KEEPING clean is a normal part of most people's daily routine.
But personal hygiene isn't something we are taught to do in school and it can be an embarrassing topic to discuss.
Experts have said that the penis is one body part that can often be neglected when it comes to shower time.
It's just another area that needs cleaning and is actually easy to do.
Dr Kandi Aro said that knowing how to wash your soldier properly is key and can help you avoid both irritation and infection.
But how exactly should you be cleaning it, and what should you avoid?
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What to do
You should clean your member daily, regardless of whether or not you have foreskin.
"If you have foreskin, it should be gently pulled back to under the head of the penis, and the penis should be gently cleansed with water and/or a very mild non-fragranced soap", Dr Aro told Metro.
After washing, if you have a hood, you should pull it forward to its normal position.
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Senior Lecturer in General Practice, at The University of Queensland, David King said that when it's time to dry off, you should retract the foreskin again so you can dry the head of the penis with a towel.
"Then, you guessed it, pull the foreskin forward to its normal position.
"It’s OK to clean with soap whether you have a foreskin or not", he said.
What not to do
Writing in The Conversation, David said you shouldn't use too much soap when cleaning down below.
"Generally, too much soap is worse than none at all. Excessive cleaning removes essential body oils that would normally keep our skin moist and reduce friction.
"If you have sensitive skin, you can use a soap-free wash from the chemist."
When to see a GP
If you're worried about your penis then you should see your GP, especially if it becomes painful, red, itchy and has discharge.
This could be down to a condition called balanitis which is more common if you have foreskin.
David explained: "The bacteria and fungus that cause it like the warm and moist conditions under there.
"Skin disorders, infection, poor hygiene, friction from sexual activity, and using too much soap all cause the condition."
He said that you can clear a mild case with good hygiene treatments such as antiseptic or antifungal cream – which are usually available at a pharmacy.
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"If you have balanitis you may need to be more careful than usual to avoid urine irritating your inflamed skin. Retract your foreskin when you urinate. Dry the head of the penis gently after you finish.
"If your penis is still inflamed after a week of these simple measures it’s best to see your GP. They can then investigate other causes, such as psoriasis or an allergy", he said.
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