Washing

Washing is one way of cleaning, namely with water and often some kind of soap or detergent. Washing is an essential part of good hygiene and health.

Often people use soaps and detergents assist in the emulsification of oils and dirt particles so they can be washed away.

People usually wash themselves periodically. Little children, the sick, and people with disabilities may be washed by a caregiver. Lovers may wash each other for fun. Often a shower or a bathtub is used for persons washing themselves or others. Showers or baths are commonly taken in the nude and often in private.

In Europe, some people use a bidet to wash their private parts after using the toilet.

More frequent is washing of just the hands, e.g. before and after preparing food and eating, after using the toilet, after handling something dirty, etc. Hand washing is important in reducing the spread of germs.

Brushing ones teeth is also a kind of washing.

Washing also refers to a pile or gathering of dirty clothes/sheets/garments before or after they have been washed, washing is usually hung on a washing line or are tumble dried.