How to Clean Belly Button Lint

By eHow Health Editor

Rate: (3 Ratings)

The belly button is just the kind of closed, moist space where bacteria and fungi tend to grow. Here are some tips to keep it clean.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

  • Turkey baster or water syringe
  • Antibacterial cream or ointment
  • Soap
  • Clean rag

Step1
Keep an innie an innie. If you have an innie, don't attempt to pull it into an outie for cleaning purposes. A turkey baster or a water syringe will get water where it needs to go.
Step2
Rub antibacterial cream or ointment in the affected area. The cream can help reduce the strange belly button smell by killing the germs there.
Step3
Pick away the lint. If lint is your only problem, digging around for awhile may be enough. Just make sure your hands are clean, or else you may be infecting your belly button.
Step4
Disinfect and probe. Peroxide and cotton swabs are a good combination for removing unwanted organisms from the pesky belly button area.
Step5
Scrub away the filth. If all else fails, or if you have an outie, the best bet is simply a finger, some soap and a wash rag.

Tips & Warnings

  • Redness does not automatically indicate a fungal infection. It may also be a sign of psoriasis. This skin disorder causes redness in moist areas and scaling in dryer areas. Check the rest of your body for signs of psoriasis.
  • Other people may view collecting belly button lint as strange.
  • Digging hard may cause irritation and may be unsanitary.

Post a Comment

POST A COMMENT

Request a New How-To Article

Looking for more How To information? Chances are there’s an eHow member who knows how to do what you’re looking to do. Submit an article request now!

eHow Article:  How to Clean Belly Button Lint

eHow Health Editor

eHow Health Editor

Category: Health

Articles: See my other articles

Related Ads

Health

DrJewell
Meet DrJewell eHow’s Health Expert.