Erin Eliason

How to Clean a Vagina

How to clean your vagina may seem self-evident. However, some things that seem to be obvious, such as using a scented soap to get rid of vaginal odor, will actually work against you. Despite the rigors of intercourse, pregnancy, and childbearing, the vagina is actually very delicate. As usual with most delicate things, harsh treatment and caustic chemicals often don’t work. Most of what’s needed for a healthy and happy vagina can be picked up at your local convenience store. There are a lot of scented powders and scrubs and mists and douches and creams and tampons that all claim to get rid of vaginal odor. Just try to ignore the commercials with maniacally grinning gymnasts, rock climbers, and motorcyclists, and keep in mind that all vaginas, even healthy vaginas, have an odor. No one can ever completely get rid of vaginal odor. Just visit your doctor regularly and shower daily, following the steps below.

Cleaning a Vagina

Wear clean, cotton undergarments. There’s just something about a vinyl catsuit that makes a vagina smell funny. Tight materials that don’t “breathe” are inherently bad for your vagina. Wearing all-cotton undergarments that aren’t so tight that they turn your vag blue is the best thing. Avoid fabrics that aren’t made from something that was once living on this planet, be it plant or animal. This will help to get rid of vaginal odor before it starts. Less sweat and bacteria will become trapped in the area, leaving you feeling and smelling better. If straight up cotton isn’t your style, try to find other natural fibers for your undergarments, or at least a blend of natural and synthetic fibers.

Shower every day to clean your vagina. Showering once a day is about all that needs to be done to clean a vagina. While in the shower, use a soft cotton washcloth and a mild soap. After working up a soft lather on the cloth, gently wipe down the outer labia. After, gently wipe the inside of the labia and then down to your butt crack. Rinse well. If you work out, sweat excessively, go swimming, or are involved in some other sweat-inducing activity, another shower won’t hurt. Just be sure to avoid taking a bath, as the dirt, sweat, and bacteria aren’t washed away so much as steeped around your body.

Use a mild, unscented soap when washing your vagina. It may seem to go against your natural instincts, but if you have vaginal odor, you should use a very mild soap with no added scents or dyes. The simpler you can go, the better. Cetaphil is a brand of soap that is both dermatologist and pediatrician recommended. The closer to natural you can get, the less interference there will be with natural vaginal bacteria. Keeping the natural bacteria in balance will get rid of excess vaginal discharge, get rid of odors, and help prevent itching and irritation. Remember that all healthy vaginas have some odor, so don’t freak out. It’s natural.

Avoid use of body wash and body scrubs in the pubic area. Body washes and body scrubs are rarely anything but a conglomeration of highly irritating scents and dyes. Some contain oils, synthetic compounds, and even minute pieces of plastic. While these may smell nice and fresh when you uncap the bottle, these chemicals will do nothing but disrupt the delicate skin of the vagina. In the end, this can cause an imbalance of bacteria and excessive odor, discharge, and irritation. They are best to be avoided. If you absolutely cannot part from your morning fresh melon sunburst body scrub, avoid using it in your pubic area and be sure to rinse carefully after use.

Keep your vagina dry. For the same reason that taking a long, hot bath isn’t the best way to get clean, vaginas need to keep dry. While some moisture is just part and parcel of having a vag, letting moisture and sweat stew down there is a recipe for odor. Make sure that your vagina has had ample time to dry after the shower. Change out of clothing that is damp or sweaty, shower after excessive exercise or swimming, and be sure to give your vagina plenty of (in private) air time. In other words, no vinyl catsuits in the sauna.

Use a douche only if your doctor recommends it. It’s a common misconception that douching is the best way to clean your vagina. Many over-the-counter douches contain artificial scents and harsh chemicals. Let’s face it: a vagina should not smell like strawberry fields or summer breezes. They just shouldn’t. Even the douches that are gentle are often unnecessary. If regular cleanings, a proper diet, and breathable clothing aren’t working for you, go see your doctor. He or she can discover any possible medical issues, and you’ll have the opportunity to ask whether a douche is a good option for your particular vaginal issues. Your doctor will also be able to tell you what kind douche you should use.

Get Rid of Vaginal Odor

There are a lot of don’ts when it comes to keeping your vagina clean, and these don’ts are just as important as anything that you should do. There are a lot of products marketed to allegedly get rid of vaginal odor. Remember that they’re trying to make a profit. The best thing you can do is to avoid harsh chemicals, scents, dyes, and scent covers. These can often make your vagina smell bad, worse than before. And along with causing vaginal odor, these chemicals can cause vaginal discharge and vaginal itching. Not nice. So be nice to your vagina; use gentle cleansers and avoid using douches, sprays, powders, or anything not found in nature. The exception, of course, is if your doctor recommends otherwise. You’ll never be able to have a completely odor-free vag, as all vaginas have some odor, but you can have a healthy vag.