nice hygiene is more than simply looking and feeling nice; it also means keeping healthy. In the midst of our hectic lives, it is easy to let some hygiene routines fall through the gaps while completely avoiding others. You’ve probably learned a few hygiene advice from family, friends, or the internet. But what does work? From removing body odor to clearing out pimples, these guys flocked to Reddit to offer some underappreciated hygiene techniques. You’ll want to begin incorporating these suggestions into your regular routine!
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Acne and Mangoes
“Years and years ago, I noticed a message on Reddit that suggested mangoes are fantastic if you have acne, so I started eating lots of mangoes, and after a few weeks, my skin clears up, but when I become lazy and stop eating mangoes consistently, the acne returns. I mention this to people occasionally, and no one else has heard of it, but it appears to work for me.”
Acne And Mangoes
Face Cleanse
“When cleaning your face, massage in the cleanser for 60 seconds. I swear it will remove all the sebum and blackheads. But don’t rub so hard that you’re attempting to remove a marker stain off your face; instead, be soft. Please wash your b—— in the shower. Yes, it’s weird. But, please, put soap on your fingers, rub it off (literally), and then put additional soap on your hands to wash them in the shower. There are too many people leaving ugly stains on medical beds, and it needs to stop.”
Face Cleanse
Sink Cleaning
“When I rented, my apartment did not have a dishwasher, so I had to hand wash everything. One side of the sink was filled with soapy water for cleaning, while the other side had clean water for rinsing. I may have been a touch OCD, but I find kitchen sinks nasty, and odd apartment sinks even more so. So, before each wash, I’d fill both sides with hot water and a little bleach, let it soak for a few minutes, then scrub it down with a brush while it was still full, and drain. After a few months, I could see pearly white running down the drain pipe towards the trap. The cleanest sink ever. However, it is probably overkill.
Sink Cleaning
Quick Clean
“I use a little dollar store spray bottle to mix a 10% bleach solution; spritz the sink and let it soak for 30 minutes. Bleach solution is only good for 24 hours, so I simply mix a few inches because it doesn’t take much to spritz the sink and faucet knobs. To avoid the lingering bleach odor in excellent weather, combine the spritz with my ‘open the windows for 30 minutes to freshen the house’ tip. I also have a similar bottle for the restrooms because I don’t want to use the same bottle in both. A 10% bleach solution spray is a simple approach to deal with toilet and bathroom sink odors/ickiness in between deep cleanings.”
Quick Clean
Waxing Solution
“I had a guy in the ER who had bowel/bladder incontinence and extremely limited lower body mobility swear by waxing from his bits all the way to his feet. He claimed that makes cleanup a million times easier. I wouldn’t necessarily offer this technique to everyone, nor would I say it’s essential for any reason. If you struggle with removing stool from thick hair on a regular basis, consider this option.
Waxing Solution
Xylitol Gum
“Also, chew a piece of xylitol gum after each meal! If you don’t like gum, get some xylitol and dab it on your tongue. Saliva is more effective at cleansing the mouth than dental products, and it’s usual practice in Europe to pop a piece in after eating. Xylitol stimulates healthy saliva production and neutralizes the PH balance (many individuals have acidic saliva that destroys their gums).
Xylitol Gum
Small Cloths
“Baby-sized wash cloths are superior to conventional wash cloths. They are easier to use, especially in small areas such as the ears, exfoliate softly, and take up less space in the washing machine. They are also useful when you want to ‘freshen up’ down there rather than using flushing wipes. Men, please keep your nails short, for a variety of reasons. 3. Use coconut or jojoba oil in the shower or bath. Apply it while your skin is wet. “Do not forget your feet (but don’t slip).”
Small Cloths
Armpit Care
“Use antibacterial soap on a washcloth to wash smelly armpits and air dry (after bath towel drying, use a Teri cloth towel), and do not apply deodorant until they are completely dry. Also, for deodorant, it is advisable to use white (no wet types) and an antiperspirant/deodorant combination. Certain Dri works better than others, however prescription Deos are available if necessary.
