Personal hygiene [example level]

Simple living, extreme early retirement, becoming and being wealthy, wisdom, praxis, personal growth,...
tango
Posts: 12
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2013 12:35 pm

Re: Personal hygiene [example level]

Post by tango »

IMHO, the best optimization is to go without (as much as possible). YMMV.

1. Use soap for brushing your teeth. Dr. Bronners is safe (both for you and the environment), and the mint soap is refreshing. You have to get used to a non-sugared product, since all toothpaste is sweet. The soap (an alkaline) also serves to neutralize acid and balance your pH. The pH level causes more harm than sugar for your teeth.
2. Also use soap, again Dr. Bronners. I only use the soap on my face, pits, and hair, and a bar of Dr. Bronners lasts 3-4 months. No soap anywhere else. This felt a little oily for the first few weeks, but your body will balance out and produce less oils. It's better for your skin, and drys out less. For hair, I only wash once a week, and condition with vinegar. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_poo.
3. Deodorant ... I use essential oils, but only when necessary (ie, going out dancing). I don't bother on a daily basis. Aluminum isn't good for your body?
4. Showering: take shorter ones, and only every other day? We shower way more than necessary... I have a friend who washes her hair 2x/day!
5. Safety razors, but again, I only shave once/week, before going out for the weekend. If you really want to try to stretch it, use a scrap piece of leather, and run the blade across it before/after shaving.

Definitely cut my own hair, been doing it since college. For all of the above, not only saves on money, but more importantly I save a *lot* of time.

daylen
Posts: 2528
Joined: Wed Dec 16, 2015 4:17 am
Location: Lawrence, KS

Re: Personal hygiene [example level]

Post by daylen »

I do just what is required to be presentable and to not give people the impression of being "dirty".

1. Floss and wet toothbrush w/o toothpaste (1-2 times a day for each).
2. No cleaning gel or soap (I haven't used these products for years, and I am fine).
3. Deodorant if I will be doing moderately physical activity.
4. Now I am taking showers about every 3 days (or when I start to feel dirty). When I move into a van, I will try to go w/o showering by just hand washing and using wet wipes (showers haven't been around forever you know..).
5. Safety razor for face and head, no shaving cream or butter.

Does anyone here do their own teeth cleaning? Like scrapping off plaque, etc..?

jacob
Site Admin
Posts: 15907
Joined: Fri Jun 28, 2013 8:38 pm
Location: USA, Zone 5b, Koppen Dfa, Elev. 620ft, Walkscore 77
Contact:

Re: Personal hygiene [example level]

Post by jacob »

@daylen - I used to use a scraper like this when I used a manual brush. I'ts easy enough to do though the interwebs warn people from being stupid and taking it to excess. Like, what could possibly go wrong if OCD'ing with a pick like that?!

Now, my dentist pretty much insisted that I get an electric tooth brush (sonicare) and so I did. Since then, I've seen practically no plaque build-up. So that's what I'm going with. Lithium-ion gadgets might not be sustainable but if I had to engage in nasty behavior in some spot, teeth would be it.

halfmoon
Posts: 697
Joined: Mon Nov 07, 2016 10:19 pm

Re: Personal hygiene [example level]

Post by halfmoon »

1. Agree with Jacob: an electric toothbrush. Change the heads on a regular basis and clean out the accumulated toothpast that can slow down the vibration where the head connects to the base. Don't press too hard against your teeth. Also floss, of course. Tooth issues can be expensive, painful, socially awkward and hard on your heart (plaque). Edit: I almost forgot the tongue scraper. This is critical. I could go into gruesome detail, but...google is your friend.

2. I've never understood the concept of cleaning gel or any sort of separate body soap. We use the shampoo foam to wash our bodies. Bar soap tends to contain saturated fats that can clog your pipes. I mean, your house pipes. :D

3. I've gone through a ridiculous variety of deodorants and finally found a deodorant crystal containing ammonium alum. That sounds kind of like ammonia and aluminum, so I had my doubts. However: it doesn't irritate, doesn't make my shirts smell weird and works for me. DH doesn't use deodorant and doesn't seem to smell, which is just unfair.

