The Do’s and Don’ts of How to Clean Belly Button

woman in bikini with a clean belly button
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The belly button is one of the body parts we rarely clean or pay special attention to during our shower time. It may seem so small that we inadvertently overlook it or unintentionally forget about it. But then, it could also be because we do not know how to clean belly button properly.

The belly button is also called the navel. It’s that tiny scar in the middle of your lower abdomen where your umbilical cord was detached immediately after birth. And even though the belly button does not have any actual function anymore, it is still essential to clean it periodically.

Our navel is a breeding ground for bacteria because it is easily contaminated by dirt, sweat, and germs. Did you know that in a typical belly button, there are over 60 different types of bacteria?

As such, it’s essential that we know how to clean belly button to ensure that we protect our body from the spread of harmful bacteria that could come from the navel.

How to clean belly button

You can clean your belly button following these simple five steps:

Step 1: The first step is general hygiene. Take a shower with a mild soap (such as L’Occitane‘s Extra-Gentle Soap) and water. Wash your whole body.

Step 2: Now, you need to incorporate washing your belly into your bathroom routine daily. It is the best time to clean your belly button. Get a clean cloth, soak it in warm soapy water. Some prefer to use warm salt water instead. This can be an effective way on how to clean belly button because saltwater can loosen dirt and kill germs. Either way, you are good. If there is no cloth, you can use some cotton wool or your fingers.

Step 3: Soak the cloth, cotton wool, or your finger in the soap or salt solution and use it to wash your navel. Get inside and do a thorough cleaning. Rinse with water when you finish. If you have a protruding navel, it is even easier to wash.

Step 4: Dry gently with a clean to avoid overgrowth of fungi or bacteria in your navel.

Important: Do not use any creams, lotions, or facial oils, or facial moisturizers, except when recommended by a health or skincare expert.

Step 5: If you have a piercing on your navel, you might need to repeat the steps twice a day until the wound completely heals.

Now that you have learned how to clean the belly button, it’s time to ensure that you include it in your skin care routine steps and save your navel from  unwanted bacteria.