Armpit Care
Mouth Rinse
“For a few seconds, rinse your mouth with 1% hydrogen peroxide.” Dip your floss pick in 1% hydrogen peroxide (poured into a separate tiny container; shot glasses work best). Floss, rinse the pick with water, dip it in 1% HP, and floss. Repeat until there is no odor. Rinse your mouth with 1%HP for a few seconds. Rinse twice with water. This will treat minor gingivitis. Do not repeat this more than once every week. You can also sanitize your toothbrush with 1% hydrogen peroxide. When flushing the toilet, make sure to close the lid. Please. If you do not close the lid, the particles will shoot into the air and spread all over the walls. It makes the entire bathroom smell like a dirty toilet.”
Mouth Rinse
Loofa Benefits
“Every man should have a loofa (I say this as a straight man). I had no idea what they were when I first moved in with a lady (before my wife). I assumed they were pom poms. But they’re fantastic. I just decided to go to the supermarket one day at random. I swear I shower at least once a day, but the first time I used one, it seemed like I’d never bathed before. “My skin felt amazing.”
Loofa Benefits
Microbiome Management
“Rather than washing everything with soap, cleaning yourself entails regulating the micorbiome in various parts of your body. Hot water is sometimes sufficient to ‘clean’ your skin. Different acids (ranging from vinegar to alpha to salicylic, for example) can be extremely beneficial in controlling the biome. ‘Like dissolves like.’ As a result, oil/lotion may both clean and hydrate your skin. However, different oils can cause breakouts. It can take some time to figure out which ones work best for you.
Microbiome Management
Ear Care
“When bathing or showering, use a washcloth to clean the inside and behind of your ears. In college, I worked in a retail jewelry store where we used to pierce ears.” I couldn’t pierce ears since seeing too many dirty ears with blackheads and pimples inside made me gag. People have no concept what the inside of their ears look like or how much debris gets caught in them. “Letting shampoo and water run over them is insufficient.”
Ear Care
Daily Tips
“So many tips. Wash your bedding once every week. If that is not possible for you, aim to wash your pillowcases once a week. Hand sanitizer. Keep tiny bottles in your car, baggage, and at your desk to use before eating, touching your eyes, or mouth. Adding hand sanitizer to my daily hand washing practice has reduced the frequency of colds and viruses, which is also important for staying healthy while traveling. Glycolic acid soap for underarms. Lather soap onto your underarms and let it sit for one minute. This effectively reduces BO by destroying germs. Remove your shoes before entering the house. To minimize oil buildup in hair, use a little layer of dry shampoo before bed. We sweat while sleeping, which can make our hair look oily the next day.
Daily Tips
Filtered Home
“If you can afford it, get a water filter for your entire home. Also, get a filtered showerhead. If you have sensitive skin, this will change your life, plus it will keep your bath/shower cleaner. Change your towels on a regular basis and use antibacterial laundry detergent. 0% bleach. Avoid using body scrubs. You’re better off with an exfoliating body cleanser. “New toothbrush.”
Filtered Home
Hygienic Habits
Flip your mattress every few months. Always wipe from front to back. Do not hang worn items back in your closet since body odor and deodorant, even if minimal, might attract moths and other insects. Air your doona and pillows on a regular basis. Clean your dishwasher, washer, and dryer. Steam clean your couch, carpets, rugs, and floors; replace your toothbrush on a regular basis; and clean your hairbrush.
Hygienic Habits
Cooler Showers
“If you’re wondering why your bath towel smells like perspiration after a day or two, lower the temperature of the water after you shower. When you shower with hot water, you will sweat, and the majority of that perspiration will be wiped off in your towel, while the rest will be distributed all over your body. When the towel dries, it will begin to smell like sweat.”
Cooler Showers
Washing Private Parts
Many girls make blunders when it comes to washing their private regions, mainly because they are self-conscious or ashamed. Instead of purchasing pricey perfumed products that will disrupt your body’s natural pH, try this instead. Wash the region with warm water every day, even if you don’t take a shower. Avoid perfumed soaps, shower gels, and douches. If you like, you can use a gentle soap that will not bother your skin, but this is optional. Remember to always wash front to back!
Washing Private Parts
Daily Rinse
“Dude, showering every day is a game changer. Showering on a daily basis does more than just remove sweat; it also keeps your skin fresh and helps you prevent the dreaded body odor. Trust me when I say that taking a shower every morning or after working out makes a big difference. You’ll feel more invigorated, your skin will appreciate you, and you’ll be prepared to face anything comes your way. Plus, staying fresh and clean demonstrates that you care about how you present yourself. It’s a tiny effort for a tremendous reward.”
