How Homestay Hosts Can Address Personal Hygiene and Cleanliness with Students

Welcoming international students into your home can be an enriching experience, however, like any living arrangement, it’s natural to encounter some challenges. One topic that might be uncomfortable to talk about with your guests are matters of personal hygiene and cleanliness. This can be an embarrassing topic for the guest and the host, so addressing these issues tactfully and respectfully is key to maintaining a comfortable and respectful home environment for everyone.

We’ve put together some tips to help hosts have these conversations.

In this blog post…
Understanding Why This Might Happen
Speaking with your Homestay Guest
Common Issues and How to Address Them
Summary & Conclusion

Understanding Why This Might Happen

Different cultures have diverse practices when it comes to personal hygiene and cleanliness, and what may seem unusual to a host can be perfectly normal for the guest. For instance, toilet habits, bathing routines or even cleaning preferences can vary widely across cultures. Additionally, your guest’s family background and upbringing can influence their expectations and behaviours. It’s helpful to learn about the customs of your guest’s home country before they arrive. This way you can prepare for any differences that might cause a misunderstanding.

Another important thing to remember is that the products your homestay guests are familiar with may not be available in Australia, or those products don’t work well in our climate. Younger guests might also need some guidance on developing a hygiene routine to remain fresh and confident as their body changes.

Addressing these issues thoughtfully will help avoid any embarrassment and help your guest adjust to their new living environment.

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Speaking with your Homestay Guest

It’s important to approach any personal hygiene concerns with kindness and understanding. We want to help solve the issue without causing any embarrassment. Here are some tips:

1. Provide Clear Expectations: It’s helpful to provide guests with a basic understanding of your household expectations when they first arrive. The AHN House Rules offer the perfect opportunity to introduce key personal hygiene and cleanliness topics, show your guest around your home, and explain how to use the facilities. Note that English is often not a student’s first language so they may not understand everything you say the first time around; providing information in writing will give your guest time to reflect and translate the document if needed.

Additional information is provided in the Keeping Things Fresh and Clean in Homestay help sheet. We’ve kept this in a basic editable format so you can add and remove text depending on the area/s that need extra attention or repeating as the homestay progresses.

2. Be Gentle and Non-Accusatory: When addressing a sensitive topic like personal hygiene, it’s essential to avoid sounding critical or judgmental. Keep the conversation confidential and avoid discussing sensitive topics in front of other members of the household. You can choose a neutral setting like the backyard, or even in the privacy of the car where it’s comfortable, there are less distractions and direct eye contact isn’t necessary as the focus is on the road/your surrounds.

Start by acknowledging the differences in cultural practices. You might say, “I understand that in <guest’s country>, it’s common to do things a bit differently, and I want to help you feel comfortable in our home,” then move onto the topic at hand. Incorporating real-life examples of how you’ve resolved these issues with your own family members or other homestay guests is also very useful.

3. Use Visual Cues or Demonstrations: Students might not fully understand the expectations. It can be helpful to offer a demonstration or visual cues, particularly when it comes to cleanliness. For example, if they’re leaving a mess after using the toilet, you could show them how to use the toilet brush and clean off the seat. Running them through how someone clears the table and loads the dishwasher after dinner could be an opportunity for them to learn how to help with household chores.

4. Be Open to Their Perspective: Listen to your guest’s explanations and show empathy. For example, if they’re not using deodorant, they might not have realised it’s essential in Australia because of the weather. Kindly explain that it’s common in for people to wear deodorant here as it can get pretty hot and sweaty. Offer a solution, such as showing them what deodorant your family members use or recommending a local store where they can purchase some.

5. Be Patient and Positive: Change takes time, especially when it comes to adjusting to a new culture. Offer positive reinforcement when the student follows your suggestions. A simple, “I noticed you’ve been putting your dirty dishes straight in the dishwasher—thank you! It makes it a lot easier to clean up after dinner when we all do that,” can go a long way in encouraging good habits.

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Common Issues and How to Address Them
(Use demos where appropriate)

1. Using the Toilet

In some cultures, it’s traditional to squat over the toilet instead of sitting. In others there is minimal access to toilet paper or it’s considered cleaner to rinse off with water or use a bidet instead of wiping with toilet paper. Guests may also be from an area where the sewerage system and pipes haven’t been modernised so they aren’t able to flush paper down the toilet. Leaving the toilet bowl dirty is another common issue we hear about, which often comes down to different standards of cleanliness, never having to keep a shared space clean, or simply not knowing how it’s done. This can lead to broken toilet seats, messes, and other problems that are unpleasant for the host.

If you’re hosting a female student, we also recommend showing them where to dispose of sanitary items when they arrive.

Showing students the Using the Toilet in Australia infographic can help prevent issues.

What to say:

• “I know in some countries, people squat instead of sitting on the toilet. In Australia, we generally sit on the toilet like we’re sitting on a chair. I’d really appreciate it if you could sit down when using it so the seat doesn’t break.”
• “After you use the toilet, please use the toilet brush to clean the inside of the bowl. Just scrub the inside a little and then flush. You can also wipe the seat with some toilet paper if there’s anything on there. It only takes a minute, and it keeps things clean for everyone.”
• “I understand things work differently in <guest’s country>, but toilets here in Australia are built so toilet paper can go down them. After you finish using the toilet, please use some toilet paper to clean yourself then drop it in the toilet bowl. Don’t leave it on the floor or put it in the bin. Once the toilet paper is in the bowl, press the button to flush it away.”

