1- wash between toes 2- avoid loofahs 3- don't wash feet first especially athletes foot 4- avoid harsh scrubbing 5- change towels every third day 6- avoid feminine hygiene products 7- not washing hands properly
Yes! Especially if you work in healthcare or have some kind of surgery scheduled. So many people in healthcare wear fake nails of some kind which is actually against most hospital policies. People getting some kind of laparoscopic surgery often don’t think to clean their belly buttons but that is actually where one of the scopes is inserted. The OR nurses often end up doing it for you. Yuck! Lastly, if you’re having any kind of procedure done, shower before you leave home. Depending on what you’re having done, you might not be able to get a good shower/bath for a while. So many people come to the hospital dirty and it creates a lot of problems with recovery.
@@christinagipperich2780what about the homeless? Haven’t you facilities for them to clean up at the hospital? It must be hard for them to turn up perfectly clean.
Wow I am so happy you addressed all the hygiene myths about feminine hygiene products, such a waste of money but also one that can cause issues. Thank you so much from this retired RN.
When I was a nursing student I gave a lovely old lady a bed bath before she discharged and her toes were funky. Have seen much worse but I remember her because she was so grateful. Talk to your occupational therapist, they make so many tools to help wash yourself if you just tell them you can’t reach something.
So true! OTs are a great resource for people no matter what their impairment. The sad thing about older people in the hospital is that you may see the signs of worsening self care in small ways…over grown nails, poor skin care, or just generally poor hygiene. Some of this might be the understaffing at the nursing facility they came from or may be simply because they can’t do the task for some reason. When you notice this in your patients, harass your docs for an OT consult or referral.
Hi Dr. Dray! Parents are responsible for teaching their own children basic proper hygiene and if it's also taught in school then that's an added bonus, but unfortunately not all parents do so and for that unfortunate fact it's a blessing that your channel exists.
I use a clean wash rag and towel every day. Hang them to dry over shower rod then toss in laundry basket once dry. They’re easy to wash, dry, fold and put away.
I wash my hands every day when I come home before doing anything else at home. My mom made all us children do that growing up. It makes a huge difference. Of course, I wash at other appropriate times - after the restroom, before eating, and when they’re dirty.
I change my face cloths every day - I use them to dry my face. I also change my pillowcase and bath towels twice a week, wash everything every week. My skin is very sensitive and can be easily irritated - using fragrance free laundry soap helps too. Take care everyone 🌹
I recently found muslin facecloths. They are so good and gentle and bc they are used in hospitals you can wash them in the hottest water and they don’t go hard. Even line drying
@@lisinbondi1240I was gifted an abundance of family “stuff,” including many vintage napkins. Some are just plain everyday muslin or linen and make great cloths, although I have been enjoying fleecey ones, it’s been extremely high wind speed here, and we’re surrounded by open scrub prairie. No one needs to exfoliate haha, but my skin is extra tender so babying it
My mom taught me to wash feet last and wash between the toes and dry between the toes with a towel specifically used for the feet only. Thank you for educating the masses on proper cleanliness.
Refreshing to see a medical profession on here giving sage advice WITHOUT fearmongering or spreading misinformation. Thank you! Also, yes, the vagina, foreskin, and eyelids are all self-cleaning. Rinse debris out with warm water when needed, but nothing more is required. If you have a problem, see a doctor.
When my sons were in grade school we were getting lots of colds. I instituted a wash your hands immediately after entering the house and I told them to have their friends do the same. I couldn’t believe what a difference this made! We were down to only having one cold a year and we didn’t even go through a small bottle of OTC cough syrup. Best house rule after everyone puts the lid down on the toilet so the dog doesn’t drink from it (it also makes it so you never sit in toilet water from the seat being left up).
I have a very silly and obscure fear of loofahs after 8 year-old me had been casually using my sister's loofah for who knows how long, and one day I decided to pull apart and look between the folds and it was FULL of black mold!!🤢😭🤢 It scarred me, I've been anti-loofah ever since lol
I wash my towels on the third or fourth day of use. My synthetic loofah goes in the washing machine and dryer, the same as my towels. I wash my face and brush my teeth before I get in the shower. I think I have always done it that way, for as long as I can remember anyway.
I am a big fan of adding oxiclean to my washer with each load. I am lucky that I have good air flow in my shower as well. I even wash my shower curtain liners in my wash at least once a month. I also use a squeegee on my shower walls and floor after my showers. Call me a little neurotic.
If you take note of which end of your bath towel has a tag, use that end to dry your face. Then, when you re-use the towel, you will know which end to use again to dry your face.
@@arlenefisher1164 we have re-used our bath towels all 54 yrs of marriage w/ no issues. The towels dry out thoroughly between uses & I know which end was used for what. I grew up using a towel just once. If you prefer just once, that's fine. It creates a lot more laundry but...everybody has to do what makes them comfortable & doesn't create any problems. 🙂
There is a standardized curriculum for teaching hygiene such as brushing teeth, showering, etc. for people with mental disabilities who need the extra help. That's where I first heard a few of these tips (like between toes) But it sounds like we all need a lot of this info!
Absolutely true! Its often so difficult for the eldetly and infirm to attend properly to their personal hygiene, particularly when mobility issues exist. It can become overwhelming for them. That was a great point to make.
I do have one comment to make re: sunscreen. I began using sunscreen diligently after I developed a skin cancer on my face, my neck/chest area, and one of my arms. (I played volleyball on the beach all through high school and college.) I was afraid of allowing any skin exposed to the sun to not be covered with sunscreen. After two years, I discovered I had a vitamin D deficiency and osteopenia. My doctor asked if I wore sunscreen all of the time. I told him, "Yes, diligently!" He suggested that I try other methods of protecting myself against over-exposure, like wearing a hat, wearing lightweight long sleeved fabrics, etc. He stated that I needed to try to go outside for about 15 minutes a day for some exposure, even reflective exposure. So, I did. I went back after about 6 months to see my doctor (after lab work) and found my deficiencies had resolved. So, I use sunscreen sparingly and just don't stay in the sun very long without dressing for it.
