Cleaning Your Ladybits

How Should I Clean My Vagina?

This is one of the most common questions I get, and honestly, I get it. We live in a culture obsessed with cleanliness, and marketing has done a number on us—convincing women that if we don’t smell like a field of lavender 24/7, something must be wrong. Spoiler alert: it’s not!

Let’s clear up the biggest misconception first—the vagina is self-cleaning. Yes, you read that right. It’s like a little built-in car wash, constantly maintaining itself without any need for special products. But wrapping your head around that can be tough, especially when you've been bombarded with messages that you need to scrub, spray, or wipe your lady bits into oblivion.

I hear things like:
"I shower twice a day and I still have vaginal odor!"
"I use wet wipes and clean thoroughly, but I never feel fresh enough!"
"I have so much discharge—it’s bothersome!"

Here’s the thing: your vagina has a natural scent, and that’s totally normal. It changes depending on where you are in your cycle—sometimes a little earthy, sometimes metallic (especially around your period). Discharge? Also normal. It’s part of your vagina’s self-cleaning system, helping to flush out bacteria and maintain a healthy balance.

So, What Should You Actually Do?

If you feel like you sweat more in the groin area, a mild body wash or gentle soap (fragrance-free) can be used on the external parts—aka the vulva, where there’s hair. But keep in mind, soap can be drying, and dryness leads to irritation. For the vestibule (the vaginal opening) warm water and nothing in the vaginia (internal area). 

And please, for the love of healthy lady bits, let’s talk about wiping. Blot, don’t scrub. Treat your delicate skin kindly—like you’re patting a newborn’s bottom, not scrubbing a stain out of your favorite shirt. Over-wiping, over-washing, and over-scrubbing can disrupt your natural pH and lead to irritation, infections, and a whole lot of discomfort.

How Is the Vagina Self-Cleaning?

Your body is amazing. The glands around your vulva and vagina produce bacteria and sebum (natural oils) that create an acidic environment—this protects your skin from sweat, urine, and feces. When we start over-cleaning, using harsh soaps, or falling for the latest feminine hygiene trend, we strip away these natural defenses, leading to dryness, irritation, increased vaginal discharge and sometimes infections.

Let’s Call Out the Marketing Lies

Feminine product companies love to sell us the idea that we NEED wipes, sprays, and washes to feel beautiful, confident, and "clean enough." But here’s the truth: you don’t have to buy into that mindset. Your body knows what it’s doing.

So, what’s the takeaway? Less is more. Trust your body. And if you ever feel like something’s off—foul odor, itching, burning, or irritation—don’t reach for another wash; reach out to your provider. We’re here to help, no shame involved.

Love your lady bits. They’ve got your back.