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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask about basic personal hygiene?

284 replies

SteptoeAndDaughter · 17/01/2015 09:51

I'm in my 40s and yet somehow don't feel like I've ever got a handle on this.

What times/how often do you brush & floss?

Shower?

Wash your face?

I know there are no 'right' answers to these questions but I'm trying to figure out what it means to be well-groomed and to look after myself properly. Feeling a bit lost. What does it mean to you?

OP posts:
ApocalypseThen · 17/01/2015 09:54

Shower daily at least unless very ill. Change underwear and tops on same schedule, wear jeans (for example) twice before washing.

Wash face twice a day.

Brush teeth twice a day, floss once, visit dentist around every six months.

KirjavaTheCat · 17/01/2015 09:57

Shower every day, usually in the evening as mornings are busy.

Splash my face with water in the morning (don't use soaps on my face).

Brush twice a day, after breakfast and right before bed. Should brush more.

Madagascanparadise · 17/01/2015 09:58

Shower and wash my hair first thing absolutely always.

If I go to the gym or a run I will shower again.

Teeth 2 or 3 times a day.

Only1scoop · 17/01/2015 10:00

Always relaxing bath before bed....

Shower in morning....

Cleanse morning and night

Teeth morning and night and halfway through day if fancy a freshen.

Flossing....not as often as one should Blush

I am 41

Mammanat222 · 17/01/2015 10:01

Shower every other day when its cooler. Have a wash down everyday though (warm water in sink to wash pits and bits and yes I have my own flannels). Shower everyday in summer.

Wash hair 3/4 times a week.

Wash face daily, the cleanse and put cream on (just e45 cream as I have dry skin)

Brush teeth twice, floss once. Dentist not as often as I should but I'm trying to be better.

I don't wear make-up, I rarely get my hair cut, I am body creaming at the moment as I am heavily pregnant and trying to avoid stretchmarks but I have no 'beauty routine'. I am low maintenance but quite clean?

Thurlow · 17/01/2015 10:02

Shower every morning, generally wash my hair too. Brush my teeth two or three times a day. Don't floss because I'm lazy Blush

SaucyJack · 17/01/2015 10:03

Bath and hair wash every evening. Brush teeth twice a day. Cleanse and apply serum each morning. Shave every few days. Pick spots every ten minutes

I try and maintain a reasonable grooming routine as letting it slide is a good warning sign (for me) that I'm on my way down.

timeforacheckup · 17/01/2015 10:03

Bath or shower daily and wash hair daily

Wash face morning or evening (depending on when had bath/shower)

Clean teeth twice a day, floss every other day.

ifgrandmahadawilly · 17/01/2015 10:04

Wash face and clean teeth - twice a day (floss once or twice a week)
Wash armpits, downbelow - once a day
Shower - Once every two or three days (unless I'm in the middle of one of my fitness crazes, in which case it is whenever I work out).

Usually change my top once a day.
Change bras every 2 or three wears.
Underwear and socks changed once a day.
Jeans / trousers - worn until dirty.
Pyjamas changed once every two or three days.

No idea if I'm normal or not but I feel pretty clean!

JihadLewis · 17/01/2015 10:05

Shower and hair wash daily.

Brush teeth once in the morning.

No ones complained Grin just on here

dementedpixie · 17/01/2015 10:10

Brush teeth twice a day, floss if I feel there are things stuck in my teeth. Cleanse face in the morning (should do it at night too but I am lazy). Shower at least once a day, more if I have been to an exercise class. Wash hair every 2 days. Shave pits and legs once a week.

Change bras after 2 wears. Wear jeans for several days. Change tops, pants, socks, etc daily.

Topseyt · 17/01/2015 10:12

I brush my teeth twice a day. Flossing never. I know I probably should do it occasionally but I hate the sensation of it.

Shower every morning before getting dressed. If the weather is hot, or I get particularly mucky and sweaty for some reason then I have another quick splash.

Face is washed during the shower. No need to do it separately.

fuzzpig · 17/01/2015 10:13

I really struggle with this too, you're not alone!

My main tip would be to increase it slowly, one thing at a time. In the past I've tried setting up a huge routine and it's failed within a few days! But this time I've started with just brushing teeth twice a day and not worrying about anything else (I do wash etc just not in a routine for that yet). Since new year I've done it twice every single day which is amazing for me. I also rinse/gargle with diluted corsodyl a couple of times a week. I've already got to the stage where I even get up after going to bed if I realise I've not done it. Massive change for me.

I grew up not being looked after very well, so I never learned all this stuff when I was young, I have no clue how to look after myself and it's harder to make these habits as an adult! So don't beat yourself up about it.

