It’s common to fall into a routine with hygiene practices that may not be as effective as they could be. If you’re aiming to elevate your skincare, health habits, and overall wellness, there are plenty of lesser-known tips that can make a big difference. Here is a list of underrated hygiene hacks that can help you enhance your daily routine
Natural Astringents for Skin Care
With so many fancy skincare products to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. What’s more, many of these creams and toners contain harsh chemical ingredients that can be damaging to the skin. If you’re looking for a natural, gentle alternative, astringents such as witch hazel and rose water may be the way to go. They reduce inflammation and redness and can tighten pores without drying out and damaging the skin.
Aloe Vera as a Natural Hand Sanitizer
Aloe vera is an incredible plant with natural moisturizing and healing properties. So, if you’re worried about your hand sanitizer drying out your skin, it’s a good idea to add a small amount of aloe vera gel to help rehydrate your hands and reduce any irritation.
Hydrogen Peroxide for Toothbrush Sanitization
We can easily get into a routine of using our toothbrush every day and putting it back without thinking about all the bacteria that may be hiding in its bristles. A great way to combat this is by soaking it in hydrogen peroxide every so often. This will kill any lingering bacteria and viruses, ensuring your teeth and gums stay as healthy as possible.
Using Essential Oils for Deodorizing Shoes
Nobody likes stinky shoes and socks. If you’ve noticed you have an issue with shoe odor, you might want to try essential oils. Essential oils like tea tree and lavender have natural antibacterial and antifungal properties that can help eliminate odors and improve your shoe hygiene, and it’s much more environmentally friendly than using regular shoe deodorants.
Charcoal Filters for Water Purification
Charcoal filters are a simple and effective way to remove toxins and impurities from your tap water. This improves the taste, quality, and safety of your drinking water and has the added benefit of being much more sustainable than bottled water and plastic filters.
Silk or Satin Pillowcases for Hair and Skin
Regular pillowcases do the job, but silk and satin cases are much better for your skin, hair, and overall well-being. Thanks to their smooth texture, these pillowcases reduce friction on your hair and skin, helping to prevent breakage and wrinkles and keep moisture locked in.
Microfiber Towels for Drying Hands and Face
Most of us are used to using standard, run-of-the-mill towels for our daily drying needs. However, microfiber towels come with many additional benefits that are hard to pass up. For example, they are more absorbent than cotton, meaning they dry your skin and hair more efficiently. They are also gentle on the skin and better at reducing the transfer of bacteria onto your face and hands.
Dry Brushing for Skin Exfoliation
According to Healthline, dry brushing is a great way to exfoliate your skin, stimulate the lymphatic system, increase circulation, and potentially even reduce cellulite. If you’ve never tried it before, get yourself a skin brush and gently brush your body in circular motions before hopping into the shower.
Peppermint Oil for Oral Health
There’s a good reason why gum is often peppermint flavored. Peppermint oil is naturally antiseptic and has a refreshing scent that can freshen your breath and reduce bacteria. Try adding a drop of peppermint oil to water and rinsing it through your mouth to experience a natural, refreshing alternative to mouthwash.
Using a Squeegee to Combat Mold in the Shower
Squeegees are great for all kinds of things, but did you know they’re especially good at getting rid of mold growth on shower doors and walls? Quickly rubbing down these areas after a shower can effectively prolong the cleanliness and hygiene of your bathroom.
Hand Sanitizer to Clean Keyboard and Phone Screens
Naturally, most of us only think of cleaning our hands when we think of hand sanitizers. But this versatile little product can also be surprisingly good at removing germs from your keyboard and phone screen. Simply add a small amount to a microfiber cloth and wipe it over your device to enjoy the hygiene benefits.
Salt Water Gargle for Sore Throat Prevention
There are plenty of anti-cold and flu products to choose from, but sometimes the simple solutions are some of the most effective. Gargling with salt water is a great way to kill bacteria, reduce throat inflammation, and help your body fight back against the early stages of an infection.
Baking Soda for Shoe Deodorizing
Baking soda has a wide variety of uses, but you may be surprised to hear that one of them is keeping your footwear fresh and hygienic. Sprinkling a small amount of baking soda inside your shoes can absorb any moisture and neutralize odor. Once you return to use your shoes, simply shake them out, and they’ll be fresh and ready to go.
Tea Tree Oil for Acne Spot Treatment
According to the National Library of Medicine, tea tree oil has antimicrobial properties. This makes it a great natural remedy for acne. It can be diluted in a little water and placed directly on pimples to reduce inflammation and speed up the healing process.
Switching to Bamboo Toothbrushes
Regular toothbrushes may be convenient and effective enough, but they also produce a whole lot of unnecessary plastic waste. Recently, bamboo toothbrushes have gained popularity as an eco-friendly alternative. Unlike their plastic counterparts, bamboo brushes are biodegradable and naturally antimicrobial, making them just as effective and much better for the environment.
Using Pillowcase Covers
Pillowcase covers are great for protecting against dust mites and buildup of bacteria. They can be changed and washed very easily to improve your skin health, reduce your contact with irritants, and reduce acne. So if you don’t use pillowcase covers yet, it’s about time you start.
Tongue Scraping
According to ScienceDirect, tongue scraping has been practiced for centuries in Africa, Arabia, India, South America, and Europe, and that’s for good reason. Regularly using a tongue scraper helps remove toxins and bacteria, improving breath freshness and overall oral hygiene.
Cold Water Rinse for Hair
Did you know that finishing your hair wash routine with a cold-water rinse can help enhance its shine and strength? Cold water seals hair cuticles to smooth the hair shaft, helping to keep hair cleaner and shinier for longer. It can also aid in stimulating scalp blood circulation, which can promote hair growth.