Hygiene - Tumblr Posts
(via How often should you change your underwear? Experts weigh in)
“In situations with minimal activity and no sweating, changing [underwear] every other day may be acceptable,” Dr. Anju Methil, a dermatologist with India-based ClinicSpots, told the Daily Mail this week.
Experts reveal the best and worst underwear to wear for your health.
Breathability is key - Opt for lighter fabrics like cotton to help air circulate around the crotch area, which is important for vulvar health.
Keep things loose - avoid the "tighty whitie" adage and pick undergarments that don't ride-up or cause chafing.
Minimize your thong-use - While they're fine for a special occasion, wearing restrictive thongs year-round can increase the risk of bacterial vaginosis.
Go commando at night - Wearing your birthday suit to bed allows your private parts to get ventilation and reduces irritation to the skin.
Please change your underwear - Doctors say changing your underwear as often as possible can help keep bacteria, odors and infections at bay.
via nypost.com
Public Service Announcement: Brush 3 times a day, and eat pussy.
I’ve brushed my teeth at least once a day for two whole weeks!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!
This may not seem like a big deal for a lot of people but I’m really proud of myself for this!
I know to a lot of people, especially abled people (whether physically or mentally abled), the idea of not brushing your teeth regularly is gross or “repulsive” or makes someone disgusting and what not, but I think we need to accept that not everyone can engage in hygiene practices the same way as everyone else. Just because someone cannot brush their teeth, or shower, or brush the their hair daily or even weekly does not make someone less than or gross or less deserving of anything. We are all people and we all deserve the same respect and we all deserve to feel safe in this world. Everyone has different abilities and support needs. Everyone is their own person and can do what they’re able to and should not be forced to do more than they’re able to do safely or comfortably. Someone may choose to do more but they should not be forced to by others.
Disabled people are people and deserve the same respect as everyone else.
My ability to take care of myself changes daily sometimes even throughout a day and I shouldn’t feel like I’m being judged for doing the best I can when it doesn’t match what others think my best should be.
TL;DR: Someone’s ability to engage in hygiene practices should never ever determine their worth!!!!
EDIT: (September 6th, 2023) I am so proud of everyone in the replies/reblogs who struggle with hygiene too! You are all doing so good and you should be proud of what you’re able to do!
Oral hygiene is still important for birds even after all of their adult teeth fall out! While some birds are less fastidious about the daily cleaning routine, this Double Crested Cormorant appears to be enthusiastic about gargling. Ordinarily these birds have a pale pinkish-white mouth interior, so as you can see this DCC is probably using some sort of ‘cool mint’ mouthwash to rid themself of bad breath.
A male Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) in full breeding colors, gaping, at Morro Bay, California, USA
photograph by Gregory Smith | Flickr CC
Okay, so... I know we're here supporting autistic people who's symptoms are largely either internalized, invisible or easy to disguise as typical neurotypical quirkiness. And it's good that we're supporting that! Invalidating symptoms just because they're easier to hide in general society can be seriously damaging in many ways, and it's good that we're speaking out against it. But, like... You guys also have the backs of autistics with less normalizable, more difficult to manage and stigmatized symptoms that might be downright gross to people who don't have to live with them on a daily basis, and are just less wildly aknowlaged as symptoms because they don't have much to do with the image most people have in their heads of autism, right?
Because, like... I can't shower. I was unable to take proper care of my hygiene since my parents let me start doing it myself, and showers are such fucking sensory hell I can only get myself to do them every week or two, and even then can't bring myself to go through the additional layer of torture of applying soap then scrubbing it off my skin, and usually my method is to just lay down in the water for a while/press the head to different places over my body and let the water go over my skin and do as much washing as it physically can when I'm averse to scrubbing anything. And even that takes massive effort- every part from taking off my clothes to letting my skin get wet feels so awful I can't bring myself to do this nearly as often as I should be. My attitude for the day-to-day stuff is usually just to wash my torso (doesn't require dragging clothes over my bottom parts or getting them wet, which makes things a lot easier) in the sink and applying deodorant every few days- which is, don't get me wrong, still awful, but at least more manageable. And you guys will give me tips on how to manage my hygiene in this situation, and not call me gross for literally not being able to handle sensory problems in an area where they aren't cute or quirky... Right?
reblog if you think these are all valid reasons for a student or an employee to take a day off from their school or their job without their grades or paycheck being affected in any way:
- period cramps
- exhaustion, be it mental or physical
- depression, anxiety, and other mental health related issues
The 5 DOVE/TRESemme Products You Need to Try: Hair and Hygiene
Hello all, this blog post will be a compilation of the five products I received from DOVE and my review on them. Hope you all enjoy!
