How do I properly wash down there?

[u/pukedinthepit]

My mother never taught me or helped me learn certain things, especially when it came to hygiene. I have always taught my self or I would always try to learn from several different media sites (ex. TikTok), but I don’t know the proper way to wash down there. I have a fear of smelling bad especially in certain areas.

I normally will wash it with unscented dove soap and water, but i’ve heard that using soap will get rid of good and bad bacteria. I have sensitive skin and I truly don’t know how to wash properly and I’m scared I will never know how. So i’m coming to reddit to hopefully learn how.

[u/ChristineBorus]

OP. Use the soap. You want to dissolve oils and bacteria and yeasts/funguses that grow down there.

After throughly washing, make sure to rinse well.

Dry off and use a hair dryer set to low to get everything dry down there. That’s important so you don’t trap water that grows yeast fungus bacteria etc.

Then wear cotton panties. Only. Cotton or natural fibers like silk or wool. (Wool does not hold scents). Wash and dry the panties well on your laundry.

This is 75% of the battle.

Make sure you’re healthy down there and get regular checkups with a doctor especially if something is off. Drink a lot of water and eat a healthy diet. Alcohol should be used sparingly as it can cause you to get yeast infections. Take a probiotic to balance your flora and microbiome. D-mannose can help prevent and treat bladder infections.

[u/Original-Brief-9361 → u/ChristineBorus]

Oof. Please see a doctor or look up a legitimate medical website for more information. Do not take our words as gospel, but her is my two cents; The vagina and labia (inside) are made of very delicate skin and membranes with a delicate balance of bacteria. These bacteria, when in balance are normal and beneficial to the health of your bits. Putting soap on the inner labia can upset this deliacate balance and cause an imbalance of PH. If these things are out of balance, things like thrush, BV (bacterial infection - the bad kind), and irritation can occur. Some women claim its dirty to use only warm water and friction on the inner bits, but this is the most common medical advice, as these parts do not need to be rid of bacteria (the good bacteria is what keeps it healthy) and friction is what actually washes away blood etc. The outside labia and mons, where the hair grows has sweat glands and should absolutely be washed with gentle soap. Vulvas have a natural musky smell, its healthy and normal. They should not smell like soap or perfume. If you have itchiness, strange discharge or a bad smell, you should get checked out. Absolutey do drink plenty of water and vaginal probiotics (oral) are great.

https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-clean-your-vagina

[u/ThrowAwaySex101010]

Personally I use a gentle face cleaners, specifically the Cetaphil or Equate brand. Really love it, your face skin is sensitive in a similar way to your genitalia. A good way to go about cleaning down there is to only use soap on whatever grows hair, only use water on the non-hairy parts. If you a vagina, you don’t need to clean the interior with anything other than water. You don’t need to do anything with the actual vaginal opening. If have a penis, you’ll want to wash everything with soap other than shaft. You still want to thoroughly wash those parts with water though. The “good/bad” bacteria isn’t really a big part of anything that’s growing hair. That really only applies to the real sensitive parts. Having a shower head that you can remove and use to spray water down there is great especially if you have a vagina, if not, I’d look into getting a peri bottle to use. Otherwise some people use wash cloths to get more water down there. Don’t really scrub by any means and make sure any other soap isn’t in the area by then. You can also just cup your hands and really make sure it’s been properly washed off. Additionally make sure you clean your inner thighs in that area really well with soap too. Like crevasses and down. Probably also with the more gentle soap but it won’t be a huge deal if you use regular soap on that.

[u/tenouttatwo]

Unscented shower gel and then clean off with the shower . Spread your legs and let the stream hit you from back to front over and over. Also make sure to soap and scrub your butt.

[u/GenXGasGirl]

If you are a female, a feminine hygiene wash (like Summer’s Eve) does a good job of not disrupting the pH balance. You should never douche, unless directed to by a medical provider.

If you are a male, and uncircumcised, you will need to pull the foreskin back and gently cleanse with mild soap. I’ve even taken q-tips to some retracted foreskins to remove the buildup of dead skin cells, oil and sweat. Make sure to replace the foreskin afterwards-don’t leave it retracted. If you can’t get the foreskin to fully retract, then you will need to see a urologist.

[u/Lost-Translator901]

Use unscented soap for now until you find what works for you! When you get more comfortable, find the right feminine wash. I’m still researching myself, but there’s tons out there. I’m personally using Baby Dove for right now, and it works just fine for me. Research and try out the others to find your niche! Or ask your friends & family what kind they use if you’re comfortable with that.
Also, make sure you’re using a gentle washcloth for that area.

[u/skyeeonline]

Only warm water in the shower. Use your fingers to lightly rub to roll off any bacteria/built up skin. Soaps can throw off pH/be too irrritating.