How to Be Hygienic

Managing your personal hygiene is important not only to look and smell your best on a daily basis, but also to prevent the onset and spread of infectious diseases. Taking the proper precautions can help you avoid getting sick and passing illnesses on to those around you. Read this article to learn how to manage personal hygiene to both improve your overall appearance and ward off infections.^{[1]XResearch source}

Part 1

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Putting Your Best Foot Forward

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1
Shower every day or at least every other day. This is the best way to get rid of any dirt, sweat, and/or germs that your body may have accumulated throughout the day, and prevents hygiene-related diseases.^{[2]XTrustworthy SourceCenters for Disease Control and PreventionMain public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human ServicesGo to source} As a plus, showering helps you feel, look, and smell your best throughout the day.
- Use a loofah, sponge, or hand towel to gently scrub your entire body, removing dead skin cells and dirt. Remember to replace these items regularly as they can easily harbor bacteria.
- If you don't want to wash your hair every day, then invest in a shower cap and wash your body with soap and water.
- If you don't have time to shower, then use a hand towel to rinse your face, underarms, and genitals at the end of the day.
2
Choose a daily face cleanser. Remember that the skin on your face is more sensitive than on other parts of your body. You can either use your face cleanser in the shower or wash your face separately at the sink. Avoid using hot water as this will make your skin irritated and flaky.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Take your skin type into account when choosing a face cleaner. If you have very dry skin, avoid products that has high alcohol content, as this will further dry out your skin. If you have very sensitive skin, opt for hypo-allergenic products that contain less harsh chemicals.
- If you wear a lot of makeup, find a cleanser that also specializes in removing makeup. Otherwise, buy a separate makeup remover and remove all makeup before washing your face at the end of the day.
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3
Brush your teeth every morning and evening. Regular tooth-brushing and flossing helps prevent gum disease, which has been linked to other illnesses elsewhere in the body like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.^{[4]XTrustworthy SourceCenters for Disease Control and PreventionMain public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human ServicesGo to source} It is especially important to brush teeth after eating sweets or acidic foods that cause tooth erosion.
- To keep your gums extra strong, carry around a travel-sized toothbrush and toothpaste and brush your teeth in between meals.
- Floss your teeth every night to prevent the gum disease gingivitis.
4
Use a deodorant or antiperspirant. Antiperspirant helps control excessive sweat, while deodorant covers up unpleasant body odor caused by sweat. Consider using a natural, aluminum-free deodorant to reduce potential health risks associated with conventional deodorants.^{[5]XTrustworthy SourceNational Cancer InstituteAn agency in the National Institutes of Health focused on cancer research and patient supportGo to source}
- If you choose not to wear deodorant on a daily basis, then consider wearing it on the days when you plan on sweating excessively, or for special occasions. Apply deodorant before playing sports, going to the gym, or attending a formal occasion.
- If you don't wear deodorant, then rinse your underarms with soap and water throughout the day to remove unpleasant odor.
5
Wash your clothes after wearing them. In general, shirts should be washed after every use, while pants and shorts can be worn a few times before they require washing. Use your best judgment to determine how often to wash your clothes.^{[6]XResearch source}
- Remove any stains from your clothing before wearing them.
- Iron out wrinkles, and use a lint-remover to remove unwanted lint and hair from clothing.
Whether you're trying to grow your hair out or prefer to keep it short, trimming it will keep hair healthy, get rid of split ends, and give an overall cleaner, healthier appearance.^{[7]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Academy of DermatologyProfessional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologistsGo to source}
7
Clip your fingernails and toenails regularly. Not only will this keep your hands and feet looking their best, it will prevent hangnails, breakage, and other potential damage to your nails. Short nails can't trap dirt under them the way long nails do. How often you clip your fingernails will depend on your personal desired length. To decide, take into account what you use your hands for on a daily basis. If you spend a lot of time typing on a computer or playing the piano, for example, short nails are probably the best option for you. If you prefer longer nails, that's fine too, but be sure to trim them every so often to prevent breakage.^{[8]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Academy of DermatologyProfessional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologistsGo to source}
- Use an orange stick to remove dirt from underneath the fingernails to prevent bacterial infections.

