Let’s discuss something truly personal and often misunderstood: hygiene is a cultural, not universal, concept. This is not just about feeling fresh but about feeling empowered. This post will help you unlock true cleanliness by exploring the beautiful traditions of Liberian feminine care, offering a refreshing perspective that might just surprise you. If you grew up in a Western society, chances are you heard things like:

“The vagina cleans itself!” “Only wash the vulva, never inside your vagina!” “Don’t you dare put a finger in there to wash!”

And just like that, these pronouncements became the unshakeable gospel, the “only” way to be healthy and hygienic. But here is a thought, whispered among friends: “Says who?” Where did these particular beliefs spring from? And why on earth have they been presented as the global gold standard, when for centuries, countless women across diverse cultures have been doing things differently and doing just fine when it comes to keeping things clean and healthy down there? This is precisely why Liberian feminine care offers such a vital and insightful perspective.

Once Upon a Time… Even Westerners Did not Bathe (Spoiler: It Gets Funnier)

To truly grasp how we arrived at our current understanding (or misunderstanding!) of hygiene, we need to take a hilarious little trip back in time. This journey perfectly illustrates why hygiene is cultural, not universal. Picture medieval Europe, where most folks bathed once a year. Yes, you read that right. Once. A. Year. Can you even imagine the queues for the yearly bath? Probably not, because water was considered a disease vector!

Their ingenious solution? Masking the aroma! Think powders, perfumes, and oh-so-dainty scented handkerchiefs. Royalty, ever the trendsetters, would frequently change clothes to create the illusion of freshness, but actual bathing? Not so much. Women even tucked lace and lemon peel into their corsets to tackle body odor. Ouch! Queen Elizabeth I herself considered washing hands and face “occasionally” to be the peak of hygiene. This historical nugget emphasizes that hygiene is cultural, not universal. (And if you are giggling, you will love my other posts on hygiene!)

Fast forward a few hundred years, and things have, well, sort of changed.

The Modern West: Clean-ish, But Not Always Thorough (Prepare for Some Eyebrow Raises!)

Let’s have a grown-up, no-judgment zone chat, because in 2025, “clean” is not always what we assume it is. Yes, most people in the West shower. But how they do it, how often, and what “counts” as clean is a whole different ballgame, further cementing the fact that hygiene is cultural, not universal.

Take deodorant, for example. A 2015 poll in France found that a surprising 20% of people skip showers for days, proudly declaring, “My deodorant lasts 48 hours!” Imagine waking up, sweating through your day, going to bed, and then waking up again without a shower, truly believing you are still fresh as a daisy. It is a head-scratcher! That same survey noted that one in three French people do not shower daily.

And this is not just a French quirk! In the West, especially in some wellness circles, a new “hygiene gospel” is emerging. “Let your body do the work!” they proclaim. Natural oils are in, soap is out (because suddenly, it is “toxic”). Showers? Well, they are optional. It almost feels like a quirky, scented journey back to medieval times. People are swapping water for “wellness products” and calling it self-care.

One scroll through #SkinTok or any “clean beauty” corner of Instagram is all it takes. There is the influencer with a meticulous 15-step skincare routine… and yesterday’s messy bun and shirt. And there is a proud parent who only bathes their kids “if they stink”. We have all seen a “clean girl aesthetic” built on dry shampoo, underarm crystals, and essential oil mists with no soap in sight!

And let’s not even get into the “Europeans do not wear deodorant” stereotype. A 2020 Euromonitor study showed deodorant sales per capita in Western Europe are significantly lower than in Latin America or Africa. Not because they are using secret, super-duper alternatives, but often because they are just not using anything at all! Add to that the growing trend in Western wellness circles that “aluminum-free” and “baking soda-free” deodorants are somehow “better for the body”.

But here is the part that makes you blink twice, perhaps even three times. These are often the very same voices telling the rest of the world not to wash inside their vaginas because it “causes diseases”. It makes you wonder, right? How does using a clean finger and clean water to wash away everyday body fluids lead to illness? And conversely, how does keeping the body “dirty” prevent diseases? It feels a little upside down! This is exactly why we absolutely must discuss Liberian feminine care and how it helps us unlock true cleanliness.

It is truly wild when you think about it! Some folks are happily skipping showers, spritzing rosewater on three-day-old armpits, and labeling themselves “natural,” yet they are loudly instructing Liberian women that good old water is not okay for the most sacred part of their bodies? This situation vividly illustrates why feminine hygiene is not one-size-fits-all, and why focusing on Liberian feminine care is so important.

