A question about how hygiene standards have changed over the years.

I know that decades ago, it was commonplace to teach children to bathe once or twice a week. But was it also commonplace to teach children to brush their teeth less? Change their socks less? Etc.
How often were you taught to brush your teeth and change your socks, wash your hair, etc?

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Mamapolo2016 · F

We brushed twice daily, bathed usually twice a week (eight people, one bathroom, which was the norm, unless somebody got dirtier than usual). Clean clothes daily. Thorough washing everyday (did you wash behind your ears? Let me see your fingernails).

We didn't see a dentist unless there was a problem. When I was little, the doctor came to the house.

33person · 26-30, M

@Mamapolo2016 Doesn't this contradict what you said was the laundry rule?

GlassDog · 41-45, M

One bath per week (and we shared water), brush teeth twice a day, morning and night, and a new pair of socks every morning (or more often if you stood in something).

33person · 26-30, M

@GlassDog Interesting that only bathing seems to have changed.

GlassDog · 41-45, M

@33person Partly I think it's because I was only 6 or 7 and didn't really sweat. As soon as I got to 11 or 12, I had to wash every day.

Vivaci

Bathe once a week? Ewwww....

We were expected to bathe daily, brush twice daily, pray daily, and polish our shoes daily. ....yeah, I'm glad I went to convent school and my mom was borderline OCD.

33person · 26-30, M

@Vivaci I'm talking 60+ years ago

Vivaci

@33person Well, I hope my grandparents bathed everyday. 😅

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Zeuro · 26-30, F

When I was little I only had to bathe every other day

SmartAZ · 100+, M

Take a bath before you go to town or some important occasion. People used to assume they would have to have dentures, so brushing teeth was not a big deal. I mean a bride-to-be would get all her teeth pulled before the wedding so her husband would not have to bear that expense.

REMsleep · 41-45, F

Bathe once daily, brush teeth twice daily, wash hair once weekly or biweekly (cultural).

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