DOVE BEAUTY DRY SPRAY ANTIPERSPIRANT in PINK ROSA
I would absolutely recommend the Dove Beauty Finish Dry Spray Antiperspirant in the scent Pink Rosa! First of all, the design of the product is appealing, with the burgundy-tinted cap, and simplistic, easy to read text. Second of all, the scent is beautiful. My writing can't do the scent any justice, frankly. I've never tried any Dove products with Pink Rosa prior to this, but now I am definitely eager to! It smells simply wonderful, with a flowery (I suppose rosy) aroma. I even shared it with others, and they couldn't stop raving on how good it smelt! On top of that, the product isn't overwhelmingly strong, making it nice for casual use as, like going to school, the store, the gym, etc, while not causing irritation to yourself or others around you. Though I am sure the antiperspirant still works on treating the underarm, I am not sure that the scent retains for 48 hours, or at least as strongly as in the first 24. Focusing on the application of the product, the spray is light and airy, and doesn't leave your armpit feeling wet (especially if you spray from a distance of 6 inches). However, I will say, it took me quite a while to understand where to press, since the sprayer, for lack of a better word, is covered by a magenta-hued plastic cover, Finally, I realized that it was located towards the front, though sometimes I still have a hard time using my thumb to spray it on myself as opposed to on someone else. Concerning the antiperspirant's effect on my armpit, my underarm felt (and feels after today's spray) smooth and soft. I am not surprised, since the product claims to have moisturizers. And though I am not the type of person to just randomly rub my armpit during the day, it's still nice to know your armpits are smooth! Lastly, the product proves itself plenty, seeing as it contains 3.8 ounces, and just a small spritz of it makes a difference in the scent and feel of the underarm. I am pleasantly surprised at the great quality of this product, and my expectations for Dove are now high (this being one of my first, legit products from them). However, I feel like they'll have no trouble living up to them. I would absolutely, 10-out-of-10, recommend this product to a friend. Keep up the great work, Dove!
DOVE THICKENING RITUAL SHAMPOO
The Dove Nourishing Rituals Thickening Ritual Shampoo was a delight to use. First of all, the graphics of the bottle are alluring, and made me more interested in reading what it had to say. The bottle of the shampoo is also complimentary to the shape and cap of the same conditioner, which I though was such a cute idea. The idea of the thickening hair product is to essentially provide thickened and fuller hair after a wash, and provide a beautiful scent. It was also inspired by the hair care regime of French women who use lavender oils, arguably the greatest essential oil, and rosemary extract. That being said, in order to write a successful review, I am going to honestly answer whether Dove's claims equate with the product's results. When I applied the clear, gel-like solution on my hair and washed it out, my thick, tightly coiled hair (type 4C) did feel nourished. The lavender oil noticeably made my hair feel soft, smooth and healthy; the type of outcome you'd desire from a wash. However, concerning thickness, I'm not sure if my hair felt any thicker than it usually did. Probably, I felt no difference because of my hair type and thickness already, but that's what I observed. Now on to the scent: it was soothing for me as I applied the blend of lavender oil and rosemary extract unto my hair. I could smell mostly lavender, but I am sure the rosemary extract was present too. It reminds me of nature and acts as a stress-reliever. So for those who feel stressed out from a long day, this shampoo could work well for you! All in all, I really liked this product, it was relaxing putting it in my hair and washing it out, the scent pleasantly delighted my nose buds, and the smoothness of my hair afterwards was nice to see. Thanks for such an effective product, Dove. Though I am unsure about the thickness claim (at least for all hair types), I'd recommend this shampoo to friends!
