big sister tips (hygiene edition)

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Hygiene is a huuuge deal but it’s not really something that’s talked about much as tips for styling your hair or how to layer perfumes etc. And don’t get me wrong, those are things I love but hygiene is the foundation. You can have the bounciest curls and the perfect scent combos but if that’s all just masking poor hygiene.. it doesn’t mean much. I’m not going to shame you because you don’t know these things because trust me… I had to learn these things the hard way. But now that I know and practice them regularly, I want to share them with you angels. So, if you have a hard time with hygiene or no one really taught you these tips then allow me to be your internet big sister for a sec and give you the lowdown. 

1. use black sheets, panties and pjs when on your period.

This is one that I learned suuuper late. Leaking is just part of life, especially if you’re like me and your flow is heavier during the night. Even with the thickest pads doubled up I still manage to leak somehow. So, my biggest tip for this is to have a black undersheet, black pjs and black panties. This way, if you do leak on them at whatever point there’s not that pesky stain on them forever. The amount of pjs I’ve ruined throughout the years and no amount of stain remover ever makes them the same again. As soon as you spot the leak, run it under the cold tap asap then blot it (washing up liquid is meant to work wonders), leave it to soak for a little and then put it into the washing machine. I guarantee you will never see the stain once you’ve washed it if it black material.

2. have a Dettol bath once a week.

Towards the end of 2025, I started doing this again and oooof I have never felt cleaner. I remember when I’d stay with my Nan when I was younger and she’d always put a capful of Dettol in my bath. I never really understood it then but I do now. Dettol is an antiseptic liquid which apparently kills 99.9% of bacteria, viruses and fungi. The smell is not the most pleasant thing but when you add some bubble bath you can hardly tell. Dettol is great for preventing infections from any cuts or scrapes. It can also really help with preventing body odour as it gets rid of all those pesky bacteria.

The main thing I’ve seen a difference in is my backne. I struggle sometimes with spots on my shoulders and back but having a soak in this once a week has made a huge difference (and another tip we’ll get to next). Please note that it absolutely has to be diluted so 1-2 capfuls into the bath water, never use it undiluted on skin. It can be a little drying so if it’s too much for your skin, use less or do it less frequently and always moisturise after.

3. put your hair in a clip when conditioning or masking. 

As I mentioned in the above tip, I really struggle with backne sometimes and I think this is one of the biggest culprits. I often leave my conditioner or mask in my hair while I shave in the shower so it’s just clinging to my back and all of that product is getting into the skin there. I have a clip that stays in the bathroom specifically for when I’m doing my haircare routine so that it’s up and off my back while the products go to work. This tip plus the Dettol baths has honestly made the biggest difference. 

4. ditch the loofa, get an African net sponge. 

I made this switch about two years ago now and I will never ever go back. I even got my friends and family all one for Christmas in 2024 because I do truly believe they make such a difference. The way loofas are made they have an epicentre of dead skin cells, product and whatever else. African net sponges are long so you can use them to get to the back of your body, they have these lil knots that allow for super exfoliation and the fact that it’s long and has open weaves means it’s much more hygienic to use. They’re pretty cheap and often come in a multipack so you can swap them out often to keep it fresh. Honestly, the change in how clean and soft my skin felt after switching to these is unmatched.

5. regularly swap out your razor head. 

Teenage me would laugh at this tip because I’d use the same razor head for months on end and never give it a second thought. With every shave, the blades get duller and duller so it becomes harder to get that silky smooth feeling we all looove after the everything shower. Rule of thumb is about every 5-10 uses. Personally, I change mine every fortnight because in my routine I have two shaves a week and by the 4th shave I start to notice the dullness. Also a few additional tips with razors, give the head a good clean under the water to get out any hair / product, make sure it gets dried off to prevent rust and store it away from the bathroom if you can so the moisture doesn’t make it rust faster.

6. change your pillowcases weekly.

This is another one of those things I’d never really considered doing before I tried it and saw how massive the difference is. Every night your pillowcase collects bacteria, skin cells and oil. These things can transfer onto your skin causing breakouts. I noticed such a difference having a few pillowcases in rotation that I can change to prevent this from happening. Such a simple hygiene habit that makes such a huge difference.

7. clean your makeup brushes monthly.

Similarly to tip number six, your makeup brushes harbour sooo much gunk, especially when used often. This can lead to poor application, breakouts and clogged pours. Giving them every month (maybe more if you use them more) can prevent this from happening. Keeping them clean also helps with their longevity by preventing the bristles from getting splayed or brittle due to product build-up. There are really good makeup brush cleansers you can use but honestly, a bit of soap and water will work just fine.

8. floss floss floss!

Flossing really upped my oral hygiene game but about 10,000 times. It’s always been in my head that I should floss but I’d never made it a habit until recently. My mouth feels so squeaky clean after flossing and brushing now. Flossing helps get rid of any leftover food and it gets into the areas that a brush can’t really reach. I used to use just normal floss but now I have a water flosser and that has really changed my life.

9. use a nail brush whenever you wash your hands.

There are a lottt of benefits that come from using a nail brush. One of the biggest ones is getting all the gunk out from under your nails. Especially if you’re a girlie who has long nails. This build up is pretty normal because we use our hands so much throughout the day so naturally, gunk will get under them. Using a nail brush also helps exfoliate the skin on your hands keeping them looking good and promoting healthy nail growth. For me, one of the things I notice on people is always their hands so I love keeping mine soft and clean.

And there you have it.. nine of my favourite and most life changing hygiene tips. Remember not to feel silly if you didn’t know these, this isn’t something we’re all born knowing. Hopefully you feel inspired to add one of these into your routine.

Love ya, Cait xo