2. Washing Clothes in the Sink

Some students may be used to washing their clothes or underwear by hand in the sink, which might not be hygienic in a shared living space.

What to say:

• “I see that you’ve been washing some of your clothes in the sink. Could you please use the washing machine instead? It’s much easier and cleaner – we can get a wash bag for your underwear if you’d like to keep them separate from all the other clothes.”
• “If you’re unsure about the washing machine, I can explain how it works. We use the sink to brush our teeth and wash our face, so let’s keep it just for that.”

3. Not Using Deodorant

In some cultures, the use of deodorant isn’t as common, and students may not realise it’s expected in many Western countries. Some teenagers may not be aware that they need to adjust their personal hygiene routine now their body has changed and need some gentle steering to get them on the right track.

What to say:

• “It’s been pretty hot here lately so I’ve been freshening up during the day with some extra deodorant. This is the one I use – you can give it a try if you’d like.”
• “Australia’s weather is very different to <guest’s country>. Do you wear a certain brand of deodorant back home, or do you use something else to stay fresh?”
• “Are you using a deodorant or an antiperspirant? You might find that someone your age/in this weather will have more success with an antiperspirant. Let’s look at the shops together.”
• “You’re reaching an age where you should be wearing deodorant every day. If you need any help choosing a deodorant or antiperspirant, or if you’re unsure about how to use it, I can help you. It can help you feel fresh and comfortable throughout the day.”

4. Not Showering Frequently Enough

There are many reasons why a guest might not maintain the same level of personal hygiene you are used to. They may not have everything they require and are too shy to ask for help. In some cultures, regular showers may not be as accessible or common. They also may not be aware of the impact poor hygiene can have on social interactions.

• “Is everything OK? I’ve noticed that you haven’t been showering every day. Do you have everything you need? Do you need me to show you how something works?”
• “As a teenager, it’s important that you have a good self-care routine. A daily shower and applying deodorant are very important so you smell fresh and can focus on having a good time while you’re at school or hanging out with your friends.”
• “If you need any help with anything, like finding toiletries that work better for you, we can have a look at the supermarket together.”

5. Water All Over the Bathroom

Some overseas bathrooms are open plan and are designed to drain large quantities of water very quickly. A number of cultures are also used to bathing by pouring buckets of water over themselves.

Explain the customary way to shower and bath in Australia, and show your student how we usually stand in the shower with the door or curtain closed to prevent water damage to your floors.

What to say:

• “You might not be used to this, but in Australia we wash inside the shower cubicle with the door closed so water doesn’t get onto the bathroom floor. Please don’t stand outside the shower and splash water over yourself. The floor gets very slippery and I don’t want anyone to fall over.”
• “I’ve noticed a lot of soap and dirty water has been left on the bathroom floor. If you’re not cleaning yourself inside the shower or closing the shower door, water can end up in areas it’s not meant to go and cause mould to grow. Can you please make sure to stand under the shower so the bathroom stays dry and clean for everyone to use?”

6. Leaving Bathroom Towels Wet

Some students may leave towels wet or hung in places that can cause them to go mouldy or smell. This is especially common if they are unfamiliar with drying towels properly.

What to say:

• “It’s important to hang your towel up to dry after you’ve had a shower. If you leave them wet, they can start to smell and get worn out. There’s a hook in the bathroom where you can hang your towel.”
• “I’ve been finding your wet towel on the floor of your bedroom. Please hang it on the towel rack so it can dry properly. The carpet might be damaged if you keep leaving your towel on the floor and your room will smell a lot fresher if your towel is in the bathroom.”

7. Leaving Food or Dirty Dishes in the Bedroom or Around the Kitchen

Your guests may not be accustomed to cleaning up after themselves immediately after meals. Others might be used to eating in their bedroom, which can attract pests like ants, cockroaches, or even rodents.

What to say:

• “After meals, it’s really important to clean up right away, especially in shared spaces like the kitchen. Could you please put any extra food away and clean your dishes when you’re done eating? It helps keep the kitchen nice for everyone.”
• “I know in some families it’s normal to leave dishes for one person to clean up, but here, everyone needs to put their own dishes in the dishwasher.”
• “Please don’t eat food in your bedroom. A friend told me they ended up with mice in their house because their son was snacking in his room all the time. We don’t want that to happen here.”

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Summary

• Be Direct but Tactful: It’s important to be clear with your expectations, but always approach the conversation in a friendly, non-judgmental way. Saying something like, “I know you may not be used to doing things this way, but in our home, we like to <insert your routines/processes>” can help clarify expectations without sounding critical.
• Offer Help: If your student is unfamiliar with how things work in your home, offer to guide them through the process. “If you’re unsure what to do, I’m happy to show you.”
• Show Empathy: Cultural adjustments can be overwhelming, so always approach conversations with understanding. “I realise this might be new to you, but I really appreciate your efforts to keep the house clean and comfortable.”
• Maintain Open Communication: Encourage your student to ask questions about things they might not understand. Keep the lines of communication open to ensure any issues are addressed early on, before they become bigger problems.

Conclusion

Addressing hygiene and cleanliness issues in a homestay requires patience, sensitivity, and clear communication. By understanding your student’s background and being thoughtful in your approach, you can guide them toward good practices without causing embarrassment. With a little empathy and respect, both the host and the student can enjoy a positive, harmonious living experience. Please reach out to your local AHN office if you require any further support.