So you think you're clean? You shower or bath every day, brush your teeth and wash your hands... Job done. Well, not quite. There's a lot more to hygiene than the simple things we were taught as kids.
You can smell great, look clean and fresh but still be totally gross below the surface. The dirty blind spots are everywhere. Hiding behind your ears, under your fingernails, on your phone and in other places some bods don't bother to check.
Someone recently asked, "What's a hygiene habit that people don't talk about but really should?" and people didn't hold back. They shared a mix of tips, some (seemingly) obvious and others that might surprise you. From washing behind your ears, to cleaning your belly button, soaking dog leashes once a week, and using a soap that actually suits your body chemistry...
Bored Panda has put together a list of the best answers for you to scroll through before your next bath or shower. Upvote your favorites and feel free to share your own hygiene tips in the comments section below.
#1
Close the lid before you flush. Especially if you keep your toothbrush nearby.
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41points
Good hygiene isn't just about keeping your body clean. It extends to so much more... Your home, your pets, the way you prepare food, how you change and dispose of a baby's diaper. Hygiene is about any behavior that improves cleanliness and helps to prevent the spread of germs and diseases.
#2
WASH YOUR HANDS WHEN YOU GET HOME. I don't do anything till I've taken my outside clothes off and wash my hands. So many things you've touched that thousands of people have touched with hands from who knows where on who knows what.
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40points
#3
Cleaning the ridges of your ears, they're disgusting bacteria traps. .
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30points
#4
Your kids are not as good at hygiene as you think they are. As a mom and a former teacher, they need help and refreshers on what to do throughout childhood and into their teen years. You’re not watching them shower after a certain point so if they got something wrong they’re doing it wrong for life. Also as they enter puberty (or preferably starting before) start talking about the need for clean body parts and how that changes as they grow, prepare them for the mean things kids say if they smell (sounds mean but better a prep from you than a jab from a peer) and how to protect themselves from hygiene related issues if they start showering in a locker room.
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28points
#6
People forget how grimy their water bottles get, especially the lids and rubber seals. A quick scrub every couple days makes a huge difference. So In my experience, It’s one of those quiet hygiene wins you don’t notice until you finally do it.
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26points
#7
You’re likely wearing too much perfume or cologne and no one wants to tell you to your face. it’s an accessory, i shouldn’t be able to smell it on you from 5-10+ feet away.
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25points
#9
Cleaning your phone.
People touch it all day and never think about the germs on it.
People touch it all day and never think about the germs on it.
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23points
#10
Wash your legs and feet when you shower! Water alone isn’t cleaning them.
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23points
#12
Cleaning under your fingernails is underrated. Washing your hands is only step one tbh.
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22points
#13
If you have a dog, wash their leash in a bucket every so often. It’s been dragged through so much and then you put your hands on it….
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22points
#14
Washing stuff you get from the store, especially when it doesnt come in sealed packaging. You don't know where its been or who has touched it. Wash your produce, clothing, dishes, household items and honestly even disinfect new toys.
It's not a personal hygeine habit, but it is crucial in preventing spread of illnesses. Don't put your faith in the general public, ever. Wash the things that you bring into your home.
It's not a personal hygeine habit, but it is crucial in preventing spread of illnesses. Don't put your faith in the general public, ever. Wash the things that you bring into your home.
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22points
#15
Most athletic shoes can and should be washed. Too many folks just think shoes are rank and there is nothing to be done about it. WASH THEM.
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20points
#16
Wear deodorant
Mostly dudes I feel like they really didn't get the memo. I'm so tired of these stinky men walking around smelling like onions left out in the sun 🤢.
Mostly dudes I feel like they really didn't get the memo. I'm so tired of these stinky men walking around smelling like onions left out in the sun 🤢.
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20points
#17
Clean the nose pads on your glasses. Depending on the type you have, sweat and the oil from your nose can make it smelly and can literally erode metal frames.
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20points
#18
Cleaning your tongue. Brushing alone doesn’t handle bad breath.
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19points
#19
Start making your kids bathe nightly in 4th grade. Including a hair wash. Supervise until they have it right. Buy deodorant and make them apply it. Supervise until they have it right. Brush teeth after breakfast please. We're sick of leaning over your nasty smelling kids trying not to gag while helping them. Greasy late elementary/middle school hair stanks.
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18points
#20
Cleaning earbuds/airpods. Super easy to get an ear infection from dropping those suckers on the ground.
16points