I hate sunscreen. Sunshine is good for you. I am very blonde, can get lost on a bedsheet. What I do is wear clothes with fabric designed to block the bad rays. At the beach I wear long pants, long sleeves, and a hat. Under that is my swimsuit, which I wear for dips into the ocean. I am older than most people and have no skin cancer, just freckles.
I clean my mobile phone every other day. Especially when I've been outside to multiple places. Please mention this, everyone should do it. I can't imagine having to touch a phone that's never been cleaned yukkk
@@Nutcut.1234 Above you someone said Clorox wipe. I use a baby wipe and spray disinfectant on it. Just make sure to squeeze it to make sure it's not wet.
Also, make sure to dry between your toes!! My brother developed athlete's foot as a result of not doing this. He said "nobody ever told me!" ...even though he was well into his twenties when this happened. He has impeccable hygiene but somehow overlooked that until he got that infection.
For anyone with concerns about dry hands from hand washing, make sure you use lotion afterwards if you can, and having oil on hand can help too. Jojoba oil or something similar, you only need 1 little dot. Helps a ton and i feel im better at hand washing because i have a more intentional routine of scrubbing and then following up with the oil.
THANK YOU for this practical yet much needed video! I tell my husband all the time that people do not wash their hands properly- I see it all of the time when I HAVE TO use a public restroom (which I try to avoid). People literally just pat some water and go 🤮 Side note/question: years ago you made a video about not using soap for body- you talked about BP. Do you still not use soap? I knew about the not using down there but have been using soap nuts as a lather for body and BP for feet. Thank you!!
I have never used the same washing cloth/exfoliating sponge for my body and my feet. I have two in different colours and never the twain shall meet! Plus, i wash them after each and every shower. Towels, too- in the machine they go on a 60 degree wash. I've known people who hang their towels over a stair banister to "dry" and/ or in their airing cupboard and the whole family reuse them for weeks! Seriously gives me the heebie -jeebies. My beloved Mum was so fastidious, and Im so grateful that she passed on her great hygiene habits to me and my siblings. As ever, fabulous advice, thank you.
Washing between your toes tip: I have trouble reaching my toes so I use the long handled, small sized baby bottle brush, nipple brush?, and reach the toes easily. Of course it tickles but a good laugh is healthy, isn’t it?
Some people don't get this passed down, obviously, from their mothers and grandmothers, and great-grandmothers, I did. I learned how to properly bathe, wash my hair. Always have used 3 separate wash cloths, one for the body, one for the groin area, and one for the feet. And 2 separate towels (body, rest of body).
Dr. Dray gives helpful advice. I spend most of my day barefoot now that I work from home and like to wash my feet before bed. It feels great. Also never use the same washcloth twice. I buy white cotton no name washcloths by the dozen on Amazon, use once and get a new one out. Always wash my feet last! I use separate facial wash and drying towels, too. Good advice to change towels more often. Never used feminine hygiene products. I’m super allergic to stuff so have avoided them. I do use Dr Strum V wash for external wash. It’s gentle as I can’t use most soaps.
I use those fluffy shower flower things. I just throw them in a laundry bag used for delicates and wash them in the washer with a load of towels. Just remember to air dry. If they end up in the dryer they melt into a clump.
I really wish everyone would listen to her. I didn’t really learn anything new; however, she reinforced and confirmed everything. Thanks for this post.
OMG! Thank you for this Dr. Dray. That woman “gynecologist” on TH-cam with her commercials about wiping Lume on intimate female parts makes me insane. When I was young and had my very first appointment with a gynecologist, he said to me, “never use soap on your vulva. Your vagina is self-cleaning.”
Yes, you absolutely can wash the shower puff loofahs. Just put them in a mesh bag, throw them in the washer and then the dryer. They come out perfectly clean and reusable.
I've been known to microwave scrubbies and I suppose you could put them in the dishwasher using the clean-and-sanitize function. The really problematic loofahs were the authentic beige loofahs made from marine materials; avoid!
I've never thought to wash my feet first! Only top to bottom and I always make sure in between my toes gets a good sudsing. I always use a fresh wash cloth and towel. Thanks for the tips. While most seem like they should be common sense, I realize there are people that need guidance in this area. You do so much good, Dr Dray! Happy Tuesday!! I hope you have a lovely evening. 💚
I always enjoy your tutorials. Regardless of how complicated or simple the subject matter may be, it is good to hear reminders, and to learn about the myths and facts of skin care, and skin pathologies. Thank you
@@Hi_Im_Akward my cotton/linen towels were made in Austria..the brand is Leitner..I don’t know if they still make the 50/50 towels..the brand may still be carried by French Quarter in Portland, Oregon…try a fine linen store online..I regret selling my 100% linen damask linen towels by Leitner….they were a work of art..too precious to use….thank you for asking🌸
If in the shower I usually wash my feet last but I primarily take baths and my feet are washed second. Might need to switch things up a little bit. Thanks for the much needed information!
fascinating. I could appreciate that. Nobody teaches you these things that is so true. My biggest trick is to put my bath towel in the dryer after ever use. I do wash it once a week but if you throw it in the dryer and get it good and dry and warm after use it really freshen it up every time.
I well say I stopped using benzoyl peroxide (for pits and feet) and moved to hiboclens. I was using your recommendation for armpit odor and I accidentally bleached my bras by not rinsing as much as needed. Switching to hiboclens seems to help or using zinc pyrthione.
I learn so much from you! Can you react to some of the content about how deplorable men’s hygiene is? Not all men or only men are like that of course but there’s been so much content coming out about guys not washing themselves and leaving marks on women’s sheets and furniture. Or the gamer boys who leave marks on the chairs. It’s pretty shocking and I think it would be good for a professional to comment on that. Some may actually listen!
I don't use loofahs or washcloths. I use my hands and work the soap or body wash into a lather for distribution. I always wash my feet last. curious to know for washcloth users, seems like a lot of work to throw a washcloth in the clothes washer every day.
