Showering 101: Everyday Hygiene Tips

Maintaining good personal hygiene is crucial because it helps prevent illness. Bacteria, viruses, and fungi can easily spread through contact with other people, contaminated surfaces, or unclean food. Neglecting personal hygiene can result in various health problems, as you can pick up anything from COVID-19 and cold/flu to diarrhoea and worms

There’s no definitive answer to how often you should shower. Many factors can influence this, from how frequently you exercise and how physically active your job is to climate and personal preference.

For many, showering is part of a daily routine. Not only does it keep you clean, but it can also offer many health benefits, including aiding muscle recovery and relieving stress.

Some argue that showering every day could be bad, as it gets rid of your skin’s natural oils and causes dryness. 

Dermatologist Dr Edidiong Kaminska, MD, suggests that the amount of time you spend in the shower should be between five and ten minutes. During that time, you can effectively cleanse your skin without causing dryness. 

Most dermatologists agree that you shouldn’t regularly take showers lasting 15 minutes or longer. Doing so can strip the skin of its natural oils, causing dryness and negatively impacting skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis (especially long and hot showers).

Additionally, you should avoid regularly showering for less than five minutes. If you do, showering is less effective. You’re more likely to under wash, which can mean you fail to get rid of body odour and can lead to an increase in skin conditions.

There are many times when you should wash your hands, including:

• Before and after handling food

• Before and after eating

• While looking after someone who is sick

• Before entering and after leaving a hospital

• After visiting the toilet

• After touching litter and bins

• After touching animals, pet food and waste

• After changing a baby’s nappy 

• After gardening

Washing your hands is a simple process which doesn’t take long at all. In fact, according to the NHS, you should wash your hands for as long as it takes you to sing “Happy Birthday” twice. 

1. Turn on the tap and place your hands under the running water.

2. Apply soap to your hands and rub them together.

3. Ensure all parts of your hands are covered with soap. Rub the backs of your hands and fingers, in between your fingers and your palms.

4. Rinse your hands under the running water.

5. Grab a disposable towel and dry your hands.

6. Turn the tap off using the disposable towel, ensuring your hands don’t touch the tap.

7. Put the disposable towel in the bin.

Taking care of your oral hygiene is crucial, and brushing your teeth plays a vital role. Plaque and bacteria build up in your mouth every day, and failure to brush regularly can result in tooth decay and cavities. Remember to brush consistently to maintain healthy teeth and a bright smile.

Keep your pearly whites in top shape by brushing your teeth twice a day. Set a timer if needed unless you have an electric toothbrush with a built-in timer.

According to the NHS, brushing your teeth before bed is crucial. That’s because doing so removes all the food debris accumulated during the day and helps prevent plaque buildup overnight. 

It's also a good idea to brush your teeth in the morning, preferably before breakfast. Why? While you sleep, bacteria build up in your mouth, and eating feeds the bacteria nutrients that can cause more harm.

Want to make sure you're brushing your teeth properly? Follow our simple step-by-step guide to get rid of plaque and maintain healthy teeth and gums.

1. Apply toothpaste: Squeeze an appropriate amount of toothpaste onto your toothbrush.
2. Outer surfaces: Begin by brushing the outer surfaces of your teeth. Start with your upper teeth, then move to the lower ones. Remember to brush slowly and thoroughly so you cover all areas.
3. Inner surfaces: Now, turn your attention to the inner surfaces of your teeth, giving them the same attention as the outside surfaces.
4. Chewing surfaces: Brush the chewing surfaces of your teeth, ensuring you remove any trapped food debris.
5. Gumline: Tilt your toothbrush at a 45° angle and gently brush along your gumline.
6. Tongue: Finish by brushing your tongue for fresher breath.

If you’re feeling unwell, take steps to prevent spreading germs to others. Things you can do include:

• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze

• Wipe down all shared surfaces with antibacterial wipes

• Don’t share any utensils

• Bin any dirty tissues immediately after use

Shop Mira for the perfect shower experience. We offer a wide range of showers, including electric, mixer, and digital options.