This obsession with preserving “natural oils” might have gone a little far. Dermatologists generally agree that overly hot water and harsh soaps can strip the skin. Yes, warm showers are perfectly fine! But let’s not pretend that skipping soap altogether is some revolutionary act of self-care. Even experts will tell you that the parts that get sweaty, smelly, and sticky still need a good wash.

The truth is that in many non-Western cultures, like Liberia, cleanliness is a daily routine, not just a physical chore. It is the evening bath to wash off the day. It is the luxurious coconut or palm kernel oil you rub into your skin afterward. It is a purposeful scrub that says, “I respect this body”. It is the declaration: “I don’t mask funk. I eliminate it.” This, my friends, is the vibrant essence of Liberian feminine care and how it helps us unlock true cleanliness.

So, when someone who has not showered for two days (and proudly owns it!) tells you not to cleanse inside your vagina, even if they are a doctor or an “expert,” it is perfectly okay to give them a polite side-eye and confidently move along. Because over here, we do not rely on 48-hour deodorant and lavender mist. We believe in water. We believe in routine. We believe in being fresh, head to toe, every single day. This beautifully reflects our belief that hygiene is cultural, not universal.

Another fascinating point is the profound role culture plays in our beliefs, whether “scientific” or not. While some Western doctors might advise against internal vaginal washing due to concerns about disease, you will almost certainly not find a Liberian doctor, born and raised in Liberia, who would tell you not to wash inside your vagina for fear of bacteria. Therefore, we truly believe in what we practice. When you are raised in a culture where you see hygiene as “optional,” it is natural to find ways to justify that approach.

Currently, there is no widespread scientific consensus or conclusive evidence proving that daily internal vaginal washing with clean hands and plain water leads to disease. Much of the existing literature discouraging internal vaginal cleansing often focuses exclusively on commercial douching products, which, truthfully, are often loaded with fragrances, antiseptics, and chemicals known to disrupt the vaginal microbiome. This crucial distinction, water vs. chemicals, is key to understanding feminine care.

Liberian Girls Know What to Do (And We Are Done Whispering!)

Let’s bring it home, right to the heart of Liberia. Long before influencers were debating whether to wash inside or “let it clean itself,” Liberian women had it all figured out. It was not a passing trend; it was (and is!) a routine, a lifestyle, and a cherished legacy passed down through generations. This is the very heart of Liberian feminine care and deep Liberian wisdom.

In Liberia, hygiene is not just about smelling good. It is about self-respect, dignity, and a profound sense of womanhood.

From the moment a girl enters puberty, the older women lovingly teach her what to do and how to do it. Her mother would not just send her a YouTube link or hand her a clinical pamphlet. No! She shows her. She teaches her the beautiful, practical art of Liberian feminine care and natural hygiene.

And what does that look like?

• A bucket of warm water, every single day, often twice a day.
• Squatting comfortably and gently rinsing inside your vagina. No soap, no fancy bottles, just clean fingers and pure, clean water. This is how we unlock true cleanliness.
• Clearing away old blood, any lingering semen, discharge, or sweat.
• Doing it before school, after your period, after sex, or before bed.
• Patting dry with your towel. Changing your underwear. Going on with your day, feeling clean and brimming with confidence.
• And once every month after your period, use a natural Rosemary and Cloves tea or related available herbs to rinse inside your vagina.

It is that simple. This is intentional hygiene. Daily. Deliberate. And guess what? It works beautifully. This is the profound gift that Liberian feminine care provides.

Liberian women do not walk around wondering where that mystery smell is coming from. They are not frantically googling, “Why does my vagina smell like rotten onions?” or panicking over unexpected bleached panties. They have already rinsed. 

Because in Liberia, hygiene is woven into the very fabric of life. During your morning bath, you wash inside your vagina. Before you go to bed, before your partner comes over, you clean. It is not shameful. It is not “extra”. It is simply because you respect your body and your partner. This practice beautifully demonstrates that hygiene is cultural, not universal.

A clean body carries clean energy. When you feel truly fresh, it changes how you show up in the world. And no, this is not about “modern vs. primitive”. In fact, it is quite the opposite! We have been ahead, way ahead. While others are still debating whether daily bathing “strips your skin’s oils,” we have already finished our second bath of the day and moved on to cooking a delicious pepper soup!

