How do I keep the bottom edge of my half-frame glasses clean? [more inside]
posted by castironskillet on Nov 26, 2009 - 7 answers

What kind of liquid facial soap do you recommend? [more inside]
posted by mtphoto on Nov 7, 2009 - 53 answers

Drafty castles, stone construction, floors strewn with rushes, noble ladies' trailing gowns... Anyone who's read any historical fiction set in the Middle Ages is familiar with these popular Medieval motifs, but I have been troubled by a number of questions about these items. Perhaps we have some period history mavens who can ease my confusion? (Warning: Long! Strewn! Possibly moldy.) [more inside]
posted by taz on Sep 23, 2009 - 28 answers

I like to sip a little bit of Scotch before going to bed, spending a few quiet minutes with a single malt, my browser, and some good music. I usually do this after brushing my teeth, and I really, really dislike going back to brush my teeth again before going to bed (it totally kills the pleasant pre-sleep buzz). I'm not sure how much sugar is in Scotch, but is this practice likely to lead to cavities over the long term?
posted by zachawry on Sep 13, 2009 - 22 answers

How worried should I be about my chipped tooth? [more inside]
posted by Riki tiki on May 21, 2009 - 11 answers

How should I look after my beard, and, when it's under control, what can I train it to do? [more inside]
posted by BadMiker on May 13, 2009 - 14 answers

How can I get my husband to shower more than twice a month? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Feb 24, 2009 - 47 answers

I could use some help figuring out how to phrase a request that my boyfriend give his bedding a spin in the laundry. We're pretty newly minted, and I understand the need for tact here, but I am blanking on the best way to say this. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Feb 18, 2009 - 52 answers

Cavities: I have one in both of my two front teeth, one of which is fairly significant. Both of them are on the outside edge of the respective teeth, and thus sandwiched between my front teeth and the teeth next to them. How will a dentist fix this? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jan 8, 2009 - 14 answers

Parent Filter: What can I do about this parent/child role reversal that is poisoning my mind and my life and how can I let this parent know that even though I love them dearly I will not continue to let them manipulate me and dump all of their responsibilities on to my plate??? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jan 5, 2009 - 21 answers

Are cats really as clean as everyone says? [more inside]
posted by Alabaster on Nov 16, 2008 - 28 answers

A dear friend of mine is morbidly obese. He has a variety of medical issues which are mostly being addressed. He has several related issues that are not - mostly hygiene related. Help me help him. (possible squick inside). [more inside]
posted by ninazer0 on Oct 26, 2008 - 12 answers

My neck sweats like crazy when I wear button up shirts with neckties. Is there a way to help with this? [more inside]
posted by Zeker on Sep 29, 2008 - 9 answers

HygieneFilter: must I always use soap when washing my hands? [more inside]
posted by XiBe on Sep 3, 2008 - 18 answers

Complicated microbology/ecology conundrum: Just bought a little house on a river. The house has two big rocks that jut out into the water that are perfect to sit on...if it weren't for the poop on them (most in a thin, dried layer). Help me figure out a solution that maximizes sanitation and minimizes environmental impact... [more inside]
posted by yellowcandy on Jun 11, 2008 - 15 answers

Hygiene Filter: Picking my face, fingernails, and more. [more inside]
posted by cachondeo45 on Apr 24, 2008 - 15 answers

My housemate's are terrible slobs, to the point where I'm about to snap. What can I do? [more inside]
posted by SansPoint on Mar 8, 2008 - 43 answers

What are some hair conditioners and body lotions that do not contain any alcohol? [more inside]
posted by fiasco on Mar 1, 2008 - 14 answers

How did primitive man cope with things like body oil, pimples, and cold weather? [more inside]
posted by gttommy on Feb 5, 2008 - 28 answers

Bad dog breath... what helps? [more inside]
posted by miss lynnster on Oct 26, 2007 - 18 answers

As a guy, how do you smell really good without the use of cologne? Some people, I've noticed, have a great fresh smell to them, but I'm not sure how they get it. I try using scented soaps, but it doesn't give nearly as strong an effect. Is it lotion? Does skin type matter?
posted by Malad on Aug 29, 2007 - 24 answers

Cologne picking advice: it can't be as simple as "just pick what your like" or "bring a girl with you and buy what she likes"... can it?
posted by joshuaconner on Aug 26, 2007 - 30 answers

Following some dental adventures, I seem to have some lingua villosa nigra, aka "black [hairy] tongue". Reportedly harmless, but is there anything (a) I should know or worry about, and (b) I can do to quash it on the double? [more inside]
posted by cortex on Aug 9, 2007 - 11 answers

We just bought a house with a separate, finished apartment. The apartment turns out to have a smell, and we can't figure out where it's coming from. The smell is bad: part must, part mildew, and part warmed catfood. So my questions are: 1. Does this smell sound familiar to anyone? (As in, "Oho, that's plainly mildew he's talking about; he should check the blah blah!") 2. Ways to pinpoint an ambient smell? I am going under the apartment this afternoon :( but if I i don't find any carcasses under there, I am out of moves.
posted by everichon on Jun 11, 2007 - 13 answers

