Intimate hygiene: how to do it properly?

Intimate hygiene: definition and objectives

Intimate hygiene encompasses practices aimed at maintaining a healthy genital environment, preserving the microbiome, and preventing infections. It includes washing the vulva, penis, and anus, as well as maintaining sex toys and intimate accessories. The goal is not to eliminate every bacterium—it is to respect natural physiology without disrupting the hydrolipidic film or pH.

Intimate hygiene is based on a fundamental principle: less is often more. The vagina cleans itself through its microbiome. The vulva and penis require gentle external cleaning. Harsh products, vaginal douching, and fragranced cleansers systematically do more harm than good.

Physiology: how the intimate microbiome works

In women

The vagina naturally maintains an acidic pH between 3.8 and 4.5 thanks to lactobacilli—beneficial bacteria that produce lactic acid. This microbiome forms a protective barrier against pathogens. Harsh products, vaginal douching, and cleansers with an unsuitable pH disrupt this balance and increase the risk of bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, and obstetric complications.

The vulva—the visible external area—requires gentle daily cleaning. The vagina—the internal area—cleans itself. Never introduce cleansing products inside the vagina.

In men

The balance between penile skin flora and preputial secretions is equally important. In uncircumcised men, gentle cleaning under the foreskin is necessary to prevent the accumulation of secretions (smegma), which can cause balanitis. Overly aggressive cleaning causes dryness and irritation—it does not provide better protection.

Vaginal douching: a dangerous practice

Douching involves rinsing the inside of the vagina with water or cleansing solutions. It is one of the most scientifically documented intimate hygiene mistakes.

A 2024 study showed that 69.6% of young women regularly practice vaginal douching. However, this practice is associated with:

• Bacterial vaginosis: 41 % of those who practice it
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): 73 %
• Gonococcal infection: 5 %

Douching destroys protective lactobacilli, alters vaginal pH, and creates an environment favorable to pathogens. The feeling of “cleanliness” it provides is illusory—the vagina cleans itself and does not need to be rinsed internally. Douching should be avoided absolutely.

The right products for intimate hygiene

Gentle soaps with a suitable pH

For the vulva and penis, use gentle soaps specifically formulated to respect genital pH:

• Vulva: pH 4–5
• Penis: pH 5.5
• Anal area: pH 5.5–6

Avoid unnecessary fragrances, dyes, and antiseptics — they disrupt the natural flora without providing any additional protective benefit.

Intimate wipes and sprays

Use occasionally — while traveling or after physical activity. Choose alcohol- and fragrance-free products. Do not use them as a substitute for daily washing or inside the vagina.

Moisturizers and creams

Formulated with plant-based oil or panthenol to prevent cracks and irritation on external skin. Never use inside the vagina.

Postpartum care

After childbirth, use healing solutions (calendula oil, cold compresses) and gentle sitz baths. Kegel exercises improve pelvic floor tone. Pelvic floor rehabilitation reduces incontinence and postpartum pain. See our selection of intimate body care products.

Sex toy care: a health issue

Sex toys come into direct contact with genital mucous membranes — their care is a health issue, not an aesthetic one. A survey found that 81.8% of users clean their sex toys regularly — but 18.2% rarely or never do. A poorly cleaned sex toy can transmit bacteria, yeast infections, or STIs between uses or between partners.

Cleaning guidelines by material

• Medical-grade silicone, borosilicate glass, stainless steel: non-porous materials — can be boiled (5 minutes), placed in the dishwasher (without scented detergent), or cleaned with a suitable antibacterial cleaner. These are the most hygienic materials.
• ABS (hard plastic): non-porous — clean with water and mild soap or a specialized cleaner. Do not boil.
• TPE, TPR, jelly: porous materials — cannot be sterilized. Bacteria penetrate the pores and are not removed by washing. Always use a condom on these sex toys and replace them regularly.
• Latex: porous — follow the same precautions as for TPE/jelly. Some types are allergenic.
• Leather (BDSM accessories): wipe with a damp cloth and mild soap, then air-dry. Never immerse in water.

The cleaning protocol

• Clean before using a new sex toy for the first time
• Clean before and after each use
• Use a mild cleanser or pH-neutral soap — do not use alcohol-based disinfectant on silicone
• Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue
• Dry completely before storing — moisture promotes bacterial growth
• Store separately in a fabric pouch or storage bag

See our selection of sex toy cleaners.

Pubic hair removal and care

Pubic hair removal is a personal choice with no proven impact on health. Each method has advantages and disadvantages:

• Shaving: quick and inexpensive — may cause ingrown hairs and micro-cuts that slightly increase the skin's permeability to infectious agents
• Waxing: longer-lasting results — more painful, with a risk of skin irritation
• Laser hair removal: permanent results — expensive and requires a professional

After any hair removal, apply an alcohol-free soothing lotion (aloe vera) and wear cotton underwear to limit irritation. See our selection of hair removal products.

Comparative table of hygiene practices

Individual recommendations

People with sensitive skin or prone to recurrent infections

Prefer plain water and fragrance-free products. Avoid aggressive hair removal. Wear cotton underwear. Consult a doctor in case of recurrent infections — recurrent bacterial vaginosis or yeast infections may indicate a microbiome imbalance requiring targeted treatment.

Postpartum women

Use cold compresses and sitz baths during the first few weeks. Begin Kegel exercises as soon as possible. Consult a healthcare professional in case of incontinence, persistent pain, or difficulty healing after an episiotomy.

Uncircumcised men

Gently rinse under the foreskin during each wash and dry thoroughly to prevent secretion buildup. Simple daily cleaning is sufficient — special products are not needed in the vast majority of cases.

Regular sex toy users

Make cleaning routine before and after every use. Choose sex toys made from non-porous materials (medical-grade silicone, glass, steel) for optimal hygiene. Store sex toys separately in closed storage bags.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using scented shower gel to wash the vulva or penis: the pH and fragrances of these products are unsuitable for the genital area and disrupt the microbiome.
• Cleaning inside the vagina with a cleansing product: the vagina cleans itself. Any internal rinsing disrupts the protective microbiome.
• Storing sex toys without drying them completely: residual moisture encourages bacterial and fungal growth.
• Sharing a sex toy without disinfecting it or using a condom: a sex toy can transmit bacteria and STIs between two people.
• Using an alcohol-based disinfectant on a silicone sex toy: alcohol can damage the silicone surface. Use a specialized cleaner or gentle soap.
• Failing to seek medical advice when symptoms persist: an unusual odor, itching, abnormal discharge, or persistent pain requires medical consultation — not more intensive washing.

Adopt1Toy collections for intimate hygiene

• Body intimate care — gentle cleansers, moisturizers, postpartum care
• Sex toy cleaners — sprays, foams, cleaners suited to each material
• Enemas — for anal use, isotonic solutions
• Hair removal — waxes, post-hair-removal products

In brief: understanding intimate hygiene

• The vagina cleans itself — external washing only, never internal douching
• Douching is associated with 41% of bacterial vaginosis cases and 73% of PID cases — avoid it completely
• Use a gentle soap with an appropriate pH: 4–5 for the vulva, 5.5 for the penis
• 18.2% of users never clean their sex toys — a real health risk
• Sex toys made from porous materials (jelly, TPE) cannot be sterilized — use a condom
• Dry sex toys completely before storing them
• Consult a doctor if symptoms persist — never wash more intensively