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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Am I being dirty / unhygienic/ smelly ?

53 replies

pineapplesouffle · 18/12/2023 22:22

Hi

this isn’t a competitive cleaning thread. I’m just looking for some honest help and advice here because I’ve totally lost track of what is normal and what isn’t

I’ve had OCD for a while, I’ve been in denial about it but it’s come to a head and I’ve realised I can’t shut it out anymore. I was obsessed with cleaning myself and was utterly convinced that if I don’t scrub my body 11 times with new soap or shower gels then I’ll be dirty and smelly etc

i don’t want to be like this and I’ve decided it stops NOW. I went to lush and treated myself to a nice new bar soap which I intend to wash myself with. And I’m NOT doing it 11 times. I’m going to wash my body once over with it.

I just feel so worried because it goes against everything my OCD tells me. But washing once with a bar of soap will make me clean won’t it? I don’t need to wash my body with it several times? And I can rub it directly on my body and build a lather etc and by washing my body 1x I won’t be dirty or smelly will I?

thanks, I’ve just completely lost perspective but I want to stop my ocd habits right now, I just need someone to tell me I’m not being smelly or unhygienic by doing this

thanks x

OP posts:
Squiggles23 · 18/12/2023 22:24

You absolutely won’t be smelly or unhygienic. It’s great you can recognise the problem. Try and access some help/support if you can.

Benibidibici · 18/12/2023 22:24

Yanbu.

Have you sought medical help?

Ace56 · 18/12/2023 22:25

Yes, most people just wash themselves once with soap in the shower. This is enough to clean you, unless you’ve been rolling naked in mud or something!

Are you getting any help for your OCD?

MuchTooTired · 18/12/2023 22:25

This is a massive step forwards for you, well done!! It’ll feel horrific for a while, but by sticking with it, it’ll become normal in time.

To answer your question, you won’t be dirty or smelly if you wash once a day.

Lavender14 · 18/12/2023 22:26

That sounds like the perfect amount of cleaning to me. When I want to feel 'cleaner' I like using a sponge to get a really good lather. I only wash once a day unless I've been exercising or something that I've got dirty or very sweaty. So your plans sound fine. Lush stuff is lovely and smells great so the nice smell should last on your skin as well.

Original poster
pineapplesouffle · 18/12/2023 22:26

Yeah had therapy etc, I’ve managed to kick all the other 11s in my life (eg checking locks 11 times, checking work stuff 11 times, brushing teeth for 11 minutes etc) but for some reason this was the last thing I really struggled with and I tackled everything else by forcing myself to do something once rather than 11 times so I know I just need to take the plunge and tackle this head on too! x

OP posts:
DGPP · 18/12/2023 22:27

You will be lovely and clean after one wash. It’s what the vast majority of people do so you will be taking a massive step towards controlling your OCD. Well done you!!

Eyesopenwideawake · 18/12/2023 22:28

You’ll smell lovely with just one wash - that’s what soap is designed to do, clean you thoroughly with just one wash. Anything more is just a waste and might dry your skin. One wash, warm rinse and a rub with a towel. Perfect.

Original poster
pineapplesouffle · 18/12/2023 22:28

Sorry just in case it wasn’t clear, I explained it badly but right now I’m showering once or twice a day depending on exercise but for some reason I don’t have any ocd around how many times I shower, it’s just how many times I scrub my body when I’m in the shower IYSWIM. So right now I’m going through a shower gel every 2/3 days because I put shower gel and scrub my body 11 times during a shower IYSWIM x

OP posts:
Squiggles23 · 18/12/2023 22:32

You are doing brilliantly OP!

I promise once will be enough to get you squeaky clean. Well done you 👏🏼

flowerchild2000 · 18/12/2023 22:33

Focus on your senses to get grounded. So while you're washing try to notice the smell of the soap, the warm water on your skin, how relaxing it is, etc. Give yourself a time limit while washing, maybe sing a short song and when it's over you put the soap down and do your hair next. I would also go slowly and mindfully so you're retraining your brain to enjoy the experience, you'll be more likely to feel clean that way. Also have you seen a doctor? If it's too much for you to manage there's treatment for it. Mindfulness is an excellent tool for anyone to have though.

Headshoulderscheeseontoast · 18/12/2023 22:42

pineapplesouffle · 18/12/2023 22:26

Yeah had therapy etc, I’ve managed to kick all the other 11s in my life (eg checking locks 11 times, checking work stuff 11 times, brushing teeth for 11 minutes etc) but for some reason this was the last thing I really struggled with and I tackled everything else by forcing myself to do something once rather than 11 times so I know I just need to take the plunge and tackle this head on too! x

Mine is everything in 3's 😄

You definitely won't be smelly by washing with soap once over op, that'll definitely be enough.

Good luck 💐

onemorerose · 18/12/2023 22:43

You’re going to love your new shower regime once you get at it. No need for 11 scrubs and you’ll be out in no time!

SecondUsername4me · 18/12/2023 22:45

Would looking at the science negind how soap works help? It literally repels dirt. One single soapy wash will rid your body of the dirt and germs on it, and this is certainly sufficient for a 24 hour period.

Those extra 10 washes, well, there isn't any dirt and germs left for the soap to eradicate.

PosyPrettyToes · 18/12/2023 22:45

If you want absolute proof you won’t smell, do one arm each way. I promise you that the arm that’s only been washed once will smell just as clean!

RaininSummer · 18/12/2023 22:45

One time and done. I like to use an exfoliating mitt thing with the soap as skin feels lovely then. Well done.

TokyoSushi · 18/12/2023 22:50

Yep definitely once and done, that's what it's designed for, good luck OP!

pizzaHeart · 18/12/2023 22:50

You will be super clean with one scrub over and you will smell lovely.

Rummikub · 18/12/2023 22:50

You have done amazingly well!

How did you stop the other behaviours?

i agree with pp to take in the sensationS (smell, lather and feel of the water )

Wash mindfully

Washing once is plenty. Too many tines damages skin.

mrsfollowill · 18/12/2023 22:51

You will be clean from one wash - it's all I've ever done and I promise you I'm always clean and smell nice. Bar soap is way better than shower gel - I converted back to it years ago! you can do this- think how much time you are going to gain and your skin will thank you for it Star

Humbugg · 18/12/2023 22:51

You will smell so clean and fresh with once over with soap. Your skin will still be clean but much less dry skin. It will thank you for it

lto2019 · 18/12/2023 22:52

pineapplesouffle · 18/12/2023 22:26

Yeah had therapy etc, I’ve managed to kick all the other 11s in my life (eg checking locks 11 times, checking work stuff 11 times, brushing teeth for 11 minutes etc) but for some reason this was the last thing I really struggled with and I tackled everything else by forcing myself to do something once rather than 11 times so I know I just need to take the plunge and tackle this head on too! x

Wow you have done amazing to deal with all those things - you will do with this one too.

clary · 18/12/2023 22:55

Echoing others @pineapplesouffle you will be lovely and clean and fresh after just one wash.

Lush sosap smells so good and so will you. The senses idea from @flowerchild2000 is great as well. Really enjoy your lovely Lush shower and step out feeling better. You have done so well to get this far, you can do this!

User176386233 · 18/12/2023 22:56

Once will leave you just as clean and fresh as x11 because you get the dirt off the first time round.

And .... your skin will be nicer, your posh soap will last longer and your water bill will be lower😀

murasaki · 18/12/2023 22:59

You're doing really well, one wash is fine, amd will cut your water costs too.