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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think baths are awful?

338 replies

Alllll · 26/03/2025 21:16

I’ve lived in my house for four years and there is a very deep and long L shaped bath which is the envy of my bath loving friends. I’ve never been keen on baths and never used it. But tonight I thought, for a change, I’d run myself one and take my book.

It was absolutely shit. Took bloody ages to run, then I got in and couldn’t hold by book right. The water was a nice temperature but it made my face too hot. It was boring. I lasted twenty minutes and then drained the water. Complete waste.

I find them mildly disgusting. Right up close to the grouting. It’s horrible. AIBU?

OP posts:
FoolishHips · 26/03/2025 21:48

Oh and I'm very short so my feet don't reach the end of the bath, so I'm sliding about the whole time!

ThisPinkBee · 26/03/2025 21:48

I love a bath! I grew up with a falling apart bathroom and now have a brand new lovely bathroom in my new build flat. I have a bath once a week pretty much - always with Epsom salts and a few bubbles. I find it really regulating for my nervous system.

FoolishHips · 26/03/2025 21:47

Occasionally I like a bath but the temperature of the water and the air have to be exactly right and I have to be in the right mood. Usually I spend the whole time adding more hot water and that feels nice but makes the rest of the water feel too cold so I add more and then I overheat and my heart starts racing so I have to get out. Or I start noticing alarming things about my body (I have health anxiety).

whitenoisewave · 26/03/2025 21:46

I like shaving in them

Panterusblackish · 26/03/2025 21:46

ItGhoul · 26/03/2025 21:38

It’s a classic Mumsnet irrational hygiene paranoia thing. People fretting that they will somehow be sitting in a puddle of filth unless they shower before bathing.

Show quote history

Mumsnet may have its irrationalities but in this instance they are simply following Japanese tradition.

Manasprey · 26/03/2025 21:45

Takes ages to fill.
When you first get in, it's too hot.
I'm tall, so I can't really lie in one without a bit of me being cold.
Then I get bored, or itchy because I've put bath stuff in and my skin doesn't really like bath stuff.
Then I have a shower, to wash off all the soap properly.
Then I feel dizzy because of the heat.

I prefer bed.

SnowFrogJelly · 26/03/2025 21:44

There is nothing disgusting about a bath

PermanentTemporary · 26/03/2025 21:44

I would struggle to live without a bath but our current one is not ideal. Something happens to my brain when I get into a bath though, I love it.

ThomasinaTankEngine · 26/03/2025 21:43

I absolutely love a nice hot relaxing bath, especially after a long day on my feet. Hate showers, don’t find anything relaxing about them whatsoever and takes far more effort for me to feel properly clean prepared to be told IABVVU given all the comments about bathing in one’s own dead skin cells! 😂

CrispieCake · 26/03/2025 21:43

My kids disagree with you.

We once stayed in a very fancy hotel for a wedding, very little of which was kid-friendly. But the bathroom had this enormous, very deep freestanding copper bath. We stuck both of the kids in there with all the cups and containers we'd brought with us and they were concocting "potions" with the posh toiletries for over an hour while we lay in bed drinking wine and supervising them through the open door.

Barleysugar86 · 26/03/2025 21:43

Baths just relax me. I invested in a wider than normal one with insulation inside the base which keeps it really hot for ages. I set a film up run the bath really hot and take a cup of tea in with me. Best stress relief ever. I only enjoy showers instead when I'm in hot climates.

Mum2jenny · 26/03/2025 21:42

I prefer a shower to get clean in, then a bath to relax in. Don’t tend to have a bath to get clean in - I just sit in the warm bubbly bath, drink chilled white wine and read a book or kindle.

Original poster
Alllll · 26/03/2025 21:42

soupyspoon · 26/03/2025 21:31

I used to love baths years ago, used to spend ages in there, candles all around, wine, mustic on, running more hot water to keep it hot

Was quite fat at the time found it really comfortable

Then got too fat and couldnt really fit

Now not fat at all and have no bum left and its agony, I was looking forward to enjoying baths again to find I cannot sit in the bath, its awful, just not enjoyable.

You could sit on a child’s inflatable water ring maybe?

OP posts:
Topknotted · 26/03/2025 21:41

Tophelleborine · 26/03/2025 21:39

Why would you need a shower before a bath?!!

Show quote history

Some people don’t like soaking in dirty water?

evtheria · 26/03/2025 21:41

Yanbu, I always end up regretting having a bath instead of a good shower. Face being hot is THE worst. Plus I have to pre rinse, or end up sat with 3 random
bits of lint/dust floating about and making me imagine all the invisible filth I must be soaking in (yes, that’s a me problem).
I could stand under a strong shower for aaaaaaages, so therapeutic!

Hollyhedge · 26/03/2025 21:41

Love a bath. Feels luxurious just lying there in warm water

mdinbc · 26/03/2025 21:40

Love a nice hot bath, with bubbles. My bath has ledges just at elbow height, and a nice sloped back, just perfect for relaxing with a book.

I have no idea what an L-shaped bath is... can't picture it.

AlleyRose · 26/03/2025 21:40

Just got rid of mine and replaced with an amazing walk in shower.

non of us had had a bath in over 6 years!!

Vallmo47 · 26/03/2025 21:40

SO glad it’s not just me. It reminds me of that episode of Friends where Chandler says you’re just stewing in your own filth! Definitely not a bath person. Even if you rinse first I feel dirtier coming out than going in. And there’s always something - you can’t quite get comfortable or it’s getting cold too quick or … you’re bored.

AND they suggested having a bath right after giving birth - clots and blood galore!!!…. I honestly couldn’t think of anything worse. A blood bath! To relax you?!! Deranged. I truly don’t understand.

Baseballdino · 26/03/2025 21:40

I would spend the entire evening in the bath if I could. I love it. It's my calm happy place.

Tophelleborine · 26/03/2025 21:40

ItGhoul · 26/03/2025 21:38

It’s a classic Mumsnet irrational hygiene paranoia thing. People fretting that they will somehow be sitting in a puddle of filth unless they shower before bathing.

Show quote history

Ah I see someone beat me to it. That's mental.

Helterskelterthroughtheday · 26/03/2025 21:39

My bath is my favourite time of day. A shower is purely functional, a bath is relaxing, peaceful and wonderful for pain.

Tophelleborine · 26/03/2025 21:39

AllTheChaos · 26/03/2025 21:22

Quick shower first and a nice glass of chilled white wine whilst you are in the bath!

Why would you need a shower before a bath?!!

Topknotted · 26/03/2025 21:39

I have a bath every night. I chose the bath precisely so that it was comfortable to lie and read in. It’s by an open window that isn’t overlooked, and it’s a lovely stargazing spot. I keep the lights off and burn a candle. I agree that a bad bath is terribly dispiriting.

SendBooksAndTea · 26/03/2025 21:39

I love a bath. Ours is freestanding so nowhere near any grout. I like hot hot water so it's almost painful getting in, i have a shelf to rest my book and tea on, perfection.