Next I need to get back into the swing of a routine of washing/showering/bathing rather than just when it occurs to me. Hair washing only a couple of times a week though, it's really thick and is horrible if I wash it too much.

CrohnicallyCold · 17/01/2015 10:15

Brush teeth and wash face every morning. Also have a strip wash (pits, tits n bits!) and check if my armpits need shaving if I'm not showering.
I shower/bath/wash hair when I feel I need it. It could be twice daily, or not for 3 days.
Clean socks, pants and top every morning. Bra has to coordinate with my top, so it gets changed whenever I need it to.
If it's a work day, I get changed out of my work clothes when I get home, so I'll wear the same work trousers/jacket 2 or 3 days running, and likewise the same 'home' jeans and jumper until they're actually dirty, as I only wear them for half the day.

NeedABumChange · 17/01/2015 10:15

NEVER WASH JEANS! Unless actual mud or stains on them.

Shower 6 out of 7 days a week. Wash hair two or three times a week. Brush teeth twice a day. Deodorant in the mornings. Change undies, socks and tops daily. Bras every two days.
Face washed and moisturised twice a day.

GetLow · 17/01/2015 10:17

I brush after breakfast (DH thinks I'm weird as he does it as soon as he wakes up, but I don't want toothpaste flavour ruining the taste of my coffee and cereal!). Then brush and floss again before bed. I used to hate flossing, but now I have got the habit my teeth dont feel clean unless I have done it.

I shower every morning, either as soon as I get up or, if going to the gym, as soon as I get back. I also bathe every night, more for relaxation purposes than cleanliness. I look forward to that moment when I shut the bathroom door and sink into hot water SO much Grin.

I wash my face with a hot cloth cleanser in the bath at night, and just splash with water in the morning. Over-washing of my face makes my skin dry.

Brummiegirl15 · 17/01/2015 10:23

I shower every morning - unless poorly but then I would have a shower before going to bed.

Wash my hair every other day during week (use dry shampoo and tie in ponytail on non wash days) unless I'm doing nothing all weekend and will then leave hair until Monday morning.

Use face wipe at night. Clean teeth twice a day. I don't floss but I know I should!

Shave pits probably once a week, legs when I notice them ( or want some DTD action)

Bras I change every 2 - 3 wears but depends on what colour top I'm wearing so may change earlier.

Knickers, socks and tops change every day. Cardigans - rotate a couple of times.

Hmmm jeans - I'm naughty with this. Bought a very nice pair of black jeans in US in October - quite expensive here but not in US. Haven't actually washed them yet....

But they are still lovely and black! Grin

penguinsaresmall · 17/01/2015 10:25

Why never wash jeans bumchange? Don't grey get stinky?

Sparklingbrook · 17/01/2015 10:30

Shower morning and night and wash face at the same time. But don't wash hair every shower. Shave underarms if necessary.
Clean teeth and floss /waterpik 3 times a day

Rachie1986 · 17/01/2015 10:31

Never wash jeans?!

Pensionerpeep · 17/01/2015 10:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

chocolatemademefat · 17/01/2015 10:39

shower every day sometimes twice a day. I find the whole washing at the sink thing takes just as long and leaves me feeling not as clean.

Can't believe people never wash their jeans. Hope I never have to spend time with them! The smell of fabric conditioner follows me wherever I go.

As for teeth it has to be twice a day minimum. And flossing sticks are way better than the thready
stuff for me.

I have a bit of a thing about body odour much to my kids disgust!

areyoubeingserviced · 17/01/2015 10:41

Shower twice day; brush teeth twice a day;
Wash hair three time a week.
I change underwear every day, use deodorant, body spray and perfume.
I wear panty liners

bleedingheart · 17/01/2015 10:45

I shower every morning
Wash my hair while in the shower 5 times a week unless it's short and then it's every day (it gets really frizzy if I do it every day when long)
Moisturize and put BB cream on after shower
Brush teeth three or four times a day, floss most nights before bed
Shave legs & armpits once a week or so
Change underwear every day
Wear the same jeans or trousers for a couple of days
Cleanse & moisturise before bed

If I'm ill and can't shower I feel really uncomfortable

Notnaice · 17/01/2015 10:45

I must admit I do the sniff test on jeans. Clean knickers and socks daily. Bras probably not often enough. It can be a while before I remember but they dont smell. Tops get worn more than once in winter, probably not in summer. Pyjamas every two days -with knickers though.

I shower every day if I'm working but only every other day if I'm not. I have people in my life who wouldn't hesitate to tell me if I smelt.

Teeth twice a day without fail. Before breakfast for me as you are not supposed to brush after drinking fruit juice as the acid weakens the teeth and then brushing damages the enamel.

I think you can be over clean. It seems to work for me.