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Original poster

Not washing these body parts?

135 replies

Hanyyd · 09/05/2022 06:29

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?

OP posts:
riotlady · 09/05/2022 19:45

I’m the same as you OP, and I’ve never had foot fungus or ear cheese or anything else mentioned in this thread xD

Am not convinced that human skin, our largest organ, can be directly compared to a dinner plate either

Boood · 09/05/2022 20:49

Well, at least now we know why so many people have smelly feet 🤮

aSofaNearYou · 09/05/2022 21:28

Boood · 09/05/2022 20:49

Well, at least now we know why so many people have smelly feet 🤮

Not really, I imagine most of us would wash body parts more thoroughly if they were smelly or producing cheese. I think it shows more that bodies are different and some regulate better than others.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Beauty
emmathedilemma · 09/05/2022 21:33

So I wore tights and boots all day and went to the gym after work and did a good check of my feet before getting in the bath and after and I can honestly say that I have no idea why they would need scrubbing! They didn’t smell and there’s nothing growing in them. I actually think feet get fungal stuff more from not drying them properly rather than washing them.

lenorofavenor · 09/05/2022 21:51

Feet sweat and smell like armpits and genitals. Why would you not just wash it, instead of proving a point with it? Makes no sense, unless you don't use soap at all.

Do people not wash their faces? Your face doesn't stink, yet you wash it, right? It's true some people smell more than others me but I don't see why you wouldn't

PrincessRamone · 09/05/2022 22:04

Do people not wash their faces? Your face doesn't stink, yet you wash it, right? It's true some people smell more than others me but I don't see why you wouldn't

No. I rinse it with warm water when in the shower, and with icy cold water in the morning,, but I don’t wash my face with soap.

I don’t wear makeup though, so don’t have that to wash off.

clippety clop · 09/05/2022 22:10

I alternate between a "pits and bits" shower if I'm in a hurry or a proper one 🤣

FairyDustSprinkles · 09/05/2022 22:13

I don’t wear makeup either but you still need to wash your face properly with a facial cleanser. Your face builds up with oils and all sorts from pollution outside and therefore you should cleanse and exfoliate your face . Water is not enough . Not being mean just trying to help

FairyDustSprinkles · 09/05/2022 22:14

FairyDustSprinkles · 09/05/2022 22:13

I don’t wear makeup either but you still need to wash your face properly with a facial cleanser. Your face builds up with oils and all sorts from pollution outside and therefore you should cleanse and exfoliate your face . Water is not enough . Not being mean just trying to help

@PrincessRamone I don’t wear makeup either but you still need to wash your face properly with a facial cleanser. Your face builds up with oils and all sorts from pollution outside and therefore you should cleanse and exfoliate your face . Water is not enough . Not being mean just trying to help

LubaLuca · 09/05/2022 22:15

I wash all of these places. I don't really think any body parts are optional, it's just as easy to wash them all as some of them. Why wash arms and legs that are unlikely to harbour grime, but not the little crevices that are likely to get clarted up if left?

I wash my ears at night when I wash my face with a cloth. My neck and feet get a wash with a scrubby sponge thing in the morning in the shower. Genuinely not sure what the point of a shower is if you don't bother with the nooks and crannies.

unknownorigins · 09/05/2022 22:19

Tell you what I can't get my head round, that thread where people were adamant they didn't need to wash their vulvas. Apparently bum is ok but not round the front. Well I don't have cheesy ears or stinky feet but my bits would be very whiffy if I didn't give them a good old soaping.

Thewindsofchange · 09/05/2022 22:20

I use scrubby gloves with soap, quick rub all over and done.

viques · 09/05/2022 22:24

I am amazed at the gunk that seems to collect between my toes! Have a bath every day and always clean between my piggies.

PrincessRamone · 09/05/2022 22:26

FairyDustSprinkles · 09/05/2022 22:13

I don’t wear makeup either but you still need to wash your face properly with a facial cleanser. Your face builds up with oils and all sorts from pollution outside and therefore you should cleanse and exfoliate your face . Water is not enough . Not being mean just trying to help

What is it you are trying to help with?

