6 Sneaky Hygiene Mistakes You Might Be Making Without Realizing

To stay healthy, it’s not enough to simply follow basic hygiene rules — we need to follow them correctly. Otherwise, the benefits aren’t the same. Many people may be surprised to learn that they’ve been doing certain everyday habits wrong their entire lives. We took a close look at how the average person practices hygiene and uncovered the most common mistakes. Here’s a list to help you avoid them and take better care of yourself.

CONTENT IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED AS A SUBSTITUTE OF MEDICAL ADVICE. SEEK GUIDANCE OF YOUR DOCTOR REGARDING YOUR HEALTH AND MEDICAL CONDITIONS.

1. We walk barefoot in public showers.

The bathroom floor is one of the dirtiest surfaces in any home. Now, picture the condition of the floors at a gym or hotel. The idea of stepping on those tiles barefoot is enough to make anyone cringe. Medical experts warn that these surfaces can harbor countless infections, so do yourself a favor and always pack shower shoes when you know you’ll need them.

2. We don’t wash our hands before going to the toilet.

You can find bacteria not only on the toilet, but around the whole house. This means that if you have not washed your hands for a long time, bacteria is probably also present on them. When visiting the restroom, you touch private parts for which microbes are especially dangerous. Thus, washing your hands before going to the toilet is even more important than after.

3. We take a shower and bath too often.

It may sound strange, but washing too often is just as bad as not washing at all. According to a team of infectious disease experts from Columbia University, taking too many showers makes your skin dry and cracked, which leads to microbes easily penetrating your body through these wounds. Experts recommend washing no more than once a day. If you want to know more, there’s some good information on how often you should take a shower here.

4. We wash our face with soap.

Some people mistakenly think that if they wash their face with soap twice a day, it will be very clean and they will avoid breakouts. In reality, soap clogs pores and provokes breakouts. Dermatologists emphasize that soap was not originally intended for the face. When using it, you destroy the protective barrier and disrupt the pH level of your skin.

5. We flush the toilet with our fingertips.

The toilet is probably the dirtiest place in the apartment. Observations show that even 90 minutes after a flush, dozens of droplets with bacteria are still on the surface. Therefore, try to flush the toilet not with your fingertips, but your knuckle or the back side of your finger. This can help a lot, in case you forget and touch something before washing your hands — you will not spread the bacteria around.

6. We clean our ears but don’t wash behind them.

People should avoid cleaning the inside of their ears themselves. However, if your body produces excessive earwax that causes discomfort or affects your hearing, it’s best to consult a doctor, who can safely perform the necessary procedures.

At the same time, many of us forget to clean the area behind our ears, even though it’s important to do so regularly. Neglecting this can lead to unpleasant odors as sweat and bacteria build up on the skin. To prevent this, wash behind your ears daily with soap and water.

Be sure to check out our other article for showering tips that could transform your daily routine.