How to Clean Belly Button Correctly at Home and Why You Should Do It

An innie belly button goes deep into your body. This type of belly button needs special care because it's harder to reach and clean. The deep space can trap dirt and bacteria more easily than other types. Here's how to clean an innie belly button correctly:

What You'll Need:

- Cotton swabs

- Mild soap

- Clean water

- Soft towel

- Rubbing alcohol (optional)

Instructions:

1. Wash your hands well with soap and water before you start.

2. Take a cotton swab and dip it in clean water with a little mild soap.

3. Gently put the cotton swab into your belly button and clean the sides.

4. Use small, soft movements to remove any dirt or dead skin.

5. If the cotton swab gets dirty, throw it away and use a new one.

6. Take another clean cotton swab with just water to rinse away the soap.

7. Use a dry cotton swab or soft towel corner to dry your belly button completely.

8. Never put lotion or cream inside your innie belly button as this can help bacteria grow.

An outie belly button sticks out from your body. This type is much easier to clean because you can reach all parts easily. The cleaning process is simpler and faster than cleaning an innie belly button. If you have an outie belly button, here's how to clean it correctly:

What You'll Need:

- Mild soap

- Washcloth or your clean hands

- Clean water

- Soft towel

- Body lotion (optional)

Instructions:

1. Start by washing your hands with soap and water.

2. Take a washcloth and add some mild soap to make it soapy.

3. Gently scrub your outie belly button with the soapy washcloth.

4. Make sure to clean all around the raised area of your belly button.

5. Rinse the area well with clean water to remove all soap.

6. Pat your belly button dry with a clean, soft towel.

7. You can put a small amount of body lotion on your outie belly button if you want.

8. Make sure the area is completely clean and dry before putting on clothes.

A pierced belly button needs extra care to prevent infection. The piercing creates a small opening in your skin where bacteria can enter. You must clean both the belly button and the jewelry to stay healthy.

What You'll Need:

- Sea salt

- Clean water

- Cotton balls or cotton swabs

- Mild soap

- Clean towel

Instructions:

1. Wash your hands very well before touching your piercing.

2. Mix 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt with 8 ounces of warm water that has been boiled and cooled.

3. Soak a cotton ball in this saltwater solution.

4. Hold the wet cotton ball against your piercing for a few minutes.

5. Gently clean around the jewelry and piercing hole with the cotton ball.

6. Use a clean cotton swab with the salt solution to clean hard-to-reach areas.

7. Rinse the area with clean water to remove the salt solution.

8. Pat the area dry with a clean towel or cotton swab.

9. Clean your pierced belly button this way twice a day until it heals completely.

Keeping your belly button clean is important for many health reasons. When you don't clean this area regularly, several problems can happen that make you uncomfortable or sick. Here are some problems that can happen if you don't know how to clean belly button correctly:

- Bad Smell: Your belly button can start to smell very bad when dirt and sweat build up. According to Healthline, the buildup of sweat, dirt, dead skin cells, and lint in your belly button causes unpleasant odors. This smell can be embarrassing and hard to get rid of without proper cleaning.

- Bacterial Growth: Your belly button is home to many types of bacteria. The Cleveland Clinic explains that bacteria gather and multiply inside the small folds of your skin because the area doesn't get much fresh air. When too many bacteria grow, they can cause infections.

- Yeast Infections: The warm, moist environment of your belly button is perfect for yeast to grow. This can cause red, itchy skin that burns and may have discharge. Yeast infections are uncomfortable and need proper treatment.

- Navel Stones: According to Healthline, dead skin cells and oil can build up over time to create formations called omphaloliths or navel stones, which are made from the same materials found in blackheads. These stones turn black and may need to be removed with special tools.

After learning how to clean belly button and why you should do it, you may now be wondering how often you should clean it. Like other parts of your body, your belly button needs regular care, but not too much cleaning that could hurt your skin.

Most doctors say you should clean your belly button once every week as part of your normal washing routine. This is enough to remove dirt, sweat, and old skin before they cause trouble. Cleaning once a week stops bacteria from growing too much while being soft on your skin.

Some people may need to clean their belly button more times each week based on how they live and their body. If you sweat a lot when you exercise, work in dirty places, or have a very deep belly button, you might need to clean it twice each week. People who live in hot, wet places may also need to clean more often to stop moisture and bacteria from building up.