Let me just say it the way it is, being clean is not all about having money. I know people like to use poverty as an excuse, but some of us were raised to understand that no matter how broke you are, you shouldn’t be dirty. It’s not pride, it’s just common sense and self-respect.
I've seen people who don’t have plenty clothes but the few they have are always neat, ironed, and smell nice. I’ve also seen people who wear fine clothes with perfume on top, but when they lift their arms, the smell alone can confuse your brain. That’s when I knew that neatness is not by money.
Let’s talk about bathing. What does it really take? Water and soap. Even if the water is not running from a tap, you can fetch. Two buckets are enough. You don’t need fancy body wash or sponge that came from abroad. Even ordinary black soap will clean your body if you scrub well. I’ve used it. It works.
Toothpaste and toothbrush? Come on. Even if you don’t have money for all these sweet-smelling brands, you can buy the basic ones. Some people will have ₦500 for snacks or soft drink but say they don’t have money for toothpaste. That one is not poverty o, it’s just misplaced priorities.
Some people live in a single room, and you’ll enter and still feel peace. Everywhere clean, bed laid, no smell, clothes packed neatly while some that live in two-bedroom flats are so dirty, I saw a post on the Internet few weeks ago where this lady kept unwashed plates for more than a week, the plates have grown mold, and the kitchen looks like a refuge area, the roommate complained about her dirty attitude and that was why she made the video, the lady kept complaining that the was no enough time for her to tidy her house. what has money got to do with that one? That’s just being dirty.
Growing up, we didn’t have much. My mum used to say, “Poverty is not an excuse for smelling bad.” She would make sure we all bathed, brushed, and washed our clothes even if we were going nowhere. Our environment was always clean. She swept every day. We all did. No fancy mop or air freshener, just broom, dustpan, and water.
I don’t like when people look down on others because they don’t wear designers or smell like Victoria’s Secret. If you can’t afford perfume, bath well, wear clean clothes, use roll-on. Even if you can’t buy roll-on, some people use lemon or local alum. There’s always something. Let’s stop forming like we don’t know these things.
There are boys who won’t wash their boxers for one week, but they’ll be the first to form fresh guy. Some girls won’t wash their bras for weeks, yet they’ll be snapping selfies and saying “hot girl.” My sister, hotness starts with cleanliness. Let’s not deceive ourselves.
And yes, I know some things are expensive now. Even the price of detergent is scary. But it’s not every day you must wash clothes. You can plan it. Soap is still cheaper than hospital bills that come from infections due to dirt. Clean your body. Clean your space. Wash your plate. Sweep your floor. These things don’t cost much. They just need small effort.
Let’s also stop acting like rich people are always clean. I’ve entered houses with AC and tiles, and I couldn’t breathe from the smell of dirty toilet or piled-up dishes. Some people have housemaids and still live in mess. So it’s not about money. It’s about the kind of person you are.
Hygiene is about discipline. It’s how you carry yourself. How you respect your body and space. Whether you’re broke or balling, nobody likes someone who smells. Cleanliness is not luxury. It’s basic.
So please, let’s not confuse poverty with filthiness. Cleanliness has nothing to do with having much money, it is an habit that comes within, and out of willingness. If you care about yourself, you’ll find a way to stay clean. It’s not about how much you have. It’s about how much you value yourself.
This is my response to this episode of hivelearners community prompt of #hl-w176e01 which the topic is tagged MONEY BEGETS HYGIENE
