Every American has their own unique routine when it comes to personal hygiene. But have you ever wondered how your daily practices stack up against those of your fellow countrymen? From the bustling streets of New York to the Rocky Mountains of Montana, hygiene habits vary more than you might think. To find out which states have proper hygiene, we surveyed over 3,000 Americans, diving deep into their personal routines. We asked about everything — from the frequency of brushing their teeth and showering to how often they change their dirty sheets or towels. Keep reading for a coast-to-coast picture of America's personal hygiene tendencies.
Key Findings
- The average American…
- brushes their teeth 12 times per week.
- flosses their teeth 5 times per week.
- showers 6 times per week and washes their hair 4 times per week.
- washes their hands 79% of the time after #1 and 93% of the time after #2.
- goes 1 week before changing their sheets.
- uses the same bath towel for 1 month before washing it.
- 3 in 10 Americans would rather forgo showering for 6 months than give up their phone for a year.
- 20% of Americans say they do not use deodorant every day.
- More males (73%) than females (59%), opted to use natural deodorant products over harmful, better-working ones.
- A quarter of Americans agree that they would rather have bad breath than bad body odor.
- 3 in 4 Americans say they have better hygiene when in relationships than when single.
The Most & Least Hygienic States
The most hygienic states in the U.S. are:
- Georgia — 81.9 out of 100
- Louisiana — 80.1 out of 100
- Florida — 77.1 out of 100
- Mississippi — 64.1 out of 100
- Texas — 62.1 out of 100
Georgia topped the list as the most hygienic state with a score of 81.9 out of 100. Residents brush their teeth the most frequently at 13.64 times weekly — nearly twice daily.
Georgia residents also lead in shower frequency at 7.38 times per week on average. Given Georgia's high humidity levels, this higher shower rate is perhaps understandable.
Louisiana ranked second thanks to its good hygiene with a score of 80.1 out of 100. Residents floss roughly 6.96 times a week, placing them second in the nation for flossing.
Louisiana residents also use deodorant the most frequently of any state at 98.04% of the time — making them the best-smelling state as well!
The least hygienic states in the U.S. are:
- Nebraska — 34.6 out of 100
- Rhode Island — 37.6 out of 100
- Ohio — 38.7 out of 100
- Maryland — 41.9 out of 100
- North Carolina — 41.9 out of 100
Nebraska ranked lowest in personal hygiene, scoring 34.6 out of 100. It's one of three states where residents wait a month before changing sheets and also averages fewer showers at 5.65 per week. However, Nebraskans do have an excuse for not maintaining good hygiene, as the state has been urging residents to conserve water amid ongoing drought conditions.
Rhode Island ranked second to last in personal hygiene with a score of 37.6 out of 100. Rhode Islanders floss just 3.82 times a week on average, falling short of the recommendation to floss once daily. Additionally, they are one of the three states where residents typically change sheets only once a month.
The Average Americans Hygiene Tendencies
We decided to take a peek behind the medicine cabinet to gain a better understanding of Americans’ hygiene habits.
On average, Americans brush their teeth 12 times a week, which is below the recommended frequency. Ideally, one should brush their teeth twice a day, for at least two minutes each session.
Americans shower 6 times a week on average. Factors such as age, skin conditions, and activity level influence shower frequency. While experts recommend showering at least 2-3 times a week, increased activity or sweating may necessitate more frequent showers.
We also found that Americans typically use the same bath towel for a month before washing it. While this practice conserves water, some may find it off-putting.
Gen Z is the least inclined generation to choose natural hygiene products. Although they may lean towards products labeled as environmentally friendly and beneficial for personal health, budget constraints are a significant factor. The higher cost of natural hygiene products could be the reason behind Gen Z's reduced purchases.
We also discovered that nearly three-quarters (73%) of Americans prioritize good hygiene over technology. They'd prefer to forgo their phones for a year rather than skip brushing their teeth for six months.
Closing Thoughts
Hygiene practices vary considerably across states, with some leading in cleanliness and others trailing behind. It's essential to remember that personal hygiene extends beyond our routines — it also includes our living spaces. If your moldy shower curtains need a refresh, why not consider making the switch to a custom glass shower enclosure? Not only will it modernize your bathroom, but it will also transform it into a spa-like experience.
Methodology
To determine which states have proper hygiene, we surveyed 3,216 Americans across the country, asking questions pertaining to the frequency they performed typical hygiene practices (brushing teeth, flossing, showering, washing hair, washing hands, using deodorant, changing sheets, and changing towels). From there, we found the average for each practice across every state. We then assigned weights to each hygiene practice in order to create a scale for ranking purposes. Based on those weights, each state we analyzed was given a score out of 100, with 100 being the most hygienic and 1 being the least. It is important to note that some states could not be included in this list due to not enough survey respondents. Those states are Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming.