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35 Unpopular Hygiene Practices That May Sound Like A Scam But Are Actually Life-Changing
We probably don’t have to tell you that hygiene is one of the most important skills a person can have, right? While for some it comes naturally, stemming from their childhood, for others mastering it is a tad more difficult.
Luckily, these days we have the internet, where people can share various tips and tricks. A perfect example of it is the Reddit thread, which resulted from a netizen asking others “What are some unpopular hygiene practices you swear by?” People shared what they know and some of these answers ended up on today's list, which might be useful even for those who think they’re the most hygienic person on earth.
More info: Reddit
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#1
I am a man and I sit down to pee (at home).
I do not care what you say. I lived alone in my own property for about 1.5 years and in that time I started noticing the amount of splatter around the loo, no matter how good your aim. As I was lazy, I wanted to minimise the amount of cleaning, so I started sitting down to pee at home.
My wife loves me for it, especially after family came to visit for a long period of time as she notices what I am talking about when they stay over.
Ace 2 weeks ago (edited)
I just don't understand it. Yes, when I was younger I used to stand up at the toilet to pee, but eventually realised that the splashes that were visible when wearing light coloured trousers were not just on me but everything around the bowl. Are you really going to mop the floor and clean all the surfaces every time you pee rather than just sitting down to avoid any splashing? Why? Fergedsake why>
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#2
I work for a sock design company. Sooooo many people think they have bad foot odor, and some do, but most people are just wearing really low quality all polyester socks. Switch to a cotton blend or wool blend!!!! You will see a huge difference.
WindySwede 2 weeks ago (edited)
Also not recommend, to [wore] a synthetic shirt under a raincoat or similar LOW-breathable thing. And then sweat for a while. 👃🙅♂️ Should maybe use wool, but pricy and just low temp in machine..
#3
If you find yourself without time for a shower or your deodorant stops working during the day, spray some alcohol gel/hand sanitiser on your underarms. The smell of body odour is caused by bacteria feeding on the sweat, so killing the bacteria with the sanitiser eliminates the smell.
Dame Cherry 1 week ago
works well for clothes that are not easily cleaned, i have costumes that would need things removed to be washed so they get sprayed with vodka, kills the bacteria dn doesn't make me smell like an alcoholic... Also a good way to get rid of smirnoff....
One of the most important things parents must teach their children is hygiene. From the early days, parents have to ensure their kid knows how vital hygiene is and how it is achieved. For instance, showing how to brush their teeth, washing hands coming from outside or before a meal, washing their bodies and hair, you know the drill.
After all, good hygiene not only makes the person presentable but also prevents the spread of infectious diseases, as every day we get exposed to various bacteria and viruses. So, the person doesn’t infect others and saves their own health too.
#4
I don’t care how cold it is, I love to open my living room slider and let all of the cold air in, at least once a day. It makes my house smell fresh and crisp. I also love to hang my quilts and blankets outside in the cold. It smells devine. My mom does the same thing and so did both of my grandmothers. People do this in cold countries I hear for germs, idk how true that is (?) I just do it bc it smells good lol.
#5
I wash my face with just water. That’s it. If I use a product I break out. My skin is happy, and clean, with just water. People think it’s gross, but my face isn’t dirty. I have very clear skin.
(I secretly think most products marketed to “cleanse” your skin is knocking the balance off, creating more of an issue.).
#6
I only use soap on the “T*ts, Pits, and Bits” when showering.
My dermatologist recommended (with that phrasing!) because I have pretty sensitive skin due to allergies/psoriasis. The rest of my body just gets wet washcloth and exfoliating. The swap immediately cleared up soooo much redness, acne, dryness, ect.
I cant often repeat the advice because all anyone hears is “I don’t use soap 🤢”
Edit: ‘T*ts’ is said for the rhyme, but really represents anywhere that skin touches skin and traps sweat, i.e. underb**b and fat rolls.
For anyone else with sensitive skin, I highly recommend Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser Fragrance Free, and for lotion afterwords CeraVe.
We all got to experience how important hygiene was for stopping the spread of illnesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time, besides the masks and other measures, we were urged to wash our hands thoroughly and often to prevent the virus from spreading as much as we could.
Still, some people lack these skills. There are many reasons for this. For some it could be due to poor mental health, others might not have enough resources for it and others simply lack skills for it.
#7
I can only shower once every 2-3 days or my skin gets really dry and hurts.
BeKind&Rewind 1 week ago
I do not sweat or get very dirty often and I only shower twice/week. If I need a refresher for some of those private bits, I just take a sponge bath and wash the dirty parts. My skin will flake off into the sunset otherwise!
#8
I'm German and have a mite allergy, so I'm obsessed with "Stoßlüften" - regularly opening the windows for 5 minutes and exchanging as much air in the room as possible. It's been proven to be healthy (doubly so during an airborne pandemic...), but really the most important Stoßlüften you can do is *right after getting out of bed*. Your warm, damp bed is the perfect breeding ground for mites. Airing it out is the most effective way of limiting their population growth.