So, say what you will, but just ask any Liberian woman. Real cleanliness, the kind that radiates confidence, starts with clean hands, clean water, and a clean vagina. This is authentic, natural feminine hygiene.

Liberian Aunties Do not Whisper About Hygiene. They Preach It! (And It is Hilarious!)

If you grew up in a Liberian home, you already know: when it comes to hygiene, the aunties do not play. They do not sugarcoat it. They do not mumble. They will tell you straight up if you smell! “Your body is your pride!” they will declare. “If you’re not clean, you’re not ready to face the world!” It is tough love, but it is love!

From the very first day you start bleeding, a new, exciting chapter begins. You are no longer “just a girl”. You are a woman in training! And the incredible women around you make sure you get the memo, especially for when you start having sex, that is when the internal cleaning begins. Interestingly, virgins are typically not encouraged to wash inside their vaginas; this practice is reserved for those who are grown and no longer virgins. This is a vital piece of Liberian wisdom.

Here are just a few of the priceless sayings many Liberian girls grew up hearing (and probably still hear!):

• “Every time you pee, you must rinse your vulva with water!” There should be no leftover tissue bits, no lingering smells, no dampness. Just rinse, dry, and feel utterly fresh. This is how we unlock true cleanliness.
• “If you’re smelling yourself, that means that others can smell you two times over!” There is no “ignore it and it will magically go away” mentality here. If something smells a little off, you handle it immediately. Vaginal odor, body odor, funky discharge? The aunties will gently but firmly pull you aside and sort you out, with clear instructions and sometimes even natural herbs like lemon, rosemary, or cloves to help cleanse first, before the regular daily cleaning can begin. This truly reflects deep ancestral hygiene wisdom.
• “A clean woman can hold her head high.” When you know you are clean, your entire energy shifts. You walk differently. You smile bigger. You dare to get closer. These are the amazing confidence routines rooted in Liberian wisdom.
  

These are not just sassy one-liners. They are powerful formulas for self-respect. A kind of practical wisdom that is deeply rooted in love, tradition, and wonderfully high standards.

And what is truly wild? Many of these simple, effective methods like rinsing after sex, cleaning at the end of menstruation, bathing before bed, or quickly washing your vagina before intimacy, are either still unknown or marketed by modern wellness brands as “discoveries!” But Liberian women have been doing this for centuries. With no fragrance-filled soaps, no overpriced “yoni kits”, just profound knowledge, gentle discipline, and pure, clean water. This perfectly demonstrates why feminine hygiene is not one-size-fits-all and highlights the effectiveness of Liberian feminine care.

So, the next time someone raises an eyebrow at your routines or tries to label your traditions as “too much,” remember, our mothers knew exactly what they were doing. Cleanliness was not just hygiene. It was power. And it still is.

The Vagina Does Not Exactly Clean Itself Well Enough For You Not To

Let’s finally tackle this elephant in the room. We have all heard the phrase, repeated like a sacred mantra: “The vagina is self-cleaning.” It is chanted in every Western health brochure, every OB-GYN TikTok clip, every “clean girl aesthetic” Pinterest board. And here is the kicker: they are not entirely wrong, but they are definitely not telling the whole story. This simplified narrative often completely obscures the beautiful nuances of Liberian feminine care.

Yes, the vagina (the internal canal itself) has natural secretions that help flush out bacteria and maintain its pH balance. That is true! But, most of that “flushing” often happens… right there in your panties. You know the look, and sometimes, the smell! Only a fraction of it will seep down and out. The rest can linger, building up, and leaving a rather “slimy,” or “muddy” feeling inside because you are patiently waiting for your vagina to perform some kind of magic that you should be doing yourself! This, my friends, is precisely why Liberian feminine care advocates for proactive, gentle vaginal cleaning.

And if you live in Liberia, where the heat is hot-hot, the food is peppery, and you sweat from places you did not even know could sweat, then, baby, that “self-cleaning” thing alone just would not cut it. And I am not just talking about the vulva, the labia, the folds, or the crease between your thigh and your vagina; I mean the inside cleaning, the “after sex” or “post-period” clean-up.

Forget that little white lie they told you that you will only smell “off” if you have an underlying issue. That is a fib cut from the same cloth as “All men cheat!” Someone wanted to feel better instead of solving their vagina odor problem. Whether it is the coldest day of winter and you are wrapped in the warmest clothing inside your home, your body secretes, and it needs to be washed off daily.

