Practising vaginal hygiene is important for a woman’s health. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of bad advice and harmful products out there. Here are 5 mistakes you should avoid when caring for your privates.

Your vagina and butt both have bacteria living in them, all of which are important to the overall functioning of those areas, but separately. You do not want to get butt bacteria in your vagina because it can cause all sorts of problems.

While vaginas are technically self-cleaning, but it’s generally okay to soap off your vulva and labia when you’re cleaning the rest of your body. However, make sure that you’re using unscented soap. Soaps or cleaners that are perfumed can mess with your normal pH balance.

Seriously, don’t do it. Douching is supposed to “clean out” your vaginal canal but this isn’t good for your vaginal hygiene. All it does is mess with the natural pH balance, flushing out the good bacteria that live in there. If you’re experiencing unpleasant odours you want to get rid of, see a doctor to find out the underlying cause.

What you put in your mouth has a direct correlation to your vaginal health. Ensure you stay hydrated and eat a balanced diet of nutritious foods. Additionally, foods like unsweetened cranberry juice, yoghurt, raw garlic, and apple cider vinegar can help combat or prevent some infections.

Your vagina is in its best state when dry (when it’s not turned on, of course!) and has room to breathe. That’s because the bacteria you don’t want in there like it warm and moist. You can help out by rocking cotton undies and avoiding anything super tight. It’s also important to get out of sweaty panties and change your pads/tampons regularly so they don’t become a feeding ground for bacteria.