Hygiene is simple right? Soap, wash, done? NOPE. The principle of hygiene may be a simple one, but people so commonly make mistakes when it comes to personal hygiene. Here are 20 of the top hygiene mistakes you may be making, and ways to overcome them. Let hygiene mistakes be a thing of the past and show those germs who’s boss!
Brushing but not flossing
I’m sure your dentist has told you this copious times but listen because it’s so true! Brushing only gets you so far. Flossing gets in between to teeth to remove bacteria and food build up that can lead to gingivitis, gum recession, bad breath, and at it’s worst gum disease and other chronic oral conditions. Flossing daily adds a minute to your routine but is well worth it.
Exfoliating excessively
Exfoliating scrubs and bath accessories are great to remove dead skin cells and keep your skin smooth and supple, but over-exfoliating actually causes more harm than good. Exfoliating daily can strip your skin of its natural oils, which in turn leads to irritation and more breakouts. Furthermore, it can actually create tiny tears in the skin which leads to redness. Try to only exfoliate 2-3 times a week instead of daily, and if you do face any of the above issues give a softer exfoliator a try.
Not taking care of products that touch your face
This hygiene mistake is twofold; the products that touch your face such as brushes, makeup, flannels, your phone, and then your hands. All these transfer hordes of dirt and bacteria on to your skin with the lightest of touch. Make sure you regularly wash any objects/products that regularly come into contact with your face, at least weekly. Of course you can’t sanitize your hands before you ever touch your face! But wash your hands properly after going to the bathroom or using public transport, and try to rest on your hands a little less to prevent that transfer or germs.
Not cleaning common household objects (TV remote, phone, mouse/trackpad)
Vacuum, spray, and wipe- a simple clean surely will suffice? Yes, a simple clean is always a good idea for home hygiene, but people so often forget that the ‘simple’ things are the ones that need the most cleaning! Common household objects like handles, the TV remote, shower heads, light switches have been shown to carry armies of germs because they’re often overlooked when cleaning. Just a quick wipe with some disinfectant works miracles to prevent bacterial spread.
Not showering directly after exercising
Think about it- jumping of the treadmill, glowing with an endorphin buzz and the sheen of sweat. Instead of showing immediately most people wait to get home, but that 15+ minute wait can cause havoc with your skin. Perspiration creates a playground for bacteria to grow which can result in breakouts and rashes, and as your body cools the pores will close, trapping in the sweatily dislodged dead skin and bacteria. Showering directly after washes away all that micro-life and leaves you smelling fresh!
Over bathing
Under bathing, over bathing, it sometimes seems you can never win! The issue with bathing too regularly is that it strips the skin of natural oils that are essential to regulate your skins wellbeing and being overly sterile can be a detriment to the immune system. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology published a study in 2014 that shows that early exposure to bacteria and allergens may help build up a strong immunity. The study reports that having an overly clean environment increases the risk of developing eczema and asthma in childhood. A quick wash daily and more thorough bathe every other day is advised to keep optimal pH levels for the skin.
Making your living area overly sterile
As with above, a little bit of direct, bacteria, grime, whatever you choose to call it, is actually beneficial in the long run to your overall health. Everything can be good in moderation, and bacteria is no exception. Excessively sterile environments to germs mean the immune system can’t learn to cope with exposure to bacterial threats, and so when removed from that sterile environment the risk of getting ill or developing a chronic affliction is increased. Hygiene is a fine balance between these levels.
Cleaning ears with cotton buds
One of those grossly satisfying things is cleaning your ears with a cotton wool bud and seeing what gunk emerges! Contrary to advertising though, cotton wool buds are not intended for ear canals. The design of the bud in combination with the inner ear workings means that whilst some wax is removed the majority is actually plugged further down. This build up can greatly damage the ear drum and lead to infections and pain. Rather go to your doctor for wax removal and keep the cotton buds to apply ointments!
Irregular washing of sheets.
Humans sleep for roughly 1/3 of their life. That’s 1/3 of their time in bed, tossing and turning under the covers, leaving skin cells, bacteria, sweat behind them. Without properly washing sheets on a regular basis all that grime from daily life is left behind as you slumber, and days, weeks, months of bodily excretion builds up. This bacterium is unsurprisingly awful for your skin and personal hygiene, so make sure you have a designated washing day and have the joy of fresh linen on a weekly basis!
