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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Do you wash your back?

139 replies

uhaw · 23/09/2023 21:30

And if so, how? I usually let the soap from hair run over it in a shower, but not sure if that’s actually cleaning it!

OP posts:
smartiesneberhadtheanswer · 23/09/2023 22:12

@Blazingunicorns

You're literally not meant to use soaps on those areas.

Jesus, Mumsnet is batshit

smartiesneberhadtheanswer · 23/09/2023 22:13

agent765 · 23/09/2023 22:00

I use a long African net washcloth. A couple of quid on Etsy/eBay/Amazon. It goes in a wash bag in the machine with the towels.

It dries quickly so even between laundering I'm happy it doesn't stay damp enough to harbour germs.

I hang mine on an over-door ironing hook (Lakeland) that hooks on the shower screen so the cloth can drip dry between showers.

I physically wash every inch, head to toe. It exfoliates my skin and keeps it smooth and healthy. I worked in the NHS for years and the number of people coming in with skin problems that could have been avoided if they'd washed properly and regularly was incredible.

@agent765

Really??? REALLY? You had people sick because they didn't scrub their backs?

Bullshit.

smartiesneberhadtheanswer · 23/09/2023 22:13

Shadypaws23 · 23/09/2023 22:11

They might not be dirt but I don't want either on my back! My back gets sweat dripping down it, why wouldn't you wash it? If I just rinsed it with water I would have spots and dull skin

Maybe it's skin types. I have neither spots nor dull skin.

BebbanburgIsMine · 23/09/2023 22:13

@TomatoSandwiches

I have always hated showers, I only have one in the house because the council put it there! I only use it to wash my hair while I'm in the bath, and I kneel down on the water, never stand.

I get it from my dad, he hated showers too, he only ever had baths, he used to spend entire evenings in one, from about 6-10/11pm 😂

Dramatic · 23/09/2023 22:15

smartiesneberhadtheanswer · 23/09/2023 22:13

@agent765

Really??? REALLY? You had people sick because they didn't scrub their backs?

Bullshit.

Show quote history

She didn't say sick, she said skin problems

Shadypaws23 · 23/09/2023 22:15

I just don't want dried sweat left on my skin. A shower to me is washing my whole body, not half of it, it's like washing only the front of plates when you do the washing up

A guy at work was complaining about sweaty and smelly feet and it turned out he never actually washed them Confused just let water run over them

FucksSakeSusan · 23/09/2023 22:15

smartiesneberhadtheanswer · 23/09/2023 21:51

@Lilibert456 @Waitingandwaitingg

What do you honestly think the issue is? I don't do physical work, the shampoo, soap etc rub off is more than sufficient. I smell perfectly nice and am incredibly healthy.

You're just brainwashed by the cosmetics industry

I can assure you that if you're not washing your bum and the folds around your nether regions, you definitely not smell "perfectly nice".

And to the person saying you shouldn't use soap in those areas, not inside your vulva or bumhole no. But the outside and thigh creases etc yes. The skin folds are where the sweat and hence bacteria build up that make you stink. Water does not remove this.

Mysleepisbroken · 23/09/2023 22:16

ILikeDinosaurs · 23/09/2023 22:07

Yes, I use a Salux Japanese wash cloth that's really scrubby, my skin has never been so soft and smooth. And it's long, so no contortion needed.

Thank you.

I brought one of these back from Japan many years ago. Its very much past its best but I couldn't throw it as I didn't know what it was (it was complimentary in a hotel) and nothing exfoliates quite like it.

I now have a new one arriving by amazon tomorrow.

ChocolateCinderToffee · 23/09/2023 22:16

Facecloth, one end in each hand like a yoga exercise, pull it up and down. I do this two or three times a week.

TomatoSandwiches · 23/09/2023 22:16

BebbanburgIsMine · 23/09/2023 22:13

@TomatoSandwiches

I have always hated showers, I only have one in the house because the council put it there! I only use it to wash my hair while I'm in the bath, and I kneel down on the water, never stand.

I get it from my dad, he hated showers too, he only ever had baths, he used to spend entire evenings in one, from about 6-10/11pm 😂

My husband prefers baths as well, he booked our honeymoon suit with a big bath, there was no sex that night just me freshly showered looking across the room at him in judgement 😂

I do like my cool pod though, I don't pretend to make sense!