I use washcloths and after a shower will hang it on the towel bar to dry. The next time I shower, I get a fresh clean washcloth and the previous day's washcloth will now be dry so I throw it in my towel laundry hamper. That way you avoid dampness leading to mold, and the washcloths get laundered with the weekly/bi-weekly towel laundry. So I have a dozen washcloths and it's no more laundry than I usually would do.
in a public bathroom my first priority is get out of there no sense in staying there any longer than needed and I would advise you mind your own business 🙂
I recently purchased a silicone scrubber. Best investment. It doesn’t suds up like those plastic puffs. But it definitely does the job and zero bacteria in the scrubber. Plus it feels great.
Re: hand washing - I'm 40 and am religious about sunscreen, especially on the backs of my hands. But I also have diagnosed OCD and wash my hands many, MANY times a day. How do I balance the two? I've tried reapplying after washing my hands, but I don't always remember or am in a hurry. I do keep sunscreen within reach, but is it practical to apply it to the backs of my hands when I'll likely wash them within an hour anyway? Any advice? For context, I walk my dogs several times during the day and my desk is in front of a window, so sunscreen is a must. Help?
Thank you for saying that about feminine hygiene! It’s SOO frustrating and insulting these companies target women like that. Seeing the Lume commercials with the woman saying she’s a gyno in order to sell her product just tells me she wasn’t a good gyno.
The hand washing! I got better at this when I started changing diapers. COVID got me even more into it. But I started slacking off when COVID seemed more under control in 2023ish. I’m now reforming myself and making good hand washing a priority again. I carry moisturizer and sunscreen with me now, so even when I’m not at home I can moisturize or reapply a moisturizing sunscreen after hand washing. Apparently I need to be reminded how important it is every once in awhile. I’m hoping to make it an ingrained habit eventually.
For me, my indulgence is nice hand soap. I get the (quite pricey!) foaming soaps from Bath & Body Works. I find that I love washing my hands because I enjoy the scent so much. I especially love the citrus scents like lemon and orange. It feels like a luxury to wash my hands. (Stock up when they go on sale!)
Sunscreens and most lotions are full of poisons that you rub into your body's biggest organ. The whole notion that the sun causes skin cancer was made up to sell us poison, to ensure future medical needs. It is sunglasses that cause sun burn as they block the eyes' ability to regulate its intake. Our bodies were made perfectly, and completely self regulating, and healing.
@@no_peace, Yes, because it was never out of control. It is the medical industrial complex, who is. There are treatments, your doctor just doesn't want the liability of standing against Big Pharma.
I was diagnosed with atopic dermatitis in vulva, and had to cut out all soaps and get gentle detergent. After adding each thing back, the culprit was deodorant soap. Feminine hygiene soaps do not affect my skin.
If you use a wash cloth (I do), rinse all the soap off the cloth and wring as much out of it as possible, then hang it to dry, keeping it in the shower is not a problem
I put my shower puff (‘loofa’) in the washing machine? I have a couple & wash them in a delicate items bag. They’ve held up fine doing that. Flannels (as we call them) or wash cloths are so annoying to use, flopping around & sensory hell of the wet fabric 😂
I use an old toothbrush for my toes😂 Scrubbing/physical exfoliation actually is the only thing that cured my backne and prevents it from coming back. I don't do it every time I shower though, probably just twice a week, and only scrub my back and chest where I tend to get acne. I use a cheap washcloth and replace it every couple of months.
I’ve almost always used wash cloths however I have dry skin so decided to buy a loofah and moisturizing body wash. Used the loofah twice then a few hours after my second use got a terrible pain on my lower leg along with red inflammation . I was diagnosed with cellulitis and had to go on an antibiotic . I’m totally convinced it was the loofah combined with my dry cracked skin. Team washcloth here.
I think I didn't understand well (English is not my first language). Does the doctor advise against using the cleanser on the vulva too? I have always been taught that the vagina should not be washed while the vulva should be washed with special soap (water does not wash, I was told).
You were taught right. Water alone will not wash away the secretions in the groin area, nor is water enough to clean the anus. Doctor Dray seems to have dropped the ball on this one. I'm not sure which feminine products she refers to here, but I've been using special soaps for intimate hygiene for decades and have never had a problem. Intimate wipes are a wonderful tool as well when you are on the go. Basically, no matter what products you are using, just make sure not to clean the inside of your vagina. That's all there is to it.
I would love to know, too. I love mine so much. It dries much faster and easy to disinfect with alcohol after each use. It makes my skin so soft, and you don't need to scrub hard with it at all.
It’s so funny, in the early 80s I remember watching daytime soaps with my grandmother and all they would run for commercials were bras and feminine hygiene products like douches and I’ll never forget her telling me that douching was not good for you and that the vagina is self cleaning and I believed her and never did it😂
Dr Gray, thanks for the advice! Question though...if antibacterial handwashes encourage microbes growth, wouldn't the panoxyl/ hibiclense do the same for underarms then?
What if i don't use neither washcloths or loofahs... Why just soap is not enough? For me more important to use moisturizer all over my body after showering
Have you gone over the whole body deodorants that are coming out (like Lume, Secret, etc that are typically AHA based)? I have liked using some of those on my feet, under breasts, and thighs but would using a benzoyl peroxide wash be the same, or even a safer option?
New Subscriber here! Thank you so much. I really appreciate the tips & secrets & mistakes. I was always told to scrub hard to clean yourself. BIG MISTAKE!!!!!!!
I just have a question... a friend of mine shaves her face to get off the hair fuzz and says it helps exfoliate her skin. What is your thought on this? I can understand if a woman has dark hairs on her face but hers are just little light colored peach fuzz.
I mostly use my hands but I use a loofah for one area of my body alone and that is for the feet. I feel like it just is so much easier and more efficient to clean them that way. I do replace them monthly!
Regarding feminine hygiene products: what if someone is prone to yeast infections ? Does that mean the pH is already out of balance? Perhaps feminine washes COULD help then?
