Gum disease is increasingly linked to heart disease and diabetes.
In other words, soap and water may prevent acne, rashes, and life-threatening illnesses.
Not washing your face regularly may cause blocked pores, which can lead to blackheads, pimples, and uneven skin tone owing to skin cell overgrowth.
"Bacteria proliferate fast," explains Frances, so unwashed bed linens create a breeding ground for germs, fungi, dust mites, and more.
Dr. Mendelsohn compares using contact lenses for a week or more to wearing soiled underwear every day.
Untreated urinary tract infections may spread to the kidneys and cause life-threatening sepsis.
Poor oral hygiene is bad enough—you don't need someone else's microorganisms contaminating yours.
After many showers, they reuse towels before washing them. Towels used more than once or at the gym should be washed immediately.
Walking barefoot may spread ringworm, athlete's foot, and nail fungus, among other difficult-to-treat illnesses.
Keeping hydrated is crucial, but refilling your throwaway plastic water bottle too frequently or without cleaning it might be as unsanitary as licking your dog's toys.
Unwashed fruits and vegetables may cause food poisoning, and certain pesticides can cause severe illnesses.
There are varying degrees of toxicity when the glues get into the eye.
Toxic shock syndrome—a life-threatening infection—is the most common result of not changing your tampon often enough.
Never washing your hair—even with water. Your scalp smells first. Bacteria will block hair follicles and cause inflammation.
Sponge germs are renowned. It's easy to forget how long you've been reusing the same sponge, but it might be getting you ill.