How to Deep Clean Your Body

Start with the basics. To clean your body effectively, you first need to understand what you're dealing with. There are numerous solutions, soaps, detergents, and exfoliants designed to remove any dirt clinging to your body. Unless in special cases, you should begin with the basics. There are three primary things we need to clean while bathing, each requiring a different approach.

• First is the dirt on your skin that accumulates unnoticed. Even in a clean room, your skin can still gather dirt.
• Second is the dead skin cells that continuously shed from your body.
• Third is the sebum beneath the skin, not just on the surface.

Understand why dirt sticks to your skin to address the root cause. Dirt clings to the skin's surface for two main reasons: it has natural adhesion and/or combines with sebum, which is secreted to protect the skin from environmental factors. This is why dirt on your skin feels greasy by the end of the day.

• Our bodies naturally produce sebum and sweat. These, along with dirt, can be effectively cleaned using compounds that break down oil molecules, making them easier to dissolve and rinse off. Soap is one such product.
• Regardless of additives like fragrances, lotions, or colors, the primary purpose of soap is to dissolve and wash away sebum. Many believe these additives enhance cleaning, but they are mistaken. Read on for more details!

Shower less but more effectively. How often should you shower? No more than 3-4 times a week. While recent studies show that 60% of people shower daily, some evidence suggests that showering less can improve the body's natural cleaning mechanisms. The more efficiently your body cleans itself, the healthier and cleaner you'll feel inside and out.

• Washing your hair too often strips away natural oils, prompting your body to produce more sebum to compensate. Reducing shower frequency can lead to less greasiness and oil production between showers.
• Some people need to shower more frequently than others. If you sweat heavily or have oily skin, you might need to shower twice daily and use a suitable moisturizer. Remember, everyone's body is different.

Choose high-quality soap. What kind of soap should you use? When selecting soap, consider three basic criteria: it should effectively clean dirt, reduce oiliness, and not leave residue on your skin. Many soaps meet these requirements, from familiar brands like Dove or Lifebuoy to handmade organic options.

• However, some soaps leave residue. You can test this by applying cold fat (e.g., bacon grease, oil) to a clean glass surface, rinsing it with cold water, and then scrubbing part of the grease with soap. Rinse again without scrubbing and let it air dry. Low-quality soap will leave a cloudy residue, while high-quality soap won't leave any trace. What remains on the glass is what will stay on your skin.
• Medicated shampoos and soaps are sometimes recommended for dry or flaky skin, while others prefer natural or organic ingredients for health benefits.

Remove dead skin cells. Dead skin cells are a major cause of odor. While antibacterial ingredients in hygiene products claim to eliminate odor-causing bacteria, sometimes thorough cleaning isn't enough. Think of a gym locker room—the distinct smell comes from the fermentation and decomposition of dead skin cells and oils on stored clothes. A damp environment and dead skin cells create the perfect conditions for bacterial growth and decomposition.

• Try using exfoliating products or loofahs. Exfoliants often contain walnut shells, sugar, or other granular materials to scrub away dead skin. These are commonly found in body washes or soaps. Loofahs, with their rough texture, are also effective but can harbor bacteria, so they need to be cleaned and replaced regularly.
• You can also learn to make your own exfoliant or simplify with a sugar scrub
  . There are many recipes, but a basic one includes 2 tablespoons of sugar mixed with enough olive oil and honey to form a toothpaste-like consistency.

Consider water temperature. For a thorough cleanse, opt for hot water, as cold water won't penetrate the oil beneath your skin. You need to open your pores and push out the dirt trapped inside. Bacteria can thrive in clogged pores, and oil buildup can lead to issues ranging from acne to necrosis due to skin erosion. The simplest way to open your pores is through heat. Another method is exercise, as it stimulates sweat glands and pores, but heat alone is effective. A hot bath is ideal, but a hot shower works too. Ensure the water temperature makes you sweat and opens your pores, pushing out impurities.

• Be cautious with extremely hot water, especially if you have dry skin. The ideal temperature is lower than you might think. Water that's too hot, around 49°C, can dry out your skin and cause long-term issues. Instead, use water that's warm enough to touch but not scalding. Adjust the temperature to open your pores. You don't want to burn your skin, but you MUST feel the heat and start sweating to cleanse your pores.
• After a hot shower, you can rinse with cold water for 1-2 minutes. This tightens your skin and closes your pores, preventing dirt and other impurities from re-entering.

Clean every fold and crevice of your body. Use a stiff sponge or washcloth to scrub away dead skin cells. Make sure to scrub every part of your body twice—once while applying soap and again while rinsing. Focus on areas like underarms, behind the ears, under the jaw, chin, behind the knees, and between toes. These areas are breeding grounds for odor-causing bacteria due to sweat buildup in skin folds. Ensure these areas are cleaned thoroughly during every shower.

