Gross Stuff People Over 50 Do That No One Talks About

In the privacy of your own home, you can do as you like. However, some older folks take it a bit too far, indulging in long nose-picking sessions that could make anyone feel queasy. Even worse, some people just flick their boogers wherever they please!

There are several reasons we might skip washing our clothes. Running the washing machine can be expensive, and the process—washing, drying, folding, and putting everything away—can take up a lot of time. Plus, sometimes we just forget, ending up wearing the same clothes multiple times due to our fading memories.

Many of us have the strange habit of taking our cell phones with us when we go to the bathroom—after all, we need something to do! Just maybe don’t let your friends and family know that you’re texting them while you’re doing your business.

If you’ve spent the day indoors, it might be tempting to skip your daily shower, thinking you’re still clean from the day before. However, that’s not quite true—dead skin cells and traces of sweat still need to be washed off before you head to bed.

There’s something oddly comforting about slipping your hands beneath the waistband of your pants. Sometimes it’s to keep warm, and other times it’s just about enjoying the feel of the fabric against your skin. Just make sure to do this at home, though—you might get some strange looks if you do it in public.

When you haven’t showered in a day or two, it can be tough to tell if you’re developing body odor. That’s where the sniff test comes in—simply raising your arm and taking a quick whiff to determine if you smell fresh or musty. If you find yourself uncertain, it might be best to jump in the shower for a thorough clean.

As memory fades, it can be tricky to remember what’s clean and what’s not, leading some people to reuse underwear, unsure if it’s still good for another day. The ultimate test? Give it a sniff. If it smells fine, it’s good to go.

Instead of using proper nail tools, many older folks often rely on their bare hands to care for their nails. Whether it’s digging out dirt or using brute force to clean them, it’s a gross habit that many people hesitate to admit.

Expiry dates are more like guidelines than strict rules, right? Many people over 50 often use the sniff test, giving their carton of milk a good whiff to check if it’s still good. If it smells fine, they’ll use it anyway, regardless of what the label says.

As we age, our skin can become dry and flaky, whether on our lips, nails, or toes. Many find comfort in picking at these dry patches, enjoying the smoothness that follows. However, it’s important to dispose of any bits of skin to keep your living space tidy and free from clutter.

Waste not, want not! Just because food has been left out for a while doesn’t mean it’s inedible. For most people, a good sniff is all it takes to determine if it’s still good to eat—no matter how long it’s been sitting on the kitchen counter.

Admit it—you’ve probably peed in the shower at some point in your life. There’s something about the warm, running water that triggers an urgent need to go. While the urine is washed away, it’s still a pretty gross habit, so it might be best to keep this one to yourself around family.

Washing your towel is a task that often gets overlooked, especially with so many other things demanding attention. As a result, it can go weeks without a proper wash, with the same towel used day after day. You’ll know it’s time to toss it in the washing machine when it starts to smell a bit musty.

As we age, more stray hairs often appear all over our bodies. Many people over 50 resort to pulling out the unwanted hairs from their noses or ears, yanking them out until their eyes water. Consider picking up a nose and ear trimmer next time you shop for a more pain-free way to manage hair removal.

It’s a sad reality that as we age, we often lose control over our bodily functions. A hard sneeze or laugh can lead to a little leakage, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of—aging affects us all, and some things are just unavoidable.

As time goes on, many women notice unwanted hairs appearing all over their bodies, especially on their faces. Instead of embracing a post-menopausal mustache, most women opt for plucking and shaving to keep their faces smooth and fuzz-free.

Spots aren’t just a teenage problem; they can affect those over 50 as well! Many older adults take great pleasure in spending entire afternoons squeezing stubborn spots, relishing the relief that comes when they finally manage to pop a particularly persistent pimple.

At the end of a long day, spending hours on a skincare routine can seem exhausting. Instead, many older women simply pick off their makeup, plucking at their eyelashes until the mascara is gone. And what to do with all that excess product? Just wipe it off on your clothes!

Let’s be honest—washing your hair can be a long and tedious process. With the demands of daily life, it’s easy to skip hair washing altogether. As a result, many seniors might go days or even weeks without using any product, allowing dirt to build up.

Seeing an ingrown hair can be tempting, leading many to pick at it with their nails in hopes of freeing it. However, this practice is not recommended, as it can open the skin and lead to infections. It’s best to let your body heal naturally, knowing that the ingrown hair will eventually find its way out on its own.

