How to Clean Your Penis

Last Updated: March 12, 2023 References Approved

Not sure how you should be cleaning yourself downstairs? Many people were never taught the proper way to clean their genitals, but it's important to know how in order to avoid odors and irritation. Fortunately, cleaning your penis isn't complicated. Keep reading for tips on how to clean your penis and keep things fresh down there.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Cleaning an Uncircumcised Penis

1
Choose a mild soap. Many soaps contain perfumes that may irritate sensitive skin, and some contain cleaning agents too harsh for use on the genitals. For best results, choose a mild, unscented soap meant for use on the body (in other words, do not choose hand soap).^{[1]
X
Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source}
- If you have sensitive skin, ask your doctor or dermatologist about choosing soap that's right for you.
2
Take a shower or bath. Use warm water, rather than hot water, to avoid burning or irritating your genitals and the rest of your body. Shower as you normally would, washing all over with warm water and the mild, unscented soap you've chosen.
3
Wash the penis. Lather up your choice of mild, unscented soap between your hands, and apply it to the testicles and shaft of the penis. The key thing to remember with an uncircumcised penis is to wash under the foreskin.^{[2]
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Public healthcare system of the UK
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- Gently pull the foreskin back as far as it will go. Do not force the foreskin past its natural point, as this may damage the penis and cause scar tissue to develop.^{[3]
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  Research source}
- Apply soap under the foreskin, and thoroughly rinse away all the soap and any debris that may have collected.^{[4]
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- Return the foreskin back to its natural position.^{[5]
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  Research source}
4
Keep it clean. Personal hygiene is important, but doctors warn against over-washing the penis. Washing too frequently, especially with soap or shower gel, can cause soreness and irritation.^{[6]
X
Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source} You should also thoroughly dry the penis after showering. If you use talc or body powder on your testicles, resist the urge to powder the penis. If talc gets under the foreskin, it can cause irritation and discomfort.^{[7]
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- If you use talc powder, you may want to switch to a cornstarch-based powder instead. There may be a link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer^{[8]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Cancer Society
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  Go to source} — so if you have vaginal sex with a partner who has ovaries and have talc powder on your penis, you may be putting them at risk.
5
Understand foreskin care. With proper care and hygiene, having an uncircumcised penis does not present any significant health problems; however, failure to clean under the foreskin can cause a buildup of oils and debris, called "smegma."^{[9]
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Research source} Other common foreskin problems include:
- inflammation, usually caused by forced retraction and irritants like harsh or perfumed soap^{[10]
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  Research source}
- infection, such as posthitis and balanitis, typically caused by poor hygiene and unwashed smegma build-up^{[11]
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  Research source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Washing a Circumcised Penis

1
Use a mild soap. Even without the foreskin, you'll want to ensure that you use soap that won't irritate your penis. Opt for a soap or body wash that is mild and fragrance-free.^{[12]
X
Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source}
- Ask your doctor or dermatologist about choosing soap that won't irritate your skin.
2
Take a shower. Once again, it's important to choose a water temperature that won't scald or irritate your skin. Aim for warm (but not hot) water, and wash with soap all over your body like you normally would.
3
Wash the penis. Lather your mild, unscented soap well between your hands. Apply it to the testicles, the base and shaft of the penis, and under the head of the penis. Even without foreskin, it's important to properly wash under the head of the penis as sweat, bacteria, and debris can still accumulate there.^{[13]
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Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source}
- In the absence of the foreskin, all you have to do is lather the penis and thoroughly rinse away the soap under the shower or in the bathtub.
- Be sure to thoroughly dry the penis after showering or bathing. Without foreskin, it's technically safe to apply talc or body powder, but you should still exercise caution to avoid getting talc in the urethra or causing skin irritations.^{[14]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  National Health Service (UK)
  Public healthcare system of the UK
  Go to source}

Expert Q&A

Question

What can cause testicular pain?

Chris M. Matsko, MD
Family Medicine Physician
Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.

Chris M. Matsko, MD

Family Medicine Physician

Expert Answer

The most severe cause of testicular pain is testicular torsion. This is an abrupt, sharp, “worst pain of your life” feeling that occurs hours after exercise or trauma. If this is the case, you need to be seen immediately by a doctor for an ultrasound of the testes.
Question

Can I use face wash to clean my penis?

Chris M. Matsko, MD
Family Medicine Physician
Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.

Chris M. Matsko, MD

Family Medicine Physician

Expert Answer

Facial washes can be harsh. I would use a gentle cleanser to clean your glans penis.

Warnings

Do not clean the inside of the foreskin on young boys or infants who are uncircumcised. In many cases, the foreskin may not be fully retracted as a result of remaining attached to the head of the penis. Pulling back the foreskin to clean the penis could result in pain and damage to these areas.

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