In the world of dating, cleanliness counts. One of the very first things a girl notices when she meets a man is how clean he is: does he have brushed teeth and fresh breath, trimmed hair, and does he smell good? Being unclean or not paying attention to the tidyness of your home or car is one of the quickest ways to drive a girl away. By following these cleanliness and hygiene dating tips, you can avoid scaring a girl off with stray nose hairs, a dirty bathroom or body odour.

Did you know that by the time you catch a whiff of yourself, a girl will have smelled you long before? We become immune to our own body smells, which is why many people with body odour (BO) seem so oblivious, even when they smell terrible. Bathing means fully immersing yourself in water and lathering yourself up with soap – not using a washcloth to clean your parts or spritzing a few squirts of cologne before you head out the door. Shower and bathe regularly, especially before you go out on a date with a girl.

When you're toweling off, put on deodorant and a light spray of cologne if you'd like. Your dating routine should also include cleaning your ears with Q-tips - there is nothing appealing about bits of ear wax showing while your date tries to eat her appetizer. Check that your fingernails and toenails are frequently trimmed and scrubbed to prevent dirt and bacteria from spreading. Another hygiene dating tip: inspect your nose, ears and sideburns for rogue hairs.

Now, onto the shave. Unless you have a well-kept beard or moustache, make sure you're clean shaven and that there is no scruff on your neck, along your jawline or near your sideburns. If you're going on a date with a girl that day, getting a haircut a few hours before shows that you care about your appearance.

Brushing your teeth is one of the most essential steps of your dating hygiene routine. Bad breath is an instant turnoff, and it can creep up easily after a meal, coffee or glass of wine. Keep your mouth clean to prevent bacteria from becoming trapped between your teeth and on your tongue – that's what causes bad breath. Always carry a tin of mints or pack of gum for those times you won't be able to brush.

Here's a dating tip if you want to make sure that you're always prepared: carry a small travel bag in your car or backpack, complete with a toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, razor and comb for those last minute-touchups

So, we've covered the dating tips on keeping yourself nice and clean, but what about your home? In most cases, girls are more aware of cleanliness than guys, which is why you have to look at your living space with a woman's eyes: check the kitchen floors, the bathroom and the carpet – do you see dustballs, or dirt, or specks of food? A sure way to make a poor impression on a girl you're dating the first time you take her to your home is by living in a pigsty, with a sink piled high with greasy dishes or a mountain of clothes piled on the bed. If you're lucky enough that a girl sees the inside of your bedroom, don't ruin your chances with sweaty or dirty bedsheets – wash them every week.

Dating cleanliness and hygiene also extends to your car. If you know a girl is going to be in your vehicle, clean out the fast food wrappers in the back seat, vacuum the inside of your car, and wipe down the dashboard.

Girls appreciate guys who make an effort, and in dating, that extends to your personal hygiene and cleanliness!