If you want to be a clean and tidy person, it's important to take time out every day to take care of your personal hygiene, clothing and home. To start, adopt good personal hygiene habits by showering regularly and brushing your teeth twice a day. Then, to make sure you smell good, use deodorant and wash dirty clothes (you should do laundry most days, dividing clothes by color and using specific detergents). Finally, keep the house tidy by implementing good habits and following a regular cleaning schedule.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Adopt Good Personal Hygiene Habits
Step 1. Wash every day
Washing regularly not only eliminates the bacteria responsible for bad odors, it also removes all traces of dirt that have accumulated on the skin. Wash once a day using warm water, a regular or loofah sponge and a mild soap. Choose fragrance-free or specific soaps for sensitive skin in order to combat any dryness or irritation problems.
- Wash every time you play sports or sweat, even though you have already showered.
- Some people find that shaving their armpits in the shower helps fight the formation of bad odors.
Step 2. Take care of your hair
Comb at least once a day to remove dust and dead cells, as well as to distribute the sebum along the lengths. Also try to only shampoo two or three times a week. To avoid getting them wet while you wash, wear a headband or shower cap. This little trick will help you to always have them soft and healthy. Choose a shampoo specific to your hair type and its possible problems. For instance:
- Use a dandruff shampoo if you have this condition.
- For dry and brittle hair, choose a mild shampoo with disciplining properties.
- If you do dyes, use a sulfate-free shampoo specifically for dyed hair.
Step 3. Take care of the oral cavity to keep it healthy
Brush your teeth at least twice a day using a fluoride-containing toothpaste. It is an effective product to remove plaque and food residues, responsible for ailments such as halitosis and tooth decay. Plus, floss once a day to keep your gums healthy.
Replace your toothbrush every three to four months to prevent bacteria from building up on the bristles
Step 4. Take care of your nails
Cut them regularly and keep them clean to prevent fungal or bacterial growth. Wash your hands often, especially trying to remove any dirt that has accumulated under the nail bed. Then, trim your nails using a sharp pair of manicure scissors or a nail clipper. If you keep them short, dirt and bacteria will have no way of proliferating.
If you notice any changes affecting the color of your nails, abnormal curving, bleeding, or a separation of the nail from the surrounding skin, seek medical attention. These disorders could be symptomatic of a fungal infection
Part 2 of 4: Smell Good
Step 1. Use the deodorant
Apply it every morning to combat bad odors coming from the armpits. You can buy a stick or spray deodorant. Also, choose a product with antiperspirant properties to control sweating.
Some people believe that deodorant has carcinogenic effects. However, the research carried out on the subject has not identified any correlation that can confirm this theory
Step 2. Eliminate bad smells from shoes
Try to always wear socks to prevent dirt from accumulating in your shoes caused by sweating and bacteria. If you can't get your socks on, wash your feet before putting on your shoes. In case they continue to give off bad smells, sprinkle a handful of baking soda on your shoes and leave it on overnight. This trick helps eliminate the bacteria responsible for bad odors.
If your feet smell bad even though you have not used any type of footwear, it is possible that the problem is due to a fungus. See a doctor to diagnose it and get you to prescribe a targeted treatment
Step 3. Put on clean clothes
If you use dirty clothing, you will not be able to smell good. Incidentally, a garment that looks clean to you may be dirty to other people. To be on the safe side, use only freshly laundered clothes. When washing them, follow the washing instructions on the label.
- Underwear, T-shirts, socks and swimwear should be washed after a single use;
- Bras and items that do not have direct contact with the skin (such as sweaters or shirts) should be washed after two or three uses;
- Wash the jeans and trousers after three or four uses;
- If you happen to sweat a lot, start washing your clothes right away.
Part 3 of 4: Ordering the House
Step 1. Make your bed every morning
If the bed is untidy and neglected, the whole room will look upside down. If you do it again carefully, the room will immediately appear tidier. Make it a habit to do it again every morning as soon as you get up.
Wash your sheets once a week or every 15 days. If you sweat a lot at night, it is a good idea to wash them more often
Step 2. Keep your kitchen countertops clean
If the exposed areas are dirty and cluttered, the entire kitchen will look sloppy and neglected. For starters, immediately put away the foods and tools you use for cooking. Then, wipe the surfaces with damp blotting paper to remove any dirt residue.
Do not let liquids or moist foods dry and become encrusted on surfaces. In addition to being more difficult to clean, they could damage the finish of the countertop
Step 3. Clean the bathroom
A dirty bathroom is a breeding ground for bacterial growth, not to mention that it can convey a feeling of general dirt. To start, put away any cosmetics or hair products that are unnecessarily taking up space. At this point, sanitize all surfaces with a disinfectant and absorbent paper. If necessary, clean the cup with a cup brush. Clean the shower with white vinegar or a specific detergent.
- Hang wet towels after using them, otherwise the bathroom will smell like mold.
- Wash your towels every three or four uses.
Step 4. Stack items carefully to prevent them from conveying a cluttered and untidy feeling
If you have a pile of bills by the front door or books on your nightstand, arrange them in a neat pile or use a container. You will see that the room will immediately seem more organized.
As you tidy up, consider whether you can throw something away. The less you have, the easier it will be to clean the house
Part 4 of 4: Keeping the House Clean
Step 1. Adopt good home hygiene habits
Many people consider themselves unable to keep their homes clean. However, by adopting good home hygiene habits, the house will practically clean itself. For example, if you use a device, put it away immediately. This way you will fight the clutter. Other examples:
- Put dirty dishes in the dishwasher immediately after using them;
- Take out the trash every night;
- Immediately put dirty clothes in the laundry basket.
Step 2. Clean up a little every day
You don't have to spend a whole day cleaning. Instead, tidy up for about 30 minutes a day. The work will then be distributed throughout the week, so that the most strenuous household chores are broken down into much easier to manage tasks. If possible, develop a schedule. For instance:
- When you finish breakfast, set aside 10 minutes to clean up;
- Every night set a timer for 30 minutes and clean until it rings;
- Tidy up the kitchen in the morning while you wait for the coffee to come out.
Step 3. Develop a dedicated cleaning program
Many of the more demanding household chores, such as vacuuming or mopping, can be spread over the course of a month. Online you can find many deep cleaning programs, customizable for different types of houses or apartments. For instance:
- If you have a lot of carpets, choose a schedule that involves vacuuming these surfaces every two to three weeks.
- A good program should include a weekly dusting to keep the surfaces of the house clean;
- Tiled floors should be thoroughly washed and brushed once a week.
