Cleaning and Sterilizing Piercings
Experts recommend cleaning a piercing no more than twice each day. Use a saltwater mixture (1/2 teaspoon sea salt per 1 cup of water) to help remove any dried healing secretions followed by a gentle, mild antibacterial soap and water cleansing. You could also use either one of these cleansing methods alone.
Sterilizing Navel Jewelry
Boiling Water As shared on Painful Pleasures, "You can boil your body jewelry to sterilize it as long as there are NO electronic components, acrylic or jewels in it." Just place your piece in boiling water for five minutes and then let dry on a clean paper towel.
Disinfecting Piercing Equipment at Home
To disinfect a needle at home through boiling:
- Use a pot that has been meticulously cleaned with disinfectant soap and hot water.
- Put the needle into the pot and bring the water to a rolling boil of at least 200°F (93.3°C).
- Boil the needle for at least 30 minutes prior to use.
Cleaning an Old Belly Button Ring
316L Surgical Steel Belly Rings Simply use dishwashing detergent in warm water. Warning: alcohol can damage and loosen gems, likewise harsh chemicals can also prematurely age your belly jewelry. To remove dirt or buildup, use a gentle brush – like a toothbrush.
Proper Care for Belly Piercing
Don’t use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing. You may cover the area with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a non-stick bandage. Apply more petroleum jelly and replace the bandage as needed.
Causes of Belly Button Odor
Even if you don’t develop a yeast infection, the accumulation of sweat, dirt, dead skin cells, and lint can cause your belly button to smell. Omphaloliths. As dead skin cells and sebum — the oil secreted by your skin — accumulate in your belly button, they can form an omphalolith over time.
Disinfecting Fake Jewelry
Baking soda, salt, and aluminum foil. Mix one tablespoon salt and one tablespoon of baking soda and mix with one cup warm water. Pour into the dish. The mixture will create a chemical reaction with the foil and bubble as it cleans the jewelry. Rinse with cool water and buff dry with a clean cloth.
Cleaning Jewelry with Alcohol
Rubbing Alcohol This is the perfect fix for smudges, mild spotting, and tarnish. Mix four parts water with one part rubbing alcohol, dampen a clean cloth, and gently buff the silver. Then, use a soft, dry cloth to wipe it clean.
Sterilizing Jewelry without an Autoclave
The cleaning process is simple; soak the pieces you need to sterilize in warm water with antibacterial soap. Leave them in the water for a couple of minutes. Then remove them, rinse and dry. If anything is still stuck after this, you can use a soft nylon brush or a q-tip to scrub it off before rinsing and drying.
Sterilizing a Needle with Hand Sanitizer
You should use alcohol, not fire, to sterilize metal tools. An alcohol wipe or alcohol gel hand sanitizer. Gas fire (like a butane lighter) leaves behind the least residue, but alcohol is always better.
Time Required to Sanitize in Boiling Water
1 minute
Cleaning a Thermometer without Alcohol
Here’s how you clean a glass thermometer.
- Wash the thermometer in a bowl of cool, soapy water (liquid soap can be used).
- Rinse thoroughly under clean running water.
- Use the thermometer immediately and then repeat the process after using the thermometer as well.
Causes of Belly Button Discharge
If your belly button is "leaking" clear or colored discharge or blood, you may have a bacterial, fungal, or yeast infection. Crusty skin, strong odor, itching, and redness are also signs of infection. If discharge and crust stick around after you wash your belly button, you should see your doctor.
Alternative Cleaning Methods for Piercings
You can use warm water and soap. Just keep it clean. Alcohol is ok too. If you want to use saltwater, that’s fine but not necessary.
Reasons for a Wet and Smelly Belly Button
Discharge and smells can be a result of several different factors, though slight navel odors are typically normal. If you have a combination of foul smell and discharge, it could be a sign of a fungal infection, yeast infection, or bacterial infection of the belly button.