How to Clean Your "Vagina" the Right Way

Thine snatch is Narnia - vast, full of biological wonder, and hopefully free of goat boys but hey, whatever gets you there. The first step to treating your V right is understanding what's what.

The Difference Between Your Vagina & Your Vulva

Most of us say vagina when we really mean vulva.

The vagina is strictly internal anatomy.
AKA the muscular tube that includes your hymen, cervix, pelvic floor and everyone’s favorite party guest, the G-spot. When you bone, bleed or breed, thank your vagina!

The vulva refers to your external genitals.
Your labia, clitoris, vaginal opening, the opening to your urethra and yes, even your beautiful butthole!

Do You NEED to Wash Your Vagina?

Not any more than you NEED to wash your kidneys.

Vaginas clean themselves better than German appliances.
There’s no intervention needed! The gloss in your undies is proof that your self-cleaning goodness is hard at work maintaining the delicate ph of your vag.

Your vulva is what needs some extra TLC.
Sweat, period blood and bathroom bacteria transfer from your underthings and hide out in your secret valleys. Anyone who has ever owned a bulldog knows how vital it is to CLEAN THOSE FOLDS.

Surprise! Learning how to clean your vagina is really about cleaning your vulva.

Vaginal Odor: Present Even After Bathing!

Contrary to Gwyneth Paltrow’s candle empire, your vagina should not smell like flowers.

It should smell like a vagina. Now can we stop trying to wash that away?

Vaginal odor is normal, even after bathing. (Sup, bacterial flora!) Using perfumed soaps and washes that irritate the vagina is what can cause more unnatural odors due to infection.

What should a healthy vagina smell like? 

Everything from sourdough bread to copper to molasses to ammonia depending on what you’re eating, how much water you’re drinking, and where you’re at in your cycle.

Emotional stress and sexual infections can result in a more skunky or fishy twang. Know your scent, and talk to a healthcare professional if you notice any sudden changes.

How to clean your vag naturally: Like any organ, the best thing you can do to keep your vagina healthy is to maintain a healthy diet and exercise.

Vaginal Discharge: Healthy, Normal, NOT Dirty!

That dewy feeling in your drawers is the result of hardworking glands making small amounts of fluid inside your vagina. This fluid sluices out old cells daily to keep your V healthy and clean.

Vaginal discharge can range from a clear fluid to a thick milky consistency depending on age, menstruation, whether you’re breastfeeding, or if you’re sexually excited.

Period Blood: Plain Water is Your Friend

Though it’s tempting to want to fire-hose your privates with anything that doesn’t smell like pennies during your period, you really don’t need to switch up your routine.

Again, your vagina is doing its thing, the pH balance is still delicate, and plain water is all you need to keep the area around your vagina clean.

How to Clean Your Vulva the Right Way

Suds up a soft cloth or ideally just your hands with warm water alone or a mild soap. (The bottle should say it’s hypoallergenic, fragrance-free and dermatologically-tested.)

Spread your labia and gently wash the area around your vagina, taking care not to get soapy water inside your V. When cleaning around your b-hole, wash front to back to prevent bacteria from spreading from your anus to your vagina.

Avoid under or over-cleansing by washing once a day to remove foreign bacteria while maintaining pH.

Also? There’s no need to invert the shower head unless you’re spending quality time with your water pressure. (Heh.)

Cleaning Methods to Avoid

An alarming number of “feminine hygiene” products work against your vagina, including scented soaps and perfumes, harsh gels, and antiseptics that wipe out healthy flora.

General rule of thumb: If you wouldn’t use it on a baby, don’t use it on your tender nethers.

Risks of Washing the Vagina

Think of vaginal health like gut health. Jetting soapy water up your vag every day can be as disruptive as downing long-term antibiotics. Your defenseless vagina can end up dry and itchy, with unusual discharge and an uptick in yeast infections.

Should You Steam Your Vagina?

Hard no. While a V steam might *feel* cleansing, the hot air can scald your tender flesh and wreak havoc on your vaginal bacteria.

Vaginal steaming has no scientific backing and can cause harmful infections and a lot of discomfort down there.

Should You Use a Douche?

Using douches can disrupt your pH balance and lead to infections by flushing out the good bacteria that keeps your vagina healthy.

Trust your body to regulate itself without introducing foreign chemicals. If you’re eating well, hydrating, moving your body and paying attention to any changes that are out of the norm, you’re doing everything right!

Tips to Keep Your Vagina & Vulva Clean

• Understanding how to clean your vagina properly is more or less about leaving it be. Let your vagina do its thing!
• Wash your vulva once a day with warm water alone OR mild soap.
• Use your hand to gently cleanse or a soft cloth (no abrasive loofahs!).
• Consider a bidet like TUSHY Classic 3.0 to keep your vulva shower-fresh
  and wash away foreign bacteria between bathroom visits.
• Pack a TUSHY Travel bidet to combat swamp ass on the trail, in hotels
  and anywhere away from home.
• Walk regularly to strengthen your pelvic floor and promote healthy vaginal functions. 
• Eat your vagina’s favorite foods and stay hydrated.

When Should You See a Doctor?

• If you notice new discharge or an uptick in yeast infections
• When experiencing pelvic pain, fever, vulva itching or burning 
• If your brand of vaginal odor suddenly changes