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Article: How To Clean Your Vagina & Vulva: 10 Tips

How To Clean Your Vagina & Vulva: 10 Tips

Updated July 28, 2025

Key Takeaways

  • The vagina cleans itself, but the vulva should be gently washed daily with warm water and a pH-balanced wash to maintain comfort and balance.

  • Avoid harsh soaps, fragrances, or razors on sensitive vulvar skin, and opt for safe, doctor-recommended products like boric acid suppositories to help control odor.

  • Supporting vaginal health also includes good hygiene habits, breathable underwear, balanced nutrition, and regular gynecologist visits across all life stages.

Vaginal hygiene is often misunderstood, but knowing how to care for your vulva and vagina is a vital part of overall wellness. Think of it like any other part of your body: just as you wouldn’t wash your face with shampoo, the vulva deserves products designed specifically for its needs. 

So, as a person with a vulva, what should you use to maintain your vaginal hygiene and comfort? Because, let’s face it, sometimes things can feel like they could use a bit of freshening up down there. 

Does the vagina or vulva need cleaning?

First of all, let’s cover the difference between the vagina and the vulva. The vulva consists of the external genital parts, which are the inner and outer labia, clitoris, urethra, and mons pubis (the rounded mass of fatty tissue over the pubic bones). The vagina is the internal genitalia, which includes the vaginal canal and cervix, which separates the vagina from the uterus.

Vaginal discharge and moisture contribute to the healthy smell of the vagina. The slightly acidic pH of the vagina keeps a healthy microbiome, or level of good bacteria, in balance. 

This microbiome and acidic environment keep bad bacteria and yeast from causing vaginal infection. If you notice a smell that is unlike your normal scent, it becomes particularly strong and unpleasant, or has a “fishy” smell, you should consult with a healthcare provider.

So, it’s important to know how to clean your vagina and how often to do so in order to maintain a healthy vagina.

10 Tips for Maintaining Feminine Hygiene

Feminine hygiene doesn’t have to be complicated. These 10 tips can help you care for your body with confidence and ease.

1. Stick to the Basics

Use warm water and a pH-balanced intimate wash. Skip the heavily scented soaps or antibacterial products, which can disrupt your natural balance. 

Whether you use your hands or a soft, clean cloth, be gentle and rinse thoroughly. Always clean from front to back to avoid contamination, and know that a light, natural scent is completely normal.

2. Incorporate Boric Acid When Needed

One ingredient we trust is boric acid. Found naturally in seawater, it’s been used for over a century to help neutralize vaginal odor. 

Our Boric Acid Vaginal Suppositories contain 600 mg of pharmaceutical-grade boric acid and are a simple, effective way to address odor at the source. If you're managing recurring concerns, they can be used a few times a week as part of a regular hygiene routine.

3. See Your OB Every Year

An annual visit with your gynecologist isn’t just for when something feels off. It’s a core part of preventive health. Regular checkups can help you stay ahead of things like infections, irregular cycles, or changes in vaginal discharge. These visits are also the perfect time to ask questions you might not feel comfortable Googling.

Find a provider you trust and feel safe with, especially if you're navigating big life transitions like pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, or menopause. Your body changes with time, and having a supportive OB-GYN in your corner makes all the difference.

4. Choose Breathable, Cotton Underwear

Your underwear choice matters more than you might think. Synthetic materials can trap heat and moisture, which creates an ideal environment for bacteria and yeast to overgrow. Cotton is breathable, absorbent, and gentle on your skin, making it the gold standard for everyday wear.

Look for plain, white, 100% cotton underwear whenever possible, and skip the tight fits that can cause chafing or irritation. Give your vulva a little room to breathe, especially overnight or after a long day.

5. Swap in Clean Underwear Daily

Clean underwear every day is non-negotiable for vaginal hygiene. Even if your day has been low-key, your vulva still sweats, and natural discharge builds up. Changing into a fresh pair helps keep bacteria in check and prevents odor, irritation, or infection.

When it comes to laundry, use a gentle, fragrance-free detergent that won’t disrupt your skin’s natural barrier. If you're sensitive, skip the dryer sheets and fabric softeners, too; they can leave behind residues that irritate this delicate area.

6. Stick With Water-Based Lubes

Lubrication can make sex more comfortable and enjoyable, but not all lubes are created equal. Oil- and silicone-based options can cling to skin and disrupt the vaginal environment. Some even contain fragrances or additives that can cause irritation.

Water-based lubricants are typically the safest bet for sensitive tissue. They’re easy to rinse off, don’t interfere with condoms, and are less likely to mess with your pH. Look for formulas labeled as pH-balanced or gynecologist-tested to keep things smooth without side effects.

