Not washing these body parts?

[Hanyyd]

It occurred to me yesterday that I have only ever washed my feet with soap on vert rare occasions like when I’ve walked on grass or got them grubby in flip flops. Other times I just let the water wash them from the shower or Bath.

Similarly, I don’t think I’ve ever washed my neck or behind my ears, for the same reasons - shampoo surely covers it when I wash my hair?

The magazine I read was talking about the benefits of using less soap and sometimes only water to rinse to give skin a break. I rarely scrub anywhere with soap except my underarms, chest, breasts and carefully with bits below. Anyone else?

[Rosebuud]

I don’t understand how people don’t know the difference between washing and rinsing. Water and soap flowing over something is not washing, it’s basically a rinse. Rinsing doesn’t get anything clean. Try it with your dirty dishes or clothes and see. They will soon stink and still be dirty if that’s all you ever do. Your body is no different.

washing yourself properly is hardly some big time consuming and damaging chore like some are making out.

[Benjispruce4]

@JaninaDuszejko I switched to bar soap (Dove) and Fussy deodorant which is natural and haven’t had any issues even after long walks on warm days. Maybe there is something in that.

[Benjispruce4]

Behind ears gets a good clean when you wash your hair.

[HowIsItMarchAlready]

It was while flat-sharing during my younger years that I realised quite how differently various cultures approach personal hygiene. So the way we wash may be down to who raised us/where we grew up. But I still wash every part of my body daily!

[Fizbosshoes]

I wash my feet regularly with shower gel or scrub, and I cleanse my face and neck every day, although I don't consciously wash neck or behind the ears with shower gel or soap.

[JaninaDuszejko]

Haven't there been multiple threads on here about people still smelling straight after using shower gel and moving to using soap and no longer having a BO problem. Not to mention the horrendous and unnecessary impact of all the single use plastic containers shower gel comes in.

I do think the traditional 'good scrub of everything' wash is based on people who did physical jobs and only washed once a week. With our daily showers less soap is needed to keep clean.

[Benjispruce4]

Dove soap isn’t drying and lasts longer than gel and doesn’t come in a plastic bottle.

[Scianel]

I'm honestly happy to just keep doing what I'm doing.

[Silversprinkles]

@Scianel soap is drying for skin because it isn't the right ph. If you buy a decent shower wash that is both ph balanced for human skin and doesn't contain SLS (hugely common in most brands) they are much better for skin and will actually improve it/moisturise rather than dry it out.

[Scianel]

Soap and shower gel can be very drying on the skin hence I'm happy to just wash the bits that would actually be smelly/unhygeinic if I don't. So no, washing all over wouldn't improve my skin.

[moomintrolls]

I have a bath every few days and submerge and use bubble bath. Everything is cleaned via this. I scrub my feet, so they are smooth, and wash under arms and chest, that's it. Face then hair, shaving. Then I'm out and feel very refreshed.

[aSofaNearYou]

@HowIsItMarchAlready

I just don't get why those who do not wash everywhere, don't. It takes two minutes to scrub yourself with a shower puff, a glove or whatever else you prefer. Yes you may not smell but is that the only reason why you wash? I like to shower because I get clean but also because I remove dead skin, making my skin softer and nicer. Plus in the summer I get a better tan. But even if it were just to be clean all over, that'd be reason enough for me. By the same token, I was my hands every time I come home - whether I've been out all day or just dropped my DP off at the station (steering wheels are yukky). Don't you?

Because I don't have problems with dead skin or not feeling clean outside of the main areas.

Plus a few practical reasons like being used to needing to be quick.

I don't wash my hands after something as small as driving someone to the station, no. Why would you assume everyone would?

[HowIsItMarchAlready]

I just don't get why those who do not wash everywhere, don't. It takes two minutes to scrub yourself with a shower puff, a glove or whatever else you prefer. Yes you may not smell but is that the only reason why you wash? I like to shower because I get clean but also because I remove dead skin, making my skin softer and nicer. Plus in the summer I get a better tan. But even if it were just to be clean all over, that'd be reason enough for me. By the same token, I was my hands every time I come home - whether I've been out all day or just dropped my DP off at the station (steering wheels are yukky). Don't you?

[Zippidy123]

liveforsummer 😆 yes you need to wash your bum crack!! Sorry I should have been more specific. I'd put shit under the 'visible dirt' category.

She's actually incredibly knowledgeable and well respected. DrDray is anyone's interested.

[liveforsummer]

@Zippidy123

I follow a dermatologist on YouTube and she says the only places that need a proper wash are face, hands and arm pits, water will do on the rest unless there's visible dirt.

So this 'expert' suggests you don't need to wash your bum crack? Not sure I'd listen too closely to her ...

[Bobbingrazorbill]

I wash my feet daily. I can no longer reach them because of a disability. I now use a long handled shower body brush to reach the places I can't. Until this thread I was worrying I wasn't washing them well enough.

[Zippidy123]

I follow a dermatologist on YouTube and she says the only places that need a proper wash are face, hands and arm pits, water will do on the rest unless there's visible dirt.

[Scianel]

I just use soap/shower gel on bits, pits and bumhole. The rest of me is clean. And no I'm not delusional and noseblind to my own scent.
That being said I am almost permanently barefoot.

[Norgie]

I have a foot scrub thing that suctions to the bottom of the bath / shower tray which is great for doing the feet at the same time as your washing your other bits.
I always wash my neck and behind my ears while shampooing my hair.
I shower and wash my hair daily.

[Organictangerine]

@FrecklesMalone

Apart from under my arms I never use soap or shower gel anywhere as it makes me itch. I don't smell at all. I never have since I was about 8.

Ahhhh the usual poster who doesn’t wash properly confidently asserting they don’t smell…

[mackthepony]

I HATE the word flannel. Especially in conjunction with 'sink wash'

[Ophanim]

@FrecklesMalone

Apart from under my arms I never use soap or shower gel anywhere as it makes me itch. I don't smell at all. I never have since I was about 8.

@FrecklesMalone
do you also have dry flaky ear wax (well not wax at all)?

I have never smelt of BO and I have dry ear wax. There is a link between the two, and I wondered if you are like me.

[KaraVanPark]

Never my feet, they get a soak in the bath. Do wash my neck and ears though as I have short hair

[VeganCow]

I knew someone who showers daily but has never used anything but water. I tried it once in the shower with one of those shower ball things and was as clean as with soap, so I'm sure we all over-wash.

[SailingNotSurfing]

@Kat1953

You're all revolting. I scrub myself all over with wire wool and bleach 3x per day.

Only 3 times a day? I wouldn’t want to sit next to you on the bus, you must reek of stale BO. I boilwash my pits and bits hourly and use an electric sander on my feet and ears.