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Original poster

To think it's ok for DS to use a jug to rinse his hair in the bath?

116 replies

ILoveMyGonk · 07/10/2025 13:44

DS is 11 and takes baths and uses a jug to rinse his hair. It's still the same jug from when he was a baby. It lasted well, but it's finally starting to fall apart.

I told DH I was going to buy a new jug, but he insists that jugs are only for babies and DS should now do without. DS disagrees strongly.

As far as I can find, even for adults, rinsing hair with a cup or jug is a reasonably normal thing to do. On the other hand, the only shampoo-rinsing jugs I can find in shops are in the section for baby stuff.

YABU = Jugs/cups are for babies. DS needs to rinse his hair another way.
YANBU = Rinsing hair with a cup/jug is fine.

OP posts:
diddl · 08/10/2025 07:34

DH says THE way to rinse shampoo the bath is the lying-back-and-swooshing method, and jugs are for babies, so DS should lie back and swoosh.

How does that rinse out shampoo, soap or anything else that is in the bath water?

sesquipedalian · 08/10/2025 07:14

OP, your DH is….mistaken. Loads of people use a jug to rinse their hair. I always have a shower, so it’s not an issue, but as a kid I hated getting water in my ears, which you have to do if you lie back and swoosh your hair in the bath. Just give DS a plastic measuring jug, and tell your DH that no-one’s interfering with how he has a bath, and he should leave DS alone to perform his ablutions as he sees fit.

muddyford · 08/10/2025 06:55

I'm 63!

muddyford · 08/10/2025 06:54

When I stay with my parents they don't have a shower. I take a cheap two pints plastic jug from the local hardware shop, cost £1.75.

whatsit84 · 08/10/2025 05:26

I think I used to do this at my parents house when I was his sort of age instead of the shower attachment. I can confirm as an adult, it has done me no lasting damage and I’m perfectly able to function 🤣

Vera87 · 08/10/2025 04:32

I use a plastic jug in bath and I’m 38

Mumtobabyhavoc · 08/10/2025 04:29

We use a plastic mixing bowl. 😂

spoonbillstretford · 08/10/2025 03:28

What on earth is wrong with your DH?

Onlycoffee · 08/10/2025 03:17

I would uch rather my dcs use a jug in the bath than put their head back into the bath water, much less risk of ear infections.

Has your DH said anything to your ds about being babyish/like a baby? I really hope he's keeping his comments to you and not to your ds. It's bad enough saying it about his ds.

SpidersAreShitheads · 08/10/2025 03:03

Hey OP, I’m autistic and have autistic DC too. My DC used a jug for years - DS still would prefer this if he’s in the bath rather than shower.

Aside from any dislike of change, there may be sensory issues at play here too. Rinsing with a jug is very different to swooshing and immersing yourself.

Tell your DH that providing your DS with a jug to rinse his hair is really not a hill worth dying on! No one needs to know - as long as he’s clean, who cares?!

Iris2020 · 08/10/2025 01:57

One learm is something every day - there are actually jugs one can buy for this specific purpose! Surely any jug will do?

Sez1990 · 08/10/2025 01:54

I think having a jug is completely fine and I think any plastic kitchen jug will do. Some people don’t like to lay back in the bath and get water in their ears, my bf is one of them. I don’t mind laying back but I use a plastic cup to rinse my crotch with fresh water after a bath. We all have our quirks and using something to rinse isn’t childish/babyish, I wonder why your DH is bothered

BauhausOfEliott · 08/10/2025 01:30

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 07/10/2025 14:22

I don't have much hair. I know this doesn't work for those with long hair, but I have very very short hair. Think head pubes.

Show quote history

I also have short hair, but I’m weirdly particular about rinsing it. I think I’m probably more fussy about it than most because my scalp’s naturally oily and and additional residue on my hair makes it feel worse.

Original poster
ILoveMyGonk · 07/10/2025 23:07

Clarifying a few things... Yes, we have a shower attachment that DS can use to rinse his hair (or take a shower) if he wants to.

No one is in the bathroom with him policing how he bathes. It came up because the jug that sat by the bath for 11 years started to crack, so he asked for a new one. The old one wasn't even particularly babyish, though I did buy it when he was a baby and it was in the baby section of the shop, so when DH insisted that jugs are only for babies, it made me wonder if he was right. (It was similar to this: www.boots.com/mothercare-rinse-cup-white-10336521)

I'm fine to offer a different kind of jug. In fact, I think I already have a spare big plastic measuring jug in a kitchen cupboard somewhere that would work well.

DH says THE way to rinse shampoo the bath is the lying-back-and-swooshing method, and jugs are for babies, so DS should lie back and swoosh.

DS has ASD and is highly resistant to change. I think DH is a bit sensitive about me babying DS. I tend to pick my battles to focus on things that I think are important (like going to school) and let some of the other things (like baths vs showers) go until DS is willing. Right now, DS still likes a bath and a jug, so I'm ok to let him have them.

OP posts:
MyAmusedPearlSquid · 07/10/2025 22:20

PurpleThistle7 · 07/10/2025 13:53

I think if adults want to do this they just use any sort of plastic container.

I lived in a house share all men except me and at least 2 people used a jug to wash their hair daily and also their was a shower they just choose to wash their hair over the bath and use a jug

Jonismorf · 07/10/2025 22:10

We've got a tin jug in the bathroom which belonged to my great-grandparents who used it for this very purpose, as did all generations since, including me and DH!

Puzzledtoday · 07/10/2025 21:55

A plastic measuring jug does the job and is a sensible way to rinse hair.

WiddlinDiddlin · 07/10/2025 21:48

In the days of having a bath, and being able to use one, I had a hair rinse jug - because very long, quite dry, curly hair, does not rinse clean in bath water, it needs a good couple of jugs of clean water over it too.

I'd think loads of people who have a bath will use a jug to get clean water to rinse hair. Just buy a plastic jug!

coxesorangepippin · 07/10/2025 20:51

How is this even an issue???

Just buy another bloody jug!!

prelovedusername · 07/10/2025 20:31

TheLizardQueen · 07/10/2025 14:33

Washing your hair in the bath using your dirty bath water is not washing your hair properly. The water is full of dirt, soap, skin cells etc. yuck 🤢

My bath water isn’t like that! I’ve always washed my hair in the bath, I do the hair washing first and the soaping afterwards.

Peonies12 · 07/10/2025 20:02

Just get a plastic jug from the supermarket, probably cost 50p!

WeNeedToTalkAboutIT · 07/10/2025 20:02

Total non-issue. I still have a jug I acquired from my parents house, which come to think of it may well have been for mine and my brother's hair washing as children :D I use it to dilute plant food and nematodes in, for diluting cleaning products in, and yes, I use it to rinse my hair if I'm washing it in the sink 😆

JamDisaster · 07/10/2025 19:58

Surely he can do it however he likes? Your DH is being odd.

Lisanne55 · 07/10/2025 19:56

I always used to use a jug when I was younger & had no shower. I used to wash my hair in the basin using a jug too.

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