My face isn’t dirty. I don’t have spots or enlarged pores. I’m nearly 50 and don’t have wrinkles. Not sure what I need help with?

BrylcreamBeret · 09/05/2022 22:27

@EBearhug is correct. You must wash everywhere but especially behind the ears as it is prime real estate for vegetables otherwise.

AMBE123 · 09/05/2022 22:29

What are you all doing to get so dirty that you need to scrub all over with Brillo pads every day?!

I don't specifically wash behind my ears but just checked and they don't smell. I do wash my hair most days as my scalp feels gross by about 11 am if I don't ....and I do the edges and neck pretty thoroughly then.

Otherwise it's pits and bits and under boobs and my feet get rinsed and a proper scrub once a week or so....but then I always have something on my feet so they don't get dirty. And I'm told I'm always clean and well presented so it's not that I'm some scuzz bag!
I think people must all be different, I have dry sensitive skin and don't sweat or smell much but others may be different. Just like some people - usually with thick hair - can get away with washing their hair a couple of times a week and it still looks styled and doesn't feel gross.

BuanoKubiamVej · 09/05/2022 22:32

For a normal quick shower, every bit of skin I can reach with my hands gets lathered with soap suds but no scrubbing involved. Every so often I use a buff-puff scrubber thing to actually clean a bit more thoroughly. It exfoliates the dead skincells and removes a fair bit of grime that isn't necessarily visible but adheres to the skin every day - if I haven't done a scrubbing shower for a while then scratching an itch on my neck or behind an ear results in a little lump of grey goo under the fingernail - that's what needs scrubbing away as it doesn't come off from just being lathered with soap suds.

Rupertgrintismyguiltypleasure · 09/05/2022 22:35

I have to wash behind my ears because of eczema, I don’t scrub, gentle rub will do for most body parts.

Vargas · 09/05/2022 22:38

I never wash my feet unless they're visibly dirty, they get a lovely soapy time all on their own.

As for behind my ears, I thought this was a granny thing that was done when people washed their hair once a week or fortnight. I wash my hair 5-6 times a week so I reckon the bit behind my ears is pretty sparkly.

I do love these MN threads, it's a whole other world out there... Grin

poochuspoochus · 09/05/2022 22:42

I honestly think that washing your feet too vigorously messes with their microbiota and causes them to smell. I don't particularly wash my feet (they do get a very thorough drying) and they never smell even after long walks. The worse foot smell I have ever encountered was from someone obsessed with scrubbing their body and cleanliness. You could smell it through their shoes.

aSofaNearYou · 09/05/2022 22:43

lenorofavenor · 09/05/2022 21:51

Feet sweat and smell like armpits and genitals. Why would you not just wash it, instead of proving a point with it? Makes no sense, unless you don't use soap at all.

Do people not wash their faces? Your face doesn't stink, yet you wash it, right? It's true some people smell more than others me but I don't see why you wouldn't

Because my heart don't get sweaty or smelly unless I've been working out or something. On an average day they are fine.

Benjispruce4 · 09/05/2022 22:45

I use bar soap and soap my body, including my neck. Never rub behind my ears and treat my feet as you do unless they are muddy from being barefoot outside.

TyrannosaurusRegina · 09/05/2022 22:56

Pits, genitals, bumcrack and feet get a good scrub with soap. The rest the water just runs over.

SkerryVore · 09/05/2022 23:00

I don't wash my feet. I shower in the morning and have a bath in the evening with some kind of foam/bubbles/that kind of thing in it. I work from home and generally potter around in {clean!) chunky socks. I'm not knocking clods of earth off them or encasing them in sweaty tights, so I'll take my chances.

I know it's an MN standard, and apologies to anyone who's used it so far, but 'bits and pits' always makes me feel a bit queasy😬

userxx · 09/05/2022 23:07

Thewindsofchange · 09/05/2022 22:20

I use scrubby gloves with soap, quick rub all over and done.

God I've not used my exfoliating gloves for ages, must dig them out and lose some skin.