In my twenties I was washing my hair with washing soda - I realized it was super effective at removing grease. But now I don't have to wash it anymore, as I don't have hair. :)
@dr dray or anyone else in the comments - any suggestions for where to store washcloths/ razors in a tiny apartment bathroom? Outside of the enclosed shower , isn’t the risk of exposure from fecal matter and other contaminants greater? For example, I always flush lid down, but despite instruction, another bathroom user may flush lid up and there goes bacteria all over any surface outside of the shower. And the stored area has to be ventilated, so it’s not as if you could cover the washcloth / razor in a container outside of the shower. Are you suggesting to put these items in another room? Couldn’t this lead you o cross contamination as well? 🤷🏽♀️ any tips from tiny (think nyc shoebox tiny) apartments would be appreciated!
I also have a special towel to dry my feet only. Sometimes I think I spend an inordinate amount of time drying my feet, but if I don't, I'll feel uncomfortable.
my hubby doesn't use a new towel often. due to heavy menstruation issues i use a new towel daily so i don't mind doing extra laundry since i'm already washing my towels once a week and i have more than a weeks worth of towels. my hubby complains about his skin on occasion and i told him to use a new towel. i need to show him this video.
Another thing is those eyelash kits that people leave on for a week. You can try to clean around them but never get the oils and dirt from the roots of the lashes. Not to mention eyelash mites!
1- wash between toes
2- avoid loofahs
3- don't wash feet first especially athletes foot
4- avoid harsh scrubbing
5- change towels every third day
6- avoid feminine hygiene products
7- not washing hands properly
Thanks
Or you could just, watch the video.
@@TryMyMartini Don't be rude girlie, these are just for convenience and to be reminded whenever someone like this comment
Thanks!
2 wasn't "avoid loofahs" it was to avoid storing a used washcloth or loofah in the shower, with a sidenote that she prefers washcloths
Suggestions:
8. Neglecting navel
9. Neglecting behind ears
10. Neglecting under nails
Yes! Especially if you work in healthcare or have some kind of surgery scheduled. So many people in healthcare wear fake nails of some kind which is actually against most hospital policies. People getting some kind of laparoscopic surgery often don’t think to clean their belly buttons but that is actually where one of the scopes is inserted. The OR nurses often end up doing it for you. Yuck! Lastly, if you’re having any kind of procedure done, shower before you leave home. Depending on what you’re having done, you might not be able to get a good shower/bath for a while. So many people come to the hospital dirty and it creates a lot of problems with recovery.
Those places amongst others is why I frown on anyone who boats about always showering super quickly. I just can't get that....
Totally agree…
Oh the belly button gets disgusting if you don’t clean that properly…if you’re an “inny”….maybe not an issue if you’re an “outy”…? 🤔
@@christinagipperich2780what about the homeless? Haven’t you facilities for them to clean up at the hospital? It must be hard for them to turn up perfectly clean.
Washing bottom to top is diabolical
😈
Its like wiping back to front. 😮
@@CurliFox😂
it feels dystopian 😂
Just watch the bottom areas 2-3 at the end.
Wow I am so happy you addressed all the hygiene myths about feminine hygiene products, such a waste of money but also one that can cause issues. Thank you so much from this retired RN.
Feminine hygiene products caused me infection and im still having trouble with intercourse
Years ago, my dermatologist said to use a new washcloth every time I wash and a fresh bathtowel every other day.
I never used a washcloth in 80 years
@@petersorensen4396What do you use?
I have been chided for using new washcloths, hand towels, and bath towels every day! Now I'm glad.
That's the only way to do it, new washrag and bath towel everyday
I've never thought about washing my feet first lol I've always just washed top to bottom
Well, yeah. You’d ’think” it would be a no brainer!
It means you're not crazy. Congratulations :)
kind of like wiping front to back.. lol
Yeah, that one seemed a bit off lol. Never heard of anyone doing that or recommending to do that.
I do it to keep the tub clean, but I wash my hands after…
When I was a nursing student I gave a lovely old lady a bed bath before she discharged and her toes were funky. Have seen much worse but I remember her because she was so grateful. Talk to your occupational therapist, they make so many tools to help wash yourself if you just tell them you can’t reach something.
So true! OTs are a great resource for people no matter what their impairment. The sad thing about older people in the hospital is that you may see the signs of worsening self care in small ways…over grown nails, poor skin care, or just generally poor hygiene. Some of this might be the understaffing at the nursing facility they came from or may be simply because they can’t do the task for some reason. When you notice this in your patients, harass your docs for an OT consult or referral.
Hi Dr. Dray!
Parents are responsible for teaching their own children basic proper hygiene and if it's also taught in school then that's an added bonus, but unfortunately not all parents do so and for that unfortunate fact it's a blessing that your channel exists.
Because no one taught them 🙄
My parents taught me nothing, social anxiety saved me 😂
I use a clean wash rag and towel every day. Hang them to dry over shower rod then toss in laundry basket once dry. They’re easy to wash, dry, fold and put away.
Nobody cares..😊 who Re you talking to? Yourself?
Dr. Dray is the most trustworthy and no nonsense creator on the internet. I greatly appreciate all the free information you share with us 💛
I wash my hands every day when I come home before doing anything else at home. My mom made all us children do that growing up. It makes a huge difference.
Of course, I wash at other appropriate times - after the restroom, before eating, and when they’re dirty.
I change my face cloths every day - I use them to dry my face. I also change my pillowcase and bath towels twice a week, wash everything every week. My skin is very sensitive and can be easily irritated - using fragrance free laundry soap helps too. Take care everyone 🌹
I recently found muslin facecloths. They are so good and gentle and bc they are used in hospitals you can wash them in the hottest water and they don’t go hard. Even line drying
@@lisinbondi1240I was gifted an abundance of family “stuff,” including many vintage napkins. Some are just plain everyday muslin or linen and make great cloths, although I have been enjoying fleecey ones, it’s been extremely high wind speed here, and we’re surrounded by open scrub prairie. No one needs to exfoliate haha, but my skin is extra tender so babying it
My mom taught me to wash feet last and wash between the toes and dry between the toes with a towel specifically used for the feet only. Thank you for educating the masses on proper cleanliness.
