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Original poster

Shower...

27 replies

blahblahblah321 · 25/06/2021 10:40

How long do you take in the shower?

I'm trying to work out if I'm being unreasonable to DS1, who takes around 15 mins...!!

Our shower tells us how long we've been - I have fairly long hair and it takes me between 5-6 minutes to shampoo, condition, face wash and body wash.

So how long do you take?

OP posts:
emmathedilemma · 25/06/2021 10:44

I timed it once out of interest (it was some campaign for saving water) and even to shampoo and condition long thick hair i was out in 5 minutes. 15 is pretty excessive IMO.

Frymetothemoon · 25/06/2021 10:45

Probably less than you. Get wet, turn water off, lather up all over body (and here if necessary), rinse off, get out. 15 mins is way too long in terms of wasting water and energy, even if it is enjoyable. In Australia I believe they recommend a 4-minute shower is all you need.

inappropriateraspberry · 25/06/2021 10:46

I have a little egg timer style thing stuck on the shower screen. It's 4 mins and I'm often out before it's finished! 15 mins is ridiculously long. Especially if he's got short hair that just needs a quick wash.

covidcloser · 25/06/2021 10:47

I'm trying to work out if I'm being unreasonable to DS1, who takes around 15 mins...!!

15 mins isn't long. It's longer than some and lots of posters will be along to tell you they allow half a second per leg/arm wash and maybe 5 secs for their hair.

Please don't start trying to micro manage your sons shower time. It's weird.

Original poster
blahblahblah321 · 25/06/2021 10:49

Thank you all! We had new bathrooms fitted last winter and recently received our 6 monthly water bill - up 50% on the previous winter!

He's off to Uni next year and I'm pointing out he won't be able to afford the water bills the way he is going, it's falling on deaf ears..

I'm just going to continue banging on that door!

OP posts:
Original poster
blahblahblah321 · 25/06/2021 10:50

@covidcloser

I'm trying to work out if I'm being unreasonable to DS1, who takes around 15 mins...!!

15 mins isn't long. It's longer than some and lots of posters will be along to tell you they allow half a second per leg/arm wash and maybe 5 secs for their hair.

Please don't start trying to micro manage your sons shower time. It's weird.

15 mins every day @covidcloser ? Sometimes multiple times if he's been to the gym /rugby training. That's a lot in my opinion
OP posts:
covidcloser · 25/06/2021 10:51

Meh. You got the answers you wanted to validate your management before I even posted.

inappropriateraspberry · 25/06/2021 10:53

It's not micro managing to expect your teenager to understand that water is not free, and you have to pay for it!

MrsCroc · 25/06/2021 10:56

He's probably wanking.

Original poster
blahblahblah321 · 25/06/2021 10:56

@inappropriateraspberry

It's not micro managing to expect your teenager to understand that water is not free, and you have to pay for it!
Exactly, I'm not expecting him to forgo showers, I'm expecting him to be considerate towards the cost of the bills.
OP posts:
covidcloser · 25/06/2021 10:58

@inappropriateraspberry

It's not micro managing to expect your teenager to understand that water is not free, and you have to pay for it!

I didn't know it was a teenager, multiple showers or the issue of pay per use of water when I first replied. So yeah, it looked like micro management to me.

iamtheoneandonlyyy · 25/06/2021 11:02

Agree with @MrsCroc
My stepson used to disappear into the shower for a very long time. Rather in there than the bedsheets

canihaveacoffeeplease · 25/06/2021 11:04

I live in Australia and we are on tank water (so rainwater only). Showers are 3-4 minutes and kids baths are pathetically small in the summer. Now it's winter and our tanks are literally overflowing we are having huge baths and long showers which is so lovely (mostly because they're needed as it's bloody freezing!) but we'll switch back come spring. 3-5 minute showers are easily enough, and I have long hair that I wash and condition every day. On the flip side rainwater leaves you with beautifully soft hair 😊

polkadotpixie · 25/06/2021 11:07

Umm about 20-25 minutes 😂 I like standing under the warm water and washing and conditioning my hair, shaving and washing my body takes time

Ughmaybenot · 25/06/2021 11:09

It’s a reasonably long time, I think I generally take about 10 minutes or so (somewhat limited mobility and v long, v thick hair etc) but that being said, I don’t expect your son is just Washing in the shower, without being too crude. Not sure what the answer is tho, or how you can make him have shorter showers.
As an aside I have no idea how people shower, wash hair, shave etc in 3-4 minutes?! Clearly I need to up my game Grin

Ifailed · 25/06/2021 11:15

Agree with @MrsCroc**

likewise.

Alfxn · 25/06/2021 11:17

I agree he's not necessarily washing...i vote leave the poor lad alone!!

BatFaceGirly · 25/06/2021 11:47

I'm just delighted my 14 year old is having a shower! I probably take about 8 minutes all in, to wash and condition my hair. I also wash my face, use a foot scrub and wash myself. My 14 year old does god know what and is in there a good 15 minutes. I wouldn't dream of saying anything

LadyDanburysHat · 25/06/2021 11:58

All of my DC are the same. DS2 and DD complain about going in the shower, then take forever. Before laser hair removal I would was h and condition my long hair and shave my underarms and legs daily and still be less than 10 mins. All of my DC would be 20 mins if I let them.

Luckily we are not on metered water, but it still adds to the gas bill.

Prokupatuscrakedatus · 25/06/2021 12:21

From the time the water is hot to the time I am clean (hair and body) and step out - 9 minutes. I had to time it once.
And then 15 minutes for drying myself, aftercare and tidying up.

(You can tell that a long soak in the bath or a spa day would not be relaxing for me.)

Nsky · 25/06/2021 12:34

You know the answer buy a water saving shower head, same effect less water

TheSandgroper · 25/06/2021 12:36

All Australian water authorities recommend 3 minutes per shower.

Original poster
blahblahblah321 · 25/06/2021 14:18

@Nsky

You know the answer buy a water saving shower head, same effect less water
Apparently it is a water saving head! Doesn't feel like it's pretty cost cutting though

Thanks everyone, I had thought about the wanking, but every day?! And sometimes twice a day! He also is taking a lot longer showers than he used to (pre shower renovation) so I think it's more likely that it's a nicer shower experience than a sudden desire to wank in there. Anyway, we've had a chat, I've asked him to try and cut back a bit if he can - we'll see!

OP posts:
VainAbigail · 25/06/2021 14:34

My boys take longer than 15 minutes. Especially the older ones. I don’t care though, it’s not something I get wound up about.

KingdomScrolls · 25/06/2021 14:35

At least 15 minutes, get in get wet, wash hair, put conditioner in, exfoliate/wash all over, shave legs and under arms, rinse hair, rinse body, cleanse/exfoliate face, rinse, turn heat down rinse hair in cooler water. Turn shower off squeegee shower screen, get out dry off, brush teeth, brush hair, moisturise, leave bathroom.