Although showering every day might seem like a no-brainer to you, lots of teens and tweens need to be taught the basics of personal hygiene. That’s why I designed this helpful handout that outlines everything you need to teach your child about staying clean and smell-free. Check it out!

As a mom of five, I’m right in the middle of navigating how to teach my tweens how to maintain good hygiene. Some kids are more aware than others, but all of them need a parent or teacher to guide them through the basics. Here’s some pointers to get them started, plus a helpful printable handout at the end of this post.

#1: Pits, privates and face

It’s time for your teen to start shaving. They might need a little bit of help the first time they use one. They can decide what parts of their body they prefer to shave. Remind them to replace their razors every seven days of regular use. These Venus Comfort Glides razors are great for girls and Harry’s is always a great fit for boys.

#2: Shower daily

This might seem like a no-brainer to us, but teens need to be reminded to shower EVERY SINGLE DAY. Puberty brings hormonal changes that can lead to increased body odor, acne, and oily skin. If they don’t shower, they’re going to stink. We had to require my son to shower every night because he simply wasn’t doing it on his own.

#3: Trim and clean nails

Lots of germs like to hide underneath the nails. Regularly cleaning and trimming your nails should be done once a week. Toenails can be trimmed less often–about every 4-6 weeks. Buy some fingernail clippers just for your child so they don’t have to go searching around the house for them.

#4: Kill the stink

Some tweens can start using deodorant as early as fifth or sixth grade. These kids can be very active during the day and produce a ton of sweat. Plus, they don’t want to be the stinking kid at school. Make sure they aren’t using cologne, perfume or body spray to mask the smell of the sweat. Deodorant or antiperspirant is the only way to kill or prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria.

#5: Fit check

Make sure your teen is washing their clothes regularly. Underwear, exercise clothes and socks need to be washed after being worn only one time. T-shirts and pants can be worn two or three times before needing to be washed. Many smells can be coming from that old shirt or pants they haven’t cleaned in weeks.

#6: What’s that smell?

If it smells like moldy cheese, it’s probably not coming from the fridge. Mostly likely your teenager needs to take off their gross socks and wash their feet. Make sure their shoes are clean and dry as well. Sometimes my son could never find a clean pair of socks so he would wear the same pair over and over. So gross.

#7: Zombie breath

If you’ve ever talked to someone with bad breath, it’s a definite turn-off. Some kids can’t make friends because their breath stinks. Well, that’s an easy fix. Tell your kids to brush their teeth morning and night and floss once per day. Bacteria tends to accumulate on the tongue, so you could even try a tongue scraper. Breath mints also help a lot.

#8: Zap your zits

Keep acne at bay by teaching your kids to wash their faces day and night. Use cleansers with salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. If your teen has chronic acne, consider visiting a dermatologist.

#9: Do the ‘do

Tweens and teens need to wash their hair often. If their hair is oily or if their scalp is itchy, they should wash it every day. They also need to brush and style their hair daily. My boys love Got 2b Glued hair gel. And although it’s kind of expensive, I buy it because it encourages them to do their hair every day.

#10: Catch some Zzzzs

During these developmental years, teens need more sleep than adults. Lack of sleep can lower energy levels, making it harder to maintain normal hygiene. It can also cause acne breakouts.

#11: Diet and exercise

Staying health overall effects your teen’s mental and physical health. When they feel good about themselves, it affects their outward appearance. Encourage healthy eating and regularly exercise.

Download your personal hygiene handout

I hope these ideas will help you as you’re teaching your tweens and teens about personal hygiene. I’ve compiled a one-page printable PDF that includes all of the information mentioned above. Click the link below to purchase and download.

Personal Hygiene for Teens and Tweens printable

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