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How to shower

(72 Posts)
watermeadow Wed 17-Jul-19 20:18:03

I’m soon getting a shower installed and need some lessons or tips asI have only rarely used a shower and found it awkward and inefficient.
No sneering please!

rosecarmel Wed 17-Jul-19 20:23:41

Do not step into the shower until the water reaches the right temperature- Make sure the surface you are standing on isn't slippery- Wear earplugs if you have ear problems-

Grandma70s Wed 17-Jul-19 20:27:49

I’ve had a shower for about ten months now, and I still find it awkward and inefficient! It’s not being able to lie down, I think. With a proper bath, every bit of you gets properly wet, and then you can rinse with a shower attachment. Much better.

kittylester Wed 17-Jul-19 20:36:03

I love my shower and haven't had a bath for years.

My tips would be to make sure the water is hot enough before you get in and that you have all the things in there that you need. Shampoo, conditioner, sponge, shower gel etc..

mrsgreenfingers56 Wed 17-Jul-19 20:40:07

Haven't had a bath in years, shower is so much better and quicker. I get in and then turn the shower on head down into the bath and get to right temperature and then aim where I want. Make sure shower gel, shampoo, etc to handy. Also doing this way I don't get my head wet if not washing my hair.

Iam64 Wed 17-Jul-19 20:42:58

I very occasionally have a hot bath as a relaxing treat. I'd never use a bath to get clean. The temperature is ideal, I can get properly clean, wash and condition my hair - its great.

Hetty58 Wed 17-Jul-19 20:44:38

I like the cotton shower puffs to wash with (less scratchy than the nylon ones). If I'm washing my hair I shampoo it first and leave that on while I start washing. I have a little shower stool to sit on while I do my feet as I'm getting a little too old to balance on one leg.

agnurse Wed 17-Jul-19 20:45:13

Make sure you have a non-slip mat in your shower. If you have trouble standing, you may want to invest in a shower chair. This is a plastic chair that you can sit on while you shower. You might be able to get one at a home health shop.

tanith Wed 17-Jul-19 20:46:10

Can’t remember when I last had a bath I love my walk-in shower, I wash my hair first then leave the conditioner on while I wash, shave my legs etc. I use a scrubby to wash my body then just turn myself slowly around to wash off the soap and rinse my hair.
Grandma70s I don’t understand how your body doesn’t get properly wet under a shower?

Willow500 Wed 17-Jul-19 20:46:25

Also use a shower puff with the shower gel - one squirt does your whole body and uses far less. Make sure you rinse it out well and leave to dry naturally. If, like me, you're short sighted make sure you know which is your shampoo and conditioner as I can't open my eyes once my hair is wet!

EllanVannin Wed 17-Jul-19 20:48:11

Hope you've got a grab rail too.

NanKate Wed 17-Jul-19 20:52:48

Get a safety handle attached to the wall to keep you upright and steady when you maybe standing on one leg washing the other leg. It’s also good if you are not feeling 100% and you need to grab on to it.

Another tip hang your towel for drying your hair over the door of the shower so that you can wrap your hair up turban style before getting out of the shower.

Finally you can bring down the shower head to hose down your nether regions to make sure you feel 100% clean.

Just like Kitty I haven’t had a bath in years.

MiniMoon Wed 17-Jul-19 20:57:10

I'm another who hasn't had a bath for years. I have to get into my shower cubicle before I turn it on because the twit who fitted it put the shower unit rather high up. I use whatever is to hand to wash my hair and body. Often I use a mild shampoo do do both.

BlueBelle Wed 17-Jul-19 21:50:05

I too haven’t had a bath for about 30 years I love a shower I couldn’t do without my 15 minute daily I do everything in the shower wash my hair and my body and clean my teeth
I even sing I use whatever shower gel is on offer and have been known to wash my body in shampoo if I run out they re all soapy stuff after all, likewise I ve washed my hair in shower gel or even washing up liquid if necessary my shower in overmy bath so I still have to cock my leg so to speak

Urmstongran Wed 17-Jul-19 22:07:46

I love my walk in shower. I use a natural sponge (expensive at £12 in Boots but worth it as not a synthetic puff ball) and a bar of lush soap (definitely not shower gel - plastics people!!). Uses less hot water than a bath (eco friendly). A good way to start the day and feel I’m doing my bit for climate change!
?

DanniRae Wed 17-Jul-19 22:15:31

I take a flannel into the shower to clean my nether regions. I have tried using the shower head but don't feel I get myself properly clean. I have stopped washing my legs with a bath scrunchie and shower gel and they are much less flaky! Prior to that I caused a snow storm every time I took my trousers/leggings off.
I would much rather have a bath but have a struggle to get out of it.

Liz46 Wed 17-Jul-19 22:16:03

I prefer a shower with a flexible hose. As NanKate said, you can unhook the shower to give yourself a good rinse after you have soaped yourself.

GabriellaG54 Wed 17-Jul-19 22:19:52

Always keep in mind that shower heads retain some water when off so regular cleaning with descaler such as a sliced lemon or white vinegar in boiling water overnight will stop build up of calcium in hard water areas.
Another thing to think about is the fact that legionaires disease is spread through humidity and water droplets so do not stay overlong in a shower room. 3 minutes max.
There is no cure.
I'm just pointing out the cons.

fizzers Wed 17-Jul-19 22:20:26

I hated my shower when it was first installed, always had a bath, but now I never have a bath, it's always a shower. I've set the temperature to how you like it, turn on, wait a few seconds then get in. It's much cheaper and quicker than running a bath and I now tend to use the combined hair/shower gels instead of individual bath/shampoo. I've got a good anti slip mat in the bath, though I might need to have a grab rail installed.

Urmstongran Wed 17-Jul-19 22:24:50

It’s ‘Legionnaires' disease’ (sp) Gabriella
?
I just love that you’d want to know!
Joke.
x

GabriellaG54 Wed 17-Jul-19 22:33:14

I use a jute back 'scrubby' which was 'knitted' /made by a lady I found on eBay. It has a really rough surface and a thick loop handle each end and is about 6" wide. Cost £10 as I wanted it a bit longer than the ones she already had.
This is only for my back, butt and back of thighs. I use a pair of abrasive gloves for the rest. You can buy from most places and I throw them in the w/m as I have 3 sets.
Not for facial use...shock
The jute back scrub leaves my skin like a babies bum. ? ?

GabriellaG54 Wed 17-Jul-19 22:34:31

Ah...yes indeed Urmstongran
Thanks for the correction. smile

Callistemon Wed 17-Jul-19 22:54:58

If you use your shower daily and it is a new system it will be unlikely to harbour legionella as it breeds in stagnant water, eg showers in hotels that may not have been used for a while, air conditioning systems. However, it's a good idea to clean the shower head as Gabriella suggested or put it into a bucket of hot water containing white vinegar (actually hot water and bleach is recommended but you may not want to use bleach).

I wouldn't worry unduly about it as long as it's regularly used and cleaned.

GrandmaKT Wed 17-Jul-19 23:02:49

If it's a shower cubicle with glass doors/walls, get a squeegee. Rinse down the glass before you get out of the shower then wipe off with the squeegee. It keeps the shower nice and clean and streak free and it's so much easier to do while your in the shower naked!

JackyB Wed 17-Jul-19 23:49:50

I put shampoo on my hair and a squirt of shower gel onto the netty puffy thing before getting in. The bottles are kept outside, over the washbasin. Result: you can't confuse the bottles and it's not so cluttered in the shower and is easier to clean.

When the present bottles have been used up, though, I intend to change to bars of soap to reduce plastic waste. Not sure how I'll store them between uses.