How To Keep Your Belly Button Rings Clean And Sterile

An infection at the point of your navel piercing can be very painful and messy. One way to avoid this happening is to always clean and sterilize your belly button rings before each use.

If you have your navel pierced, you know how important it is to protect it from infection. An infection can be painful and messy and very hard to heal. It is worth the effort to keep the area clean and protected and part of doing that is making sure the jewelry you place there (i.e. rings, posts) is sterile before you put it in.

First, gather your supplies. You will need rubbing alcohol, water (a saline solution is even better, if you have it) and a small cup such as a medicine dosage cup but size doesn't really matter. Make sure the cup is clean.

Next, you need to sterilize yourself by washing your hands with an anti-bacterial soap. If you have sterile gloves, go ahead and use them but that is probably overkill for the home environment. Put a little rubbing alcohol in the bottom of the cup. Put the post or belly button ring in the cup and swish it around. Sometimes I will let it soak and come back in a few minutes but that is not required. Drain the cup of the alcohol and rinse with warm water or saline. Dry or dab with a clean paper towel. It is best not to dry with a used terry towel as they can retain germs and ruin your efforts thus far.

Now you are ready to use the sterile belly button ring. It doesn't hurt to wash your hands again and then remove your current jewelry and place to the side. Take a moment to clean the area. The best time to change your belly jewelry is after a shower because you know the area will be thoroughly clean. Put the newly sterilized belly button ring in place and you are done.

With other type of jewelry, I normally clean them all at once but it is best to sterilize your belly button rings individually right before use.

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