All makeup and skincare products have an expiry date, typically starting from when they’re opened. However, with slightly fading eyesight and a less-than-reliable memory, it can be tough to keep track of which cosmetics are still good. Many women choose to use their products until they run out, often ignoring the best-before dates altogether.

These little bits of fabric can be quite grim. Reusing the same cloth to wipe or blow your nose every day is unhygienic, leaving crusted snot to accumulate. Instead, opt for single-use tissues and throw away any soiled ones after use.

Staying hydrated is essential, especially as we age. While some people carry a trusty water bottle to help maintain their health, many forget to clean it properly. A quick rinse isn’t enough; using dish soap and warm, soapy water is the best way to eliminate all traces of bacteria.

If you’re gradually moving away from makeup, you might neglect to care for your products properly. Just because you’re using less foundation than before doesn’t mean you can skip washing the same brush every day.

As we age, we tend to appreciate our sleep more. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a mid-afternoon nap to recharge, but it’s important to remember how often you wash your blanket. The more time you spend wrapped up in your cozy blanket, the more you sweat, which means it needs to be washed more frequently.

Burping and farting are common side effects of aging. Many older folks often seem unconcerned about who hears their flatulence, letting it out wherever they are. To spare those around you from this unpleasant habit, it’s better to excuse yourself and pass gas in private.

Having food stuck in your teeth can be quite annoying, especially when it’s stubbornly wedged between your teeth. Instead of using your fingers to dig it out, it’s better to use dental floss, which can help reduce the risk of any potential illnesses.

After years of daily commitment, washing your face can sometimes feel like too much effort. As we age, many of us become less concerned about our outward appearance. If we skip washing our face and end up with a few pimples and wrinkles, we might just shrug it off.

No food should go to waste—especially leftovers. Many older people often revisit food that’s been sitting in the fridge for days, eating it no matter how long it’s been there.

As we age, we often care less about our clothes, including our underwear. Strange stains may appear on the fabric over time, but instead of tossing them out and getting new ones, many people continue to wear the same dirty garments repeatedly.

Who needs to wash clothes when a quick spritz of perfume can make you smell fresh? When you’re in a pinch and short on clean outfit options, it’s tempting to wear clothes that haven’t seen the washer in a while. Luckily, a few sprays can save the day and keep you smelling nice.

For some reason, many older folks tend to hold on to anything and everything. Boxes of stuff line their homes, filled with keepsakes to rummage through on a rainy day. However, keeping so many belongings can lead to a buildup of dust, leaving your home less clean than you might think.

Whether it’s due to declining hand-eye coordination or eyes that aren’t as sharp as they once were, many older ladies often sport smeared lipstick. Sometimes, the lipstick even spreads to their teeth, resulting in red smiles. And often, this lipstick ends up on their grandkids’ cheeks, leaving big kiss marks behind.

It’s almost a rite of passage—once you reach a certain age, you start handing out pieces of candy to your younger relatives. Unfortunately, these candies have often been stored in the depths of a purse or pocket, collecting bits of debris and dirt along the way. Yuck.

Always looking to save a few extra dollars, many over-50s share their bath water with their partners. While this can lower your water bill, it also means you’re soaking in the same dirt-ridden water as your spouse, making those savings not entirely worth it.

Ill-fitting dentures or weakened facial muscles can lead to noisy bouts of chomping, leaving your family members cringing. While it might be unavoidable, it’s a good idea to be mindful of how loud you’re chewing at the next family gathering.

When you spend a lot of time in the same environment, it’s easy to overlook stray pieces of dust or dirt. As a result, many homes of the boomer generation end up with a thin layer of dust. If keeping up with household chores becomes challenging, consider hiring outside help to maintain a clean space.

After years of strictly following food safety guidelines, concerns about food poisoning tend to fade. Double-dipping into cake batter or tasting sauce near raw chicken becomes common, making you wonder why you ever followed those strict rules in the first place.

In the comfort of your own home, you might feel less inclined to wash your hands often, thinking it’s just your own bacteria. However, frequent handwashing is still recommended to protect both yourself and your family from any harmful germs.

As we get older, we all pick up some habits that might seem a bit gross, but they’re just part of life. For those over 50, things like skipping a shower or reusing clothes might be more about comfort than anything else. These little quirks are just part of the reality of aging.

Yellow doesn’t mean it has to go down

If you’re over 50, you’re likely mindful of your money. Because of this, some older folks may skip flushing after a number one, letting the urine sit. It might seem gross, but with energy costs constantly rising, it’s a clever way to save a few dollars.