DOVE THICKENING RITUAL CONDITIONER
The Dove Nourishing Rituals Thickening Ritual conditioner was easy and pleasurable to use! The appearance of the product was appealing, and I'm sure that if I was at Walmart browsing products to buy, the Dove thickening shampoo and conditioner would catch my eyes; they just look so eloquent, with the avid purple lavender leaves gracing the container's front. Concerning application, the conditioner was easy to apply, especially when your hair wet after rinsing off the Dove thickening shampoo. The product is white, compared to the shampoo that looks like a clear yellow, and has a creamy texture. The scent that diffuses from the product is so pleasant! For me, I cherished this smell more than I did the shampoo's. There are some delectable differences, as far as I am concerned. For results, after I rinsed the conditioner out, my hair felt smooth and silky like, which indicated that the conditioner helped retain and build back moisture. The conditioner also acted as an effective base for detangling, and I have type 4C, though I still needed a comb to fully separate the strands of my hair. As for the thickening of my hair, I felt that my hair stayed the same volume; I don't now if the claims waver with certain hair types and natural thickness, because I personally didn't observe much changes. In conclusion, the product is genuinely good. If you're looking for a conditioner that moisturizes hair, smells splendid, and aids in the detangling process, I recommend Dove's Thickening Ritual Conditioner. Thanks for letting me try out the product, Dove! I would absolutely recommend it to a friend.
TRESemme Extended Compressed Micro Mist, Level 4
The TRESemme Compressed Micro Mist is a necessity for any guy or gal who desires a hairspray! I have nothing but good words to describe the product, it's efficiency, and its work. My sister and I decided to spray some of it on our hair, since we had it styled for church at around 9:30 AM. Almost 12 hours later, and my hair is still textured, defined, and in place. Albeit, I am pleasantly surprised by the results because we didn't have to spray so much of the product to obtain great results; it was very light and made my hair feel natural. Another exciting thing that I observed was that the product doesn't leave an oily residue on your hand after you've made the mistake of subconsciously touching your hair. I've touched my hair quite numerously today, and not once did my hands feel greasy or had oil on them. As someone who's had that experience with many hairsprays, it is nice to not have to worry about staining a dress, shirt, jean, etc. or just having greasy hands! The last significant result of the product was that my hair had more movement. I don't know if it's due to the particular hairstyle I did or the product, but that was nice to see! In conclusion, my product made my hair feel natural, held the style I desired, did not emit grease, and gave my hair movement. This isn't a supernatural feat; I mean, It's TRESemme, and I always expect great, salon-material, products from them.
DOVE Style+Care Smooth and Shine Heat Protection Spray
I enjoyed using Dove's Style+Care Smooth & Shine Heat Protection, and would certainly recommend it to friends! After I shampooed and conditioned my hair, I spritzed one pump, 6 inches away from my and from the mid-shaft towards the ends of my hair. What caught my attention first, as usual I'd say, was the aroma . I'd describe it as being light, non-overwhelming, and sweet. Of course, that's a pro in a heat protection product, combating the metallic smell of straighteners, curlers, and other heat stylers. Secondly, when I straightened my hair, I could already see the sheen showing in my hair! It gave the straightened strands a sleek, natural, and nourished look. I can tell you firsthand, from lots of experience using heat products, that not many protection sprays finish off with those results. The spray was also light, which I love about all of these new Dove products, and leaves your hair light and voluminous, as opposed to weighed down. Thirdly, I noticed that the amount of frizz at the ends of my hair reduced significantly. Finally, my straightened strand of hair (I didn't straighten all of my hair, for the sake of going natural and heat free) maintained its straightness all of yesterday from around 12 in the afternoon til' the time I went to bed. Dove has once again exceeded my expectations and I'm so honored that I was chosen to test out their light. hair-nourishing, effective heat protection spray!
In Conclusion: I really enjoyed working with Crowdtap to receive these products and review them to the best of my ability. I was pleasantly surprised by Dove’s newest arrivals and I would definitely like to check out more of their products! It was also nice receiving a TRESemme item, seeing as I already fancy their brand and products! This was a very nice opportunity. #sponsored #crowdtap
vaginal hygiene & health - an introductory crash course
pass this on to spread knowledge whether you have one or not, #save-a-coochie
- the vagina is the tubular ‘internal’ sex organ that some people have. - the ‘vulva’ is the set of external sex organs that people with vaginas have. it includes (but not only):
pubic mound
labia minora and majora (inner/outer ‘lips’)
clitoris and clitoral hood
vulval vestibule (found in between your labia minora)
urethra (where you urinate from)
vaginal opening
-vaginas naturally contain a balance of different bacterias. this bacteria protects the vagina from external bacteria and fungus, provides natural disinfectants and maintains a healthy vaginal pH of 3.5-4.5.
