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I'm always afraid that soap and toothpaste won't clean properly, and I end up rinsing for a long time. What should I do?

soap rinsing toothpaste duration scientific standard cleaning effectiveness moderate rinsing
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I'm always afraid that soap and toothpaste won't clean properly, and I end up rinsing for a long time. What should I do? By Anonymous | Published on December 18, 2024

I am always afraid that soap and toothpaste are not clean enough, so I tend to rinse for a long time. I would like to know if there is a clear scientific standard regarding how long soap and toothpaste should be rinsed to be completely removed, or if there isn't one, I would like to hear how long everyone generally rinses soap and toothpaste. I'll aim for a moderate duration.

Cameron Douglas Baker Cameron Douglas Baker A total of 3538 people have been helped

I must preface this by stating that I am not an expert in the field of chemistry and have not considered this matter myself. Consequently, I have sought the input of another individual. Furthermore, it is evident that you have already invested a considerable amount of emotional energy into this issue. Therefore, I recommend that you attempt to regulate your psychological state to a greater extent.

Firstly, I will address the issue that I have consulted on. The key to soap-and-toothpaste-wont-clean-properly-and-i-end-up-rinsing-for-a-long-time-what-should-i-do-12149.html" target="_blank">rinsing off soap and toothpaste is to ensure that there are no visible residues, that the skin or mouth feels fresh, and that there is no odor or discomfort. There are a few ways to check, for your reference:

1. Observe the foam and water flow. Following the use of soap or toothpaste, the absence of visible foam or particles in the rinsing water indicates that the majority of residue has been removed, thus rendering the procedure satisfactory. In the event of uncertainty, a further rinse is recommended.

2. Sensory Evaluation: For soap, after rinsing, the skin should exhibit a clean, non-greasy sensation, without any tightness or a particularly strong residual fragrance. For toothpaste, after rinsing, the mouth should feel fresh, without any residual taste or grainy feeling associated with the toothpaste.

3. Visual inspection: After using the soap, one can visually inspect the mirror to ascertain whether any residual foam or residue remains on the skin. Similarly, with toothpaste, one can open their mouth and visually examine their teeth and mouth to determine if any white or colored toothpaste residue persists.

Psychological analysis reveals that the individual's mental logic is that inadequate rinsing of soap and toothpaste can have a significant impact on health. This may have been influenced by past information, a scene in a movie or novel, or an instance when inadequate rinsing resulted in illness. It is also possible that during childhood, parents employed fear tactics to encourage proper rinsing, leaving a profound impression on the subconscious.

The solution is to have faith in the scientific method. First, products such as soaps and toothpastes that have been approved for sale by the relevant authorities have undergone rigorous safety testing and have been deemed safe for use. Second, if an individual were to consume one tube of toothpaste over the course of their lifetime, it would not result in any adverse effects. After conducting an analysis in accordance with the three inspection methods that I have consulted, it can be concluded that the total amount of residues from brushing your teeth on a daily basis for the entirety of your life is not even close to the amount present in one tube of toothpaste. Third, if you still have reservations, you can opt for products designed for infants, which are even more stringent. Even if an infant were to ingest them by mistake, it would not cause any harm.

It is beneficial to have doubts to a certain extent. When faced with uncertainty, it is important to seek and utilize the appropriate sources of information to gain clarity. It is unproductive to dwell on doubts without seeking the most accurate and reliable answers. This is an open forum for questions, so please feel free to ask.

What is your opinion on this matter?

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Garrison Garrison A total of 2792 people have been helped

Hello. I can see you're confused, but I'm here to help. First, I want to give you a hug and assure you that I'll provide helpful answers.

Your obsession with cleanliness likely reflects a need for control and a desire to maintain order in a constantly changing and unpredictable world. It's possible that this insistence on cleanliness is a way to cope with underlying uncertainty or fear.

I'm hugging you again because I want you to know that I hear your feelings and I understand your concerns.

From a psychological perspective, excessive cleaning behavior is often a sign of anxiety, especially in situations where people may seek security and comfort by repeating specific actions. This is known as ritualized behavior, which can be a way to cope with the stress at hand, but when it becomes so strong that it affects daily functioning, it needs attention.

I am going to explore with you whether the following approaches can help alleviate your concerns.

First, identify when and where you feel the strongest urge to rinse repeatedly. Then, identify the emotions behind it.