Part 2

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Preventing Illnesses

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Wash your hands with soap and water. This is one of the most important ways to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.^{[9]XTrustworthy SourceCenters for Disease Control and PreventionMain public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human ServicesGo to source} Wash your hands after using the restroom; before, during, and after preparing food; before eating food; before and after caring for someone who is sick; after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; and after handling animals and/or animal waste.
- Consider keeping a hand sanitizer with you at all times in case you do not have direct access to soap and water.
Prevent disease spread through school hygiene tips. "As a teacher, I was looking for hygiene tips to share with students to prevent illness spread at school. This article covers handwashing, cleaning, and other great science-backed disease prevention measures in an easy-to-understand way." - Louie B.
Step through guide to achieve better health. "I appreciated how this hygiene guide methodically goes through daily self-care routines like bathing, oral care, and more. Following these steps has improved my health, appearance, and confidence from head to toe!" - Abdikadir J.
Refresh corporate teams on hygiene best practices. "Working in an office, we never get basic hygiene refreshers. I'm grateful this article covers best practices for cleanliness in a clear, approachable way. My whole team will benefit from this useful back-to-basics overview." - Sipho M.
Incorporate hygiene habits to prevent infections. "As a busy working mom, it's easy to let some hygiene habits slide. This article was a wake-up call for me to be more diligent in preventing sickness. I especially appreciated the science-based explanations on how each tip fights infections." - Shubham K.
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2
Clean the surfaces in your home regularly. You should wipe the kitchen counter, floors, shower, and dining tables at least once a week using either soap and water or conventional household cleaning products. If you live with other people, consider coming up with a system of chores and alternate cleaning jobs every week.^{[10]XResearch source}
- Consider using eco-friendly cleaning products that contain less harsh chemicals than the conventional brands.
- Always wipe your shoes on a doormat before entering the home. Consider taking your shoes off and leaving them at the door before entering the home, and asking guests to do the same. This will prevent the spread of dirt and mud throughout the house.
This is extremely important if you want to avoid spreading germs to those around you. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water after you cough or sneeze.^{[11]XTrustworthy SourceCenters for Disease Control and PreventionMain public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human ServicesGo to source}
Sharing personal items like these with other people increases the likelihood of spreading Staph infections.^{[12]XTrustworthy SourceSan Francisco Department of HealthSan Francisco's Department of Health website of Disease Control and PreventionGo to source} If you do share towels or clothing, be sure to wash them both before and after lending them to others.
People who use tampons should change them at least once every 4-6 hours to reduce the likelihood of getting toxic shock syndrome (TSS).^{[13]XResearch source} People who use pads should change them every 4-8 hours. If you plan on sleeping more than eight hours, then wear an overnight pad instead of a tampon while you sleep.
Seeing your doctor regularly can help catch illnesses and infections early, making it much easier to treat them. Visit your primary care physician, dentist, gynecologist, cardiologist, or any other physician you may be seeing on a regular basis. Visit your doctor when you are feeling sick or think you may have an infection, and be sure to keep up with routine check-ups.^{[14]XTrustworthy SourceHealthyChildren.orgHealth information from the American Academy of Pediatrics.Go to source}

Expert Q&A

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Question
What can you use to brush your teeth if you don't have a toothbrush?
Jeremy Silverman, DMD
Dentist
Jeremy Silverman is a Dentist and Founder of Peace of Mind Dental Studio in Chandler, Arizona. With a decade of professional dental experience, he focuses his practice on incorporating mental well-being into the core of oral care. He also partakes in continuing education and stays up to date with the newest techniques, technology, and products. Dr. Silverman holds a BA in Psychobiology from the University of California at Los Angeles and a DMD from Midwestern University. He is a member of the American Dental Association, Arizona Dental Association, and Central Arizona Dental Society. Dr. Silverman is also Laser Certified by the World Clinical Laser Institute.
Jeremy Silverman, DMD
Dentist
Expert Answer
Our fingers can work in this scenario. Be sure to thoroughly wash your hands, place some toothpaste on the tip of a finger and brush your teeth in circular motions.
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What if I have very little money and few supplies?
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Try to use a little less of each product to make it last. See what happens if you only use half the shampoo or toothpaste you usually do. You can always add more if it doesn't seem like it's enough, but most people use more than they need out of habit. Also, bar soap tends to cost less and last longer than shower gel. A dollar store can be a great place to find low-cost care products if you have one in your area. Some food banks also stock personal care items. Teach yourself how to cut your own hair, or ask a family member. There are many videos about cutting your own hair online.
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How do I remember these things easily?
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Make a to do list and check off everything you have done and keep up with -- it really helps.
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