Sometimes, all you need to smell great is just roll-on, but when it comes to feminine hygiene, it’s about much more than scent. It’s about protecting your health, preventing infections, and feeling confident in your skin.
Many of us grew up with advice like, “Just keep yourself clean”, but without any real breakdown of what that means day-to-day. Should you use soap down there? How often should you change your underwear? How do I brush so my mouth doesn’t smell?
8 Ways to Maintain Basic Hygiene As A Woman
Here’s a detailed, easy-to-follow guide to maintain basic hygiene as a woman.
-
Brush your teeth and tongue properly
Bad breath comes from bacteria on your tongue and in between your teeth. When brushing, spend at least two minutes to ensure you reach all the back teeth. Don’t forget your tongue; use a tongue scraper or the back of your toothbrush to clean it gently.
When you do this, you remove the bacterial buildup that can cause a foul odor. You can also floss or use toothpicks to remove food particles stuck between your teeth. Doing this in the morning and night can keep your mouth fresh throughout the day.
-
Bath Daily
Bathing daily keeps you feeling clean and prevents the accumulation of sweat and bacteria on your body. Also, the vagina cleans itself naturally through discharge, so there’s no need to scrub inside. Simply wash the outer part (vulva) with warm water once or twice a day.
Never insert soap, herbs, or alum inside, as this can disrupt your natural pH balance and lead to infections. For the vulva, less is more!
-
Choose the Right Underwear
One reason some girls develop odor “down there” is that they don’t wear the right underwear or change it often enough. The best underwear for women is cotton underwear, as it allows your skin to breathe and reduces heat and moisture buildup that can lead to unpleasant odors.
If you live in humid or hot areas, cotton will help you stay dry. Avoid wearing nylon or silk panties for extended periods; reserve them for special occasions. Change your underwear at least once a day, and if you sweat a lot or are on your period, change it twice.
-
Change Your Pads At Intervals
During menstruation:
-
change pads or tampons every 4–6 hours (or more often if the flow is heavy).
-
avoid wearing a single pad from morning to night to “save money,” as it increases the risk of infection.
-
if you use menstrual cups, wash them properly with warm water before and after use.
Note: Subscribe to Cyclekits so you never get caught unaware during your period.
-
Wipe Correctly
After using the toilet, always wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria (such as E. coli) from the anus from entering the vagina. This simple habit helps reduce the risk of infections.
Also, when using public toilets, especially those without running water, it’s helpful to keep unscented wipes or plain tissue in your bag so you can stay clean on the go.
-
Stay Dry
Moisture encourages bacterial growth, so always change out of sweaty gym clothes or wet clothes immediately after exercising or after being in the rain. If you sit for long hours, stand up and stretch often to reduce heat and sweat.
-
Use Deodorant (and Use It Right)
A good deodorant or antiperspirant helps control sweat and odor, especially if you tend to sweat excessively. Apply it to clean, dry underarms, not on sweaty skin. While this is good, avoid heavily perfumed sprays in your vagina area. You might smell better for your man, but trust me, that is a front row for infections!
-
Watch What You Eat & Drink
Additionally, incorporate fresh fruits like watermelon, oranges, pineapple, and cucumber into your diet, as they can help keep you healthy. On the other hand, avoid sugary drinks or alcohol as they can throw off your body’s balance and make you more prone to yeast infections, so it’s best to enjoy them in moderation.
-
Practise Safe Sex
Always use protection, as it can protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) because STIs don’t only affect your sexual health; they can also cause infertility and serious long-term health problems.
To Sum It Up
Keeping good hygiene doesn’t mean buying expensive products; it means doing basic stuff like bathing properly, choosing breathable underwear, and practising safe sex.
Most importantly, listen to your body. If you notice itching, burning, unusual odor, or changes in discharge, don’t self-medicate with antibiotics or “agbo.” See a Doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. Early care helps prevent complications!
Are you already doing all of these basic hygiene habits? Have I left anything out?
Researched by Mercy Adeniyi.
Login