How to Clean Your Penis

We understand guys have questions about what to wear, how to groom themselves, and well—just about anything. That's why we spent this week doling out advice on how to look good and stay fresh. For the final installment Complex Style's "How To" Week, we're telling you how to take care "down there."

We get it. It's a sensitive subject. It's not something you're going to ask just anyone about. If you're wondering the best ways to battle swamp crotch and foul odors, then read on. Even if you think this post is obvious, or simply silly, then think again. Not only will an educated and thorough wash of your manhood eliminate lingering odors, but you'll be blocking out harmful bacteria for the future.

Everyone has their own method to getting the job done, but if you were ever curious about how to give your genitals a good scrubbing, these tips should put your pointer in the right direction. This is Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Cleaning Your Peen.

Your nether regions are arguably the command center of several of your life choices, so they deserve a little extra time and attention. Whether you're stepping into the shower, or simply alone in the bathroom, meditate on what's about to go down. Sure, you're about to get intimate with your intimates, but when you realize you'll be vanquishing odors and bacteria in one of your body's biggest little parts, you'll be changing your life (and the life of those around you) for the better. The journey will be arduous, but the rewards will be better than you ever dreamed.

Don't over complicate it. You already know how to handle your manhood, but being thorough is more important than scrubbing vigorously. Whether you're using a wash cloth, a loofah, or just a good ol' fashioned palm, a little bit of lather over the entire area is all that's required to clean your command center, and you have to apply a hands-on approach if you want to confirm that every nook and cranny is squeaky clean.

Be cautious when selecting body washes and soaps—there's no need to scrub the bar directly to your peen and gooch areas. Even though you're intimately acquainted with this region, it's still a sensitive scene. Avoid any harsh chemicals or lotions—they're more likely to irritate the issue at hand. Think of it this way—the stuff meant for your face, like Cetaphil, is more than adequate for your peen, which is just as sensitive. Opt for unscented soap—especially if you're cleaning before intercourse, because who wants their man meat smelling like lavender or rosemary before doing the deed?

Smegma is a combination of exfoliated skin, dead cells, oils and moisture. In layman's terms, it's a opaque white-ish liquid that can build up over time on the head of your penis, and it needs to be cleaned regularly to avoid build up. Essentially, it's the body's way of facilitating sexual contact (aka, natural lube). There was a time when doctors linked smegma buildup to cancer, but there has been little conclusive evidence to prove it. But still, letting smegma build up on your penis will certainly lead to irritation—aside from being straight up gross as hell. Do yourself a favor, any fluid that isn't water or soap should be washed off your junk promptly. This is especially true if you're uncircumcised, because you'll need to go "under the hood" in order to get a good clean (sorry, couldn't resist).

This is a three dimensional job gentlemen. You'll need to scrub all sides and surfaces if you're really looking for a clean peen. Move the soap around the shaft and through the stacks. It may sound overblown, but you'll want to scrub every seam; bacteria grow in unclean areas of skin, so your extra effort will be rewarded not only by fresher smells, but a healthier surface on the shaft.

If you're the type of guy that keeps extra fleece down below, make sure to scrub the hairs thoroughly. Much like the hair on top of your head, the hair near your head needs to be cleaned regularly to prevent dry, dead skin in the region. Know how your scalp flakes if it gets too dry? Well, imagine that, but for pubes. Yeah, gross right?

The shower is also a good time to manscape, though you should do it before you turn on the water. You don't have to completely shave your balls, but tools like the Gillette ProGlide Styler help you get a closer shave without making you look prepubescent. Although if you do want to get absolutely close, stick to a shave gel instead of a cream, like Aveeno.

Even though there aren't any razors specifically suited for pubes, the best time to go to town is after you've got the shower running and a good amount of steam to open up your pubic pores, which makes them more agreeable for grooming. Tread carefully—it's not a race. But if the worst happens and you nick your D, wash the wound off, stop the bleeding, and when you're out of the shower, apply ointment like Neosporin.

Listen up heathens, cleaning your gentile genitals means watching out for a few things. Mo' foreskin = Mo' problems. While washing the head usually does an adequate job of cleaning the skin underneath. Sometimes you'll want to pull it back and check under the folds for any fluid or build up and rinse it out. Just because you don't have the penis of a "nice Jewish boy" doesn't make it any less worthy of a thorough clean every now and then.

Bacteria growth begins with moisture. Nip the problem in bud by drying yourself off following your heavy-duty cleaning. Much like your earlier tools, your towel has to get down and dirty to make sure there's no water residue on your junk. We're not saying that you have to pull out the blow dryer, but hot air and friction will go a long way in hindering future bacteria growth (and the “swamp crotch” that comes with it).

Bananas are great on their own, but if you add a little peanut butter or Nutella on top, no one's gonna complain. In the same manner you put moisturizer or after shave on your face, there are certain products for your peen that block out odors and prevent future bacteria growth in between cleaning sessions. Guys often reach for talc-based powders, but these get under the skin and chafe.

Aiming for odorless products. Brands like ToppCock have created products specifically made to unjunk your junk. Their product uses silver (yes, silver—because your dick deserves the finest metals) and aloe vera to soften skin and stave off odors. Look for products that keep bacteria at bay, without powerful scents or the bite of alcohol or astringents.

Most importantly: DO NOT APPLY AFTER SHAVE OR COLOGNE TO YOUR PENIS. Not only will the alcohol dry out and chafe the skin (especially if you're not going commando), no one is going to compliment how your dick smells. And lastly, if you're fortunate enough to convince someone to go downtown, you risk your dick tasting like a bitter cologne or aftershave, which, while there is no definitive answer to how genitalia should taste, is decidedly not pleasant.

Look at you. Not only are you smelling fresh, but you have a healthy and clean peen. If done right, you won't notice anything—and that's the whole point. You don't have to do this every shower or whenever you pee, but it's generally a good idea to clean before and after sex, and after you masturbate. Pretty much—any time you ejaculate.

It's not complicated, and with a little gentle soap, and gentler scrubbing, you'll be enjoying a bacteria-free penis without any leftover scents. Not only will you be happy that you've dodged a swampy bullet, but anyone who comes in contact with your command center will be pleased that you're fragrance free. Having a clean penis is its own reward, so enjoy it.

You don't eat a chocolate bar right after you brush your teeth—you're undoing all the work you just put in. If you're robing your piece in undergarments that have already been worn, you're essentially doing the same thing. Flipping it inside out doesn't work.You need to wear a clean pair of underwear after you wash up. If you need to buy more, we suggest Uniqlo, Mack Weldon, or the recently dropped Supreme x Hanes boxer briefs.