Then, you must slowly expose yourself to less-than-ideal conditions, such as slightly reducing the rinsing time, and gradually get used to it.

Next, give yourself positive feedback whenever you can follow the plan without adding extra rinses.

Finally, you should try other ways to deal with anxiety, such as exercise, meditation, or other relaxation techniques.

From your question, I can see that you want to make a change to improve your quality of life. This shows that you care about and are responsible for yourself. You are taking responsibility for your mental health, which is just as important as maintaining personal hygiene. I hope my answer is helpful.

The world and I love you! ?

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Drew Drew A total of 2232 people have been helped

Dear questioner, I just want to say that your concerns are totally normal! We all have some small worries about cleanliness, and that's okay. But did you know that your body is actually much smarter than you think? It has a natural cleaning mechanism that can tell you when you are clean enough.

There's no set standard for how long you should rinse your soap and toothpaste. We all use different amounts and have different rinsing habits, so it's tricky to give a one-size-fits-all time.

But I can tell you that as long as you use it normally and feel like it's been rinsed off, then you basically don't have to worry. Soap is great for removing dirt and bacteria, while toothpaste is perfect for cleaning teeth and the mouth.

You've done a great job of rinsing when you feel that your hands and mouth are fresh and odor-free.

If you're still feeling a bit worried about not rinsing thoroughly enough, I've got a few tips that might help! First, you can try using mild soap and toothpaste, which are easier to rinse off and won't leave you with a feeling of residue.

Second, when you're rinsing, it can really help to pay more attention to how you feel. When you feel like you've rinsed thoroughly, tell yourself that you can stop.

I'd also like to give you some specific advice to help you overcome this worry. You can try using a timer to set a time frame for rinsing, such as one or two minutes.

This way, you'll have a clear time reference and won't have to worry too much about rinsing thoroughly. Of course, over time, you may find yourself becoming more and more confident and no longer needing to rely on the timer.

Another great tip is to try some relaxing activities, like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga. These can be really helpful for relaxing those tense nerves and reducing anxiety.

When you feel relaxed and confident, you'll find that your worries will also decrease. I know it can be tough, but you've got this!

Finally, I just want to say that every body and every feeling is totally unique. Please trust your body and your gut. When you feel like you've flushed clean, you really are clean.

Don't worry too much about being perfect or clean. Learn to love and accept your body, because it's perfect just the way it is!

Dear friend, I know this may be a minor nuisance, but please believe that you are fully capable of overcoming it. You've got this! Trust yourself and your body, and you will definitely find a flushing time that makes you feel comfortable and confident.

I really hope you can live a relaxed and happy life, full of confidence and smiles every day!

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Charlotte Eve Edwards Charlotte Eve Edwards A total of 5834 people have been helped

There is no definitive scientific standard for the rinsing time of soap and toothpaste, as it is contingent upon a multitude of variables, including the specific product utilized, individual usage habits, the temperature and pressure of the rinsing water, and other factors. However, an understanding of the composition of soap and toothpaste, as well as the principles of rinsing, can facilitate an investigation into this matter.

The primary component of soap is a fatty acid salt, which possesses effective cleansing and foaming properties. During the use of soap, the generation of foam is primarily achieved through friction, and the adsorbing effect of the foam is utilized to remove impurities and grease from the surface of the skin.

Accordingly, when rinsing soap, it is essential to ensure that the foam on the surface of the skin is completely rinsed off, so that the remaining foam does not impart a slimy sensation. In general, rinsing with running warm water for 20-30 seconds should be sufficient to remove the soap foam.

Toothpaste is a complex mixture of ingredients, including abrasives, cleaning agents, fragrances, and fluoride. Its primary function is to remove plaque and stains from the tooth surface through the action of abrasives, while cleaning agents assist in the removal of halitosis.

Following the act of brushing one's teeth, it is necessary to rinse away any residual toothpaste and foam that may remain in the oral cavity. Given the relatively confined nature of the mouth and the typically fine consistency of toothpaste foam, the required rinsing time may be shorter than that necessary for soap.

In general, rinsing the mouth with water several times for a few seconds each time should be sufficient to remove the toothpaste.

It should be noted that this is merely a preliminary guideline. Individual preferences and circumstances may vary, and the rinsing time can be adapted to suit personal needs.

Should the individual feel that their skin or mouth still feels slippery after rinsing, they may extend the rinsing time accordingly. Conversely, if the individual feels that they have rinsed clean enough, they may shorten the rinsing time.

