5 underappreciated healthy habits that you don’t do enough

You may never forget to brush your teeth or remove your makeup at night before hitting the bag. However, this does not mean that you do not neglect some hygiene habits. The truth is that most of us have a few things to do regarding hygiene that we don’t do routinely. But sometimes forgetting about hygiene does not represent complete indifference or resistance to hygiene, which can be symptoms of some mental health disorders or cases of progressive cognitive decline. Often times, it is the result of a busy life that gets in the way of getting the “little things” done.

Of course, it’s okay to lose track of your hygiene from time to time. For example, skipping showers can be a relief if your skin is sensitive and prone to irritation from hot water or soap. As said by dermatologist Dr. Shilpi Khetarpal Cleveland Clinic“Bathing can cause dehydration.” How often do you really need to shower?? In fact, less often than you might suspect. Taking quick sponge baths as a general health practice is fine and probably won’t be a problem.

However, some of the habits you don’t do enough may be important enough to consider turning into regular behaviors, like these five habits you can tackle this week.

You can wash your countertops to keep them sparkling and germ-free. You also wash your dishes. But what about the kitchen sponge you use for all that cleaning? It also gets rusty and needs to be cleaned or replaced from time to time.

What is the total volume of an average household sponge? 2017 investigation He studies Scientific reports have revealed that the average sponge contains large amounts of bacteria. Last 2017 He studies The Journal of Food Protection found that 44% of the sponges tested contained fecal coliform bacteria, which can cause health problems for some people when ingested, according to the magazine. US Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).

How often should you replace your sponge?? However, you do not have to replace the sponge daily to avoid distributing bacteria around food preparation and dining areas. As food safety expert Jennifer Quinlan explained NPRYou can extend the life of your sponge without endangering yourself or your family members. Her advice is to put a wet sponge in the microwave for a minute, which kills the most dangerous germs. “It doesn’t sterilize the sponge,” she admits, but adds that microwaving destroys microbes that are most annoying to humans.

Keeping a reusable water bottle next to you can be key if you’re trying to stay hydrated. It also helps the environment by reducing your use of single-use plastics. However, your water bottle may not be as clean as you would like.

Results from a WaterFilterGuru A study on the soiling of reused water bottles found that high-pressure bottles contain more germs than a regular toilet seat. Furthermore, nearly 15% of participants admitted that they only wash their water bottles occasionally.

According to food safety expert Amy Johnston, you should wash your water bottle once daily. “This will prevent any buildup of bacteria,” Johnston explained. CBS News. She recommends that scrubbing include “those little nooks and crannies where bacteria like to hide.” You may also want to wash it well after your workout time is over, as ignoring the sweat and bacteria that can build up after a workout session is one reason. Hygiene mistakes people make after exercise.

You carry your phone with you and are probably taking calls or wandering to the bathroom. But do you pay attention to how often you clean the screen that comes into contact with your hands and face? Probably not, if you’re like most people. according to YouGovOnly 21% of people in the United States sanitize their phones daily, and 7% never bother to clean their phones at all.

Health expert and author Dr. Lori Shimek posted a very frank call to action Instagram For anyone not in the 21%. “Phones are dirty,” she wrote, adding that they are germier than toilet seats. The solution for her? “Wipe your screen with a microfiber cloth and 70% alcohol or a 1:1 mixture of water and white vinegar.”

If you want other ways to make your phone clean besides the cleaning protocol recommended by Dr. Shimek, you can also try a sanitizing light that uses UV-C LED technology. A 2023 He studies One UV-C LED microbial product found that it reduced unwanted bacteria on phones by up to approximately 94% within 48 hours. However, a cheap UV-C LED will not work; You’ll need a wavelength between 200 and 280 nanometers to be effective.

For many women, washing a bra is a more complicated task. Bras often require special care such as hand washing with gentle detergents to maintain their shape. As a result, a number of women end up putting off washing their bras for several uses.

How long should you wait to clean your bra? Dermatologist Dr. Alok Vij has some answers. In an interview with Cleveland ClinicDr. Vij noted that it makes sense to clean a bra after using it at least three times. “Not washing frequently enough can lead to persistent stains and odors on your bra — as well as skin irritation, rashes, or local skin infections caused by yeast or bacteria,” he explained.

Not sure exactly how to wash your bra? Again, it may be a good idea to hand wash delicate underwear. But if your bra can be put in the wash, you can try a bra bag to make sure it doesn’t get out of shape or get wrapped around other clothes. For drying, choose air to maintain the integrity of the bra’s fabric and shape longer.

You can do a great job of keeping your kitchen clean. However, you may be missing one of the dirtiest spots in your castle: the kitchen sink. Your sink may be where you wash other items, but that’s why it needs some care in the form of regular scrubbing as well. Otherwise, it will become dirty and may pose a health risk to you and other members of your family. A 2017 He studies Food Protection magazine revealed that 44% of homes tested contained fecal bacteria, many of which were found in kitchen sinks; 15% of homes had E. coli (usually from samples sourced from the sink).

said cleaning expert Leanne Stapf Southern living A good rule of thumb is to aim to clean your sink weekly, even if you think it’s clean. “Bacteria can accumulate from unexpected places over time, and dust can easily settle in unused spaces,” she explains. Of course, if you have exposed the sink to raw meat or poultry, disinfect it by scrubbing it with a bleach mixture immediately to destroy harmful germs.

What if you’re the type of person who cooks home-cooked meals every day? In this case, cleaning professional Toby Schulz recommends cleaning your kitchen sink on a regular basis (via Better homes and gardens). “If you cook or use your kitchen every day, you will also need to clean your kitchen sink every day.” While you’re at it, practice cleaning your drain monthly as well.