usually smell it on my clothes, skin and hair later that evening and i have to wash it off. I can't get into bed dirty.

I think you’ve had some fairly extreme reactions here to what is actually quite a personal thing. The requirement to use soap is not universal.

I only use soap under my arms and nowhere else. I have never scrubbed my toes or the rest of my body for that matter unless it was covered in mud, and would never use soap on any part of my vulva or arse - it’s too sensitive, and it’s not dirty! I use it under my arms to get rid of the residue from deodorant as much as anything else.

It’s fine to do what works for you (just as others do what works for them). Some of us are more/less smelly/dirty/oily than others and wash accordingly.

You have never washed your feet! 🤢

Soap dodger!!

I think if you don't wash shit off your arse with soap, you must smell though 😬

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

It’s SOAP, not some rare unusual item that only a small percent of the population use. Did your parents not use soap/ teach you to use it?

@Borington

I think you’ve had some fairly extreme reactions here to what is actually quite a personal thing. The requirement to use soap is not universal.

I only use soap under my arms and nowhere else. I have never scrubbed my toes or the rest of my body for that matter unless it was covered in mud, and would never use soap on any part of my vulva or arse - it’s too sensitive, and it’s not dirty! I use it under my arms to get rid of the residue from deodorant as much as anything else.

It’s fine to do what works for you (just as others do what works for them). Some of us are more/less smelly/dirty/oily than others and wash accordingly.

of COURSE your arse is dirty! fuck me

@Elouera

I've worked with several staff members that absolutely reeked!! I never mentioned it to them, as assume they must have known that their lack of basic hygeine was offnensive. Reading this thread though, (if true?) maybe they thought that was normal???

OP- if someone actually said to you 'Hey washberg, are you aware that you stink like an 'old fanny/areshole/blocked drain/sweat box' that you'd actually do anything different?

Yes of course if someone said I smelled! I think my mum would certainly say something, she’s quite direct. My friends maybe not. I am aware though that people who smell often don’t realise and that is making me cringe wondering if I have stunk at work.

I have had various dates though where I’ve had requests for another...you’d think that wouldn’t happen if I smelled horrible?! Here’s hoping anyway!!

I can’t take this post for real. So you use perfume and deodorant? Yet you get in the shower and don’t scrub you just let the soap run now down.... You haven’t used shower gel for about a year.

I use Sanex Zero and only on my pits and vulva every day! I have extremely dry skin so dont tend to wash anywhere else. I wash my hair maybe 3 times a week, or after sweaty exercise.

OP I've had this (quite embarrassing) conversation with a doctor quite recently as I caught an epic kidney infection from a UTI which was most likely caused by using shower gel and not rinsing it off properly (hurrying to do a million things before work whilst trying to take a post-run shower).

I was told you should never use soap or shower gel on the nether regions and that if you did need to use something it should be Femfresh - the sensitive skin version is the suggested one.

I do use a non scented soap under arm pits, and cleanser (not in shower) on my face, but otherwise it's Femfresh and a loafer scrub and brush, plus nail brush. Occasionally I use the salts as well.

Lots of people don't use soap, don't use shampoo etc. and they don't stink. There's some pretty harsh posters on this thread.

@Santaiscovidfree

Teen ds is that you??

Dying!!

Do you have an aversion to touching your own naked body?

If I didn't wash my pits, groin, bum crack and feet with soap I would begin to whiff within 48 hours.

@queenofSI

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

It’s SOAP, not some rare unusual item that only a small percent of the population use. Did your parents not use soap/ teach you to use it?

I’m not sure why you’re being so aggressive about it.

As I’ve said, I’ve often used soap under arms but also go through phases of just water. No idea why you would jump to this being a wind up or be so offensive. I have the means to buy such products, I just don’t and wash daily with water. There’s really no need to be rude.

Totally disagree that you should put soap anywhere near your nether regions. It would really hurt/sting/irritate/choose unpleasant verb of choice. And there's no need, water is fine.

Definitely agree you need it under your arms though.

Wow! I'm sure I'd smell pretty awful if I didn't use soap, you have to wash the sweat off your body. Did no one teach you that? I'm not having a go, it's not your fault if you weren't taught.

Um... I shower morning and evening. Takes 5 mins. Soap under arms, buttocks and anus, and generally over body (neck, chest, arms, legs). Water only around vulva, to minimise thrush possibilities. Very straightforward routine. Quick and hygienic. I do sometimes have a bath, but that's more to do with enjoyment than hygiene.

And your bum too. That's where poo comes from.

Crikey every days a school day on MN

Nice products will really enhance the experience, plenty of choice to suit preferences/budgets.

Water alone is unlikely to be sufficient, but I would prefer daily showering with water to less frequent showering with other products.

@TravelBugLife

OP I've had this (quite embarrassing) conversation with a doctor quite recently as I caught an epic kidney infection from a UTI which was most likely caused by using shower gel and not rinsing it off properly (hurrying to do a million things before work whilst trying to take a post-run shower).

I was told you should never use soap or shower gel on the nether regions and that if you did need to use something it should be Femfresh - the sensitive skin version is the suggested one.

I do use a non scented soap under arm pits, and cleanser (not in shower) on my face, but otherwise it's Femfresh and a loafer scrub and brush, plus nail brush. Occasionally I use the salts as well.

Lots of people don't use soap, don't use shampoo etc. and they don't stink. There's some pretty harsh posters on this thread.

That’s exactly what happened to me! Had an awful awful kidney infection and they said stop using so much soap as it may have originated from that. Ever since I avoided it, except sometimes under arms.

I do feel a bit attacked on here!! Need a !!