Q: How do I properly wash my butt?
A: To properly wash your butt, gently pat (don’t aggressively wipe) with toilet paper after using the bathroom, always wiping front to back. You can also rinse with water using a bidet or in the shower for a more thorough clean. Use mild, fragrance-free soap on the external area only — never internally — and pat completely dry afterward to prevent moisture buildup. Avoid harsh soaps, scented wipes, and overscrubbing, which can irritate the thin, sensitive skin and cause odor or discomfort.
Washing your butt properly involves more than just letting water run over it. Evan Goldstein, DO, an anal surgeon and founder of Bespoke Surgical, says people struggle with proper care because no one ever explained the basics. After all, it’s not like you compare techniques over happy-hour drinks. Good anal hygiene includes wiping correctly after using the bathroom, cleaning the area in the shower, drying thoroughly, and avoiding products that can irritate sensitive skin.
The skin in the "dirty butt crack" area — between the cheeks — is prone to sweat and bacterial buildup, which is exactly why consistent, gentle cleaning matters. Goldstein says, “One thing that people need to understand is that the anus and anal area is very thin, so you really need to treat it with respect." Translation: This isn’t a 12-step TikTok skincare routine with serums and specialty tools. You don’t need to “optimize” it — just clean it consistently and treat it gently to help prevent odor, irritation, and discomfort.
Common Mistakes People Make When Washing Their Butt
Overwiping or scrubbing
Using harsh or scented soaps
Relying on water alone when residue remains
Using fragranced wipes or antiseptic products
Ignoring moisture after bathing or exercise
Why Proper Butt Hygiene Matters
Because this area deals with sweat, friction, and bacteria daily, proper butt hygiene plays a key role in comfort and skin health. As Goldstein noted, the skin around the anus is delicate and sensitive. Overwiping, harsh soaps, lingering moisture, or scented products can disrupt the skin barrier, leading to itching, odor, rashes, or pain. At the same time, inconsistent cleaning can allow sweat, bacteria, and residue to build up.
Cleaning the right way helps prevent these issues. But that balancing act — between cleaning enough and overdoing it — is where things often go sideways. Conflicting advice online doesn’t help, with some sources pushing aggressive scrubbing and others insisting water alone is enough.
In reality, butt hygiene works best when it’s gentle, consistent, and uncomplicated.
How To Clean Your Butt After Using the Toilet
A note on prevention: Diets high in fiber and plenty of water help form healthy poops that are easier to clean up — less mess means less wiping, and less wiping means less irritation. It may feel automatic, but how you clean after using the toilet matters more than you think. From wiping technique to direction and water use, a few small tweaks can make a major difference.
How to Wipe Your Butt Properly
Despite how routine wiping your bum should feel, it’s actually where many people go wrong. Believe it or not, says Goldstein, you should really try not to wipe — ever. “Instead, you should practice using more of a patting method if you’re using toilet paper,” he says.
Patting rather than wiping helps remove residue while minimizing friction, which can irritate the skin, create dryness, or potentially worsen issues like hemorrhoids.
Front To Back vs. Back To Front
When wiping is necessary, direction matters. Moving from front to back is generally recommended — especially for people with vulvas — because it helps prevent bacteria from spreading toward the vaginal opening. “You don’t want to risk getting feces near there,” says Goldstein, as it can increase the risk of infection.
While front to back is especially important for those with vulvas, men should follow the same approach — a proctologist will tell you it's simply the cleanest, most hygienic direction regardless of anatomy.
Is Toilet Paper Enough?
For many people, yes. Dry toilet paper used gently is often sufficient. If needed, getting it lightly damp can help remove residue without the irritation often associated with wet wipes.
Goldstein is also a proponent of using water when possible as it minimizes friction. For him, best practices include a bidet or rinsing off in the shower after a bowel movement.
Do I Need a Bidet to Wash My Butt?
It does help. Water can get rid of all, ahem, debris. It can also be less irritating. If you want to take your butt-washing to the next level, you can also learn how to use a douche. “People generally prefer to douche because it gives them extra confidence,” says. Goldstein. Like wiping and washing, the “less is more” approach applies to douching, too, as “douching with too much liquid or too many times can lead to alterations and potential complications, like higher incidence of STIs, anal injuries, and bacterial infections,” Goldstein adds. Before figuring out how to use a douche, he recommends you start by practicing what he calls “gut before butt,” incorporating daily fiber supplements, optimizing diet, exercise, and a better external cleaning routine first.
What if It's Hard to Wipe My Butt After I Poop?
Physical disability or limited mobility can make wiping a lot more complicated. Limited mobility can happen for lots of reasons, including injury, surgery, childbirth recovery, or even stiffness after an intense workout. If reaching the area is challenging, there are still safe, effective ways to keep things clean. Goldstein recommends using water or rinsing in the shower.
How To Wash Your Butt in the Shower
Here, a little intention goes a long way.
Start With Water
Rinsing with warm water helps remove sweat and residue, but water alone may not fully cleanse the area — especially after exercise or long days.
Use Soap Safely
The best soap for your anus is one that’s mild and fragrance-free. Soap should only be used externally, never internally. While exfoliation can be helpful — “I’m a huge fan of scrubs because even the skin in between your buttcheeks needs exfoliation,” says Goldstein — he emphasizes choosing gentle, moisturizing products to protect the thin skin in the area and avoiding harsh fragrances or antiseptic ingredients.
