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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:
TatianaBis · 10/01/2021 22:13

I only use soap with 100% natural ingredients on nether parts eg Oliva - which you can buy at Holland Barrett - ingredients = olive oil, water and salt.

I don’t strong use soaps/gels with scent or containing SLS etc.

Duemarch2021 · 10/01/2021 22:13

Yep definitely agree a partner may smell a poopy smell if they get close enough to bottom... armpits cpuld do with some soap..but no need to do rest of body, feet or vulva with soap 😂 theres that word again..

Whatisthis4 · 10/01/2021 22:14

Have had friends and worked with people for a long time who evidently don't wash their bodies, teeth/mouths and clothes thoroughly enough and noone has ever said anything as havent felt close enough and so as not to upset them. People don't tend to tell others they smell (to their face) as its considered rude. Flagging this as a general point - people not mentioning issues doesnt necessarily mean personal hygiene doesn't need improving.

KimchiLaLa · 10/01/2021 22:14

Sorry but I read this and now it feels like you may smell. Please use soap under your arms.

PrincessNutNuts · 10/01/2021 22:14

Soap on bits, pits and under tits

AKA

Underarm, underboob and undercarriage

Everything else gets a cursory smoosh with a bubbly shower scrunchie.

I also wash my hair and take baths.

schmockdown · 10/01/2021 22:14

I have never washed my feet. Pits and bum yes, the rest just gets rinsed.

Bluntness100 · 10/01/2021 22:14

Why the hell do some folks on mumsnet get so obsessed by how to wash their fannies. It’s not exactly rocket science. Wash it like any other part of you and don’t go inside for gods sake. Unless you’ve health issues and need to use specific products.

TatianaBis · 10/01/2021 22:14

@FortunesFave

This is a very odd first post. Note how "Washerg" seems to enjoy using the word 'scrub' and getting people to discuss their habits....first post...hmm. Name reflects their 'interest' too.
If she has NC’d as she says, MN can see.
spongebobscaredypants · 10/01/2021 22:15

@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?

Haha
Higgeldypiggeldy35 · 10/01/2021 22:15

I think you've had a rough ride on here OP. I tend to use femfresh or just water on my bits and soap on my pits. I wash using my hands. I've trained my hair not to need washing every day and can now go 3 days without and it never smells or is greasy now. It was for a few weeks until it adjusted but now it feels thicker and healthier than ever. And with two young children not having to wash and dry my hair daily has freed up time. Maybe ask your mum for an honest opinion if you want to check if you smell a bit. I don't necessarily think soap is necessary for everyone. I personally get a bit whiffy under my arms but unless I've been doing a dirty activity like gardening then the rest of me cleans fine with water. And I only wash my feet with soap if they're visibly dirty like in the summer. My feet don't smell. I do use a file for dry skin and but vaseline/cream to keep them soft. Do what you want OP, if it works for you and you confirm with your mum you don't smell.

SalaciousCrumble · 10/01/2021 22:16

OP I'm with you! I'm shocked at the responses you've got and that people are so uptight.

I have sensitive skin and years ago had issues 'down there' and was told that soap only makes it worse. Now I shower daily with water only (maybe a bit of soap under the arms like you) and only wash my hair every 4-5 days.

I started typing out a lot of justification but actually I don't care what the pearl clutchers say about it. I have a lovely husband, a mother who i see regularly and who would tell me if I smelled bad and lots of wonderful friends.

If you're happy ignore them. Think of your lovely well balanced skin which isn't being messed with my all those chemicals!

3rdNamechange · 10/01/2021 22:18

@queenofSI

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 can use anything down there , no problem 😂
JaninaDuszejko · 10/01/2021 22:18

My DC don't use soap (eczema) and never smelt at all before puberty. One still doesn't smell at 13 (I have quite dry skin and am not smelly myself) but the other sometimes smells slightly musty but only after 24h or so. I think if your skin is properly balanced you won't smell as long as you wash (with water) regularly. Agree we probably all use too much soap and think shower gel is the work of the devil.