The proverbial toe rag!!!
Wash your bottom last
Refreshing to see a medical profession on here giving sage advice WITHOUT fearmongering or spreading misinformation. Thank you!
Also, yes, the vagina, foreskin, and eyelids are all self-cleaning. Rinse debris out with warm water when needed, but nothing more is required. If you have a problem, see a doctor.
When my sons were in grade school we were getting lots of colds. I instituted a wash your hands immediately after entering the house and I told them to have their friends do the same. I couldn’t believe what a difference this made! We were down to only having one cold a year and we didn’t even go through a small bottle of OTC cough syrup. Best house rule after everyone puts the lid down on the toilet so the dog doesn’t drink from it (it also makes it so you never sit in toilet water from the seat being left up).
I have a very silly and obscure fear of loofahs after 8 year-old me had been casually using my sister's loofah for who knows how long, and one day I decided to pull apart and look between the folds and it was FULL of black mold!!🤢😭🤢 It scarred me, I've been anti-loofah ever since lol
Nightmare unlocked!
I’m am now a major fan of washcloths even more than ever!
I wash my towels on the third or fourth day of use. My synthetic loofah goes in the washing machine and dryer, the same as my towels. I wash my face and brush my teeth before I get in the shower. I think I have always done it that way, for as long as I can remember anyway.
I am a big fan of adding oxiclean to my washer with each load. I am lucky that I have good air flow in my shower as well. I even wash my shower curtain liners in my wash at least once a month. I also use a squeegee on my shower walls and floor after my showers. Call me a little neurotic.
If you take note of which end of your bath towel has a tag, use that end to dry your face. Then, when you re-use the towel, you will know which end to use again to dry your face.
I use a towel once .. let it dry and throw it on the hamper😊
@@billie381 and that's fine if that's what you prefer. 🙂 That's actually the way we did it all the time I was growing up.
never re-use a towel.
@@arlenefisher1164 we have re-used our bath towels all 54 yrs of marriage w/ no issues. The towels dry out thoroughly between uses & I know which end was used for what. I grew up using a towel just once. If you prefer just once, that's fine. It creates a lot more laundry but...everybody has to do what makes them comfortable & doesn't create any problems. 🙂
@@arlenefisher1164 I used it many times for 85 years! LOOKING LIKE A 70-YEAR-OLD PERSON! I NEVER USED A WASH CLOTH IN MY LIFE!
I installed a towel warmer in my bathroom that dries my bathsheet after use with the added benefit of warming it in winter!
I use white washcloths
on my face.
Target brand
washcloths are
8 for $5.
There is a standardized curriculum for teaching hygiene such as brushing teeth, showering, etc. for people with mental disabilities who need the extra help. That's where I first heard a few of these tips (like between toes) But it sounds like we all need a lot of this info!
I can’t imagine washing my feet first, I always wash my face first. I use a clean towel & washcloth everyday. Always great information!❤️
Hair first for me. So I don't get hair products that linger on my face.
@@lukastembergerI’m just getting into all of this. This is KEY for reducing bumps I learned. King shit 💩
I always use clean towels for bath, hand and face everyday.
I always wash my feet last. I generally always start from the top and work down to the feet 😁
@@Dreamseeker731same! Hair first, feet last!
The high pollen count has been irritating my skin. Showering at night before bed us a must, after collecting pollen all day! Many blessings!!!💖💖💖
SHOWERING AT NIGHT HELPS ME SLEEP SO WELL !
This is everything. I love when she covers stuff like this.
I have a big stack of wash cloths and use a fresh one each time I shower. I also use a clean towel each time.
Absolutely true! Its often so difficult for the eldetly and infirm to attend properly to their personal hygiene, particularly when mobility issues exist. It can become overwhelming for them.
That was a great point to make.
I do have one comment to make re: sunscreen. I began using sunscreen diligently after I developed a skin cancer on my face, my neck/chest area, and one of my arms. (I played volleyball on the beach all through high school and college.) I was afraid of allowing any skin exposed to the sun to not be covered with sunscreen. After two years, I discovered I had a vitamin D deficiency and osteopenia. My doctor asked if I wore sunscreen all of the time. I told him, "Yes, diligently!" He suggested that I try other methods of protecting myself against over-exposure, like wearing a hat, wearing lightweight long sleeved fabrics, etc. He stated that I needed to try to go outside for about 15 minutes a day for some exposure, even reflective exposure. So, I did. I went back after about 6 months to see my doctor (after lab work) and found my deficiencies had resolved. So, I use sunscreen sparingly and just don't stay in the sun very long without dressing for it.
That's interesting, I didn't know sunscreen could block that.
I hate sunscreen. Sunshine is good for you. I am very blonde, can get lost on a bedsheet. What I do is wear clothes with fabric designed to block the bad rays. At the beach I wear long pants, long sleeves, and a hat. Under that is my swimsuit, which I wear for dips into the ocean. I am older than most people and have no skin cancer, just freckles.
It would be easier to just take Vitamin D! I have to avoid the sun due to having had skin cancer, and I take Vitamin D.
When I walk on the beach daily, I find the sand and salt water does a great job! My feet are clean and exfoliated. Then I put on moisturiser
I clean my mobile phone every other day. Especially when I've been outside to multiple places. Please mention this, everyone should do it. I can't imagine having to touch a phone that's never been cleaned yukkk
I can't believe people neglect to do this. I use a Clorox wipe to disinfectant my phone when I get home everyday. It's a must!
How to clean phone? I mean what to use?
You should really clean it everyday.
@@Nutcut.1234 Above you someone said Clorox wipe. I use a baby wipe and spray disinfectant on it. Just make sure to squeeze it to make sure it's not wet.
@@thesecretshade I don't know what's a clorox wipe but i think baby wipe is more handy, thanks for the tip😊
Also, make sure to dry between your toes!! My brother developed athlete's foot as a result of not doing this. He said "nobody ever told me!" ...even though he was well into his twenties when this happened. He has impeccable hygiene but somehow overlooked that until he got that infection.