-vaginal pH varies from person to person, day to day, depending on your cycle, your diet and many other external factors,
-all vaginas have a scent. all of them. no two people smell exactly the same, and you shouldn’t expect your vagina (or anyone else’s) to smell fruity or floral.
- if your worried about your scent, you can place perfume or an essential oil to an area around your vulva but not on it. some places like between your thighs or on your lower stomach, for example,
-your body secretes natural fluids called discharge. discharge is how your vagina self cleanses. it is completely normal and vital to healthy vaginal function.
-discharge can vary in amount, color, texture and scent depending on your cycle. each person is different. if your discharge is unusual or abnormal to you and your unique body - visit a doctor if possible.
-abnormal discharge can be green, grey, very yellow, smelly, itchy, chunky, etc.
-abundant discharge can be annoying. you can remove excess discharge in your shower by inserting one clean finger into your vagina, moving it from one side to another and ‘scooping’ the discharge out. repeat as needed. this reduces the amount of discharge found on your panties and in turn, reduces vaginal scent.
- dead skin cells and oil can build up between your clitoris and your clitoral hood, so it’s important to lift your hood up and rinse thoroughly so it doesnt harden.
-washing your “external” vulvar areas such as your public mound and outer lips is okay, though some may find skin here more sensitive.
-don’t douche. you may think it helps but it only masks any problems while causing more. douching throws of your flora, alters your PH and forces bacteria into your cervix.
-water and a soft, clean wash cloth is all you need to clean your vulvar areas that contain a mucous membrane. you do not need to wash these areas. applying soaps or cleaners to these areas removes of natural necessary lubricants and bacteria. this may cause irritation, inflammation, major discomfort and dryness. some amount of moistness should always be present.
-a vast majority of vaginal washes, even those touted as hypoallergenic, still contain dyes and fragrances which are known irritants. read the label.
-while Summer’s eve is a lesser of evils with a PH of 3.0 - 3.5 (still not quite correct), it is still a cleanser. vaginal washes are used to cleanse “bad” bacteria from your vulva. they also wash away the “good” bacteria needed to maintain a healthy balance.
-castile soaps (like Dr. Bronner’s) has a pH of about 8.9. these are not suggested.
-never insert any cleansing agents into your vagina.
-the information above applies to any gels, deodorants, perfumed products and wipes, too. these can all disturb your natural balance.
-while they still pose a possible risk of irritation, unscented baby wipes are the lesser of evils regarding “freshening up”.
-pay attention to your irritants and triggers. different people, different reactions
-everyone has different stances and different methods that work for them. if you aren’t experiencing vaginal discomfort or odd changes, you don’t have to discontinue certain product use. i do, however, recommend a trial period of leaving these products alone due to their effects on your vagina.
-allow your vagina to breathe. keep too-tight clothing to a minimum. cotton panties are the best option next to not wearing any at all. rotate the washcloth and towels you use to clean and dry your vagina.
-urinating after masturbation or sex reduces the amount of bacteria in your urethra wiping ‘front to back’ keeps rectal bacterial away from your vagina.
-naturally, food alters your vagina. balancing your diet in general and including things like pineapples, strawberries, yogurt, soy (the list goes on!) can influence your pH.
-beverages like water, cranberry juice and pineapple juice are also proven to improve vaginal health, and may even improve taste.
-adding a probiotic supplement can increase the amount of “good” bacteria called lactobacillus-your vagina.
-the less ideal your vaginal balance/pH is, the more vulnerable you are to infections and STDs.
-when it comes to internet home remedies, your mileage my vary. try everything with caution and research thoroughly.
cheers! your vagina will thank you.
Hi! I'm trying to balance my ph down there. I've seen soo many ppl recommending things that help overtime but I need to balance it out quickly. Thank you!
To Balance Your pH Overtime✧･ﾟ
Do This:
drink cranberry juice
take cranberry pills
wear loose panties
eat greek yogurt
eat more fruits like mangos, pomegranates, etc
take vaginal health vitamins if you want
let your kitty breathe at night
consume less meat & sugar
Do Not Do This:
leave your tampons in too long
use scented tampons or pads
don’t use bath & body works on your kitty, the inner parts of your thigh is close enough
have unprotected sex (semen is alkaline)
To Balance Your pH Within A Week✧･ﾟ
Flush out your system with water for the next two days (double the water intake you usually do)
Try to wear no panties around the house so it can breathe
Eat a lot of yogurt like a lot a lot
take a nice quick bath with 4 tbs of ACV should do the trick within a week
Hi! I'm trying to balance my ph down there. I've seen soo many ppl recommending things that help overtime but I need to balance it out quickly. Thank you!