Excessive body hair... what to do? (Probably NSFW) [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 24, 2007 - 14 answers

My significant other has, over the last few years, taken fewer and fewer showers. She now takes about one per week (yes I keep tabs). I don't notice any smells although her hair can get that needs-washing look. [more inside] [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 9, 2007 - 66 answers

Refilling contact lens solution bottles with contact lens solution? [more inside]
posted by Mutant on Apr 3, 2007 - 20 answers

Help me not smell like smoke on my job interview! [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 27, 2007 - 39 answers

Why are my ears itchy all the time? :( [more inside]
posted by aeighty on Feb 1, 2007 - 24 answers

Hygiene in the Middle Ages to 19th century [more inside]
posted by victorashul on Jan 24, 2007 - 15 answers

Will anything bad really happen if I don't wear flip flops in the gym shower? [more inside]
posted by jclovebrew on Oct 27, 2006 - 31 answers

Should I get a diaper pail? [more inside]
posted by Frasermoo on Oct 19, 2006 - 27 answers

Why does my cube-mate's cat have hygiene issues? [more inside]
posted by weirdoactor on Oct 12, 2006 - 8 answers

How do you deal with the messy side of sex? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 4, 2006 - 41 answers

Who gets to share food and drinks with your child - from the same cup or spoon? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 28, 2006 - 33 answers

How do clean the base of your eyelashes?
posted by fenriq on Apr 1, 2006 - 8 answers

How might I go about finding a top of the line hair salon. I am considering trying to settle into a new haircut - even a $100+ price tag is ok this one time. (I'm in S.E. Michigan.)
posted by parma on Feb 12, 2006 - 9 answers

HygeineFilter: How to prevent the recurrence of MRSA infection in a community center? [more inside]
posted by ottereroticist on Jan 8, 2006 - 10 answers

how often should i change my toothbrush?
posted by brandz on Nov 24, 2005 - 33 answers

I'm 23 and I have more acne than I ever did in high school. This is a general problem, but I've also got a (first) date on Thursday--got any miracles? [more inside]
posted by CiaoMela on Oct 31, 2005 - 53 answers

Does anyone ever really flush sanitary napkins? [more inside]
posted by unknowncommand on Oct 13, 2005 - 41 answers

Many lavatories on trains have signs warning that the water in the sink is not safe to drink. If it's not clean enough to drink, am I really making my hands cleaner by washing with it?
posted by yankeefog on Sep 29, 2005 - 15 answers

For the first time in long life experience, I have a girlfriend who is very stinky "down there". What to do? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 28, 2005 - 17 answers

A question from the young 'un I couldn't answer. There are lots of clean crisp flavours out there: why are toothpaste, floss and other dental/oral products stereotypically mint-flavoured, and not, say, clove or cinnamon? Is it simple popularity, or is there a technical reason?
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen on Mar 16, 2005 - 24 answers

Which way do you wipe and why? [mi] [more inside]
posted by quiet on Feb 8, 2005 - 37 answers

I bought several liquor bottle spouts to make pouring easier for a recent holiday party. Now I'm wondering if I can leave them in the bottles or not. I've got some cheapo $.75 diposables and some $5-ish automatic 1 oz. pourers that are much nicer. Assuming I use a given bottle only once a week or so, is leaving the pourers in a bad idea? Will my hooch evaporate? Will cooties crawl into the bottle (my apartment is largely cootie-free)? Is it just bad manners to leave them in? Please advise.
posted by etc. on Dec 30, 2004 - 13 answers

In light of tthis alarming story, I'm wondering how many times a day MeFites brush their teeth. How about flossing? [more inside]
posted by emelenjr on Nov 30, 2004 - 53 answers

I have a friend who stinks. He has horrible breath (he's a chain-smoker), and his clothes and body reek. I'm not sure what to do. It's so bad that many people have commented that it's hard to be around him. But other than the smell, he's a great guy. He's also lonely, and can't get a date. His life would be so much better if he had better hygiene. So what do I do about this? Tell him face-to-face? Send an anonymous email? Do nothing? If I do bring it up, how do I do it sensitively? Added to the problems, he's very poor. He can't even afford a phone. My guess is that part of the problem is that he's trying to save money on laundry. Still, soap is cheap. I'm trying to obey the Golden Rule, but it's hard. If I was the smelly one, I would want to be told, I guess. But I would be SO humiliated! He's in his early 40s. Really smart and literate.
posted by anonymous on Nov 6, 2004 - 18 answers

Why toilet paper? On the subcontinent we wash the area with our lil water pots (lota). Just like if your hands get very dirty, you wash them, not just wipe off excess with tissue paper. So why the departure down there? Isn't it unhygenic?
posted by Mossy on Oct 13, 2004 - 41 answers

Do you sleep better when you brush your teeth before bed?

Most of the time, I do brush before bed. But on the rare occasions when I forget or I don't feel like it or I'm too tired, I find that my sleep is MUCH less fulfilling. Obviously, it could be the conditions that cause me to not brush that contribute, but I'm wondering if anyone else has seen the same thing.
posted by Caviar on Oct 9, 2004 - 7 answers