4. Have to abstain on this one. I've taken more than my share of cold showers due to alternative living, and I used to love jumping into freezing water as a blood-pumping thrill. In my dotage, I feel that hot water is one of life's incredible pleasures.

5. DH uses an electric shaver after years of getting infections from blade nicks. He's not going to a job, though, so looking like a bum isn't a big deal.

Stahlmann
Posts: 1121
Joined: Fri Sep 02, 2016 6:05 pm

Re: Personal hygiene [example level]

Post by Stahlmann »

How about laser depilation for certain parto of body?

sky
Posts: 1726
Joined: Tue Jan 04, 2011 2:20 am

Re: Personal hygiene [example level]

Post by sky »

1. Colgate toothpaste on a toothbrush, the size of a grain of rice (in other words, not much). Brush each morning and sometimes after lunch. About a half meter of waxed floss to floss teeth each morning.
2. I use a mild bar soap with minimal fragrance. I do not use a shower gel. Currently Palmolive, but whatever 12 pack is on special once a year or so when I need more soap. I use the same soap to wash my hair and entire body. Sometimes I don't use any soap in the shower, just wash with my hands and water.
3. I do not use deodorant. I don't think that I have an odor problem.
4. F that noise. Warm showers and baths.
5. I have a one year beard and use a hair clipper to trim it. I also use a single blade disposable razor to do mild trimming. When I shaved daily I would use a single blade disposable razor for about two months.
Smelly feet: I do not seem to have this problem.

Stahlmann
Posts: 1121
Joined: Fri Sep 02, 2016 6:05 pm

Re: Personal hygiene [example level]

Post by Stahlmann »

In different topic I found true-ERErian doesn't use soap during shaving face...
Explain me that, please :P.

ducknalddon
Posts: 249
Joined: Fri May 20, 2016 5:55 am

Re: Personal hygiene [example level]

Post by ducknalddon »

Stahlmann wrote:
Wed May 10, 2017 4:16 pm
In different topic I found true-ERErian doesn't use soap during shaving face...
Explain me that, please :P.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uF3y_ocbXfQ

Stahlmann
Posts: 1121
Joined: Fri Sep 02, 2016 6:05 pm

Re: Personal hygiene [example level]

Post by Stahlmann »

OK, I tried shaving my face hair without water - it is doable!

Next questions:
1. Now I need advice on this device used to clean teeth (I do not mean toothbrush :P). Flossing lines tend to be disposable.
2. How do you wash your (head) hair? I think it is the most water-consuming body part (even if I keep them short).
3. How about effective using soap on hair? They tend not to respond very well to soap bar.

I think that is more paradigm shift, than saving money questions.

Edit:
I am bit overhelmed with my duties... I asked some questions once more. Sorry for that :D

User avatar
Sclass
Posts: 2791
Joined: Tue Jul 10, 2012 5:15 pm
Location: Orange County, CA

Re: Personal hygiene [example level]

Post by Sclass »

I steal my SO's girly shampoo once a month. It gets rid of the wax buildup that my regular shampoo leaves behind. Switching up shampoo works wonders for me.

My regular shampoo is Palmolive antibacterial dish detergent bought at the 99 cent store. I use it in my washer. I use it in the toilet bowl. I wash my greasy hands in my garage with it. I do dishes with it. Mount motorcycle tires with it. Love it!

halfmoon
Posts: 697
Joined: Mon Nov 07, 2016 10:19 pm

Re: Personal hygiene [example level]

Post by halfmoon »

@Sclass, switching shampoo works well for me also. Women's magazines have been advocating since I was a teenager, which was about 100 years ago.

However: I would rethink the wholesale use of antibacterial detergent. You can get the non-antibacterial (does that make it bacterial?) stuff at the dollar store too. Maybe save the triclosan for where it's really needed.