To Balance Your pH Overtime✧･ﾟ
Do This:
drink cranberry juice
take cranberry pills
wear loose panties
eat greek yogurt
eat more fruits like mangos, pomegranates, etc
take vaginal health vitamins if you want
let your kitty breathe at night
consume less meat & sugar
Do Not Do This:
leave your tampons in too long
use scented tampons or pads
don’t use bath & body works on your kitty, the inner parts of your thigh is close enough
have unprotected sex (semen is alkaline)
To Balance Your pH Within A Week✧･ﾟ
Flush out your system with water for the next two days (double the water intake you usually do)
Try to wear no panties around the house so it can breathe
Eat a lot of yogurt like a lot a lot
take a nice quick bath with 4 tbs of ACV should do the trick within a week
reblog if you think these are all valid reasons for a student or an employee to take a day off from their school or their job without their grades or paycheck being affected in any way:
- period cramps
- exhaustion, be it mental or physical
- depression, anxiety, and other mental health related issues
easy hygiene tips ♡
to improve physical appearance , health and hygiene are a must.
water ♡
water. please , for the love of god , drink water. get up rn and go drink some water. water does so much , want clear skin? water. want to lose weight? water. want to feel more refreshed? water. ITS SO HELPFUL!! you really don't want to be dehydrated, it has so many negative effects.
i would aim for around 2 liters (8 full glasses) a day , but you can slowly increase your water intake over the span of a few weeks if you're not ready for that. if you like me and forget to drink , set alarms or reminders for when you need to.
apple cider vinegar ♡
okay , yes, it tastes gross, but it's so good for your PH!! just drink 2 teaspoons everyday (dilute with water first) , trust me it will make your body sweat and kitty smell (and taste) soo much better!! it can also help u lose weight , decrease waist size and is so good for your skin!!
easy oral hygiene ♡
brush your teeth at least 3 times a day. i normally opt for brushing my teeth twice in a row morning and night , and once during the day (yes , even if i'm at school). also , don't forget to floss!! most importantly u wanna b scraping/brushing your tongue, along with brushing your gums and the roof of your mouth!! If you're not brushing regularly and not brushing your tongue, your breath is gonna stink.
another tip - mints > gum. no matter how minty your gum is , if you're chewing it all day it's gonna make your breath smell bad. a sugar-free mint that specialises in good breath every morning helps so much for me.
shower/bath care ♡
please wash behind your ears and your belly button. every part of your body should be clean!!! you don't want build-up.
exfoliate before and after u shave. this will leave u feeling SO smooth and helps avoid razor bumps , if you have sensitive skin (like me) it can help avoid irritation (i get SO itchy and my skin gets covered in red bumps if i don't exfoliate when shaving). personally, i don't suffer from oily skin , but if u do, exfoliating afterwards helps remove any dirt from clogged pores and any residue build-up!
use different clothes depending on what part of your body you're cleaning!! use a softer cloth for your face and kitty , and use regular clothes for the main part of your body and bum. NEVER wash your face in the shower! you want your face to have its own personal time for you to clean it so you can really focus on it. also , hot water from the shower can damage your skin and make it dry. your shower head also probably has a lot of bacteria hiding in it, so please wash your face separately after your shower.
