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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:
TheCyclingGorilla · 30/08/2023 13:01

Two weeks.

I had a CS under anaesthetic, due to complications. I was in hospital due to pre-eclampsia about four days prior. The ward shower room...well, I wouldn't wash livestock in there. After the surgery, I was bedbound for a few days but I could only have a strip wash. My hair was gross by the time I was discharged.

In normal circumstances I can go 3 days without a shower if I wash in the sink but I prefer a shower every other day.

MrsMoastyToasty · 30/08/2023 13:03

About 6 weeks following a fractured leg. I was using in a cast and using a zimmer frame so couldn't get upstairs.

I had strip washes at the kitchen sink and a weekly outing to the hairdressers.

Winnipeggy · 30/08/2023 13:04

About 3 days unless it's super hot or have done lots of exercise. My hair is terrible when washed too often.

BluebellsForest · 30/08/2023 13:04

Three weeks when very depressed. I wasn't inflicting it on anyone else though.

Tessisme · 30/08/2023 13:04

About 5 or 6 days when I got out of hospital a few years back. I felt absolutely awful and couldn't wait to get showered. I can't honestly say if I was smelly. I didn't care. I just wanted a shower! Even when I had the flu, I trailed myself into the shower as soon as I was able to stand up without keeling over. It's not just about being clean for me, it's like pressing a great big reset button in my brain.

TinaTeaspoons · 30/08/2023 13:07

Without being gross it would start to smell a lot down below if didnt wash for more than 3 days.

Bleachedblondeswimmer · 30/08/2023 13:10

lightinthebox · 30/08/2023 12:33

I strength train and do cardio classes. I wear clean clothes and wear deodorant, I just find it’s not necessary. But that’s my preference and fully understand others would struggle.

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Do you do a strip wash or pits and bits between showers . Most people seems say that’s what they do in between .

Moonshine5 · 30/08/2023 13:10

Having clients who suffer from a Mental Health diagnosis' I frequently encounter individuals who shower once maybe twice a month. Self neglect manifests in many ways. They rarely smell and are good at putting on a show for the outside 'world'.

Wizadora25 · 30/08/2023 13:13

About 5 days probably. Now I have a bath every other day.

EBearhug · 30/08/2023 13:15

Some days when camping, but I do remember washing my hair in a cold river on day 2 of my DofE gold expedition, and felt a million times better afterwards. I do my best to strip wash where possible, if plumbed water isn't available. I sometimes skip a day at weekends if I'm feeling lazy, but usually I swim fairly often, so I'm quite clean from dunking myself in chlorinated water anyway.

LuckySantangelo35 · 30/08/2023 13:16

lightinthebox · 30/08/2023 12:33

I strength train and do cardio classes. I wear clean clothes and wear deodorant, I just find it’s not necessary. But that’s my preference and fully understand others would struggle.

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@lightinthebox

are you not sweaty and feeling like you want to freshen up after a cardio class?
no judgment just genuinely interested!

Dryona · 30/08/2023 13:19

Winnipeggy · 30/08/2023 13:04

About 3 days unless it's super hot or have done lots of exercise. My hair is terrible when washed too often.

There's a lot of this on this thread and I don't understand it - you don't have to wash your hair every time you have a shower, so why is not wanting to wash your hair too often reason to not have a shower?!

I shower daily and only wash my hair every 3 days.

MenopauseSucks · 30/08/2023 13:20

When I was at home with psychiatric problems & rarely going out, I would shower maybe 1-2 a week. I lived with my Mum & she was delighted when I did - it was always seen as a big step forward.

However, I did do 'pits & bits' (& feet) every day, use wet wipes on the rest of me & used dry shampoo as needed. I would only brush my teeth every day, not floss or tee-pee.

So I might not have been shower fresh but I wasn't completely disgusting.

Knors · 30/08/2023 14:20

Dryona · 30/08/2023 13:19

There's a lot of this on this thread and I don't understand it - you don't have to wash your hair every time you have a shower, so why is not wanting to wash your hair too often reason to not have a shower?!

I shower daily and only wash my hair every 3 days.

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Not sure if they've ever heard of a shower cap tbh

BodegaSushi · 30/08/2023 14:21

TinaTeaspoons · 30/08/2023 13:07

Without being gross it would start to smell a lot down below if didnt wash for more than 3 days.

Let's be honest, it should really be a daily affair.

Haveallthesongsbeenwritten · 30/08/2023 14:23

Shoxfordian · 30/08/2023 09:51

Unless I’m really unwell and can’t get out of bed then every day I shower and wash my hair

We had guests recently who didn’t shower for 3 days: disgusting

Ewwww!!! I cannot not shower every day. Hair every two days.

Maggiemaggieooo · 30/08/2023 14:27

Daily longest I've been without a shower is 2 days

BlueRabbitYellow · 30/08/2023 14:42

Knors · 30/08/2023 14:20

Not sure if they've ever heard of a shower cap tbh

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How do you manage to keep a decent hairstyle alive under the humid conditions of a shower cap? Asking for a friend.

BlueRabbitYellow · 30/08/2023 14:49

SuperiorM · 30/08/2023 12:43

I go for daily, also once a week bath. However, in general, don’t think I’ve noticed many people who smell when commuting. I also think that frequent showers are great but won’t cure someone who does have BO. Teenagers, women with menopause are 2 examples of those who might be a bit whiffy for other reasons. I also wonder if excessive washing might promote sweat like excessive shaving promotes hair growth.

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How rude! Most women of a certain age that I know smell delightful, being fully aware of hygiene, deodorants, and decent perfumes.

And shaving promotes hair growth?! I love that one 😂

SuperiorM · 30/08/2023 14:53

BlueRabbitYellow · 30/08/2023 14:49

How rude! Most women of a certain age that I know smell delightful, being fully aware of hygiene, deodorants, and decent perfumes.

And shaving promotes hair growth?! I love that one 😂

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😂 but seriously, the shaving thing is true.

Ask any man

SuperiorM · 30/08/2023 14:55

BlueRabbitYellow · 30/08/2023 14:42

How do you manage to keep a decent hairstyle alive under the humid conditions of a shower cap? Asking for a friend.

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i don’t even understand the direction this is going in 🤣 it’s getting toooo Mumsnet/Only on Mumsnet

midgemadgemodge · 30/08/2023 14:56

I am more often offended by the artificial smells of deodorant , soaps and perfume than someone's natural body smells

Even when at festivals / backpacking / where many people go days without washing

midgemadgemodge · 30/08/2023 14:57

I understood that Shaving didn't promote hair growth but does lead to blunt end s of hair that appear stronger and so more voluminous

TropicalTrama · 30/08/2023 14:59

Personally I find the humid conditions of a shower cap combined with a tight bun achieve a fantastic wavy swish that revitalises a 1/2 day old blow dry. Hair is every 3 days for me but I don’t think I’ve missed a daily shower since I hit puberty. Such is my commitment I once showered with a toddler in the BA lounge at Heathrow whilst awaiting a connecting flight rather than miss a day. Hair didn’t look so good after that though.

WithIcePlease · 30/08/2023 15:00

I went for 3 months after a pelvic injury without anything but a basin wash.
It was almost worth it as the first bath after that time felt fabulous 😊