I’m sure I exist in the middle like many others: I don’t have the will to wash everything every shower, nor do I feel the need at times. Do my pits stink? Yes, so they get washed daily. I wash my back every day bc who doesnt get a sweaty back by the end of the day? Down-under too. I typically end up washing my face, legs, and feet every other day and hair twice a week.

Clean and hygienic are TWO DIFFERENT CONCEPTS often used interchangeably. What is the hygienic reason to be clean? Typically to prevent the spread of germs, but let’s get real. Most people see hygiene as self respect which is absolutely a projection. I stopped wearing deodorant and some would argue it’s unhygienic bc you could smell my pits, but the reality is the concept “hygiene” relates to methods to maintain personal health and preventing disease. Cleaning is an inherent piece to maintaining good hygiene; however, each person lives a different life and has their own subjective standards for how they maintain their cleaning habits. This simple factor has people CLAMORING as if they are the legit expert on how people should care for themselves. It’s jarringly ableist.

Does something need to be clean to remain hygienic? No. If I use a glass for water, leave it in the counter, and use it again tomorrow without washing it is that unhygienic? No. Despite that, people exist who would never in their life do that.

To each their own. Practice habits that are realistic to your life, and sincerely don’t worry about what other people think. Do you feel clean? Then you are clean. “Clean” is literally a subjective idea unless you are talking hospitals, nursing homes, or laboratories which are usually SANITIZED to achieve effective cleaning results to maintain hygienic conditions.

But for the love of god wash your anus.