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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:
Peaceandquietfinally · 23/09/2023 23:06

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

Oh god have just choked on my water …bloody hell maybe I need to buy an extra toothbrush tomorrow 😂

TomatoSandwiches · 23/09/2023 23:07

FluffyCloudsofShit · 23/09/2023 22:45

I wedge a towel onto into the inside of my shower which I have sewn sponges on. I squirt shower gel onto it and then rub my back up and down against it.

😂😂😂

smartiesneberhadtheanswer · 23/09/2023 23:08

@PinkRoses1245

Thank you for the sanity

JaneJeffer · 23/09/2023 23:10

I think you mean unsanitary @smartiesneberhadtheanswer

Saoirse82 · 23/09/2023 23:10

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.

What a load of shite.

You may have worked in the NHS but it definitely wasn't dermatology.

smartiesneberhadtheanswer · 23/09/2023 23:24

I think 'arse toothbrush' just became the new 'penis beaker'

BravoMyDear · 23/09/2023 23:27

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.

These as amazing, I wouldn’t be without one now. I wash my body and scrub my back after conditioning my hair. My back gets spotty if I don’t - I assume it’s the silicone in the conditioner.

SkinnyMalinkyLankyLegs · 23/09/2023 23:27

FluffyCloudsofShit · 23/09/2023 22:45

I wedge a towel onto into the inside of my shower which I have sewn sponges on. I squirt shower gel onto it and then rub my back up and down against it.

Like a cat scratching its back 🤣

WandaWonder · 23/09/2023 23:27

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

Same

BananaPyjamaLlama · 23/09/2023 23:32

hideundermyduvet2023 · 23/09/2023 22:53

There is so much bollocks out there about soap and washing vulvas etc

No, you aren't meant to shove a soapy hand/ sponge up your vagina but you are meant to clean with soap the areas around it. There are creases in labia and around thigh. The bum crack and around anus (not poking it inside!)

There are oils and all sort of disgustingness collecting in those areas. Smeg.

I wouldn't want to sit next to you in the office !

At .... smartiesneberhadtheanswer

Newsflash. You are sitting next to people, chatting with people etc with that same routine (or very little extra) daily. And you've never noticed because its not a noticeable issue.

saltinesandcoffeecups · 23/09/2023 23:42

🤣 this reminds me of my favorite commercial….

Shiny Suds funny commercial

https://youtu.be/WIFoBHoW-DA?si=msdx7dPUOy-wMKUU

FirstFallopians · 23/09/2023 23:43

No- face, pits and bits (with proper soap)and that is adequate.

I have yet to be afflicted with any skin conditions due to my unscrubbed back.

If you’re showering once a day and wearing clean clothes it makes zero difference.

Jitterybugs · 23/09/2023 23:51

When using a toothbrush up your arse do you recommend Colgate Cavity Protection toothpaste? 😆

PrinnyPree · 23/09/2023 23:52

I am back scrub showerpuff camp, I also shampoo and condition my hair daily (otherwise its gets really greasy, yes I've tried leaving my hair unwashed for donkeys to "reset" it, but it doesn't work for my hair)

My routine is shampoo condition hair, then wash entire body with a puff, shaving pits using shower gel (and legs in the summer), never felt like I had to contort too much to get my back but I am acne prone even at 40 so always wash to get rid of conditioner residue. I wash my face with a sensitive face wash and also use face wash for my bits and bum using my hand as its gentler.

I know people are going to say the reason I have oily skin is because I overwash but it is strictly hormonal, I have tried everything. Maybe if I wasn't so acne prone and my hair so greasy I'd be less thorough but I don't feel clean unless I shower daily and moisturise.

villagee · 23/09/2023 23:58

I scrub every inch with pears or dettol soap. Not sure how you lot that 'let the water run down' feel clean Confused

honestyisnotthebestpolicy · 24/09/2023 00:06

@BananaPyjamaLlama

Newsflash. You are sitting next to people, chatting with people etc with that same routine (or very little extra) daily. And you've never noticed because its not a noticeable issue.

It gives a heavy boak in the bedroom though 🤢

lap90 · 24/09/2023 00:31

Letting soap run over your body isn't cleaning anything properly.
There's a reason why we scrub the likes of dishes and don't just let water run over them.
A loofah is fine to use.

blahblahblah1654 · 24/09/2023 04:31

I don't scrub my back. Might reach to give it a wash but I assume the shower gel, water and shampoo from elsewhere will clean it, but I definitely clean down there with shower gel. If you use the toilet daily you need a proper clean. As long as you aren't inserting soap inside you it's not going to do any damage. Aren't you a bit stinky if you don't clean down there properly?

RantyAnty · 24/09/2023 04:48

A long Korean towel.
It exfoliates very well

Mothership4two · 24/09/2023 05:18

Yes with a long handled wooden back scrubber and sulphur soap otherwise I still get spots on my back. I can feel the conditioner on my back until I wash it off. Don't shower daily though or brush up my bum! 😳

starrynight21 · 24/09/2023 05:21

Stressybetty · 23/09/2023 21:38

Got a loofah strap I put shower gel on like this Back Loofah Exfoliating Belt. Luffa Back Scrubber Strap. Easily Reach to Wash & Scrub. Quality Hand-Made Loafer Sponge. Easy to Keep Clean and Hygienic. 100% Natural Shower & Bath Scrub Brush Pad. amzn.eu/d/0YLdP5S

I have one of these too. So easy to use, gives your back a good scrub.

starrynight21 · 24/09/2023 05:25

BananaPyjamaLlama · 23/09/2023 23:32

Newsflash. You are sitting next to people, chatting with people etc with that same routine (or very little extra) daily. And you've never noticed because its not a noticeable issue.

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You might not say anything, but PHEW ! Yes your fanny can smell appalling for those poor people sitting next to you. In my long life I'd say that the people who've told me " I don't smell bad .......my fanny doesn't need soap" etc, they are the ones who absolutely reek when you are next to them.

SecretSoul · 24/09/2023 06:01

BananaPyjamaLlama · 23/09/2023 23:32

Newsflash. You are sitting next to people, chatting with people etc with that same routine (or very little extra) daily. And you've never noticed because its not a noticeable issue.

Show quote history

We know we’re sitting next to those people. Because invariably they bloody stink.

If you don’t give your nether regions a proper clean, there’s a very distinctive kind of sweaty, yeast-like odour that wafts around. Totally different to BO but I think it’s actually worse! I know someone like this and her house actually reeks of it too, it’s genuinely grim.

I don’t obsessively scrub my back or legs, occasionally they’ll get a proper scrub but rarely. I do scrub my arms when I shower, and my neck, chest, under arms, and down below, front and back. Also, I soap below my boobs every day - that area is one of the hottest and sweatiest and needs washing at least once a day. Might be less of an issue if you’re smaller up top.

But fannies and arses really do need washing properly. People who have to sit next to you will be thankful.

Fluffyfluffkins · 24/09/2023 06:20

TomatoSandwiches · 23/09/2023 22:09

Ah no not the human stew! 😂

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😂😂
I too prefer baths. A good soak, scrub then rinse off with shower faucet.
I always wash and exfoliate my back.

Bbq1 · 24/09/2023 06:39

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

You wash no other part of you? 🤢