Clean beans v the filthy's

[forreal99]

Ok....

Two groups of friends, independent of each other, differing opinions:

Set one (let's call them 'the filthy's')
Belief: Feet are 'self-washing' ie by virtue of just standing in the shower, feet are washed (self cleaned) by the bubbles from shower gel flowing over and around the feet (no interaction required)

Set two - (and we'll call them 'the clean beans')
Belief: feet (and soles of feet and nails) need active washing/cleaning, not just passive bubbles flowing over the top and around

YANBU the clean beans
YABU the filthy's

Depends what you are doing with your feet. My existence is mainly lying on a chaise longue being fed violet creams so the feet tend to stay fairly clean.

DH thinks I'm really gross but I'm happy to have a daily bath and only actively wash face, armpits and bum. I do out bubble bath in the bath and honestly feel very clean.

Sometimes I barely shower once a week. As if I can be arsed washing my feet specifically.

Whenever I see this type of stuff come up on mumsnet (same as ‘my friend only changes her bed every six months!’) I can’t help wondering what the fuck a mumsnet dinner out looks like. In my friend group we generally go to the pictures then Frankie & Benny’s and take turns bragging about our kids and complaining about work. But at mumsnet nights out somehow the conversation turns into how people wash their feet/towels/bumholes.

People should wash their feet using soap and rinse them with water. Some people obviously don’t.

I scrub my feet, top bottom and between the toes. Probably why my quick showers last 20-30 mins

Do you mean instead of washing you just stand under some cold water then get out?

Just wait till both sets have teens!

All this does explain why so many MNers feel they need to wash their towel after every shower to stop it smelling. The towel is the thing that’s getting the dirt off. Wash properly and your towel will stay clean longer.

I only wash with soap according to need - the bits that get smelly (armpits, genitals, feet) or may get oily skin / spots (face, back, chest). I don’t usually wash my arms and legs with soap because they don’t look, feel or smell any different whether I do or don’t. Except of course in the summer when there can actually be sun cream and dirt to wash off. And in the summer my feet get a proper clean with a pumice stone after wearing sandals all day.
Oh and my towel doesn’t get smelly!

Why are people putting soap on their genitals?! It’s really not advised. You should only use water.

I use E45 wash cream or aqueous cream. Both non lathering and unperfumed. And use a shower oil rather than gel on the rest of my body.

Why? The rules of punctuation decide.

I use one of those shower scrubbers and wash everything top to toe with it. I was really surprised on here when I found out that people don’t actively wash/scrub their legs and feet. Usually when I read about cleanliness on MN I’m more towards the slatternly end of the spectrum but not with this.

I'm with the filthies. They get sucked clean every Saturday night anyway.

DP used to be a Filthy but after I realised that the reason a clean bath mat smelled (really smelled!) of feet after one morning's worth of showers was cos he doesn't actually wash them in the shower, he quickly became a Clean Bean. And funnily enough, his shoes stopped smelling so awful so quickly. It's like anything really - if you don't wash it, it will eventually start to smell... feet are prime for being smelly anyway and I can't imagine taking the time to have a shower but not bothering to wash a body part! Did feel a bit like his mum though for a minute 😂

I wash mine properly in the bath once to twice a week, but of a pumice to keep them tidy. I don’t bother in the shower unless they are dirty or sweaty. I am moderately filthy obviously.

I think the more soap you use, the more you need.

I use a scant amount swiped between the legs, under arms and under boobs. Everything else looks after itself. Nothing smells, not my shoes, not my towels...

But my life style is less mucky than many- no public transport, no heightened stress, gentle non sweaty exercise. When I was a teacher I had to work really hard on staying clean because of the stress sweat.
I'm very dry skinned too, so no grease to wash away. In fact the reason I use so little product is the irritation I get when I use more. Particularly on my feet.

I'm with the filthies tbh.

I only use shower gel / soap on genital area, armpits and if anywhere else is actually dirty. It was suggested by my doctor as an alternative to regular bouts of severe eczema (open sores are far more unhygienic than skin which has been washed with water). My legs get soap about once per week when I shave. I don't smell.

I'm a bit of a scruff in most aspects but I can't imagine not actually washing my body.

Of course you should wash your feet. And your arms. And your legs. But especially your feet.

I wash mine b wading in the local river once a week. Fortunately iam now immune to infections from standing on shap objects in dirty water.

I have seriously never discussed my washing habits with anyone.

No. They need washing lien any other body part.

LIKE*

I don't really wash mine, unless I've been to the beach or they feel dirty. They don't get sweaty, and there is no gunk between my toes. Maybe it depends on how your feet are? My toes are like fingers and there is no real closed in area for my toes to get gunky. They are obviously in the shower with me each morning, I'm quite a sweaty person generally, but my feet don't get that hot. If I had little beany toes maybe they would need more of a clean.

I only actively wash my hair, armpits and genitals. I've never noticed that I have particularly smelly elbows or calves or any other bit, so I guess the hot water and shower gel run off does a good enough job on the rest.

I would only actively wash my feet if they're visibly dirty e.g. if I've been to the beach and they're sandy.

I only ever put soap on my pits and bits. It makes my skin itchy and strips out the oils so I only use it where necessary.