Let’s break it down, friendly style:

1. “Self-cleaning” Does Not Mean “No cleaning” (Unless You Love Funky Surprises!) Your fancy oven has a self-cleaning button, right? But do you never wipe it down after roasting a juicy chicken? Does your fridge magically never need a sponge, even though it technically stays “cold and clean”? Exactly! Your vagina is an incredible, resilient wonder, but it does not mean you get to skip your hygiene duties. Especially after:
   

• Sex (yes, semen does linger!)
• Menstruation (clots do not always exit perfectly, and who wants old blood just chilling?)
• Sweaty days (hot sun is not for the weak!)

Long hours in tight clothing or synthetic panties. This gentle, internal cleansing is a key component to unlock true cleanliness.

2. Cultural Context Matters (Like, A LOT!) Most of the loudest voices shouting “don’t wash inside!” are not speaking from a Liberian feminine care perspective. They often come from cultures where the body odor conversations still include debates and questions like: “How many times a week should I shower?” If you are still debating how often you need to shower in a week, respectfully, you might not be in the best position to tell us how to wash our vaginas! Liberian women are not confused about hygiene. We do not walk around with scented sprays in our bags trying to mask problems. We clean them with warm water, clean fingers, and loving care. This is a testament to the profound wisdom in Liberian feminine hygiene passed down from our amazing mothers. No harsh chemicals. No fear. Just pure, confident cleanliness.
3. Internal Washing Is Not the Enemy. Misinformation Is! Nobody is saying you should shove soap up there. Nobody is saying you should dig until you bleed. What Liberian women do is gently rinse out what should not be left behind. We insert a clean finger, swirl warm water, and clear away what does not belong, like old blood, sweat, or leftover sperm. And that is it! This is Liberian feminine care at its most authentic and effective.

Western medicine has often lumped all vaginal washing into one scary category because of ignorance and lack of adequate data: “douching with chemicals”. And that, my friends, is not what we are doing. What we practice is intentional, careful cleansing, not the reckless “feminine washes” sold in plastic bottles at big box stores. This crucial distinction is vital for understanding and embracing natural feminine hygiene.

So the next time someone confidently tells you, “Don’t wash inside your vagina. It cleans itself,” just ask them, with a twinkle in your eye, “When was the last time you brushed your teeth? Or do you just let those clean themselves too?” Let them sit with that!

Clean is Cultural, Not Colonial (Let’s Break Some Myths!)

Just because something is common does not mean it is correct. And just because it is Western does not automatically make it wise. So when someone hits you with, “That’s not how we do it here,” the question becomes: Where exactly is “here”? Because “here” is often North America, Europe, or parts of Africa, where a good number of adults might shower and still leave their homes without applying deodorant to their armpits. When it comes to feminine hygiene, “here” has had a rocky track record. This historical context vividly underscores why hygiene is cultural, not universal.

Let’s take a moment to savor the irony. These are often the same regions that went centuries without bathing regularly. This is where, historically, perfume was invented not just for pleasure, but to bravely mask filth! The same societies that told women to dab vinegar between their thighs, dust on talcum powder, or press their legs together and “let nature do the work”. 

Fast forward to today, and we still hear echoes of that same, slightly whiffy logic. Google “how to clean your vagina” and what do you see? A flood of results all repeating the same script:

• “Only wash the vulva!”
• “It’s self-cleaning, so leave it alone!”
• “Don’t wash inside! It can cause bacteria!”

Now, pause and think. Where is the body fluid supposed to go? The semen after sex? The sweat after a long, hot day in the sun? You are telling women to just wait it out? Let it seep into their panties? Let it sit there until discharge “naturally exits”? That’s not hygiene, my friends. That is giving off serious medieval vibes! That is the modern remix of the old “dab-and-mask” method. It is the same old tune, just with different (and equally questionable) lyrics. This is absolutely not how we unlock true cleanliness.

Meanwhile, in Liberia, we have never waited for discharge to do the cha-cha slide down our thighs! Our mothers, aunties, and grandmothers lovingly taught us to gently clean our vaginas with water and clean hands. No soap. No perfume. No harsh sprays. Just pure care and common sense. This is the essence of Liberian feminine care.