Daily Rinse
Smell Your Floss
Flossing is a crucial element of your daily oral hygiene practice, since it removes food particles, plaque, and bacteria from your teeth and gums. To demonstrate how vital this step is, take a whiff of your floss after using it. You might be astonished at how awful it stinks. This odor demonstrates how much work your floss is doing and implies that you should step up your dental health game. If you notice a persistent foul odor during flossing, see your dentist.
Smell Your Floss
Scent Awareness
“You never smell how you believe you do. If you can smell your deodorant, perfume, cologne, BO, or whatever, those around you can smell it 10 times more because you are generally nose-blind to your own aromas. Take more showers and use less scented spray. A small amount can go a long way. Oh, and if you smoke, the only way to get rid of the odor is to soak in bleach for 15 minutes each day.”
Scent Awareness
Cologne Tips
“3–5 spritzes of cologne. Once behind each ear, once on the nape of your neck, and if you’re headed to a formal function, add an extra two spritzes, not sprays, of cologne to the corners of your collar. On a casual day, no more than three should be allowed. If you’re a bigger guy, go for sweeter fragrances. Especially if you’ve got muscle bulk. It complements your more aggressive, larger appearance. Smaller-framed males should try for harsher odors to make themselves stand out. “Tips from someone who is constantly complimented on their fragrance.”
Cologne Tips
Proper Drying
“After washing your clothing, dry them thoroughly and soon. Do not leave them in the washing machine for a few days and then dry them; do not keep them in a chilly area to dry for days; and do not store them moist. They’ll smell nasty and disgusting. I frequently smell sour clothes when commuting to work. However, the person most likely believes that because they washed their garments, they now smell clean. They don’t. They stink.”
Proper Drying
Scrub Down
“There’s a very inexpensive item…with one side having rubbery spikes of varying heights and the other having suction cups.” It can be used in two ways: 1) affixed to the shower floor so you can stand on it while showering to clean your feet/toes, or 2) stuck to the shower wall and used to scrub your body. Great for a no-brainer approach to scrub between your toes and thoroughly cleanse the bottoms of your feet with soapy water, followed by clean water, especially for persons with weak balance.”
Scrub Down
Sock it to You
“Merino wool socks were life-changing for me! My boyfriend suggested I try them because I was having trouble with the stink. He works long hours in a kitchen and cycles to and from work, so his feet get a lot of wear and tear during the day. I can kiss [them] the moment he walks through the door and not smell anything. Anyway, spend the extra money on socks that will last and not damage your shoes!! My mother once bought hundreds of pairs of socks at a bargain store for about ten cents each. So, I wore those socks for years, never thinking about whether there were better sock options out there. They were plainly poor nylon, and the heel was halfway up my calf. I will never forget the fragrance of the boots I threw away after years of wearing those socks.”
Sock It To You
Starting Somewhere
“When I was dealing with depression, I learnt something that stuck with me:If you love yourself, do the bare minimum. Feeling sad and unable to get into the shower? Wet towel and baby powder. Can’t bring yourself to clean your teeth for three minutes? Allow a few seconds for a rough brush. “Doing the bare minimum is far better than doing nothing at all!”
Starting Somewhere
Free the Toes
“While discussing socks and foot washing, it’s important to remember to remove your shoes whenever possible. Don’t wear shoes inside the house. If you have a job that allows it, wear something that you can slip on and off at work. People are shoving their feet into mini leather/rubber furnaces for 16 hours a day, and of course, their feet stink. “If you wore gloves for 16 hours a day, your hands would smell.”
Free The Toes
Flossing Follies
“We have several floss containers throughout our house, so we can floss even when we’re weary. They’re conveniently located. I keep one on the TV table beside the couch. We can floss after dinner, while watching TV. You must use caution when removing the floss from your mouth to avoid flinging food particles into the family room. You can use a tissue to clean them off when flossing. Tissue boxes are also commonly found throughout the house.
Flossing Follies
Fresh Feet
Simple hygiene practices can resolve most foot odor issues.If you have stinky feet, chuck out your regular shoes and replace them. I’ve never been able to remove the stink once it’s embedded. Get some new socks. Buy enough to last two weeks (14 pairs). This will allow you to wear a fresh pair of socks. Every day, between wash cycles. After showering, gently rub between your toes with your fingertip.Expect to feel some old skin rubbing off.When you get out of the shower, scrape under your big toe nail with a nail clipper’s file or pick. It may appear to be a lot of hassle, but it just adds about two minutes to your daily routine because it is all part of your regular shower stuff.”
