Overlooked Hygiene Habits You’re Probably Skipping (But Really Shouldn’t)

We all think we’ve got our hygiene handled, right? Wake up, jump in the shower, brush those pearly whites until they sparkle, swipe on some deodorant, and boom: clean, fresh, and ready to take on the world.

But here’s the not-so-fresh truth: a lot of us are unintentionally skipping some pretty important hygiene habits. And no, I’m not just talking about forgetting to floss once in a while. I mean those tiny, often-overlooked steps that many people either hope don’t matter—or just don’t take seriously.

The thing is, hygiene isn’t just about avoiding bad smells or ticking boxes on a to-do list. It’s about staying healthy, keeping our bodies clean, and preventing those sneaky issues that creep up when we’re not paying attention.

So whether you’re deep into your self-care era or still figuring out what a loofah even does, I’ve got you. I’m not here to lecture or throw boring textbook tips your way. I’m sharing real, practical, totally doable hygiene habits that I treat like a ritual.

1. Clean Your Ears (Gently!)

Let’s start with your ears. A lot of people forget to clean them properly, or they do it the wrong way. It’s important to keep them clean but also to be gentle.

✅ Here’s how to do it:

Take a cotton bud (aka Q-tip) and slightly wet it with water.
Gently wipe only the outer layer of your ear: the curves, folds, and the area behind your ear. You’d be surprised how much dirt builds up there.
Avoid pushing it deep into your ear canal. That’s a one-way ticket to impacted wax or an infection, and nobody wants that.

Once a week, I like to do a “deep-ish” clean (still staying on the outside) using a cotton pad with a tiny bit of rubbing alcohol. It gives a super fresh, crisp feeling, and yes, it’s weirdly satisfying.

✨ Pro tip: If you wear earrings, don’t forget to clean around the piercings too. That area can be a sneaky hotspot for bacteria buildup.

Should You Use Rubbing Alcohol?

Yes, but sparingly. Rubbing alcohol helps remove oil and kill bacteria, but it’s drying. So, only use it occasionally, and never inside your ear canal. If you have sensitive skin, skip the alcohol and stick with water or a gentle cleanser.

2. Clean Your Nose (Yes, Really!)

Just like your ears, your nostrils need cleaning, too. Think about it: your nose is your personal air filter. Every day, it traps dust, pollen, pollution, and other gunk you don’t want hanging out inside your body. It stays there unless you clean it out.

✅ Here’s how you keep your nostrils squeaky clean:

After a shower (when everything’s nice and soft), take a damp cotton bud and gently clean just the entrance of each nostril.
Focus on the inner rim—you don’t need to go digging.
If you’re prone to buildup or dryness, you can moisten the cotton bud with saline solution (you can buy this at any pharmacy or make your own with boiled water and a pinch of salt). It helps loosen up dried mucus and clears out any trapped irritants.
Be gentle—your nose lining is sensitive, and aggressive cleaning can irritate it or cause nosebleeds.

✨ Bonus tip: If you’re dealing with allergies, dry air, or live in a dusty city, consider using a saline nasal spray once a day. It flushes out your nostrils, reduces inflammation, and helps you breathe better. Honestly, it’s a game-changer.

3. Don’t Forget Your Belly Button

Your belly button is kind of like that one drawer in your kitchen. Rarely opened, always full of mysterious stuff. It’s a perfect little pocket for sweat, oil, dead skin cells, lint, and bacteria to build up—especially if you have an “innie.” If left uncleaned, it can even start to smell (yep, that happens), or in worse cases, cause irritation or infection.

✅ Here’s a simple belly button cleaning routine:

Take a cotton bud and dampen it with warm water, micellar water, or even a bit of gentle rubbing alcohol (if you’re not sensitive to it).
Gently swab inside the belly button—just the visible area. You don’t need to dig or press hard.
Follow up with a dry cotton swab or tissue to gently dry the area. Bacteria love damp spaces, so keep it dry and clean.

I like to do this once or twice a week, especially after workouts or during warmer months. It takes less than a minute, and honestly? Your whole body feels just a little fresher after.

✨ Bonus tip: If you have a belly button piercing, make sure to clean around the jewelry too—it can trap bacteria and sweat even faster.

4. Brush Your Tongue (Every Time)

You can brush your teeth twice a day, floss like a champ, and even use fancy mouthwash—but if you’re skipping your tongue, you’re totally missing the mark.

Your tongue is basically a fuzzy carpet for bacteria. It traps food particles, dead cells, and germs like a pro. And guess what? That buildup is one of the biggest culprits behind bad breath—and yes, it stinks.

✅ Here’s how you keep your tongue fresh:

After brushing your teeth, wet your toothbrush and gently brush your tongue from back to front. Rinse your mouth thoroughly to wash all that gunk away.
You can also fill your mouth with water first, then brush your tongue while holding the water in. It helps trap and loosen all that gunk, then just spit it all out in one go.

Go gently to avoid triggering your gag reflex (you’ll get used to it).

If you want to level up even more, try using a tongue scraper. It gets even deeper into those grooves and gives you that ultra-clean feeling. Either way, don’t skip this step—your breath (and everyone around you) will thank you.

5. Gargle Warm Salt Water (3 Times!)

This right here? My secret weapon.

After brushing my teeth and my tongue, I always finish with a round of warm salt water gargles. But not just one lazy swoosh—I do it 3 times. And yes, there’s a reason.

Why it works:

It helps pull out that yellowish gunk that collects in the back of your throat.
It kills bacteria, so it’s amazing for keeping your breath fresh and your mouth healthy.
It soothes inflammation if your throat’s feeling scratchy or dry, especially during allergy season or after shouting your lungs out at a concert.

✅ How to do it:

Mix half a teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm (not hot!) water.
Sip, gargle for 15–30 seconds, and spit.
Repeat it 3 times. You’ll literally feel your mouth getting cleaner with each round.

It’s simple, natural, and wildly underrated. Once you start doing it, you won’t want to skip it again.

Final Thoughts: Small Steps, Big Difference

Hygiene isn’t just about looking polished or avoiding bad breath; it’s a form of self-respect. It’s how you show up for yourself, even in the tiniest, most routine moments. These small habits might not seem like a big deal at first, but trust me, when they come together, they create real change—not just for your skin, but for your overall confidence and presence.

You’ll feel fresher, cleaner, and more in tune with your body, and here’s the bonus: other people will notice. Good hygiene doesn’t just boost your confidence—it puts others at ease around you. That kind of quiet, clean confidence? It’s powerful.

No pressure to be perfect, just be consistent. And before you know it, you’ll be walking around with that “I’ve got my life together” glow… and honestly? You deserve that energy.

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