Hygiene

Hygiene in the Sims 1
After a while, Sims start to get dirty, and if they get very dirty, they start sniffing themselves and saying, ‘Ewww!’. Bad hygiene won’t kill a Sim, but it will seriously affect their mood and their social skills – bad hygiene won’t get a Sim promoted at work either. Therefore, it is necessary to take a bath or shower when the Hygiene metre slips into the red – a hot tub also works, but not as well, although it can boost the Social and Fun bars as well. Washing one's hands after going to the bathroom also improves this rating, as does brushing teeth. In order to facilitate the latter activities, be sure to have a medicine cabinet, bathroom cabinet and sink. Sometimes, the shower leaks after a Sim has been in it, so it’s handy to have a mop ready.

Pets

Cats will clean themselves whenever they get dirty, so Hygiene is no problem for them. Dogs, however, will not wash themselves. When a dog starts scratching himself, it's a sure sign that he needs a bath.