How To Clean The Private Part

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Keeping your private parts clean and well-groomed gives you a fresh feeling that will please both you and your partner. Here are some tips for men and women on how to spruce up.

1
Groom yourself. Trim your pubic hair. Do this before you shower, so that all the trimmings are washed away.^[1]
- If you have hair clippers, set it to a depth that suits you— ¹⁄₂ to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 cm) suits a lot of people. Trim carefully all the way around and under for a clean look.
- No clippers? Use a pair of sharp scissors, and snip away evenly to a length that suits you.
- Some people have taken to shaving the hair down there. If you and your partner favor this look, go for it!^[2]
  - Soak in a bathtub for a bit to soften the hair up. It'll make it a lot easier to shave.
  - Trim with scissors before lathering up the shaving cream and pointing sharp objects at your privates.
  - Be careful. It's easy enough to nick yourself when shaving your face, and shaving is something you do every day!
  - Note that when you shave, within a couple days it could get really itchy. If you're scheduled to give a big presentation to the board then, you might want to think twice, and save the shave till after the meeting. Alternately, use an unscented moisturizing lotion to minimize the itch.
2
Soap it up. When you shower, or bathe, don't go light on the soap when you wash your crotch.^[3]
- If you're circumcised, taking care of your penis is pretty straightforward. Soap it up, rinse it off.
- If you're uncut, clean under the foreskin. Neglecting this will cause a buildup of a whitish substance with the oddly unpleasant name of smegma. It's harmless, but not something you want sticking around.^[4]
- Scrub (somewhat gently) from tip to tail, and all the parts in between.
3
Rinse thoroughly. Who needs soapy buildup, or a soapy smell? For a lot of people, it can be just as unpleasant to smell perfumed soap as eau de nether.
- Some people enjoy a natural (i.e., clean but not overly fragrant) smell from their partner. When in doubt, it's a good idea to favor neutral over perfumed.
4
Package the package properly. Wear a fresh pair of underwear daily.^[5]
- Keep your clean, unused undergarments in a cool, dry place. Whether you prefer boxers or briefs, make sure you dry them as soon as you wash them. Otherwise, you risk your clothes smelling worse than you (did).

1
Trim the hedges. If you're going to just clean things up a bit, now is the time to do it.^[6]
- If you have hair clippers, set it to a depth that suits you— ¹⁄₂ to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 cm) suits a lot of people. Trim carefully for a clean look.
- No clippers? Use a pair of sharp scissors, and snip away evenly to a length that suits you.
- If you're going under the blade, soak in the bath for a bit to soften the skin and hair up. Things will go a lot more smoothly, and you will have a much more pleasant experience.
- Some people have taken to shaving their pubic hair into a variety of interesting shapes and patterns. If you and your partner favor this look, go for it!
  - Note that when you shave, within a couple days it could get really itchy. Apply moisturizing lotion to minimize discomfort.
2
Wash daily. Cleanse and rinse the pubic region thoroughly, taking care to wash the outside of your pubic mound with soap.^[7]
- Don't use soap on your labia or in your vagina—this can lead to irritation and infections.^[8]
3

Rinse thoroughly, and dry well. You want to wash away soapy residue, both to get rid of the perfumed scent, and to inhibit bacterial growth of the unpleasant kind.^[9]
4

If you are on your period, change your pad or tampon regularly, or wear a menstrual cup. Clean and rinse your pubic area after removal, and before replacement.^[10]
5
Wear fresh undies. ^[11]
- Keep your clean, unused undergarments in a cool, dry place, and care for them well—make sure you dry them as soon as you wash them. Otherwise, you risk your clothes smelling worse than you did.

Add New Question

Question

What is the clear stuff I keep finding in my underwear?

It's vaginal discharge, a normal part of growing up. If it is flowing in large amounts or has a strange color or a pungent odor, please consult a doctor.
Question

Is my discharge supposed to have a smell?

There might be a slight scent normally, but if your discharge has a strong odor, you likely have an infection and need antibiotics.
Question

I am an 11-year-old girl. What is the white discharge I am finding in my panties?

No need to worry about that. It is your normal vaginal discharge that comes out after it's done cleaning itself (yes it does that) so that's just the waste that comes out. If it makes you uncomfortable, wear a panty liner.
Question

Why do I have a bad smell coming from the vagina just after bathing?

You may be over-cleaning it, causing a pH imbalance which makes the smell worse. You may also have a bacterial infection or a yeast infection. Sometimes, you can balance the pH again by cleaning your vagina only once a day for a week. If the smell persists, see a doctor.
Question

Is it OK to shave my pubic hair with a razor?

Yes. Always be careful with the razor blade; make sure it's sharp and not rusty or dull, because rust and dull blades can lead to infection, plus they won't be as effective on the hair. Sometimes it helps to shave after a shower or bath, since the pores in your skin will be more open, but this also means it will be easier to cut yourself.
Question

Whenever I shave my public area, the skin gets really rough and stings a little when touched. Is this normal? Do I need to moisturize?

Make sure to rinse with cold water after shaving to close your pores and moisturize when you get out. One way to stop razor burn is to use an UNSCENTED deodorant on your pubic mound, but no lower.
Question

Should I shampoo and condition my pubic hairs?

No, it's not necessary, though some people who shave the area apply conditioner beforehand. This is just to make the shaving easier and limit razor burn.
Question

What is the white stuff coming out in my privates?

Most likely vaginal discharge. That is normal.
Question

My vagina smells like pee all the time. What do I do? This is very embarrassing.

Wash it properly every day (instructions are provided in the article). Make sure you're wiping adequately (but gently) after using the bathroom and using enough toilet paper. If this doesn't help, you might want to consult a doctor.
Question

Is it better to shave down or up when using a razor?

Go with the grain, which means follow the natural direction in which your pubic hair grows.

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Use a moisturizer, especially after shaving, to keep your skin soft and smooth.
Use baby wipes as they are for sensitive skin, and they will prevent odor.
You may substitute shaving cream with hair conditioner when shaving to avoid nasty cuts.
Shower with a friend. It saves water, and makes intimate grooming more pleasant.
Wear 100% cotton underwear. This lessens irritation.^[12]
Use vaginal wipes as they are for keeping you fresh (great to use whilst on your period).

Do not use the same underwear for more than one day.
Remember to stay in a well ventilated area when cleaning the region, as sweat can cause more bacteria to grow.
Shaving can cause itching and ingrown hairs, so make sure shaving is something you are willing to do.

Things You'll Need

Shampoo
Soap
Body wash
A clean towel
A new, sharp razor
Electric clippers or scissors (optional)
Clean Underwear
New Undergarment Protection (for women only)
Body Lotion

About This Article

Article SummaryX

To keep your private parts clean, trim your pubic hair with clippers set to ½ to 1 inch or use a pair of scissors or a razor to cut your hair to a length that's more manageable. After shaving, take a shower to get the stray hairs off. While in the shower, use plenty of soap to wash your groin. If you're a man, make sure to wash your penis, and take care to clean under your foreskin if you're not circumcised. For women, wash the outside of your pubic mound with soap, but avoid getting any soap on your labia or vagina since this can lead to irritation or infections. To learn how to store your underwear to keep them fresh and clean, keep reading!

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