• Don’t forget to wash your buttocks and groin, but do so carefully. Soap residue in these areas can cause irritation.
• Another tip is to dry your body completely, removing all sweat from the hot shower before dressing. If you’ve cleaned properly, the moisture absorbed by your clothes won’t cause odor or will only have a faint smell. Your body constantly sheds dead skin cells, but if you’ve showered well, these cells won’t cling to your clothes and start decomposing, causing embarrassing issues.

Steam your face before showering. Some people enjoy steam cleansing; they shower with very hot water. This is a great way to open pores and induce sweating. However, facial steaming should be done separately from your regular shower routine.

• Start your bathing routine by steaming your face with a hot towel and a few drops of peppermint or tea tree oil. This is an excellent way to open facial pores and detoxify without damaging your facial skin, as can happen during a hot shower.

Wash and condition your hair 3-4 times a week. Wet your hair, then take a moderate amount of shampoo in your palm. Lather it into your hair, massaging your scalp for 1-2 minutes. Pay special attention to the area behind your ears, as it tends to be oiliest. Continue massaging the shampoo to the back of your head and down to the ends.

• Rinse your hair until the shampoo is completely gone, running your fingers through your hair while rinsing. If your hair still feels greasy, the shampoo isn’t fully rinsed and may cause buildup within 24 hours. Repeat the process with conditioner for stronger hair, then rinse thoroughly.

Dry your body thoroughly. After showering, use a clean, dry towel to pat your body dry. Water left on your skin can cause irritation and blisters. Try to dry off as soon as possible after showering. See tip 5 below.

Wash towels regularly. What do you usually do with your towels? How many times do you use them before they start to smell? Towels often retain dead skin cells and sebum left on your skin if you don’t shower thoroughly. To remove dead skin and oil, you’ll use a sponge, washcloth, brush, or similar tool to scrub. The goal is to clean dead skin cells and sebum before using the towel.

• To keep your body clean, it’s essential to wash towels frequently and hang them in a suitable place to dry completely. If you only shower casually, you’ll need to wash your towel after 2-3 uses. See tip 3 below.
• Don’t leave wet towels on the bathroom floor, as they can quickly develop mold and dirt. Properly hanging and drying towels is crucial.

Try mineral-based deodorants instead of conventional ones. Organic mineral deodorants kill odor-causing bacteria and also help cleanse the lymphatic system. When you first use mineral deodorants, you might experience a strong odor for 1-2 weeks, but don’t give up—it means the product is detoxifying bacteria accumulated from regular deodorant use.

• To manage the strong odor during detox, you can use diluted essential oils like lavender, rose, or lemon, or other refined oils, applied directly to the underarm area to reduce unpleasant smells.
• Avoid antiperspirants. While sweat is often seen as dirty or unappealing, blocking underarm sweating can hinder lymphatic circulation. Lymph nodes are crucial for immune health, detoxification, and even odor control.

Moisturize your skin. After showering, apply a moisturizer to keep your skin healthy. Even if your skin is oily, regular hydration is necessary. However, many commercial moisturizers combine natural lipids with synthetic compounds. Opt for water-based moisturizers instead.

• Identify problem areas like heels, elbows, and knees, and apply moisturizer to these spots before bed. This softens and improves the overall condition of your skin.

Try common facial masks. Using face masks regularly can cleanse and tighten your skin. There are many methods and natural ingredients for creating quality facial masks. Try the following:

• Use raw honey, lemon, milk, besan powder, green tea, and fresh fruits like papaya, mango, orange, or lime.
• You can also purchase pre-made mask mixes from stores. Read the ingredient list to understand what’s in them and try making your own at home.

Use products with natural and organic ingredients. Body wash, shampoo, conditioner, facial cleansers, deodorants, and even makeup and hairspray can contribute to a healthier body. When you use products loaded with toxins and harsh chemicals, your health and your body's natural circulation can be negatively affected.

• Avoid shampoos, conditioners, or body washes containing propylene glycol, sodium laurel (or laureth) sulfate. These compounds can cause hair loss, dryness, chemical buildup, itching, scalp dryness, and sometimes allergies.
• Try home-based alternatives. For some, deep cleansing means avoiding industrial products and focusing on gentler, homemade methods. Instead of shampoo, you can use baking soda, apple cider vinegar, and warm water. If you're interested in home care methods, check out these suggestions:
  • How to detoxify your body naturally
  • How to achieve naturally clean skin
  • How to make homemade exfoliants
  • How to make homemade body wash
  • How to make homemade body care products
  • How to make soap at home
  • How to make homemade shampoo

Maintain internal hygiene. It’s crucial to eat healthily and stay hydrated if you want to cleanse your body both inside and out. Your diet directly impacts the health of your skin and hair, meaning proper nutrition plays a key role in the cleansing process.

• When dieting to lose weight, you may also lose essential nutrients; therefore, avoid starving yourself or completely cutting out carbs and fats.
• Increase antioxidants in your diet. Drink green tea and eat tomatoes daily. On an empty stomach each morning, try consuming basil leaves or soaked fenugreek seeds, which are natural detoxifiers.