How to have a bath

[DukeOfEarlGrey]

Inspired by the thread about things that should be nice but aren’t, I’m amazed by how many people don’t like a bath. I love a relaxing bath and feel I perfected the art during the interminable winter lockdown when I was alone and had to find ways to stay sane. Here are my top tips for a relaxing bath, please share yours!

1. Start clean. Clean bath tub, ideally a clean you (especially hair). The idea is to relax, not to wash. This took me a long time to understand.

1. Find the right products. Lush bath bombs are a tremendous let down that will stain the bath tub and leave you feeling had. Aromatherapy associates bath oils are heaven in a bottle - the ‘deep relax’ one nigh on puts me in a coma.

1. Candles. Wanky but true.

1. Music, a relaxing podcast, or silence.

Why are your bath time tips?

I like the idea of a bath but

• it's booring
• I'm tall and have the choice of cold shoulders or cold knees
• contact with bath products longer than a few seconds make my skin itchy

Agree about starting clean. I would add:

1. Sit in the bath as it is running. You can adjust the temperature to exactly where you want it and saves stepping into scalding water.

1. Yes to candle(s).

1. Keep bath products simple. I don't think you can go far wrong with just a few drops of lavender oil or a sprinkle of Radox.

I'm reading this while in the bath. I love them.

I love them too. My dream bath includes:
Bamboo bath tray to hold my drink and book/magazine/phone
Olverum bath oil, the best bath oil ever made
Dim lighting
Regularly rinsing my face and ears to keep cool
Hot water and bathroom window open a bit for a cool breeze
Candle
Audiobook
Firmly locked door to keep the toddler and cat out!

For me: lights off (hallway providing dim lighting). Lush bath bomb or radox bubble bath. Catching up on mumsnet and reddit, getting lost in a tiktok hole or reading on the old kindle

@tinglymint

For me: lights off (hallway providing dim lighting). Lush bath bomb or radox bubble bath. Catching up on mumsnet and reddit, getting lost in a tiktok hole or reading on the old kindle

And a glass of wine/cava is an added bonus

Agree with sitting in it as it runs, none of that burning your bum and you try to get in!
A good book.
I always use my best products for a bath. My favourite is Neals Yard bath soaks.
And for me, the most important thing is a big mug of tea!

It is definitely a marmite thing. I dislike baths intensely, far too much faff, wrinkly skin after, water gets cool so quickly. I can relax in my bed (without candles burning obv.) and I don't have to go through bath time boredom. Quick shower with good products is for me.

Getting rid of the bath soon and replacing with a walk in shower with a seat inside, haven't figured how to do that without it looking like an adapted shower, so if anyone can help, fire away.

I don't care about losing the bath, it is never used anyway. If I ever sell up (unlikely, but you never know) the new owners can reinstate the bath, there will be room for this and it will be their problem not mine.

I agree with sitting in the bath as it fills
I love Epsom salts in my bath
Westlab do a good range and my favourite one is mindful with CBD, pure heaven

Agree that a good bath is heaven.

@tempchecked a friend had a tiled seat in their shower that looked nice - looked a bit like this

I can't be bothered with candles, wine or reading in the bath. However I love baths.

My ideal bath is very hot, lovely smelling foam, but in and out in 20 minutes max. It's the heat I love, it has to be steaming.

The best part is feeling all warm, relaxed and dry afterwards in fluffy pyjamas.

God I love a bath, hot water is so relaxing.

@tempchecked Getting rid of the bath soon and replacing with a walk in shower with a seat inside, haven't figured how to do that without it looking like an adapted shower, so if anyone can help, fire away.

what I see a lot on propert shows like the block is a tiled plinth seat.

Ooooh, I like the idea of the tiled seat, I'll have to remember that for when (if!) we ever get the bathroom upgraded.

DH loves his baths, I'm in the 'meh' camp and prefer showers. I'm not even tall but still have to decide between shoulders or knees getting cold. We don't have a subdued light so if I have candles, it's too dark. Books/magazines have to be held 'up' to read or they get soggy. I just don't find it relaxing!

@sarahb083

Agree that a good bath is heaven.

@tempchecked a friend had a tiled seat in their shower that looked nice - looked a bit like this

Thanks so much! That just the kind of set up I'm looking for. I can sit down do the hairy bits and what not, and then hose myself down.

Very good of you to dig that out for me. Appreciate it.

It has to be hot, most importantly. I agree with those who say to get in while it's still filling. Ideally some bath oil, if not then bubbles will do. I either put my phone in a waterproof pouch or take a book with me. Oh and a bath cushion!!

Badedas bubble bath, tall g&t with loads of ice, radio & kindle & phone, hair mask turbanned (rinsed with shower after), and far, far too hot!

I have bath every night. I read in the bath. Lovely relaxing time.

A hot bath and football on the radio. Bliss.

I miss reading in the bath, I used to love a real book. I can't bloody read without my glasses now. 😂

A bath pillow is essential. My preferred type is this shape I can’t get comfortable without the right neck support.

For luxury I recommend a bath tray - the kind with a secure prop for a book or iPad, and a cut out for a glass of wine. And space for some good chocolate.

If I’m not in the mood to watch or read, then a heated eye mask and face pack is lovely.

Candles can be nice, but I can take or leave them.

The gamechanger for me was when we first had DC we got a bath thermometer and now I can use that to run it to the perfect temp (41 for me).

Before that I couldn't get it right even if I sat in it while it was filling.

@Mabelface have you seen those glasses wipes that they sell now to stop them steaming up from wearing masks? They might help with steamy bath reading too.

Don't tell anyone you're having a bath, especially not small children, in fact to ensure a 'good' bath keep children out of the house for the duration- the buggers will only want to get in and bring their crappy plastic bath toys with them

Our tub is huge so I don't feel secure, a bit floaty. Also when the bubbles disperse all I can see is my blubbery pink self. And my neck hurts on the side of the bath, and my arms ache holding the book out of the water! Aaand my heart starts racing when I get out! Can anyone advise?