Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

How often do you shower/bathe?

(162 Posts)
Newquay Mon 20-Sept-21 09:15:10

We had bath taken out and a lovely walk in shower installed.
I tend to shower and wash hair every other day.
Although I like feeling fresh and doing hair I’m beginning to find the whole thing a right performance especially cleaning down the screen and floors afterwards.
Sometimes DH goes in after me so he does it then.

Secondwind Tue 21-Sept-21 15:35:47

GoldenAge
Sometimes medical problems get in the way. Restricted movement, continence issues and pain impinge on many people’s lives. Thank goodness there are people like you who can point out my faults and set me on the straight and narrow.

Kate54 Tue 21-Sept-21 15:30:04

Hate showers - quick bath every morning for me. OH uses and cleans with squeegee. In this (fascinating!) debate, the shower crew never mentions that, whatever the temperature in the bathroom, it’s always horribly cold when you emerge from the shower.
Particularly hate the ‘fixed’ ones because you can’t get to those tricky bits. And please don’t suggest a flannel! Ugh.

greenlady102 Tue 21-Sept-21 15:14:23

Showershine deffo and proper shower clean about once a month

GoldenAge Tue 21-Sept-21 15:08:53

Very interesting post and stream of replies - so much taken for granted in this - I know someone who calls herself an 'eco-warrior' - she doesn't do this, doesn't buy that, doesn't use the other - the list is endless - however, what she does do is to shower and wash her hair every morning, and shower before going to bed in the evening, taking for granted completely the idea that the world has enough water to sustain this (for everyone), and forgetting totally that her organic shower cream and hair shampoo have arrived in a plastic container, and quite possibly travelled several airmiles, and that her need to wash down the shower screen takes up yet more of the world's precious resources and puts yet more soapy substance in the food chain, and that her greater need to wash towels gobbles up even more water and user-friendly detergent. Come on gransnetters - there's no reason on this earth to shower, bathe or wash your hair on a daily basis unless you have a medical condition - this is just conspicuous consumption in another form. Sorry to be such a dampener but I have seen people struggling for water and it really doesn't take a daily shower to keep your orifices clean and fresh.

Boyzone Tue 21-Sept-21 15:00:49

When I read or hear the expressions ‘stand up wash’ or ‘good wash down’ it makes me squirm. For some reason it’s much more visual (TMI) than ‘taking a shower’ or ‘having a bath’. ??

Amalegra Tue 21-Sept-21 14:47:59

As a primitive who doesn’t have a shower installed, I bath about five times a week, more often if I need it! I like to sit down in a bath as I am very lazy! My bath takes less than ten minutes as I just wash thoroughly and get out to briskly dry on a nice scratchy towel! I couldn’t possibly soak as I get easily bored. A shower would probably be more convenient but more mess, more expense to get one fitted and hey! I said I was lazy! But not too lazy to clean the bath properly every time as I do like a sparkling bathroom, it’s very cheering somehow.

Sputnik Tue 21-Sept-21 14:21:52

Very dry hair and skin, so a complete no no to shower/bathe every day. Twice a week for me and I wash my thick bushy hair only once a fortnight - keeps the natural oils and turns the haystack into manageable hair. My adult sons, who inherited my hair never use soap or shampoo, just water - works wonders!

Bigirl57 Tue 21-Sept-21 14:18:24

You can tell when shopping in a supermarket who has had a shower and who have not bothered by the BO smell.

Sheilasue Tue 21-Sept-21 14:14:58

Every other day I shower and we have a karcher which is brillient

halfpint1 Tue 21-Sept-21 14:13:19

The thought of all those nasty chemicals in all those sprays to clean the shower afterwards makes me shriek.

Kim19 Tue 21-Sept-21 14:11:14

Goodness. I have a daily shower and never have to wipe down the (tiled) walls or curtain. Guesstimate every six months or so the white base looks a bit grubby and I do a kneel job with the help of a brillo pad. Takes all of five minutes. The thought of a daily cleaning session makes me cringe.

cc Tue 21-Sept-21 13:51:54

We had a water softener in our last house, which used salt tablets. It definitely kept everything cleaner and I just had to spray the glass down with hot water to keep it clean, though conditioner needed wiping off. It kept toilets and taps lime free too.
We don't have one here yet, but it will be one of the first things we put in when we renovate.

Alioop Tue 21-Sept-21 13:34:09

I shower every day and usually have a soak in the bath on a Sunday evening. An eczema flare up has been bad for a couple of months now so haven't had a bath, just showers.
I use my window vac to remove the excess water off the glass in my shower every time I use it and then give it all a good clean every couple of days.