I've never dried between my toes and use public showers though my shower shoes are sandals. I don't put a wet foot in a shoe.
I assure he he doesn’t have impeccable hygiene if he didn’t think to dry himself.
He probably always has swamp butt
My spouse won’t dry between his toes and always has athletes foot
@@robinpatrick7862 gross
For anyone with concerns about dry hands from hand washing, make sure you use lotion afterwards if you can, and having oil on hand can help too. Jojoba oil or something similar, you only need 1 little dot. Helps a ton and i feel im better at hand washing because i have a more intentional routine of scrubbing and then following up with the oil.
THANK YOU for this practical yet much needed video! I tell my husband all the time that people do not wash their hands properly- I see it all of the time when I HAVE TO use a public restroom (which I try to avoid). People literally just pat some water and go 🤮
Side note/question: years ago you made a video about not using soap for body- you talked about BP. Do you still not use soap? I knew about the not using down there but have been using soap nuts as a lather for body and BP for feet. Thank you!!
I have never used the same washing cloth/exfoliating sponge for my body and my feet. I have two in different colours and never the twain shall meet! Plus, i wash them after each and every shower. Towels, too- in the machine they go on a 60 degree wash.
I've known people who hang their towels over a stair banister to "dry" and/ or in their airing cupboard and the whole family reuse them for weeks! Seriously gives me the heebie -jeebies. My beloved Mum was so fastidious, and Im so grateful that she passed on her great hygiene habits to me and my siblings.
As ever, fabulous advice, thank you.
My eye Doctor asked me how I wash my eyelids. This is very important for keeping our eyes healthy and is often not done properly.
What advice did your eye doctor give you? I have blepharitis and need to wash my eyes twice a day because of oily buildup.
I mean I have to wash my eyelids 2x a day.
My ophthalmologist instructed me to wash my eyelids daily with baby shampoo.
Washing between your toes tip: I have trouble reaching my toes so I use the long handled, small sized baby bottle brush, nipple brush?, and reach the toes easily. Of course it tickles but a good laugh is healthy, isn’t it?
Great idea.
Some people don't get this passed down, obviously, from their mothers and grandmothers, and great-grandmothers, I did. I learned how to properly bathe, wash my hair. Always have used 3 separate wash cloths, one for the body, one for the groin area, and one for the feet. And 2 separate towels (body, rest of body).
Are they color coded?
Dr. Dray gives helpful advice. I spend most of my day barefoot now that I work from home and like to wash my feet before bed. It feels great. Also never use the same washcloth twice. I buy white cotton no name washcloths by the dozen on Amazon, use once and get a new one out. Always wash my feet last! I use separate facial wash and drying towels, too. Good advice to change towels more often. Never used feminine hygiene products. I’m super allergic to stuff so have avoided them. I do use Dr Strum V wash for external wash. It’s gentle as I can’t use most soaps.
I use those fluffy shower flower things. I just throw them in a laundry bag used for delicates and wash them in the washer with a load of towels. Just remember to air dry. If they end up in the dryer they melt into a clump.
They won’t melt if you keep them in a laundry bag and cut the heat to medium.
😳I was today years old when I learned some people wash their feet first in the shower.
😱😱😱
@@kathygreen2145 I know right?! I am shook. 😂
Ditto 😅
I feel like people that do that are serial killers
@@spaghettisawce5973 LOL 😂
I really wish everyone would listen to her. I didn’t really learn anything new; however, she reinforced and confirmed everything. Thanks for this post.
OMG! Thank you for this Dr. Dray. That woman “gynecologist” on TH-cam with her commercials about wiping Lume on intimate female parts makes me insane. When I was young and had my very first appointment with a gynecologist, he said to me, “never use soap on your vulva. Your vagina is self-cleaning.”
The vagina is self cleaning but the vulva needs cleaning with soap and water.
Yes! And, her prices are insane.
Obviously use mild soaps on your VULVA girl. Not in your vagina. The VAGINA is self cleaning. Like you eye. Not the VULVA.
I detest that women. She is anti-soap. I love soap. I buy many kinds and make my own from lye, water, oil, and fragrance.
vulva is not the vagina, you can use products on the vulva. just not intra vaginally
Yes, you absolutely can wash the shower puff loofahs. Just put them in a mesh bag, throw them in the washer and then the dryer. They come out perfectly clean and reusable.
Aand release a ton of plastic in the waste water 🙂
I've been known to microwave scrubbies and I suppose you could put them in the dishwasher using the clean-and-sanitize function. The really problematic loofahs were the authentic beige loofahs made from marine materials; avoid!
@@gitanjilipuri9112 so you aren’t washing any plastic items in your everyday living? Amazing!
@@CatVonMe54
Loofahs grow on a vine and it looks like a squash; it’s not from marine sponges. What marine item are you referring to?
I soak mine in a small container with water and vinegar for about 5 min every 2 weeks or so just in case.
I've never thought to wash my feet first! Only top to bottom and I always make sure in between my toes gets a good sudsing. I always use a fresh wash cloth and towel. Thanks for the tips. While most seem like they should be common sense, I realize there are people that need guidance in this area. You do so much good, Dr Dray! Happy Tuesday!! I hope you have a lovely evening. 💚
I always enjoy your tutorials. Regardless of how complicated or simple the subject matter may be, it is good to hear reminders, and to learn about the myths and facts of skin care, and skin pathologies. Thank you
Glad you like them!
Waffle weave towels dry quicker than fuzzy towels…my waffle weave linen cotton towels are 20 years old and still I great shape
Where do you get them? I find it really difficult to find pure cotton/linen. Everything has synthetic fibers now.
@@Hi_Im_Akward my cotton/linen towels were made in Austria..the brand is Leitner..I don’t know if they still make the 50/50 towels..the brand may still be carried by French Quarter in Portland, Oregon…try a fine linen store online..I regret selling my 100% linen damask linen towels by Leitner….they were a work of art..too precious to use….thank you for asking🌸
If in the shower I usually wash my feet last but I primarily take baths and my feet are washed second. Might need to switch things up a little bit. Thanks for the much needed information!