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-n ... 180948078/

User avatar
Sclass
Posts: 2791
Joined: Tue Jul 10, 2012 5:15 pm
Location: Orange County, CA

Re: Personal hygiene [example level]

Post by Sclass »

yeah I don't like triclosan. The active ingredient is lactic acid.

http://www.palmolive.com/ingredients#antibacterial

I think triclosan is too expensive for the 99 cent store! :lol: :lol: :lol:

halfmoon
Posts: 697
Joined: Mon Nov 07, 2016 10:19 pm

Re: Personal hygiene [example level]

Post by halfmoon »

So, you made me indulge in a frenzy of Googling because I couldn't believe that lactic acid had anything to do with detergent. Believing now, but does this mean that if I'm lactose intolerant, I can't use Palmolive Antibacterial? :lol:

What I really loved learning is that lactic acid is used as a mosquito attractant (WHY would anyone want to attract mosquitoes?) and 'to assist with the erasure of inks from official papers to be modified during forgery.' I visualize someone walking around with pockets full of fake $100 bills, madly swatting mosquitoes.

enigmaT120
Posts: 1240
Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2015 2:14 pm
Location: Falls City, OR

Re: Personal hygiene [example level]

Post by enigmaT120 »

I can think of uses for mosquito attractants....

halfmoon
Posts: 697
Joined: Mon Nov 07, 2016 10:19 pm

Re: Personal hygiene [example level]

Post by halfmoon »

enigmaT120 wrote:
Mon Jun 05, 2017 1:08 pm
I can think of uses for mosquito attractants....
Okay; you do know that mosquito bites don't generally cause swelling in the affected area, right? :lol:

I resorted to my trusty Google search and found that pretty much everyone on the planet (if the planet = the US) is trying to attract mosquitoes in order to more efficiently kill them with electronic zappers. Makes sense, though we've generally just relied on low-tech bats, swallows and frogs.

Back to the OP: use the shampoo that your hair seems to like best. This is a small expense for something you wear all day every day.

enigmaT120
Posts: 1240
Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2015 2:14 pm
Location: Falls City, OR

Re: Personal hygiene [example level]

Post by enigmaT120 »

Halfmoon, I was going to put the attractant on somebody else, not myself. They find me too attractive already. At least ticks don't usually like me, I got my first bite Sunday after living in the woods for 26 years.

Stahlmann
Posts: 1121
Joined: Fri Sep 02, 2016 6:05 pm

Re: Personal hygiene [example level]

Post by Stahlmann »

Any fancy solution for healing Athlete's foot without infecting hands? I know that washing will come first to mind...

I didn't beg enough for prescription drugs during doc visit.

Alsoo foot odor... Any ideas?

User avatar
conwy
Posts: 194
Joined: Sat Sep 23, 2017 2:06 pm
Location: Australia

Re: Personal hygiene [example level]

Post by conwy »

Shower in the evening. Longer, nicer, more relaxing, and I can get out the door faster the following morning.
Shower at the gym/pool when I can and use their soap.
Only wash my hair twice a week; all other days I just give it a quick wet comb and maybe add a little wax, and it stays pretty neat.
Use a very nice, high-quality scent balm that cost me about $100, but lasts for a year or more.
Use an electric trimmer to shave beard and neaten up hair, and see a quality barber only once every 2 months.

----------

Just discovered this now – apparently dental powder has certain benefits over toothpaste, and you can even make it yourself!

Ingredients
3 tablespoons of bentonite clay
1 tablespoon of baking soda
2 tablespoons of calcium powder
1 teaspoon of pure sea salt
1 tablespoon of dried ground sage
1 tablespoon of xylitol powder (for sweetness)
1 teaspoon to tablespoon of Cloves or Cinnamon (or both, depending on the flavor you prefer)
Mint, spearmint, or other essential oils for taste

Instructions
1. Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl or pint sized mason jar. Mix them together using a non-metal spoon. (Bentonite clay loses some of its beneficial properties when it comes in contact with metal, so it’s best to use plastic, glass or wooden bowls, containers, and spoons when making your dental powder.
2. Add essential oils by dripping them into the mixture. Stir well.
3. Keep the powder in a sealed container. Because it doesn’t have any liquid ingredients, it should last an indefinite amount of time on your counter without any problems.

(From https://www.carefreedental.com/resource ... toothpaste)

Post Reply