It is also important to note that excessive rinsing is not necessarily beneficial. Prolonged rinsing can result in the waste of water resources, and for the skin, excessive rinsing can lead to the destruction of the natural oil layer on the surface of the skin, which can cause dryness or discomfort.

It is therefore important to consider the dual aspects of cleanliness and water conservation, as well as the protection of the skin, when pursuing a hygienic routine.

In conclusion, there is no universally accepted standard for the rinsing time of soap and toothpaste. The optimal duration is contingent upon individual habits and the specific circumstances. During rinsing, the primary objective is to ensure the complete removal of foam from the surface of the skin and toothpaste from the mouth, while also conserving water and protecting the skin.

In conclusion, it is important to note that individual perceptions and routines vary considerably, and a singular, fixed rinsing time is not a universal requirement. If the current rinsing method is perceived as satisfactory in terms of cleanliness and comfort, it is an acceptable approach to maintain this practice.

Should further clarification be required or concerns persist, it is advised to seek the expertise of a professional dermatologist or oral surgeon, who can provide tailored guidance based on the individual's circumstances.

In addition to focusing on flushing time, daily life also allows for the maintenance of skin and oral health through the selection of appropriate products for one's skin type and oral condition, as well as the utilisation of correct brushing and flushing techniques. Furthermore, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and dietary habits is essential for achieving optimal health and beauty.

It is our hope that the aforementioned responses will prove helpful in resolving any remaining uncertainty regarding the appropriate rinsing time for soap and toothpaste. Should further clarification be required or additional discussion be necessary, we encourage you to pose further questions or consult with relevant professionals.

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Albert Leo Woods-Mitchell Albert Leo Woods-Mitchell A total of 4803 people have been helped

Hello, I'm Yu, a heart coach. Let's talk about this.

We brush our teeth and wash our hands several times a day, but we don't record how long we rinse. We just want to be clean and healthy.

The questioner is worried that if they don't wash it cleanly, they will have to flush for a long time. This is good hygiene, but it may be driven by perfectionism.

Perfectionists focus on details. There's nothing wrong with wanting to be perfect. It's a natural desire. It motivates us to become our best selves.

We only imagine the perfect result and don't expect the process or the cost of becoming perfect. Perfectionism doesn't make us better and hinders our growth.

We want to be perfect, but reality is often not ideal. The more ideas we have, the more we will be torn between them. The more anxious we feel, the more difficult it will be to take the first step.

Flowers don't bloom instantly. It takes time. To make a grand entrance, there's always a clumsy beginning.

The questioner can recall what we were thinking when we were washing our hands and brushing our teeth. What did it make us feel?

What are our thoughts when we study or work? What emotions do they bring us?

What are our thoughts when we interact with others? What emotions do they bring us?

Perfectionism is a lie. Society makes us think we have to be perfect, but most people are imperfect.

When I first started my business, I wanted to succeed at everything at once. But reality often makes things difficult because many changes can affect our plans. We must be humble.

Ask yourself what perfectionism means to you. What makes you proud about it?

What do I need to do to pursue perfection? What parts do I want to leave behind?

Knowing yourself is the first step to changing yourself.

Try to think positively, accept setbacks, be kind to yourself, accept your imperfect self, accept reality's limitations, find the best option within your limits, and enjoy the present. Small joys are highlights of life. Rogers said, "A good life is a process."

I hope you can get rid of the negative mindset that comes with striving for perfection and experience self-growth. Take the first step, believe in time, and wait for the flowers to bloom.

If this is bothering you, it's not easy to overcome it. Find someone you trust to talk to. If you need help, you can also find a counselor.

Finally, we must learn to value ourselves and be confident.

Recommended book: "No Action, No Happiness"

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Theobald Phillips Theobald Phillips A total of 9333 people have been helped

There is no strict scientific standard for how long you should rinse with soap and toothpaste. However, in general, soap can be rinsed off with water for a while, as its ingredients are relatively simple and can be easily mixed with water and washed away.

When it comes to toothpaste, since we typically use it in our mouths, the main objective when rinsing is to completely remove the foam and residue from our mouths. In most cases, after brushing our teeth, we simply rinse our mouths with water until there is no longer any foam left in our mouths, and we're done.

From daily experience, most people do not deliberately time the rinsing, but rather judge whether they are clean based on their feelings. If you find that your rinsing habits make you feel uneasy or cause problems such as dry skin, it may be worth considering whether the rinsing time is a bit too long.