Gogreengoblin · 10/01/2021 22:18

@Duemarch2021

I agree with the fact this post will get a lot of different replies.. most of them negative towards you i can imagine... however, peoples views will differ depending on their beliefs... I don't think the body NEEDS soap to be clean because it's not natural to use man made soap products.. way back in the day we would have only used water and our bodies would have been clean enough but on the other hand...to be fully cleansed of any bacteria (poop and arm pit sweat) then yeah I think you should be washing in your cracks with soap lol Grin especially since you shower and dont bathe...i think poo is actually slightly waterproof unless you wash it off with soap 😣.. your front bottom only needs water technically but you can use a bit of body wash on the outside as long as you rinse off properly
Dr. Christian Jessen from Embarrassing bodies said that 'poo is fatty' and needs soap to wash it off. I have used soap on my bum crack before and if I accidentally do now I get a major itch for days, so I don't any more. I wash my vulva, inside and out but NOT inside my vagina with baby body wash/gentle shower gel but NOT soap. I've done the latter before and it smelled really bad. I've heard it's because it was a PH reaction because it's a different acidity from the rest of the body. I was taught to put soap there and I did as a younger adult.
3rdNamechange · 10/01/2021 22:19

@peboh

Vaginas are self cleaning, so hot water there is fine. However you definitely need to use soap on other parts of your body 😳
Vagina yes , vulva no.
geoffreyjellineck · 10/01/2021 22:21

@FortunesFave

This is a very odd first post. Note how "Washerg" seems to enjoy using the word 'scrub' and getting people to discuss their habits....first post...hmm. Name reflects their 'interest' too.

Agree

grapewine · 10/01/2021 22:21

@FortunesFave

This is a very odd first post. Note how "Washerg" seems to enjoy using the word 'scrub' and getting people to discuss their habits....first post...hmm. Name reflects their 'interest' too.
OP says she NC'd.

But I'm on the side of the people saying soap or gel is necessary. Just use Sanex or another neutral one if that's your worry. Exfoliating as well. That really isn't competitive hygiene. It's pretty basic.

FangsForTheMemory · 10/01/2021 22:22

Why are you standing under the shower for 15 minutes? What are you actually doing? My showers take 5 minutes if I don’t wash my hair. That includes soapy facecloth all over except my fanny which just gets soap, and rinsing it off again, including unhooking the shower head to rinse my nethers.

Bluntness100 · 10/01/2021 22:22

This is a very odd first post. Note how "Washerg" seems to enjoy using the word 'scrub' and getting people to discuss their habits....first post...hmm. Name reflects their 'interest' too

Yes and a load of people jumping in to talk about how they wash their nether regions.

The whole thing is just odd.

AliceMcK · 10/01/2021 22:22

Personally I wash everything, under arms, under boobs, bum, fanny toes the works with soap then if I feel like a smelly shower gel I will, I don’t feel shower gel cleans properly. HOWEVER, I remember years ago watching one of those GP shows where they did a section on how often you should clean yourself, use soap etc and it came out that people wash too much and we don’t actually need to it’s a vanity thing and we should let our bodies do their own natural thing. Apparently washing all the time also washes away good bacteria as well as bad.

If it’s something you have always done, you feel clean, you don’t think you smell then I wouldn’t worry about it OP.

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 10/01/2021 22:23

The nether regions I have always been told wash only with water. I have done that for literally years.

That's true, washing your bits with soap isn't good for you.

im5050 · 10/01/2021 22:26

I love having a shower I drive my husband mad as I normally have 2 a day
I have these lovely big exfoliating bath sponges that smell of various perfumes that I like that I use all over my body
I have this long scrub cloth that I use as well with a some shower gel and I use proper soap like Neste Dante under my arms and boobs
My face I will wash separately before I get into the shower and then rinse my face as well
All of this takes less than a few mins
Afterwards I’m religious at putting on body lotion and cleansing my face
There are 3 of us in our house I would say we all have at least one shower a day but probably 2

Bluntness100 · 10/01/2021 22:26

@Iminaglasscaseofemotion

The nether regions I have always been told wash only with water. I have done that for literally years.

That's true, washing your bits with soap isn't good for you.

Well like millions of other people and countless on this thread I use shower gel, and I’ve survived to tell the tale..😂
Aerielview · 10/01/2021 22:27

Why have you never used soap op? Did your mum not use it when you were little? I would have thought that washing with soap and water is something that every child is taught, and therefore just becomes ingrained in us.

ShalomToYouJackie · 10/01/2021 22:30

Do you not even use soap after exercising or sex?

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