This channel has done so much for me over the years ❤ my mom was a teen so I didn’t learn a lot 😣
Thanks for watching
I love using a foot scrubber mat as it helps with foot circulation, massages feet, gets in between toes, etc. Bonus is how it’s like a foot spa day. ❤
Are they easy to clean?
I prefer a washcloth because it gets into the creases better than a loofah. Between the toes, behind/around the ears..
fascinating. I could appreciate that. Nobody teaches you these things that is so true. My biggest trick is to put my bath towel in the dryer after ever use. I do wash it once a week but if you throw it in the dryer and get it good and dry and warm after use it really freshen it up every time.
I have seen European bathrooms with heated towel bars. They must be so nice!
I find olive oil soap very effective for the body ( and guilty I use it also on my face )
I well say I stopped using benzoyl peroxide (for pits and feet) and moved to hiboclens. I was using your recommendation for armpit odor and I accidentally bleached my bras by not rinsing as much as needed. Switching to hiboclens seems to help or using zinc pyrthione.
I just threw my mesh scrubby away after watching this-thank you Dr. Dray!
I use a small (“hand towel”) to dry myself and launder it and my washcloth every day. There is no need for a big towel.
I'm team hands. Plus chemical exfoliation once per week.
6:04 THANK YOU!! So many people (especially non-caucasians) think it's gross to not scrub..
I learn so much from you! Can you react to some of the content about how deplorable men’s hygiene is? Not all men or only men are like that of course but there’s been so much content coming out about guys not washing themselves and leaving marks on women’s sheets and furniture. Or the gamer boys who leave marks on the chairs. It’s pretty shocking and I think it would be good for a professional to comment on that. Some may actually listen!
I don't use loofahs or washcloths. I use my hands and work the soap or body wash into a lather for distribution. I always wash my feet last. curious to know for washcloth users, seems like a lot of work to throw a washcloth in the clothes washer every day.
I use washcloths and after a shower will hang it on the towel bar to dry. The next time I shower, I get a fresh clean washcloth and the previous day's washcloth will now be dry so I throw it in my towel laundry hamper. That way you avoid dampness leading to mold, and the washcloths get laundered with the weekly/bi-weekly towel laundry. So I have a dozen washcloths and it's no more laundry than I usually would do.
Well done Dr Dray. A very comprehensive report on hygiene.
I see people walking out of a stall and out the door in a public restroom and cringe! Same at work back when I worked from an office. Just awful
See that also. So gross! Hard to believe, especially after all the emphasis on hand washing during pandemic. UGH
It's always shocking and mind boggling 😮 every single time I see this.
Same! I have to stop myself from yelling "wash your hands!" It's disturbing to me.
in a public bathroom my first priority is get out of there no sense in staying there any longer than needed and I would advise you mind your own business 🙂
@@joculver71You’re literally getting fecal bacteria (yours and others )on yourself later if you don’t wash your hands after using the stall
I recently purchased a silicone scrubber. Best investment. It doesn’t suds up like those plastic puffs. But it definitely does the job and zero bacteria in the scrubber. Plus it feels great.
Re: hand washing - I'm 40 and am religious about sunscreen, especially on the backs of my hands. But I also have diagnosed OCD and wash my hands many, MANY times a day. How do I balance the two? I've tried reapplying after washing my hands, but I don't always remember or am in a hurry. I do keep sunscreen within reach, but is it practical to apply it to the backs of my hands when I'll likely wash them within an hour anyway? Any advice? For context, I walk my dogs several times during the day and my desk is in front of a window, so sunscreen is a must. Help?
Maybe if you cloud considered moving your desk 🤔
It’s not just about what is best for you. It’s for everyone health and safety.
Honestly, those Lume product ads drive me nuts! Telling people they can smell and don’t even know it … need 5 products to solve it. Such BS
the Lume products actually smell pretty bad themselves which is even more BS, its like stink on stink neutralizer.
@@jehannahsworldnot any more - they changed the formula and the odd scent is gone.
She is anti-soap. I love soap.
I find those ads really offputting
Thank you for saying that about feminine hygiene! It’s SOO frustrating and insulting these companies target women like that. Seeing the Lume commercials with the woman saying she’s a gyno in order to sell her product just tells me she wasn’t a good gyno.
Quality toe socks are also life-changing!! 🥰😌 I use a clean small floor(hand) towel and bath towel for each shower!
I change out towels after 2 uses as well as my loofah! I wash the it along with our towels and air dry it. Been doing this for years.
Are there any specific brands/types of hand sanitizer that should be avoided? Like heavily scented vs unscented or a spray vs gel?
The hand washing! I got better at this when I started changing diapers. COVID got me even more into it. But I started slacking off when COVID seemed more under control in 2023ish. I’m now reforming myself and making good hand washing a priority again. I carry moisturizer and sunscreen with me now, so even when I’m not at home I can moisturize or reapply a moisturizing sunscreen after hand washing. Apparently I need to be reminded how important it is every once in awhile. I’m hoping to make it an ingrained habit eventually.
For me, my indulgence is nice hand soap. I get the (quite pricey!) foaming soaps from Bath & Body Works. I find that I love washing my hands because I enjoy the scent so much. I especially love the citrus scents like lemon and orange. It feels like a luxury to wash my hands. (Stock up when they go on sale!)
Sunscreens and most lotions are full of poisons that you rub into your body's biggest organ. The whole notion that the sun causes skin cancer was made up to sell us poison, to ensure future medical needs. It is sunglasses that cause sun burn as they block the eyes' ability to regulate its intake. Our bodies were made perfectly, and completely self regulating, and healing.
COVID is not under control
@@no_peace, Yes, because it was never out of control. It is the medical industrial complex, who is. There are treatments, your doctor just doesn't want the liability of standing against Big Pharma.
I was diagnosed with atopic dermatitis in vulva, and had to cut out all soaps and get gentle detergent. After adding each thing back, the culprit was deodorant soap. Feminine hygiene soaps do not affect my skin.
