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Original poster

How long have you gone without a shower/bath?

176 replies

Inthebathagain · 30/08/2023 09:43

I normally bath/shower every day, but due to a number of unexpected matters cropping up, I haven't had one since Saturday.

Brushed my teeth daily. Quick face cleanse on a couple of those days.

I don't feel as dirty or smelly as I thought I would.

What's the longest you have you gone between showers/baths?

OP posts:
Robbiesraft · 30/08/2023 11:45

Worldgonecrazy · 30/08/2023 11:05

A few days due to hospital or wild canping. In normal circumstances I shower twice a day. Hair only gets washed once a week though as I have curly hair that would go to frizz if washed every day.

In my haste, I read that as wild canaping! It really should be a thing. Hobbyists basic kit must consist of as least vol au vent cases.

Wannabegreenfingers · 30/08/2023 11:48

Maximum is probably 48 hours, due to illness. My armpits smell after 24 hours, even with deodorant and I have skin tags left over from piles during child birth that can't be operated on, so a nether region wash is essential. A sink wash doesn't cut it and would take just as long as a quick shower. My hair is also greasy after a day. I tried for 3 months to go longer between washes, but it's always greasy by the following morning. Aren't I the lucky one!

Differentstarts · 30/08/2023 11:53

A few weeks when iv been in hospital or when iv been in a severely depressed episode. I don't feel like I smelt but in both circumstances iv barely moved so not getting sweaty or dirty. However in normal life I bath/shower every day or every other

rhino12345 · 30/08/2023 11:54

Robbiesraft · 30/08/2023 10:43

3 days. We stayed at a 'friends' house and I'm sure they were listening when we were in the bathroom and DP caught them feeling how wet our towels were. Lots of mutterings from them too about how disgusting we were when we left. The thing is the bathroom was rank. Weirdos.

😂😂😂

BlueBlubbaWhale · 30/08/2023 11:55

Probably a week when I've been depressed but would still wash pits and bits. I don't think everyone needs to shower daily, it depends what you do on a day to day basis.

rhino12345 · 30/08/2023 11:55

I love a shower every day before bed. I really struggle to unwind if I don't - I guess it's just part of my bedtime routine now.
However I have been trying to not wash my hair as much. I can now go about 5 days without washing it and my hair feels much better for it and doesn't look grimey.

LaDamaDeElche · 30/08/2023 11:57

Since being an adult, maybe one day if I was I'll/hungover or something. When I was a kid, around three days on a camping trip. I've never just not showered because I was busy lol.

Robbiesraft · 30/08/2023 11:57

FoodCentre · 30/08/2023 11:16

Why do people who are dirty themselves do this? I know people like this and they are firstly blind to their own filth and secondly, feel the need to insult people who are cleaner than them.

Show quote history

Shoxfordian? Did you name change for this comment? Bless you. We promise to make proper shower noises next time.

LaMarschallin · 30/08/2023 11:58

Squiblet · 30/08/2023 11:28

...and whoosh there goes the joke 😄

Show quote history

My thoughts exactly.

WetBandits · 30/08/2023 11:59

Two minute showers every day, ten minute shower once a week when I wash my hair but I turn the water off in between.

Longest I’ve gone without a full shower is a week when I had surgery, but I still washed the ‘important bits’ every day.

LaMarschallin · 30/08/2023 12:00

Robbiesraft · 30/08/2023 11:45

In my haste, I read that as wild canaping! It really should be a thing. Hobbyists basic kit must consist of as least vol au vent cases.

Show quote history

The true devotees would whittle their own cocktail sticks for the cheese-and-pineapple hedgehogs.
With real hedgehogs.

Saschka · 30/08/2023 12:03

TheLongGloriesOfTheWinterMoon · 30/08/2023 10:46

3 days I suppose on the odd time I've been too ill, or the water gets cut off for some reason.

There's a well known TV influencer that I follow on SM who has long hair and apparently washes it once a week. I just couldn't. My hair is rank and sweaty after 2-3 days.

“Only washing your hair once a week” doesn’t mean it doesn’t get wet in the meantime - lots of people say that meaning they only shampoo that often. But their hair is getting wet and conditioned more than that.

Obvious some people may be able to manage with one blow dry per week, especially if it is tied back. But if the person has curly hair, more than likely it is getting co-washed every other day or something, to refresh the curls/stop it looking like a bird’s nest.

Spidey66 · 30/08/2023 12:03

2, maybe 3 days. Mostly if I’m unwell. I’ve had a few surgeries over the past 5 years or so am I may have gone 3 days if I’m in pain or it’s impractical. When I had surgery on a fractured shoulder 2 years back I tied showers in with hospital appts. Very very occasionally if I’m not leaving the house I miss a shower. It’s not like me though I love the clean feeling you get after a shower

StopThatBloodyNoise · 30/08/2023 12:04

5 weeks without a shower when I was in hospital - because of being bedridden. Same for having my hair washed. I felt disgusting.

Alycidon · 30/08/2023 12:05

Six days once when camping. There was dirt peeling off me by the end of it!

Dryona · 30/08/2023 12:08

lightinthebox · 30/08/2023 11:40

I only shower every 7-10 days. Everyone is different but I find this works for me. My hair and scalp are really healthy with this routine too as it means using fewer products regularly.

Do you not sweat?! Genuine question. I honestly can't imagine how grubby I'd be if I didn't have a shower for a week. My PIL only shower every 2-3 days and you can tell, frankly.

I don't wash my hair every time I shower.

wingingit1987 · 30/08/2023 12:09

Every day. I once skipped a day when I had a very unwell baby who couldn’t be put down but I can’t settle if I haven’t showered. Even on a lazy pj day in the house- I shower and out fresh pyjamas on.

RuthW · 30/08/2023 12:09

48 hours when water was off. I stink when I wake up.

LaMarschallin · 30/08/2023 12:13

RuthW

I stink when I wake up.

Well, there's your trouble then.
Most people don't.

Have you tried staying asleep?

user1483387154 · 30/08/2023 12:15

I usually shower every morning, however when bad depression strikes it can be 3 days but I know I dont smell good or feel good when this happens and have to shake myself out of it.

DRS1970 · 30/08/2023 12:19

I used to be in the military. Once when on exercise I had to go 10 days without a proper wash. Suffice to say I was smelly and minging.

charlertin · 30/08/2023 12:20

LaMarschallin · 30/08/2023 12:13

RuthW

I stink when I wake up.

Well, there's your trouble then.
Most people don't.

Have you tried staying asleep?

Well, most people think they don't. The amount of smelly people on the train in the mornings...that tells a different story.

BansheeofInisherin · 30/08/2023 12:21

I take the Tube almost daily. Most people are delusional with their bits and pits washes. At least in a London summer.

plehpleh · 30/08/2023 12:22

I shower daily. Longest I've gone is 1 day and that was after my daughter was born and I just could not stay awake after an intense labour.

Husband on the other hand has gone TWO WEEKS without showing before but typically goes 3-5 days normally, until I pester him about his stink and he has to do something about it. It's grim.

BodegaSushi · 30/08/2023 12:23

MitchellMummy · 30/08/2023 11:04

24 hours. But I have a 2 minute shower as opposed to a Mumsnet 30 minute one!

Surely there's an in between? There's always a competition for the shortest/longest. 5/6 minutes not a thing?

Also, if people are not showering twice a week, a half hour shower is probably needed