Gearing Up For a Clean Butt
Clean hands are usually enough to effectively wash your butt in the shower. But if you use a washcloth or loofah, keep it dedicated to this area, clean it frequently, and let it dry fully between uses. But there are a few other bum-cleaning tools that are worth the investment:
Bidet or handheld bidet sprayer. These can reduce wiping and irritation.
Long-handled toilet aid. A tool like this grips toilet paper for those who have trouble reaching and may make wiping your bum easier if you can’t reach. Look for keywords like “bottom buddy” or “toilet aid.”
Detachable shower head. This type of attachment lets you rinse thoroughly without the need to be super flexible. You can save that for yoga.
Goldstein discourages wet wipes, however. “I know why we all want to use them, because they make you feel clean without having to shower,” he says, “but they cause so much more irritation.” Goldstein notes that wipes can disrupt healthy bacteria, even when labeled “chemical-free,” leading to discomfort or infections.
How Do You Clean Your Bottom If You Can’t Reach?
Goldstein says the first, best option in this situation is to use a bidet or a water attachment to ensure your butt is clean. If neither is available, wash off in the shower — here’s where a detachable shower head can come in handy, literally.
The key is to reduce strain and friction while still keeping the area clean and dry, especially during recovery periods when the skin may be more sensitive than usual.
And While We're At It ... How Do You Teach Kids to Wipe?
Many butt hygiene issues start early, simply because kids aren’t always taught how to wipe. Encourage wiping front to back, using a patting motion instead of aggressive wiping, and stopping once the toilet paper comes away clean. It’s also helpful to remind kids that more wiping isn’t better.
As kids grow, reinforce simple routines like washing hands thoroughly afterward and changing underwear daily. It’ll help set them up for long-term hygiene without shame or stress. Spotting skidmarks on dirty underwear is an opportunity for a calm, age-appropriate conversation about wiping, patience, and asking for help, rather than something to be embarrassed about or hide.
How To Dry Your Butt Properly
Moisture is one of the most overlooked contributors to irritation and odor. Post-rinse, pat dry with a clean towel, allow airflow when possible, and change out of damp underwear after sweating ASAP. FYI: Some bidets also include an air-dry function, which can help. This step matters more than most people realize.
“If you don’t dry yourself off completely, the moisture is then sitting between your cheeks,” says Goldstein. “Excess moisture can lead to a significant amount of issues.” Over time, he says that trapped dampness can contribute to skin irritation, chafing, odor, and fungal or bacterial overgrowth.
When Your Butt Still Doesn't Feel Clean
If your hygiene routine is solid but things still don’t feel quite right, there may be another explanation. Certain skin conditions or sensitivities can make the area feel uncomfortable no matter how carefully you clean. In particular, hemorrhoids (swollen veins and around the anal sphincter) can cause irritation, itching, and a lingering “not clean” sensation — even after you’ve done everything right. They can also produce excess moisture or mucus, which may lead to discomfort, mild odor, or the feeling that you need to wipe repeatedly.
Other common culprits include anal itching (pruritus ani), skin irritation from wipes or soaps, sweating, or even small amounts of stool leakage. If you wonder why your butt never feels clean, or deal with symptoms like itching after wiping, discomfort after a bowel movement, or persistent irritation, it may be worth adjusting your routine — or checking in with a healthcare provider to rule out underlying issues.
How to Clean Safely When You Have Hemorrhoids
Persistent discomfort may be linked to hemorrhoids, skin tags, fissures, or irritation caused by wiping habits. It’s important to get checked out and have a treatment plan, since wiping could make things worse. In particular, hemorrhoids can be worsened by aggressive wiping or straining.
“The anal tissue, specifically in cis women or trans females on hormones, is so thin and fragile,” says Goldstein. That’s because feminizing hormone therapy (like estradiol and anti-androgens) in particular can cause increased skin sensitivity overall, including the anal tissue, which is less common for trans men. “Overwiping, wiping too aggressively, and even using poor quality toilet paper, can lead to micro- and macro-tearing, swelling, and hemorrhoid development.”
Fiber is also key, because a diet low in fiber can worsen hemorrhoids by making bowel movements harder to pass and messier to clean up after. During flare-ups, some people find over-the-counter creams like Preparation H helpful as part of a soothing routine alongside gentle cleaning.
Set up matters too. Place your feet on a small stool (like the Squatty Potty or just a regular kitchen stool) while on the toilet mimics a natural squat, which helps you poop more completely and strain less, which means less cleanup afterward.
When To Talk to a Doctor
If pain, bleeding, persistent itching, or odor don’t improve with gentle hygiene and lifestyle adjustments, it may be time to check in with a healthcare professional.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning Your Butt
How often should you wash your butt?
Daily showering is sufficient for most people, with additional rinsing after bowel movements as needed.
Is it bad to wash your butt with soap?
Gentle soap on external skin is safe. Avoid internal washing.
Can you wash inside your butt?
Internal cleaning isn’t necessary and can be harmful.
Are bidets better than toilet paper?
It’s preference-based. Proper technique and drying matter most.
Why does my anus smell after washing?
Moisture, irritation, incomplete cleaning, or underlying skin issues may be involved. Talk with your doctor about potential reasons.