And the other weird thing: if it gets freezing cold in winter where you live... freeze your bed-stuff. On the balcony or in an unused room. Resets the mite population to zero!
Otto Katz 1 week ago
My Polish babcia would not make the bed until after noon, she'd say she 'was airing the farts out' LOL I follow her lead, I leave the bed unmade until after noon, I know it lets it dry out, keeping the mite population down, wash the sheets weekly, the mattress cover monthly.
As we mentioned at the beginning, parents must teach their children hygiene, but it doesn’t mean that all of them do. It is considered to be a form of neglect, as this way a child doesn’t get the care needed for them to properly grow and it negatively influences their future as well.
Without parents giving guidance on things like that, people grow up to struggle with it. You could find plenty of stories like that online.
#10
Years and years ago I saw a comment on reddit that said mangoes are great if you have acne. So I started eating lots of mango and when I regularly do it after a few weeks my face clears up, then I get lazy stop eating mangoes consistently and the acne comes back. I mention this to people every now and then and nobody else ever heard of this tip but it seems to work for me.
Luckily, with the internet we have today, Googling and learning about stuff like that is easier than ever. Ultimately, the internet is so wide, that it’s hard to comprehend, so you can find tips and tricks for basically everything you can imagine, even if it’s horrific. But let’s not focus on that. Instead, let’s get back to the hygiene we discussed so much already.
Here, for instance, this Reddit thread about unpopular hygiene practices is useful for everyone, even if you think you’ve got it together. It was posted as the question on r/AskReddit and within a few days nearly 6K provided their input.
#13
All unscented soap, laundry soap, face soap and body soap. My skin feels better and when I wear perfume it's not clashing with any other cheaper fragrances.
LakotaWolf (she/her) 2 weeks ago
Plus for those of us with migraines - artificial fragrances can be a huge trigger! It's one of my main ones XD
#14
In the summer after I shower I will blast cold air from my hairdryer on my lady parts because I be sweating! I swear it helps SO much with odor! I actually learned this from someone on here.
Doodles1983 1 week ago
I have large breasticles. Rolling antiperspirant under the folds is helpful.
#15
Distilled white vinegar is the best cleaning product you can have in your home. It takes away unpleasant smells in your laundry and softens it, it cleans a toilet bowl better than those harsh toilet bowl cleaners, it gets most stains out.
Since that’s way too much to read through for one person, we made a list of the best answers provided there. In it, you can find such tricks as eating mango to treat acne, cleaning your bellybutton, cleaning your feet before bed, and many others.
If you already opened this article up, it means you’re interested in them, so don’t be shy, and upvote the ones you think are the best! Also, share some practices you think could be useful to others in the comments too!
#16
After taking a hot shower I’ll switch the temp to cold for about a minute. This helps with those after shower sweats that keep me from feeling clean.
#17
Cleaning/ disinfecting your phone. It has so much bacteria and I hate when someone shows me to look at their phone and that sh*ts crusty.
StumblingThroughLife 1 week ago
I had a friend who bleached everything, to a point where the gloss paint on her doors yellowed. Her 2 kids were always getting viruses & her Doctor eventually told her that her over-cleaning habits were compromising their immunity. Her kids were always immaculate, too. When I was a kid, & most kids I knew then, always ended up grubby from playing outside all the time, and were rarely catching colds/viruses.
#18
I put a bit of witch hazel on a cotton ball and put it on my b******e every day after I wash it. It helps a ton with any type of burning or itching or irritation I used to get from difficult bowel movements. I never get painful poops anymore!
#19
Actually scrubbing my a*s and legs, instead of "just letting the water run down".
#20
Ever since I started using a silk pillowcase, my hair has been noticeably less frizzy and my skin is smoother when I wake up in the morning. It felt a bit luxurious at first, but it's been amazing for keeping my curly hair tangle free through the night and has even reduced breakouts for me. Highly recommend for anyone looking to up their beauty sleep game!
Gozer LeGozerian 2 weeks ago
I had to stop sleeping on a silk pillowcase as I was sweating too much
#21
Flossing before brushing my teeth at night. The floss picks up more and by the time I brush the bristles can reach the crevices better.
LakotaWolf (she/her) 2 weeks ago
Better tip: just floss; who cares WHEN you do it as long as you floss! It's actually best (if you can) to floss immediately after eating. That way you can dislodge the bits of food that are stuck between your teeth/gums before bacteria can start to nom on said food bits.
#22
For larger people: After showering, use a hydrophobic zinc-oxide/pramocaine-based cream and spread it where your legs meet your crotch. I get excessive sweating and smells from there and the zinc helps prevent sweating/smells. It stays nice and dry for days. I use Nestosyl.