Posted by Steven Payne to Facebook group British Medieval History:
People in the Middle Ages valued sweet smelling breath and bodies, seeing them as desirable, so there is a great deal of evidence from the period of tooth pastes, powders and deodorants. Contrary to the typical Hollywood depiction of medieval peasants with blackened and rotting teeth, the average person had teeth which were in fairly good condition, mainly due to the rarity of sugar in the diet. Most medieval people could not afford sugar and those who could used it sparingly. Archaeological data shows that only 20% of teeth had signs of decay, as opposed to 90% in the early twentieth century. The main dental problem for medieval people was not decay but wear, due to a high content of grit in the main staple, bread. For deodorants, soap was available for the wealthy, but a variety of herbs and other preparations were also used. Soapwort is a plant native to Europe and Asia which, when soaked in water, produces an effective liquid soap. Mint, cloves and thyme were also extensively used by simply rubbing into the skin, and alum (hydrated potassium aluminium sulphate) was an effective deodorant. I am trying to keep to 14th century technology on my pilgrimage to Canterbury, which gives me various options when looking at hygiene. In the middle ages people generally cleaned their teeth by rubbing them and their gums with a rough linen cloth, or the chewed end of a stick. There are various recipes for pastes and powders that could be put on the cloth to help clean the teeth, but I have chosen simple salt to whiten them and to aid fresh breath. I will also be using the stick method, and will be taking along a supply of liquorice root sticks for that purpose. I also have a few blocks of alum, which when rubbed into wet skin has a deodorising effect. Alum, like beeswax, was used extensively in the middle ages for a variety of purposes, also being useful: * in the purification of drinking water as a flocculant * as a styptic to stop bleeding from minor cuts * as a pickling agent to help keep pickles crisp * as a flame retardant * as an ingredient in modelling clay * as an ingredient in cosmetics and skin whiteners * as an ingredient in some brands of toothpaste The photograph shows my wash kit including home made olive oil soap, salt for the teeth, a block of deodorising alum, cloves, a boxwood comb made for me by Peter Crossman of Crossman Crafts and some liquorice root sticks, all on a woollen ‘towel’. Note that the cloves are kept in a ventilated box….this is because insects hate the smell of cloves and so a perforated box will keep them out of my kit and food bag when I am sleeping rough. TIP: If you steep some cloves to obtain the oil and put the liquid around the doors and windows of your house, it keeps spiders and insects out.
gonna go shower now, wish me luck :3
Can we all collectively agree as a species to never make Yellow bath bombs, please? I don't care what color theory bullshit is the reason you are just bathing in piss water. Stop making yellow bath bombs.
Posted by Steven Payne to Facebook group British Medieval History:
People in the Middle Ages valued sweet smelling breath and bodies, seeing them as desirable, so there is a great deal of evidence from the period of tooth pastes, powders and deodorants. Contrary to the typical Hollywood depiction of medieval peasants with blackened and rotting teeth, the average person had teeth which were in fairly good condition, mainly due to the rarity of sugar in the diet. Most medieval people could not afford sugar and those who could used it sparingly. Archaeological data shows that only 20% of teeth had signs of decay, as opposed to 90% in the early twentieth century. The main dental problem for medieval people was not decay but wear, due to a high content of grit in the main staple, bread. For deodorants, soap was available for the wealthy, but a variety of herbs and other preparations were also used. Soapwort is a plant native to Europe and Asia which, when soaked in water, produces an effective liquid soap. Mint, cloves and thyme were also extensively used by simply rubbing into the skin, and alum (hydrated potassium aluminium sulphate) was an effective deodorant. I am trying to keep to 14th century technology on my pilgrimage to Canterbury, which gives me various options when looking at hygiene. In the middle ages people generally cleaned their teeth by rubbing them and their gums with a rough linen cloth, or the chewed end of a stick. There are various recipes for pastes and powders that could be put on the cloth to help clean the teeth, but I have chosen simple salt to whiten them and to aid fresh breath. I will also be using the stick method, and will be taking along a supply of liquorice root sticks for that purpose. I also have a few blocks of alum, which when rubbed into wet skin has a deodorising effect. Alum, like beeswax, was used extensively in the middle ages for a variety of purposes, also being useful: * in the purification of drinking water as a flocculant * as a styptic to stop bleeding from minor cuts * as a pickling agent to help keep pickles crisp * as a flame retardant * as an ingredient in modelling clay * as an ingredient in cosmetics and skin whiteners * as an ingredient in some brands of toothpaste The photograph shows my wash kit including home made olive oil soap, salt for the teeth, a block of deodorising alum, cloves, a boxwood comb made for me by Peter Crossman of Crossman Crafts and some liquorice root sticks, all on a woollen ‘towel’. Note that the cloves are kept in a ventilated box….this is because insects hate the smell of cloves and so a perforated box will keep them out of my kit and food bag when I am sleeping rough. TIP: If you steep some cloves to obtain the oil and put the liquid around the doors and windows of your house, it keeps spiders and insects out.