Keeping things for too long
Makeup, food, nik-naks, it’s easy to hold on to things for sentimental or practical reasons. In particular with perishable goods (makeup included), as they age the rate of bacteria growth skyrockets, and eventually these germs are transferred to other items within their vicinity. Keeping things for the recommended time prevents the spread of bacteria and decreases the potential for infection, so keep it minimalist and ditch your old stuff!
Not washing hands properly
Do you remember those posters at school that taught you how to wash properly? Well I hope you remember! Improper hand wasing is probably the number 1 hygiene mistake, because people believe they’re doing it correctly but aren’t. Not using soap, only rubbing palms, drying on clothes- all of these counteract the purpose of washing hands; to kill germs! Remember to get in between the fingers and properly lather the soap for effective hand washing.
Using a dull razor
Razors are often undermined for their potential to cause harm to the skin. Improper removal of dead skin cells and removed hair allows germs to flourish, and using a bunt razor can be especially detrimental to your skin. Blunt razors can pull rather than cut hair, and this leaves microtears in the skin that are deceptively painful, and an open door for bacteria. Investing in a new razor or changing blades, and ensuring the blades are properly cleaned and dried is an easy way to counteract this issue.
Using scented bathroom products
Everyone likes to smell like a ‘unicorn marshmallow cloud’, or perhaps you’re a ‘tiger blood warrior’ person, but the chemicals added to scented toiletries can be very harmful for your body. Depending on your body in combination with the products the skins pH levels may be affected, leading to skin issues. Furthermore, some products have wild claims that aren’t 100% the truth, and this too can be detrimental to your natural body hygiene. Prioritise natural products to work with your skin, rather than against it.
Not cleaning under your nails
So we’ve mastered that cleaning hands is a common hygiene mistake, and cleaning under the nails takes it a step further. Especially with longer nails that environment of warm, potentially damp, and hidden is a breeding ground for bacteria. Its easy to neglect under the nails – out of sight, out of mind, right? – but in doing so you’re breeding, passing, consuming bacteria with every touch. Get a nail brush to properly scrub under your nails and exfoliate those hands for an extra bonus!
Wearing shoes without socks
Not only does it stink, but wearing shoes without socks means that all the sweat, bacteria, skin, shed by your feet throughout the day become trapped in the fabric of your shoes. This can commonly lead to fungal infections such as athletes’ foot. This is a simple hygiene tip- Just. Wear. Socks.
Not prepping food properly
The kitchen is a minefield for improper hygiene practices! Not properly cleaning utensils, putting food around the counters and not cleaning properly, even washing with an old sponge, all lead to the spreading of bacteria. One of the most common mistakes in food prep is washing raw chicken. The bacteria ‘Campylobacter’ is found on around 60% of chicken meat, so many people wash their chicken to ‘get rid of’ these bacteria. Contrary to beliefs, that actually spreads the bacteria further around the kitchen, so rather just cook your chicken properly to combat bacterial spread. Always read how to prep your food properly to avoid hygiene mistakes.
Allowing pets on the bed
As much as a nighttime cuddle with your furry companion is lovely, it’s not the most hygienic activity. There are degrees of hygiene with this one; a freshly washed pooch is more hygienic than a slobbering bundle of mud, but either way the depositing of hair, bacteria, grime etc. onto sheets which are then slept in isn’t the best. Putting down a blanket or moving your cuddles elsewhere is an easy action to prevent such unhygienic practices.
Reusing socks
Like with wearing your shoes without socks, reusing them is the same problem! All your daily grime is absorbed into the fabric, meaning bacteria festers and spreads. Socks are one of those magical items that seem to evaporate into thin air, but reusing them is still never a good option.
Not washing properly
The ‘proper’ way to wash in the shower is to go from the head down, and to scrub. Loofahs aren’t necessary- your hands will do- but to properly lather your soap and get it everywhere is the proper way to wash. In particular with intimate areas, scrubbing removes all the build up of bacteria to prevent infections, and can help maintain a healthy pH to prevent unpleasant odours. Scrub a dub dub is your new mantra!
Not cleaning jewellery
We wash our bodies, our hands, our clothes and our surroundings, but who can honestly say they take the time to wash their jewellery? All jewellery should be properly cleaned for both sparkle and sanitation, but piercings and rings especially. Why? Rings are an extension of the hygiene issues we covered with washing hands, and piercings have high contact with delicate skin, so any bacteria and germs on your piercings are easily transferred to your body. Infections are common with piercings, so be careful and wash your jewellery in saline solution for extra protection against any painful infections.