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AIBU?

To ask how often you shower / wash?

182 replies

springthorn · 11/10/2013 00:58

This came up in a conversation with friends the other day. Some shower morning and night, some just once a day, others only once every couple of days and then others only when they have to leave the house, so potentially less than that! Just wondered what was "normal" for you?

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ComtesseDeSpair · 11/10/2013 01:09

Most days twice, morning and evening. Morning to be clean and presentable and feel fresh for leaving the house and evening because I go running or to the gym most evenings.

I know that supposedly we all wash more than necessary but I know a couple of people who only shower every other day or less and they honestly do usually whiff a bit. I'd feel grotty without at least a morning shower.

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JulietBravoJuliet · 11/10/2013 01:09

Every morning, apart from occasionally if I've had a bath last thing at night, and I'm not doing much the next day, then I might skip my shower, but I always have a wash before I leave the house.

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Mellowandfruitful · 11/10/2013 01:11

Shower daily in the morning.

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springthorn · 11/10/2013 01:14

I grew up in a household where it was drummed into me to wash morning and night regardless. As an adult, I'd definitely never leave the house in the morning without showering and wash in the evenings too if I'm going to the gym or on a night out, but if I'm staying in, I often don't bother. When I said this to my friends I was shocked that they were shocked at the frequency - several of them seem to wash less, perhaps only every other day, although I've never noticed them smelling unpleasantly!

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EBearhug · 11/10/2013 01:21

It depends. I have a bath most evenings, as it's partly for relaxation and washing the day away before I sleep, and yes, I know it's not very eco friendly. Yesterday was unusual, but I got distracted by MN, and it was rather late, so I just went to bed and had a shower in the morning before work.

I shower after swimming, but I'm not sure that counts, as I've been in water anyway. Usually after yoga, unless it's the weekend and I'm home alone. I would shower if I've got particularly grimy while gardening, and I've also showered in the summer to cool down, and also when I've been having an allergic reaction to cats or pollen - then I might shower to ease the itching and wash the allergen off. I will also shower before a big night out.

Generally bath or shower once a day, though. I have been known to go two days when it's the weekend, and I'm just staying at home, and just have a strip wash instead. It's not like that takes any less time than a shower, so it's a strange way of being lazy.

I do remember when I was doing one of my DofE expeditions back in the last millenium - we were doing 3 or 4 days across Dartmoor, and on the second night, I washed my hair by the river we were camping near. I felt about a hundred times better, even though the water was rather icy. No showers though, just a good wash of the sweatier parts. We were all in the same state, so I don't think we offended each other's noses too badly.

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scurryfunge · 11/10/2013 01:25

Shower daily and will sometimes bath at night too. Have sometimes showered at work too when needed.

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springthorn · 11/10/2013 01:25

My DP never showers, he always has a bath. At first I grumbled at him that this wasn't very economical, but then I tried putting the bath plug in when I showered over the bath and realised that my shower actually used just as much water as his bath! I do find baths very relaxing :-)

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pollywollydoodle · 11/10/2013 01:27

i wash most mornings and most evenings ...unless i am home alone and having a slobbing day.
i probably shower 2 or 3 times a week. maybe more if it's hot.

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springthorn · 11/10/2013 01:30

My parents, despite showering twice a day, never bathe - they say they hates the feeling of being submerged in water, whereas I love it. When they had their new bathroom fitted, they got rid of the bath altogether. I really wouldn't want to live in a house without a bath!

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OctoberNights · 11/10/2013 01:31

I'm disabled now so one a week on good weeks , one a a month on bad.

I don't stink or smell so have come to the conclusion that the frequency I bathed before (one shower a morning with frequent evening bathing) was a waste of time and water

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springthorn · 11/10/2013 01:31

*hate, not hates

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springthorn · 11/10/2013 01:33

OctoberNights that's interesting, because I have a friend who stopped washing his hair and after a couple of months of looking greasy it naturally started to cleanse itself. I can imagine that our bodies have the capacity to do the same - I've never tried it myself though.

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Leavenheath · 11/10/2013 01:34

Shower every morning. In summer it's not unusual to have 3 a day (especially this past summer). Love baths on winter evenings or when very cold, but come what may, will have always showered in the morning.

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poppingin1 · 11/10/2013 01:47

I was brought up to wash daily and in hot weather to have a cool and quick wash at night if sweaty and sticky. Until my DD was born I did this. Now I wash when I know I am leaving the house. But I do feel guilty if I don't have at least a quick wash everyday. Baths are not very hygienic IMO so I prefer to shower. I do have a bath for relaxation, but I follow with an actual wash.

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poppingin1 · 11/10/2013 01:50

Sorry should have said "until my DD was born I did this but now most days I feel too damn tired to even bother"

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Lj8893 · 11/10/2013 03:29

I bath or shower once a day, normally in the evening but depends on what my daily plan is.

I will often have a freshen up wash in the morning too.

I feel gross if my hair isn't washed daily!!

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filee777 · 11/10/2013 03:35

Every other day usually, I bath then DH baths in the same water

Bath the kids once a week. Can't wait to get a shower

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scarletforya · 11/10/2013 03:51

Once a day, more in hot weather.

But I only do it out of duty to society. I don't enjoy the process itself, although I enjoy being clean when the shower bit itself is done.

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chrome100 · 11/10/2013 05:42

I swim every morning so shower then and have a bath when I get in from work in the evening to "wash the day away". I always feel really sweaty after a day at work

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mathanxiety · 11/10/2013 05:53

Shower daily in the morning, wash hair every time, and if I exercise or go swimming, shower after that too, and wash hair.

I hate the bath, never feel clean afterwards, never feel my hair is rinsed properly.

I am curious about the friend who stopped washing his hair. Did he stop even wetting it and doing a manual scrub of his scalp and a rinse in the shower?

Disclaimer: I follow the curly girl method of using no shampoo, only conditioner for my hair, and both my hair and scalp are clean, but I wonder if even that could be dispensed with.. I have a vague memory of a woman on some tv programme many, many years ago revealing a head of gorgeous hair that she apparently never washed, and I am curious.

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festered · 11/10/2013 05:59

Varies. I tend to go for a run every day and if It isn't before I leave the house to do something else, I dont shower until I have ran.

Then I will usually not shower again until the next day.

If I'm not running,or know I can't run until later, It's usually not long after I get up, then again after I have ran later if I'm doing that.
I sometimes shower after a run and still have a bath as well later on, bathing to me is less about getting clean and more about relaxing, soothing my muscles plus I can shave more successfully in the bath lol
But very rarely go a day or longer without.

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catgirl1976 · 11/10/2013 06:42

I shower every morning. I will have a bath three or four evenings a week.

I will also shower in the evening if I am going out, have been to the gym or the stables or if I need to wash my hair and won't have time in the morning.

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MrsKoala · 11/10/2013 06:50

I usually immerse my entire body in water every other day - so a shower or bath with hair wash. But i wash in the sink/bidet on the days in between (sometimes there are 2 days in between, if i am busy and can stretch with hair up and dry shampoo). I'd like to shower/bath everyday but i don't because it makes my hair dirty and i don't often have the time.

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Fairylea · 11/10/2013 06:51

Shower every morning. Occasionally a bath in the evening too just because I find it relaxing.

The dc get a bath every evening as part of their bedtime routine.

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CreatureRetorts · 11/10/2013 06:59

Every day. Even if I don't have to leave the house.

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