Fresh Feet
Baby Steps
“My own depression tip is to do at least one activity each day. Brushing my teeth is the most difficult for me when I’m in a terrible mood, but doing so can help you feel better. We frequently feel obligated to complete the entire routine (shower, skincare, brush teeth, maintain hair, laundry), yet doing just one of those tasks each day will lead to a really good routine. This concept also informs my housekeeping practices. If I’ve done just one item (tidy my room, do 5-10 minutes of dishes, wipe the kitchen table, wash the bathroom sink, etc.), I consider it satisfactory. It’s stuff that requires a lot of spoons, so simply do one thing every day.
Baby Steps
Alternative Methods
“My partner cleans his teeth with mouthwash. Pours some into the cap, dips his brush in, and scrubs away. The previous time he went to the dentist, the doctor was unhappy because he didn’t have any cavities. He was startled when my partner informed him what he was doing. He said he’d never heard of it, but if it keeps his teeth healthy, that’s OK.
Alternative Methods
Squeaky Clean
“Clean the rubber garbage disposal guard in the sink.” To keep your garbage disposal smelling fresh, clean the inside with a Clorox wipe after it has been emptied. Germs and debris can accumulate inside trash cans, particularly if a bag has leaked. I then use another wipe to clean the outside of the can.
Squeaky Clean
Nailed It
“I have a nail brush in the bathtub and scrub my nails thoroughly as part of my daily regimen. The plus is that doing it on a daily basis causes your cuticles to recede. As a previous nail biter and picker, this is a game changer for me because I don’t have hangnails or cuticle skin to pick at.”
Nailed It
Carry On
“Maybe not so much hygiene as it is keeping your house tidy, but never walking around empty-handed is quite beneficial. If you’re at the dinner table and need to get up for a drink/to use the restroom, place your plate and silverware on the counter. This applies to everything that needs to be moved, including snack wrappers, glasses, and cups. It requires little extra work and is a simple habit to develop. This manner, you can avoid accumulating an unmanageable quantity of clutter/trash. The house is easy to clean, and it improves your peace of mind.”
Carry On
Rinse Repeat
“I always thought the whole ‘Shampoo twice’ thing was nonsense, but I recently decided to use the same quantity of shampoo across two rinses; it makes a huge difference and I highly recommend it. Also, most shampoos must be emulsified. Wet your hands, then rub some shampoo into your palm before applying it to your scalp. If your shampoo is transparent or translucent, you should see it become more opaque. I used to merely apply shampoo from the container to my scalp.”
Rinse Repeat
Stone Cold
“I found that using an alum stone on the pits and letting them dry before applying deodorant helps the deodorant last all day, whereas before, when I merely used deodorant, it seemed to go off around the end of the workday. Plus, alum stones are excellent for post-shave care, halting bleeding from nicks and overall relieving razor bumps and razor burn.”
Stone Cold
Switch Up
“Also, if the shoulder acne persists, change your clothes before bed. (If you don’t). I would shower every day, but then wear the same t-shirt with whatever I was wearing and sleep in it as well. My shoulder acne cleared up after I began changing my t-shirt in the evening and sleeping in a different one. It’s not optimal to have the same garment sitting on your shoulders for 24 hours straight.”
Switch Up
Taking Turns
“If you have the space, one tip I do is to hang two towels on two different hooks and alternate them. Instead of being used on a daily basis, each towel is used a couple times with a full day in between to test it out. Then I wash them during the weekend. So each towel is used three to four times, on alternate days. I haven’t had a towel with even a trace of funk since I started doing that.”
Taking Turns
Just a Trim
“I heard somewhere that you shouldn’t cut your nails when they’re soft from the shower. It’s like trying to cut through a wet piece of wood. When wet, they don’t cut neatly and tend to tear. When they’re dry, they’ll cut significantly cleanly and have a decreased chance of cutting too short.”
Just A Trim
Feet Speak
“Change your socks whenever you remove your shoes. Consider picking up your children from nursery, the local swimming pool, or whatever. Most individuals believe they are safe since they never enter with their shoes on. But think about the bugs and other things you could bring home with your socks. Clean the doorknobs and handles of your refrigerator, dryer, and kitchen on a regular basis.”
Feet Speak