As a general guideline, it is recommended that you rinse your soap for one or two minutes, and that you rinse your toothpaste until there is no residue left in your mouth, which should not take long.

If you are concerned about your washing habits, you might like to consider making some adjustments, such as reducing the washing time, and see if you feel any discomfort or if the condition of your skin improves. While it is important to keep clean, it is also important to take care of the natural balance of your skin.

It is possible that sometimes excessive cleaning can actually be a burden on the skin. It may be helpful to try to find the right balance.

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Garland Garland A total of 1701 people have been helped

Hello, question asker! I'm so happy to have met you here.

"I'm afraid that soap and toothpaste won't clean properly, so I always run the water for a long time."

It's totally understandable to feel a little distressed by this pattern of behavior. We all have our own unique ways of doing things, and it's natural to hope that someone can give a scientific or authoritative standard answer to put your mind at ease.

I'd also love to make some adjustments with the help of others' advice or opinions.

It's so great to see you recognizing these thoughts and actions as worthy of recognition. They're an amazing internal driving force for self-improvement!

Let's try to think about this in a different way. If you're worried that soap and toothpaste won't clean properly, what would happen if they didn't?

I'd love to know how much this will affect you.

I'd love to know how serious you think this impact is. If we were to divide the degree of seriousness into 10 levels, how many would you give it?

We can try to put a number on how serious this is, while also being aware of the extent to which we can accept that soap and toothpaste don't clean as well as we'd like.

We can also try some similar experiments! For example, you used to have to let the water run for an hour before you were sure the soap and toothpaste were clean.

Then next time we run a 50-minute wash, we can feel whether it's clean enough and whether we can accept the result.

Another lovely possibility is that by washing the soap and toothpaste clean, we can release some of those pent-up emotions or stress inside.

How to deal with these hidden emotions or stress may be something we can work on together over time.

Once you've resolved the internal cause, you might find that washing the soap and toothpaste is no longer an issue.

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Aurora Young Aurora Young A total of 3507 people have been helped

It's okay to feel like you're being difficult sometimes. It's only natural to use your mind to deal with anxiety by doubting yourself and feeling like you're not doing the right thing in life. But this anxiety also makes you doubt even more whether you're suitable or not, creating a conflict in your thinking. You keep thinking over and over again whether you're right or not. But you're doing great! Judging from the quality of your life, you can say that your choice is right, and there is no problem with the requirements of life, and the quality of the product, and perhaps in your action of buying it, there is also no problem.

But when you're feeling picky about the toothpaste and your body, it's not the toothpaste you're doubting, but more your own lack of trust in yourself. Obsessive thoughts expect me to be right or wrong. Perhaps subconsciously, I can see that a child growing up experiences a lack of support and care from their parents or caregivers. Your parents had high standards for your behavior, with clear rewards and punishments, praising good behavior and severely criticizing bad behavior. In the absence of sincere discipline, an emotionally detached child is cultivated, and at the same time, the child can only identify with the parents' strict attitude.

This may be the pain of doubting yourself when you have high expectations of yourself. It's totally normal to worry about what others think of you! Sometimes, a sense of shame can lead to a deliberate attempt to meet your internal standards of perfection.

Guilt is just a fear of losing the sense of condemnation that your parents or caregivers have given you. It's totally normal to be suspicious and worry that you'll eventually do something wrong.

At the end of the day, it's okay to enjoy the good and the bad things in life. There's no shame in admitting that. And it's perfectly fine to accept your own imperfections. You don't have to be afraid of that. You can even find comfort in it. You know, you could try looking for a counselor on the platform to talk about your thoughts. You might find that you can enjoy more happiness in life.

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Elliott Simmons Elliott Simmons A total of 7899 people have been helped

Hello, I'm a coach at Heart Exploration.

Everyone has OCD and perfectionism. I wash vegetables more than four times and clothes more than five times. When I feel clean, I feel relaxed.

The questioner can ask themselves how clean they want to be. Is it the number of times they measure it, or the number of times they feel clean? If it's the former, they can search online. If it's the latter, they can observe their inner standard.

When did the questioner start worrying about how often they brush their teeth and wash their hands? Did anything happen to make them feel uneasy?

Be aware of the reasons for the problem to help the questioner reflect.

What problems might come from worrying about not being able to wash it cleanly? Is this problem really caused by not being able to wash it cleanly?

