4 Tips for Better Hygiene as an Adult

Hygiene Tips for Adults

As a kid, you might remember your mom or grandmother insistently reminding you to take a bath before bedtime and wash behind your ears. Or perhaps you have memories of being told to brush your teeth three times per day. But at some point, once we become adults, people stop reminding us. And while most of us are good about bathing, washing hands and brushing teeth, we don’t always remember the details. Sometimes, it’s helpful to get a refresher on some basic hygiene tips. 

1. Wash Your Hands Regularly

Washing hands became a big topic of conversation during the recent pandemic. And one thing became quickly apparent: Most people don’t know how to properly wash their hands. They just run their hands under some water and call it a day

Here’s how to properly wash your hands:

1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold).

2. Apply soap and lather by rubbing your hands together.

3. Scrub all parts of your hands, including the backs, between your fingers, and under your nails, for at least 20 seconds.

4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.

5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

Make sure to wash your hands before eating, after using the bathroom, and whenever they look dirty. Handwashing is especially important after being in public places or touching surfaces that many people use, like doorknobs and handrails. And while hand sanitizer is good in a pinch, it’s better to get in the habit of washing with warm water and soap.

2. Shower 2-3 Times Per Week

Taking a shower or bath is obviously important for keeping your body clean and free of dirt, sweat, and bacteria. But how often do you really need to shower?

The common adage is once per day, but many doctors actually suggest showering just two or three times per week. (For some people, showering too frequently can dry out skin and undermine the immune system.)

Regardless of whether you shower daily or every couple of days, here are some tips for getting as clean as possible:

• Use warm water: Hot water can dry out your skin, while cold water might not fully remove dirt and oil.

• Use a gentle soap: Choose a mild soap that suits your skin type to avoid irritation.

• Clean all parts of your body. Pay attention to areas that sweat a lot, such as your armpits, groin, and feet.

• Rinse thoroughly: Make sure all soap and shampoo are washed away to prevent residue on your skin and hair.

• Moisturize: Apply lotion or moisturizer after you dry off to keep your skin hydrated and healthy.

We all have different showering habits and best practices, but you’d do well to incorporate the ones highlighted above. If nothing else, it’ll add a new layer of cleanliness to your showering experience.

3. Use a Bidet for Number Two

Incorporating a bidet into your hygiene routine might not be on your to-do list. However, as long as we’re talking about hygiene, we should bring it up.

First off, what is a bidet? A bidet is a special bathroom system or device that provides a gentle stream of water to clean your private areas more thoroughly than toilet paper. This thorough cleaning helps remove more bacteria and residue, leading to better hygiene and a fresher feeling throughout the day.

Using a bidet is also gentler on your skin compared to toilet paper. Frequent wiping with toilet paper can cause irritation, especially if you have sensitive skin or conditions like hemorrhoids. The water from a bidet cleans without causing friction, reducing the risk of irritation and making it a more comfortable option.

Bidet toilet seats can easily be added to existing toilets, making it an easy upgrade that you can introduce into your home. Try it in one of your bathrooms to see how you like it. If you do, you can upgrade each toilet in the house.

4. Keep Your Nails Clean and Trimmed

We mainly think of our nails from a beauty perspective. But your nails are actually a key part of your hygiene, as they’re great at storing dirt and bacteria.

The best thing you can do is keep your nails clean and trimmed using clean nail clippers or scissors. If you have longer nails, you can clean underneath with a nail brush or the edge of a nail file to remove dirt and bacteria.

It’s also important to avoid biting your nails. This is a bad habit that introduces germs into your mouth and also causes damage to your nails and cuticles. Don’t do it!

Adding it All Up

This might sound like basic information to you, but it’s amazing how easily we forget about simple hygiene principles as we get older. Hopefully, you’ve learned a thing or two in this article and can improve at least one aspect of your hygiene this week.