Madashell Tue 21-Sept-21 13:14:45

I would never shower or bath daily unless I’ve been doing DIY or mucky gardening jobs. I was brought up to have a bath twice a week only because of cost of immersion heater. May be as fuel costs rise we all might have to re-consider daily bathing. I avoid all products containing SLS or SLES which have a drying effect on the skin, and, having curly hair I follow the same principle, only washing it when I feel like it. If you have hard water shower spray is useful to prevent scummy build up but I find the aerosol drops make me cough. If you get mouldy grout or silicone sealant I find HG Mould Spray is the best although it may need several dos. (Makes me cough too). Moved into a house with 2 showers neither of which is useable and am having to wait till a plumber is available. However the walk-in quadrant shower cubicle is very useful for storing 2 sacks of dog food at a time - he can’t steal it from there!

Lulubelle500 Tue 21-Sept-21 12:57:13

Everyday shower but getting to dread it more each day! Have any grans on here got a walk-in bath? My balance is almost gone now (MS) I've got grab rails but not enough hands to wash with and hold on! A normal bath is not the answer - when I'm staying with my sis she hauls me in and out of hers and DH says call him and he'll help me out in our shower. But twice he's let me fall, fortunately only bruises those times, but next time...? Come back please if you can help.

grandtanteJE65 Tue 21-Sept-21 12:55:23

I very rarely take a bath - once or twice a year at most, due to a desire to cut down on the amount of water the household uses and the amount of heating.

I shower every second or third day, as I no longer perspire as I used to pre-menopause. On the intervening days I strip wash.

I have never washed my hair more often than once a week, and now I am back to once a fortnight - but I have always had dry hair.

Having lived in flats that did not have baths until recently, I find cleaning a bath far more ardurous than clean the shower. I give the bathroom walls a quick wipe once a fortnight, clean the toilet and wash-basin thoroughly ever week, or whenever they seem to need it, and clean the entire bathroom thoroughly every three weeks.

nanna8 Tue 21-Sept-21 12:33:30

Every day for shower, sometimes twice. Bath, maybe once a week in the spa. In the hot weather whenever I feel like it, more often, especially after having a swim.

Armynanny Tue 21-Sept-21 12:22:37

Too often- I have a shower every morning and a bath every night. I love doing both so won’t give either of them up.

silvercollie Tue 21-Sept-21 12:16:53

Well, at least all you folk have GOT a shower!

Despite my offering to pay for a shower unit to be installed myself, my landlord is being extremely tardy about allowing it to happen. Must submit details and all sorts. I will send a photograph of the intended position. As I said I am paying for it and it will enhance his property.

OK but I have been here for over 42 years managing with a bath only. Disablement means this is very difficult and as it is placed under an eave and over head arrangement is not possible. There is no room in my cottage to install a full shower, so I thought a heated shower attachment would be a good idea.

As the cottage had not been tested for electrics since 2013 I first had to wait for a legal Certificate that my chosen electrician can accept. I started these proceedings in early July and am still waiting for said Certificate from the Landlords. So the shower is a long way off.

Today I found an infestation of wasps under the eaves outside and something eating the top corner of the window in my guest bedroom.

Not feeling inclined to approach my Landlords as they have so ill mannered and obstructive since Mrs. Landlord took over the reins.

I am a 'sitting tenant - I guess this has a lot to do with my their attitude.

What to do?

gma Tue 21-Sept-21 12:09:33

Shower and hair wash every day! Have done since I married! (Didn’t have shower at family home)Couldn’t imagine anything else!! Don’t like baths at all !shower so quick! Clean undies and socks daily at least, also! Spray shower with spray and once a week give it the karcher treatment!

Joesoap Tue 21-Sept-21 11:48:44

Thank you for so many tips some of which I will try.
I shower twice a week, a good wash down in between. I cant get down to my feet since a hip replacement but use my long handled bath brush to do the job, it works well.

Bluedaisy Tue 21-Sept-21 11:42:59

I like a shower daily but due to mobility issues am finding the wiping down a pain so have bought a karcher which helps enormously after I’ve used a squeegee and did have a long handled scrubby OXO thing for the floor from Lakeland which was brilliant but got lost during our move a few months ago so am just about to order another one. I agree it is a pain to clean so get my son or daughter in law to give a good go when they visit if needed as we’ve only just had it put in.

Rumpunch Tue 21-Sept-21 11:41:25

The shower sprays are good but we use a squeegee on the tiles and shower door immediately after showering and it seems to keep itself clean.

Secondwind Tue 21-Sept-21 11:37:12

Full shower and hair wash twice a week, but I do sloosh below the waist in the shower every day. It’s easier to wash and rinse my important little places with the shower head than standing at the sink!

Audi10 Tue 21-Sept-21 11:36:40

Shower daily wash hair three times week and bath once a week