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.

FWIW I think it’s disgusting to use something other than your hand to clean yourself...you’re spreading bacteria around your body otherwise and there’s all sorts that grows on those pouffee things!

Hi Op
Do you or have you had sensitive skin?😕
Have you had allergic reactions to certain body wash products?
Is this why you prefer to wash with less soap products
If this is case then there are good liquid soap products out there such as Sanex /Nivea/Dove etc.

I do agree with you about not using soap products on your intimate regions
Nobody want to have thrush probs

OP, I'm sure someone would have told you that you smell terrible but perhaps you may smell a little stale on occasion. I'm so sorry to say that as it sounds horrible. I use unperfumed products as I hate artificial smells in soaps etc. I bet when you next have a shower and a proper wash you'll feel great after it.

@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 as you. Only scrub my feet is they are visibly dirty.

I worry about slipping to be honest on the shower if feet have soap under them.

Oh man, OP, I was surprised reading the reactions on here! I'm closer to you than most of the people apparently. You can be cleaning without scrubbing with soap (though I would use it under my arms now I'm an adult). I had eczema as a kid and didn't use soap as it made my skin crack. Also if I ever get soap near my bum or other nether regions I am sure to get thrush. I am very confident that I don't smell of sweat or poop! As for my hair my hairdresser specifically told me to try to wash less to allow the oils to balance out and make it healthier - lone behold it worked and my hair doesn't smell either.
For everyone who says they can tell if their DD/DS hasn't used shower gel.. is that because they actually smell bad after the shower, or just the absence of whatever perfume is in the shower gel itself?
For everyone quoting the aisles of soap in the supermarket, it hasn't occured to you that this huge variety is pushed by the manufacturer's to make you THINK you need all these options so you buy more??

How?

And....why?

And...WTF??!!!!!

@JorisBonson LOL.
This has got to be a fake thread.

You say you use soap to wash your hair? Why would water alone not be sufficient for that?

@Santaiscovidfree

Teen ds is that you??

Pissing myself haha

@FlamingoAtTheBingo

So you're asking if it's normal to shower without using any soap or shower gel at all?

It's not normal. Under arms especially needs soaping to remove swear. Your err bottom needs more than some water running over it

Am I really explaining this to a grown up?

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

OP totally agree not to use soap on your nether regions - just water. I’ve been told by several doctors it’s a bad idea and leads to thrush and various other problems. Just water is fine. I do use fragrance free sensitive shower gel on the rest of my body and scrub with a loofa to get rid of dead skin. Tbh I find fragranced soaps/smells wear off as soon as you get out of the shower so don’t see the point (unless you like the smell).

@Washerg

FWIW I think it’s disgusting to use something other than your hand to clean yourself...you’re spreading bacteria around your body otherwise and there’s all sorts that grows on those pouffee things!

But a hand can't slough off dead skin cells or grime? If I'm staying away from home and don't have a washcloth or shower mitt or similar I don't ever feel properly clean (and I'm sure I don't smell clean either, but that may be psychosomatic).

My shower puff at home is exposed to very hot water and soap daily, I'm not worried about anything festering in it

I always wash my underarms and down below with soap. I don't scrub the rest of me.

I wash my hair every other day. Can't bear greasy hair.

@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

I can believe it is true. Sometimes people are brought up in different ways and it can leach into your subconscious. I'm just learning that.

Just the thought of you drying an unwashed bum hole on a towel you will use the next day is just gross

Not bad OP but you need to try a little harder for your next 'revelation'

You must surely smell?

Without soap you're basically just rinsing your body, you might do that for 15 mins but the grease won't move with just water.
Just a basic bar of soap will change how you smell.
I've had to tell my teenager this lots of times, I can always tell when he has rinsed and not washed even if he's in the shower for a long time.

any time fanny washing is brought up on mumsnet I wonder if I’m the only woman who uses shower gel on my nether regions and has never had thrush/ a yeast infection/ cystitis. soap makes it sting but shower gel causes no problems

I rotate between a hot cloth and flannel for my morning and evening face wash routine. Morning showers with a puff and Sanex shower gel. I start at the top and work my way down. I do not scrub my toes or feet with every shower. I wash my and treat my hair once a week ( Afro hair) sometimes more depending on it’s needs. And once a month I make time to do at home facials and foot spa

It is true OP that health professionals don’t recommend washing private parts with shower gel. I have been told this many times but I must admit I do ignore this and still use shower gel.
I was told this due to suffering with dry skin and each time I have had an examination down there I’ve had the usual “don’t use soap, it doesn’t need it. Water suffices”

The hair washing thing is just your type of hair, I've very thick hair and only wash weekly/bi-weekly depending on how much exercise I do.
Also I want to point out, a la Gillian McKeith, to all those disgusted by the lack of bum washing that if your bowels are healthy your bum should be easily cleaned with a wipe/water.

Vaginas are self cleaning, so hot water there is fine. However you definitely need to use soap on other parts of your body 😳

If you're using an anti perspirant you'll need soap to clean it off. That won't wash away with water.

Use a bar of soap. You don't need to be dripping in fragrance, just, well, clean.

Also if you don't fancy fragrances, just use fragrance free stuff.