Oblomov23 · 23/09/2023 22:16

No.

MartyFunkhouser · 23/09/2023 22:17

I never wash my back. Sometimes (rarely) I get my husband to use my Clarins body scrub on it if we’re in the bath together.

Imamumgetmeoutofhere · 23/09/2023 22:18

smartiesneberhadtheanswer · 23/09/2023 21:42

I soap under my arms and wash no other part of me, just assume run off from shampoo etc will clean me.

Mumsnet is so weird with all the constant washing of body parts and sheets

What about your face, arse and private parts 😩

ShutTheDoorBabe · 23/09/2023 22:19

No. How mucky does your back really get? I'm like you and just let the shampoo and the force of the shower water wash it.

smartiesneberhadtheanswer · 23/09/2023 22:20

@FucksSakeSusan

Bless you

Afterrain · 23/09/2023 22:20

Bidet

HillbillyDarlene · 23/09/2023 22:20

I wash arm pits and front of my body with a puff thing, inbetween my legs with my hand and shower gel, soapy toothbrush up the arse and and a loafer for my back

Blazingunicorns · 23/09/2023 22:20

smartiesneberhadtheanswer · 23/09/2023 22:12

@Blazingunicorns

You're literally not meant to use soaps on those areas.

Jesus, Mumsnet is batshit

Are you joking? You can totally use suitable shower gels on those areas! I can understand some fragranced ones or ones that aren’t ph balanced could upset the flora of the vulva. But why wouldn’t you use them on your bum hole anyway at least? What’s going to happen there?!!!

Motheranddaughtertotwo · 23/09/2023 22:21

I use a luffer. I’m not the most flexible but manage just fine.
Yuk to the poster who only washes their pits. I bet you’re delusional about your smell too. Being clean and hygienic is not brainwashed by the cosmetic industry. You can use more natural products if you prefer but use something!

Etam · 23/09/2023 22:22

I wear those loofah scrub gloves and exfoliate every inch of me with them. In between toes, legs, crack, back, arms, chest, shoulders, etc). The amount of soapy dead skin scum that gets washed off is so gross! It's made even more noticeable if I'm washing a self tan off and I can see the orange dead skin scum building up around the drain.

I can't believe some people don't exfoliate their skin or at least give it a good lather up.

RumNotRun · 23/09/2023 22:22

HillbillyDarlene · 23/09/2023 22:20

I wash arm pits and front of my body with a puff thing, inbetween my legs with my hand and shower gel, soapy toothbrush up the arse and and a loafer for my back

A toothbrush up your arse? That's..um... excessive cleaning, even for Mumsnet! (This is where everyone starts calling me disgusting for not toothbrushing my asshole)

oakleaffy · 23/09/2023 22:22

uhaw · 23/09/2023 21:54

I might get a loafer I think!

A lazy husband?? ( I know it’s a typo ;)

I bought a back brush on a long handle- works really well

smartiesneberhadtheanswer · 23/09/2023 22:24

Etam · 23/09/2023 22:22

I wear those loofah scrub gloves and exfoliate every inch of me with them. In between toes, legs, crack, back, arms, chest, shoulders, etc). The amount of soapy dead skin scum that gets washed off is so gross! It's made even more noticeable if I'm washing a self tan off and I can see the orange dead skin scum building up around the drain.

I can't believe some people don't exfoliate their skin or at least give it a good lather up.

I can't believe some people use fake tan, takes all sorts to make a world!

Perhaps those of us who don't put crap on our skin have less need to soap every inch?

ThinWomansBrain · 23/09/2023 22:25

I prefer to bath rather than shower.

Huge fan of the powers of soaking, be it me, washing or washing up😄

oakleaffy · 23/09/2023 22:26

RumNotRun · 23/09/2023 22:22

A toothbrush up your arse? That's..um... excessive cleaning, even for Mumsnet! (This is where everyone starts calling me disgusting for not toothbrushing my asshole)

Show quote history

Please no!
A toothbrush up the ANUS?

Surely that isn’t needed.
What about aggravating piles?

Why not get a chimney sweep brush and have it pop out of your mouth to ensure inner “ cleanliness “ ?!

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