I use Pears soap down there. It’s never given me any problems.
Washcloths allow using friction + soap or bodywash. Loofahs or gathered scrubbies use abrasion + soap or bodywash.
If you use a wash cloth (I do), rinse all the soap off the cloth and wring as much out of it as possible, then hang it to dry, keeping it in the shower is not a problem
I put my shower puff (‘loofa’) in the washing machine? I have a couple & wash them in a delicate items bag. They’ve held up fine doing that. Flannels (as we call them) or wash cloths are so annoying to use, flopping around & sensory hell of the wet fabric 😂
I agree! I absolutely hate washcloths! They don't lather well and just drive me nuts in general.
I use an old toothbrush for my toes😂
Scrubbing/physical exfoliation actually is the only thing that cured my backne and prevents it from coming back. I don't do it every time I shower though, probably just twice a week, and only scrub my back and chest where I tend to get acne. I use a cheap washcloth and replace it every couple of months.
I’ve almost always used wash cloths however I have dry skin so decided to buy a loofah and moisturizing body wash. Used the loofah twice then a few hours after my second use got a terrible pain on my lower leg along with red inflammation . I was diagnosed with cellulitis and had to go on an antibiotic . I’m totally convinced it was the loofah combined with my dry cracked skin. Team washcloth here.
my mom always taught us to properly wash our feet i have neuropathy so have to always check my toes another great video
This is blessed knowledge for people who are sensitive or immune compromised. Thank you and wishing you well.
I think I didn't understand well (English is not my first language). Does the doctor advise against using the cleanser on the vulva too? I have always been taught that the vagina should not be washed while the vulva should be washed with special soap (water does not wash, I was told).
You were taught right. Water alone will not wash away the secretions in the groin area, nor is water enough to clean the anus. Doctor Dray seems to have dropped the ball on this one. I'm not sure which feminine products she refers to here, but I've been using special soaps for intimate hygiene for decades and have never had a problem. Intimate wipes are a wonderful tool as well when you are on the go. Basically, no matter what products you are using, just make sure not to clean the inside of your vagina. That's all there is to it.
Hi!! What are your thoughts about Soft Silicone Body Scrubbers?
I would love to know, too. I love mine so much. It dries much faster and easy to disinfect with alcohol after each use. It makes my skin so soft, and you don't need to scrub hard with it at all.
I’ve been wondering about this too
Great tips, Dr. D
I love Dr Dray's programs -they are super ......with really useable info!!! Love her!
It’s so funny, in the early 80s I remember watching daytime soaps with my grandmother and all they would run for commercials were bras and feminine hygiene products like douches and I’ll never forget her telling me that douching was not good for you and that the vagina is self cleaning and I believed her and never did it😂
THANK YOU,DOCTOR. I LEARNED ALOT FROM YOUR INSTRUCTIONS !
Dr Gray, thanks for the advice! Question though...if antibacterial handwashes encourage microbes growth, wouldn't the panoxyl/ hibiclense do the same for underarms then?
What if i don't use neither washcloths or loofahs... Why just soap is not enough? For me more important to use moisturizer all over my body after showering
Have you gone over the whole body deodorants that are coming out (like Lume, Secret, etc that are typically AHA based)? I have liked using some of those on my feet, under breasts, and thighs but would using a benzoyl peroxide wash be the same, or even a safer option?
Dr Dray does have a video on lume. So does ob/gyn Mama Doctor Jones.
Great video as always. This also made me wonder if I take a shower right. Lol. My priorities are all messed up. A video on that please.
New Subscriber here! Thank you so much. I really appreciate the tips & secrets & mistakes. I was always told to scrub hard to clean yourself. BIG MISTAKE!!!!!!!
I’d love to hear your thoughts on things like lume’s acidic body wipes, wash, deodorant.
I really appreciate this because I was never told/taught some of these things
Yes. In the past i was using intimate hygiene product. I had a bad smell. Nowadays i don't use any except some shower gel runs while in the shower.
I just have a question... a friend of mine shaves her face to get off the hair fuzz and says it helps exfoliate her skin. What is your thought on this? I can understand if a woman has dark hairs on her face but hers are just little light colored peach fuzz.
I do that with a two blade razor....always makes my makeup look better.
I mostly use my hands but I use a loofah for one area of my body alone and that is for the feet. I feel like it just is so much easier and more efficient to clean them that way. I do replace them monthly!
Regarding feminine hygiene products: what if someone is prone to yeast infections ? Does that mean the pH is already out of balance? Perhaps feminine washes COULD help then?
In my twenties I was washing my hair with washing soda - I realized it was super effective at removing grease. But now I don't have to wash it anymore, as I don't have hair. :)
@dr dray or anyone else in the comments - any suggestions for where to store washcloths/ razors in a tiny apartment bathroom? Outside of the enclosed shower , isn’t the risk of exposure from fecal matter and other contaminants greater? For example, I always flush lid down, but despite instruction, another bathroom user may flush lid up and there goes bacteria all over any surface outside of the shower. And the stored area has to be ventilated, so it’s not as if you could cover the washcloth / razor in a container outside of the shower. Are you suggesting to put these items in another room? Couldn’t this lead you o cross contamination as well? 🤷🏽♀️ any tips from tiny (think nyc shoebox tiny) apartments would be appreciated!
I also have a special towel to dry my feet only. Sometimes I think I spend an inordinate amount of time drying my feet, but if I don't, I'll feel uncomfortable.
my hubby doesn't use a new towel often. due to heavy menstruation issues i use a new towel daily so i don't mind doing extra laundry since i'm already washing my towels once a week and i have more than a weeks worth of towels. my hubby complains about his skin on occasion and i told him to use a new towel. i need to show him this video.
I'll be using spf30 today as our UV index is less than 2 today.
Another thing is those eyelash kits that people leave on for a week. You can try to clean around them but never get the oils and dirt from the roots of the lashes. Not to mention eyelash mites!
I don’t use a loofa. I use a Japanese body cloth (Amazon or from a Japanese store) instead and I wash it in my laundry and hang dry it.