How to wash your hair

It’s a myth that washing your locks frequently is bad for your hair. But how often should it be done, and what’s the best way to use conditioner?

As I integrated back into regular life, brushing my teeth helped heal my mind

Recovering from a detonation of one’s brain has a lot to do with routine

How to wash your hands properly

The bad bacteria we pick up on our fingertips can lead to infection, but we often miss them when washing. An expert from the Royal College of Nursing advises on how to maintain good hygiene

Hand dryers v paper towels: the surprisingly dirty fight for the right to dry your hands

The long read: For a century, the humble paper towel has dominated public toilets. But a new generation of hand dryers has sparked a war for loo supremacy

Boil your dishcloths! How to make your everyday environment cleaner than a toilet seat

From doors to bank notes, bacteria gets everywhere – including your friend’s smartphone. Here’s a short guide to cleaning up your act

I lose at least half a pound in weight in the shower. What’s going on?

The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions on subjects ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific concepts

How our beds are dirtier than chimpanzee nests

A new study has revealed that a third of the bacteria in our beds is from our own bodies and may be causing health problems – while chimps’ nests are almost spotless

Dentists warn of child tooth decay crisis as extractions hit new high

NHS surgeons removed multiple teeth from under-18s in England a record 42,911 times in 2016-17, figures show

Why does Tory MP Tim Loughton spend an hour in the bath every morning?

The ex-minister says the shower is ‘one of the greatest sources of stress in the world’. Let’s hope he never has to face one of his own government’s disability assessments

Is washing-up liquid left on dishes a health hazard?