#23
Dry shampoo is a lifesaver, especially when I’m too lazy to wash my hair but still wanna look like I got my life together. It’s like a magic trick for your scalp.
Angela C 2 weeks ago
I'll be honest: I don't get the hype with dry shampoo. If my hair already feels gross how is putting more c**p in it gonna make it less gross?
Huddo's sister 2 weeks ago
I tried it a couple of times but didn't get the hype either.
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HardBoiledBlonde 1 week ago
A dusting of corn starch and a good brushing, instead of store bought dry shampoo, is what a hair designer friend uses and it works.
HTakeover 1 week ago
It's using a paper towel on a grease spill. You're removing some but not actually cleaning anything.
Sue 1 week ago
If you have oily hair, it can be oily by the afternoon. So it's still "clean," but too much oil. So I only NEED to remove the oil. Not a difficult concept.
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Your Majesty 1 week ago
Use a light dusting of baby powder or corn starch on your scalp, then brush it through, and out of your hair. Works very well and is much cheaper than dry shampoo.
Heras buddy 1 week ago
Try corn starch instead . It will absorb oils and help act as a detangler. Plus it's scent free and cheaper. Also works for absorbing moisture in your genital area preventing chafing.
Winnie the Moo 1 week ago
I got extreme eczema from using dry shampoo too frequent. It’s drying all your natural oils.
#24
I wash my shoes in the washer every month or so. They look like brand new for months. They also don’t stink.
Every time I mention this to someone they act surprised. Just throw a couple towels with a pair of shoes on cold water wash. Then air dry the shoes.
#26
I've made it a ritual to apply almond oil to my cuticles every night before bed. Paradoxically, my habit of tapping away at the keyboard all day actually leaves my fingers looking neat and nourished come morning. Seems odd, but having strong, healthy nails is a subtle confidence boost!
C.S. E. 1 week ago
Jojoba oil. It can be absorbed straight through the nail bed, conditioning them as well. I thicken it a little with a vitamin e capsule (no benefit other than as a thickener) and make my own nail pens. I'll do a quick brush every time I wash my hands, before applying lotion.
#27
I exfoliate often. My skin isn’t rough or dry, except my heels in the winter, but I have a somewhat rough face cloth and body scrubber that I use in the bath every day. People say my skin is “creepily smooth.”
I started getting a little obsessed with my skin-care routine when I was a teenager and had terrible cystic acne (it turned out it was from PCOS), and it seemed to take so much work to keep my skin some semblance of clear. The cysts were painful, and I had them along my jawline and on my back where my bra straps pressed into my skin. I started exfoliating and obsessing about clean skin, non-comedogenic skin lotions, and clean clothes and bedsheets.
Now I don’t have much of a skincare routine except exfoliate every day, I apply face cream with hyaluronic acid at night, shea butter moisturizer for the rest of my body, and wear face creams with sunscreen every day, rain or shine.
Tammy Kirks 1 week ago
Daily exfoliating can be ok if it's a very mild exfoliant. I do mine every other day. Also, SUNSCREEN every single day. I'm in my late 50's and my dermatologist always remarks on how great my skin is. I avoid the sun like a vampire, so that helps.
#28
Scrubbing my feet clean before bed! I usually shower in the mornings so for my night routine I brush my teeth, wash my face, then wash my feet and put on fresh socks. Idk it feels incredible.
#29
Using a body lotion cream right after shower
Men, stop being stubborn and use it to hydrate your skin. It's a game changer
It also helps your fragrances stick better and last longer when you apply it on after.
Huddo's sister 2 weeks ago
I tried to use moisturiser regularly when I was in my late teens/early 20s, but I just couldn't be bothered long term. Now I just do my elbows when they are excessively dry and not much else. I don't wear perfume much either, I'm more of a low maintenance (lazy) person when it comes to things like that, maybe every so often if I'm going out!
#30
I always grab a square of toilet paper on public restrooms before using the urinal. After finishing, I press the zone between balls and a*****e (perineum) so the last pee drops are out, then I wipe.
If I just do the shake thing, I feel a pee soaked prepuce and my day is ruined.
#31
Idk if this is unpopular, but shampooing your hair twice (i have silky, straight hair). you'll know it's clean once your hair is bubbly.
Joey Jo Jo Shabadoo 2 weeks ago
Better advice: wash your scalp, not your hair. Wash when you need to, and its probably not every day. Use a good brush and brush your hair properly to get the oils through. Wash your hairbrush often.
#32
Using a bidet instead of toilet paper—cleaner and better for the environment!
#33
I do my own pimple popping, those blackheads and whiteheads aren’t going anywhere unless I step in.
Huddo's sister 2 weeks ago (edited)
Doesn't this make them more likely to scar? I don't think I've ever popped a pimple.
#34
I eat chicken wings with gloves on.
Huddo's sister 2 weeks ago
Seems like a waste of single use (unless they mean washing up gloves) items when you could just wash your hands.