7. Always Pee After Sex

It might not sound glamorous, but peeing after vaginal sex is one of the simplest, smartest things you can do to protect your vaginal and urinary health. When you urinate after sex, you help flush away any bacteria that may have been introduced near the urethra. This small step can make a big difference in reducing the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Try to head to the bathroom within 15-30 minutes after intimacy. It doesn’t need to be immediate, but the sooner the better. If peeing post-sex isn’t already part of your routine, now’s the time to make it one.

8. Keep Up With Period Hygiene

Menstrual hygiene is essential for vaginal wellness. Changing your period products as directed helps prevent bacterial buildup, odor, and irritation. 

Tampons should be swapped out every four to eight hours, no exceptions. Leaving one in too long can increase your risk for infections, including rare but serious ones like toxic shock syndrome (TSS).

Go with the lowest absorbency needed for your flow, and never leave a tampon in for more than eight hours. Pads and panty liners should be changed every four to eight hours, too, especially if they feel damp. Keeping things clean helps your skin stay happy and your cycle stay manageable.

9. Wash and Rotate Menstrual Cups and Discs

If you use a menstrual cup or disc, you're already doing something great for your body and the planet, but it’s still important to clean them thoroughly and change them on time. Most cups and discs can stay in place for four to 12 hours, depending on your flow and the product guidelines.

Between uses, wash your cup or disc with warm water and a mild, fragrance-free cleanser made for intimate products. If it’s a reusable option, sterilize it between cycles by boiling it in water. 

If it’s disposable, follow the instructions on how long you can safely wear it. Staying consistent helps protect your vaginal balance and lowers your risk of irritation or infection.

10. Nourish Your Vagina From the Inside Out

A balanced, nutrient-rich diet helps support your body’s natural defenses and keeps your vaginal microbiome in check. One of the biggest culprits? Excess sugar. Too much of it can feed yeast and harmful bacteria, throwing off your pH and leading to irritation or odor.

Try focusing on whole foods that support a healthy balance. Think antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies, lean proteins, and healthy fats like omega-3s and omega-6s from things like salmon, nuts, and seeds. 

Vitamins C and E also help support tissue health and immune function. And of course, probiotics, whether from foods like yogurt and kefir or from supplements, can help keep the good bacteria in your gut and vagina thriving.

At pH-D, we offer a Women’s Health Probiotic that’s designed to do it all. Our daily formula supports the digestive tract, urinary tract, and vaginal microbiome with clinically proven ingredients and 4 billion CFUs, plus added cranberry and prebiotics. It’s a simple way to support your health from the inside out without overthinking it.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I see a provider about odor or discharge?

It’s totally normal for your vagina to have a mild scent and produce discharge throughout the day. That’s how your body keeps things balanced. But if the smell suddenly becomes strong, “fishy,” or just off from your usual, it’s time to check in with a provider. 

Same goes for discharge that’s unusually thick, greenish, gray, or itchy. Your body is great at giving signals, so trust them. Getting a quick swab or checkup can help you rule things out and feel better faster.

Can sex throw off your vaginal balance?

Yep, and it’s more common than you think. Semen has a different pH than your vagina, and it can shift the environment down there, especially if you’re already sensitive. 

Add in friction, condoms, lube, or even a long session, and you’ve got a recipe for temporary imbalance. Peeing after sex helps flush out bacteria near the urethra, while a pH-friendly wash can help keep things calm. If you tend to feel off after intimacy, adding a daily probiotic or vaginal suppository might help keep your microbiome in check.

Are thongs actually bad for you?

Not always, but there’s a time and place. Thongs can increase friction and don’t offer much of a barrier between your vulva and bacteria, especially if you’re active or sweaty. 

If you’re prone to irritation or UTIs, maybe skip the daily thong habit and opt for soft, breathable undies instead. Want the thong look without the friction? Look for ones made with cotton gussets and skip synthetic lace styles.

Bottom Line

At pH-D Feminine Health, we know vaginal care isn’t always talked about openly, but it should be. Whether you’re googling “how to clean your vagina” at midnight or wondering if your discharge is normal (it probably is), know that curiosity is a good thing. 

The takeaway? You don’t need to overdo it, scrub aggressively, or mask your natural scent. But you do deserve to feel clean, confident, and informed. 

Caring for your most intimate areas is just another form of self-respect. And we’re here to make it simple, science-backed, and stigma-free.

Sources:

The Facts on Tampons—and How to Use Them Safely | FDA

Preventing Vaginal Yeast Infections With Lifestyle and Diet Changes | Intermountain Health

Vitamin C and Immune Function | PMC

Are Menstrual Cups Right For You? | Cleveland Clinic

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