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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think not washing feet and groin is minging?

104 replies

madmomma · 19/04/2016 20:01

Was discussing personal hygiene with a few friends recently (odd I know) and I found out that none of my friends wash their feet when they shower or bath, because they feel that a soak in bubble bathy water or the suds from shampoo trickling down is adequate. I think this is minging, and physically soap each foot in every shower or bath. I thought everyone did this. I also thought everyone washed their groin with either soap, bodywash or whatever, but my friends were saying they just use water. I can understand not wanting to use perfumed stuff down there, but surely plain soap or something? I would find it so odd to have a shower without using soap on groin or feet. Am I weird or are they?

OP posts:
cbigs · 19/04/2016 20:28

Well we all get mither minge after a long day but I find my womb like boiling baths suffice and had no complaints from dp ... to my face maybe you're a smelly person op who needs it . Blush

Junosmum · 19/04/2016 20:29

As with another poster, I can go a fair few days before I pong (I don't! Unless camping) however DH needs a shower daily or he pongs. It's a very personal thing.

NeedsAsockamnesty · 19/04/2016 20:29

I can't imagine smelling fresh without soap, but maybe it's just conditioning and I'd actually smell fine with just water

But when you smell of soap you don't smell fresh, you just smell of soap which can be either a plesant or a unplesant smell dependant on what soap you use

You just associate the smell of soap with the smell of freshness

StepintotheLightleave · 19/04/2016 20:29

I think the use of the word "minging" is more minging than anything else in your op. Grin

cbigs · 19/04/2016 20:30

Yes sorry yabu I'm afraid. Wine

Bogeyface · 19/04/2016 20:30

I never use soap on anything as I am allergic to it so use shower gel, and I never use that on my undercarriage as I do get itchy down there after I have used it.

I cant say that I do particularly wash my feet but I find that my feet only get smingy after a day in shoes, and as I usually go barefoot its not an issue.

BillBrysonsBeard · 19/04/2016 20:31

I rub myself with bodywash all over apart from feet, they get clean in the water and are always fresh when I get out. My DP properly lathers up his whole body when he washes until he's covered in bubbles but I can't be bothered doing that as I get the same results! = clean and no smell. We're all different..

Original poster
madmomma · 19/04/2016 20:33

It seems like I am the minger then for needing a darned good soaping!

OP posts:
VoldysGoneMouldy · 19/04/2016 20:36

How do you wash your feet with soap without falling over and severely injuring yourself? Even with a seat in the shower I think I'd die.

chanice · 19/04/2016 20:39

Everywhere with soap but not privates as it isn't good for you, just warm water.
I also wash myself after I got to the toilet with a jug of water and dry with tissue as plain tissue wiped doesn't get rid of urine or shit.

Original poster
madmomma · 19/04/2016 20:40

lift a foot, wash it, put it down and rinse, then repeat. spose if your balance is dodgy it wouldn't be a bright idea. I managed it all the way through 3 pregnancies though.

OP posts:
Original poster
madmomma · 19/04/2016 20:41

chanice how do you manage that in a public loo? and how do you get shit off skin without soap? cries

OP posts:
EponasWildDaughter · 19/04/2016 20:42

Shower gel or soapy hands all over here inc. pits and pudendum Grin

Shins and feet just get the soapy run off.

Actually in flip flop weather i do give them a bit of an extra soaping.

SabineUndine · 19/04/2016 20:44

I think I need a bath. BRB.

chanice · 19/04/2016 20:44

I get the tissue from the toilet, wet it and use that then dry myself with dry tissue. A fresh shit isn't dried on the skin and doesn't need soap to get off. I do bath daily also lol

WonderingAspie · 19/04/2016 20:46

I never wash fanjo with soap, thought it was well known you shouldn't. I go as near as possible and all around but not directly on, that's just water. I don't really think about the bottom of my feet actually. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. I've just had a shower and didn't wash my feet and they seem clean enough from just standing in the soapy water.

Palomb · 19/04/2016 20:46

I only actively wash my feet when they're filthy from wearing flip flops. Never in the winter. Re my bits - I had a bit of a slosh about with water and some organic natural olive oil soap on the outer bits and that's that.

I am quite happy to smell like a human being.

IvyLeaf · 19/04/2016 20:49

I don't use shower gel/soap at all, unless it's period time and then I do. I don't smell, and I don't have any skin problems or need to use moisturiser either! Maybe I am weird.

VestalVirgin · 19/04/2016 20:50

I would find it so odd to have a shower without using soap on groin or feet. Am I weird or are they?

With the feet, it is just a matter of personal taste (and of course how dirty your feet get - I use soap on my feet when I have been wading through mud. I sometimes do), but if you are female, then using soap on your groin is against gynecologists' advice.
If you absolutely have to use something to feel clean, there's this stuff with lactobacilli now, which claims to not change the natural ph of the female genitals - it's not really necessary, but certainly better than soap.

tigermoll · 19/04/2016 20:55

There is ALWAYS a bunfight about fanjo washing, and I think most of it comes down to people talking at cross purposes:

a) It is OK to soap your pubes, skin of inner thighs and arse crack -- this bit often gets sweaty and needs a bit of a soaping

b) It is not advised to soap the inside of your labia/the entrance to your vagina/ introduce soapy water actually into your vagina, either with the shower head or a your hands.

So when one person says "if I used soap, I'd get thrush" they are referring to using soap to wash out the vagina/labia. Other people hear that and think "but I soap my pubes all the time and would smell sweaty if I didn't". And there is confusion.

My rule is: if it's furry, soap it. If it isn't, don't.

We should be more precise when we tell girls which bits do and don't require washing :)

bibbitybobbityyhat · 19/04/2016 20:56

I really dislike this word groin.

I must be a particularly gross and minging member of the human race because I need to wash my armpits, underparts and feet daily. Otherwise I am not nice to be near. Hair needs washing every three days. Hands, obviously, get washed several times a day.

All of you who are gorgeous and fragrant after a mere waft around a weekly bath, with nothing stronger than a splash of warm water every so often when the fancy takes you ... medals to you!

BertrandRussell · 19/04/2016 20:57

I don't think I have a groin. I though it was only footballers had them.

Magicpaintbrush · 19/04/2016 20:59

Femfresh! Soapy stuff for lady bits. Keeps you nice and clean, never had thrush with it.

Soapy wash feet every morning in the shower, between toes. In summer I moisturise and pumice my heels so they don't look like troll hooves also. I thought everyone washed between their toes.

FeliciaJollygoodfellow · 19/04/2016 21:00

It's not 'soap on your bits' to use soap in the groin area. Pubes and creases get sweaty and smell, soap is required. You can do this without actually soaping your fanny.

And yes, I wash all my bits every time I have a bath or shower. With soap or shower gel. I don't however wash my hair that often.

SabineUndine · 19/04/2016 21:01

Last time I was in hospital I was asked to give a groin swab. I honestly didn't know which bit they meant. I nearly said 'but only blokes have those!'

PS I do know roughly which area, it's just that a swab is quite small.