Because in our vibrant culture, when you sweat, you wash. When you are done bleeding, you rinse. When you feel even a hint of discomfort, you cleanse. And guess what? We do not walk around with mystery odors. We are not scared of our beautiful bodies. We are not shamed into silence or told our hands are not welcome on our skin. That is the powerful part often left out of these Western narratives. Hygiene is not just about what you do. It is about what you have been taught to believe. And in many parts of the West, especially among certain “white wellness spaces,” the current trend is to do less. Shower less. Wash less. Touch less.

In Liberia, we do not call that wellness. We affectionately call that dirtiness! So, maybe it is time to stop assuming “here” is the ultimate gold standard. Because over “here,” in our homes, in our country, in our cherished traditions, we have been keeping it clean long before Google even had an opinion. This is precisely why feminine hygiene is not one-size-fits-all.

If you are bubbling with curiosity about learning more on how to properly wash your VJJ like a confident Liberian woman, then allow me to introduce you to:

Girl, Wash Your VJJ!

This is not some angry, anti-science tantrum or a rebellious shout against modern medicine. We love and respect our doctors dearly. Who would we run to when we are sick? It is certainly not a shame fest! This is clarity. This is confidence. This is cultural truth-telling, served with a smile. Because Girl, Wash Your VJJ! does not just tell you to wash, it shows you how. Not the vague, “don’t-you-dare-go-inside” advice floating around Google. Not the watered-down “external only” mantra that leaves women feeling internally dirty and scared to speak up. No. This is real, practical, woman-to-woman wisdom, lovingly passed down in Liberia from mother to daughter like a precious family heirloom. This is true ancestral hygiene wisdom.

This guide teaches you:

• Exactly how to wash inside your vagina safely, using only clean fingers and water. Not soap. Not sprays. Not wipes from aisle seven. This is core to Liberian feminine care.
• How to gently remove period residue, semen, sweat, and discharge without shame, without lingering scent, and without a trace. This helps you to unlock true cleanliness.
• Why traditional Liberian hygiene works. Yes, it works! It is not barbaric. It is not “uneducated.” It is just not Western, and that, my dear, is perfectly okay.
• How to manage your vagina with dignity, not by masking, dabbing, or avoiding, but by handling your body with loving care and intention. These are essential confidence routines rooted in Liberian wisdom.
• How to beautifully question norms that do not serve your body, because not all “norms” are rooted in truth. Some are rooted in colonization, capitalism, or just plain confusion. This illuminates why hygiene is cultural, not universal.

Girl, Wash Your VJJ! is here to gently guide you into a world of feminine hygiene confidence. This book does not disrespect science. It reclaims i

t by adding the vital voices and practices that science often overlooks. Because science is not neutral. It is filtered through culture. And culture is not one-size-fits-all. Especially when it comes to a woman’s sacred body. So, stop pretending Western hygiene is the only blueprint. Let’s joyfully tell the truth. The blueprint was already here, thriving in our villages, flourishing in our homes, and woven into our daily routines. We are simply bringing it back to center stage, with a flourish! And it starts with one bold, loving message: Girl, wash your VJJ, the way our incredible mothers taught us.

The Final Word: Trust Your Culture. Trust Your Body. 

Let me make one thing abundantly clear, with a warm smile: Your beautiful body is not broken. It does not need fixing. It just needs understanding on your terms. This is a core, beautiful part of natural feminine hygiene. Because your body is not random, but rather, it was wonderfully made for your environment. Your rhythm, your foods, your weather, your sweat, and your seasons. It responds to your world, not someone else’s. So no, you do not need a “universal” hygiene routine that was designed without you in mind. You do not have to let shame be the reason you buy that questionable soap, book that unnecessary appointment, or stay quiet when something just does not feel right. And you definitely do not have to accept the idea that discomfort, odor, or a little mess are “what women deal with”. 

Nah. Not here. Because you know better now. You know that hygiene is a cultural, not universal concept. You know that other cultures have brilliant solutions. That our aunties, mothers, and grandmothers absolutely knew what they were doing. And that your vagina is not some perplexing mystery. It is a resilient muscle with memory. One that responds beautifully to care, not fear. This is the beautiful power of Liberian wisdom. This is how we unlock true cleanliness.

Girl, Wash Your VJJ! Is not just a guide. It is a joyful reminder that you have always had the power to take care of yourself with confidence, with clarity, and with immense pride. These are the truly transformative confidence routines rooted in Liberian wisdom. So if anyone ever makes you second-guess your hygiene routine, just remember, that knowledge is power. And a good, clean rinse is pure magic!