Be aware of your parents and elders. Have they ever felt unwell because of this problem? If not, it may reassure the questioner.

Doing things one more time than everyone else might make you feel more secure.

Change your perspective. Complete the task, then perfect it. Washing makes you feel safer. This may help the questioner let go of anxiety. The questioner can also try keeping an emotional diary.

Trying to prepare for the worst often makes the questioner feel more relaxed. For example, going to some place with diarrhea or going with the flow. When we are in the middle of a crowd, we feel safer. The most prominent thing is that when a group of people go out to eat, they don't wash the dishes. The questioner can try to feel if they will wash their hands less often when they go out with friends than when they wash their hands alone.

Going with the flow makes us less uptight.

Accept your perfectionist complex and obsessive-compulsive tendencies. When emotions come, give in and wash a few extra times. When you don't have strong worries, try washing a few times less. Reflect on the feelings of washing less. Don't fight emotions.

Read "The Philosophy of Restlessness" and "Burns' New Emotion Therapy."

Best wishes!

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Jeremiah King Jeremiah King A total of 2660 people have been helped

Hello!

Soaps and toothpastes are everyday items that aren't technically medicines or medical supplies, so I don't think there's a need for a scientific standard. You might be able to find a standard on how long to flush online.

I get the feeling you're worried that the residue from soap and toothpaste will affect your health. You're asking how you can completely wash away the residue from soap and toothpaste.

How long should you rinse to be sure you're avoiding any health risks?

You're concerned about the potential consequences of not rinsing off the soap and toothpaste. What specifically are you worried about if they're not rinsed off?

What are you concerned about?

As a matter of fact, everything leaves a residue. Take pesticides and detergents, for instance.

The amount of residue will be very small. If there's a lot of pesticide residue, it can be poisonous. The same goes for toothpaste and soap—they leave residue. Is that residue uncomfortable for the body?

The human body is pretty resilient, and I haven't seen any reports of problems caused by not rinsing off soap or toothpaste.

There are national standards for how soaps and toothpastes are made. Even if a little soap or toothpaste is swallowed by mistake, it's not toxic.

As long as you don't eat a little bit of soap and toothpaste every day, there won't be any problem. Even if there is some effect on human skin and mouth, it is very limited.

Every day, we brush our teeth, wash our hands and face, and rinse. We see that the surface is clean, and then we move on to the next thing. You say you'll do it for a long time, it just takes a little water, and that's fine, too. It's just a matter of personal habit.

How long has this been going on? Is a lot of water being wasted?

Or is it going to waste a lot of time?

Whether you've rinsed the soap and toothpaste away is one thing in terms of how it looks, and another thing in terms of how you feel about it. I think that if you don't rinse the soap and toothpaste away, it might affect your health.

You're concerned about the influence these products have on your health, so you've started researching whether you should rinse them off.

You see this as a big problem, and I think that's the issue. I'd also like to ask, other than soap and toothpaste, do you have any other residue problems?

Or are you just worried about the residue from these two products? What made you focus on this problem so much?

This is the crux of the matter.

I think you should talk to a counselor to explore your subconscious and inner needs and see what cognitive thinking habits you have developed over time. Maybe if your cognitive thinking habits change a little, you'll care about this issue as much as we do.

I don't think it's a big deal if I don't rinse the soap and toothpaste off.

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Comments

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Eugene Thomas Success is not measured by what you accomplish, but by the opposition you have encountered, and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds.

I usually rinse off soap and toothpaste until I feel like it's all gone, maybe around 30 seconds. It seems long enough for me to ensure everything is clean.

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Fleur Jackson Forgiveness is a way to make the world a more forgiving place, one heart at a time.

For me, rinsing thoroughly is important, but I find that about 20 seconds does the job for both soap and toothpaste. It feels just right without being excessive.

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Edwin Davis Life is a continuous process of learning and unlearning.

I tend to trust my senses; when the water runs clear and there are no more bubbles, I consider it clean. This usually takes about a minute, which might be on the longer side.

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Austin Miller Defeat is not the worst of failures. Not to have tried is the true failure.

I don't worry too much about timing; I simply rinse until I can't taste the toothpaste and the soap feels completely off my skin, which usually happens pretty quickly.

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Milton Jackson Forgiveness is a gift we give ourselves.

I've heard that 15 to 20 seconds is a good rule of thumb for rinsing. It's enough to get everything out without wasting water, so I try to stick to that.

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