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Original poster

How long CAN you go without a shower?

91 replies

1000DayChallenge · 23/04/2025 18:23

I like to shower twice a day. I don’t do manual work or lots of exercise, I just like it. However

We currently don’t have a bathroom (apart from loo). We’re having a new one installed and it was supposed to be usable today, but it’s not going to be until (hopefully) Sunday. Maybe Monday or Tuesday.

I’m having to make do with really really thorough strip washes, and I can wash my hair in the kitchen sink. The strip washes involve two buckets of hot water, one clean, one soapy, and four flannels. I feel like it’s enough but is it? I don’t smell, I don’t think

Is this healthy? It’s a stupid thing to be worried about but I worry about everything

Going somewhere else isn’t an option

OP posts:
AprilBunny · 23/04/2025 18:25

That will be ok.

MrsMoastyToasty · 23/04/2025 18:31

About 8 weeks! Granted my leg was in plaster but I did go to the hairdressers to get my hair washed.

I couldn't manage the stairs and the bathroom is upstairs. I was managing between the downstairs loo and the kitchen sink.
My grandparents didn't even have a bathroom. Just a tin bath in front of the fire, a loo at the end of the yard, and toothbrush at the kitchen sink. (This was up until the late 1980s).

Original poster
1000DayChallenge · 23/04/2025 18:40

@MrsMoastyToasty you poor thing! I broke my ankle as a child (not as bad as you can bend your knee) and can’t have had a bath then, but I wasn’t bothered. It was so itchy though, and I got really told off when they took my cast off and found three rulers and a knitting needle

Unbelievable to think people didn’t have bathrooms in the 80s. I feel stupid now for worrying!!

OP posts:
stripedrollerskates · 23/04/2025 18:44

Four flannels sounds like overkill

Lounderflounder · 23/04/2025 18:48

Go for a swim. Rinse as you go in and then shower properly when you come out.

EmeraldRoulette · 23/04/2025 18:48

I had to do this twice in my life

broken ankle and spine injury

you sound like you're being very thorough.

I was using four flannels as well. Took me the whole morning, it was a right pain - literally in the case of the spine injury!

You'll be all right.

Sonolanona · 23/04/2025 18:50

My grandparents didn't even have a bathroom until I was a teenager..mid/late 80s. Tin bath in front of the fire once a week and strip washed daily. I thought it was great as a kid😆
People didn't used to have the luxury of showering daily , and previous generations had a strip wash as a way of life, so you'll be fine :)

Scottishgirl85 · 23/04/2025 18:51

Jeez what are you worried will happen? I have sensitive skin and really don't sweat, so have about 2 showers a week! A few quick splashes in between. No wonder the planet is fucked...

PollyCreo · 23/04/2025 18:52

I think I went 2 weeks without a proper shower after my mastectomy, I had surgical drains attached and it was a nightmare 🫣 My friend came round and washed my hair over the kitchen sink. God love her, it was August and I must have stunk 😵

BitOutOfPractice · 23/04/2025 18:53

Is it healthy? In what way do you imagine it’s unhealthy?

Summertimeblahness · 23/04/2025 19:07

You won’t die. It’s not unhealthy.

Whenever we have been without water I have used the shower at the gym or work. Mostly because I can’t be arsed to strip wash!

hamstersarse · 23/04/2025 19:11

A shower twice a day is total overkill

Do you have health anxiety?

cestlavielife · 23/04/2025 19:13

Why can't you go somewhere? Gym. pool etc? Hotel room? Cheap premier inn? Drive cycle bus or taxi to a shower

Iloveeverycat · 23/04/2025 19:15

Nothing wrong with a strip wash if you have to. Not sure why you have to shower twice a day.

Fuelledbylatte · 23/04/2025 19:19

Remember that it’s not that long ago since people had weekly baths with daily washing at the sink in between. You’ll be absolutely fine.

another one wondering what 4 flannels are needed for though, OP? I can imagine one for face, one for body…but 4? Curious!!

Isobel201 · 23/04/2025 19:26

Lounderflounder · 23/04/2025 18:48

Go for a swim. Rinse as you go in and then shower properly when you come out.

This, isn't a gym or a swimming pool not an option?

I usually just shower every two days if no immediate dirt or activity precludes it. I think twice a day is a bit much.

2chocolateoranges · 23/04/2025 19:28

2 showers a day is a lot especially if you don’t have a manual job. 2 buckets and 4 flannels are excessive to get washed in.

i shower every second day unless I’ve done something to make me sweaty or it’s been a warm day then I’ll shower once a day,

mathanxiety · 23/04/2025 19:42

The knitting needles and the ruler in the cast made me laugh Grin

Having work done and a blasé approach on the part of the people doing it is always very anxiety-inducing.

It sounds as if you're doing OK on the whole and have planned your washing well. Thorough topping and tailing will be fine.

Just focus on how nice it will feel to have a proper wash when the job is done and try not to fret.

OutOutDamnSpot · 23/04/2025 19:44

Why are you showering twice a day?

mathanxiety · 23/04/2025 19:45

I shower once a day. Twice seems like overkill to me but heyho...

Maybe think about whether you have an anxiety thing going on wrt cleanliness/ health once this upsetting time has passed.

Original poster
1000DayChallenge · 23/04/2025 19:47

stripedrollerskates · 23/04/2025 18:44

Four flannels sounds like overkill

I think you’re right. It’s all I could find in the airing cupboard. There’s really no need

OP posts:
blueleavesgreensky · 23/04/2025 19:48

MrsMoastyToasty · 23/04/2025 18:31

About 8 weeks! Granted my leg was in plaster but I did go to the hairdressers to get my hair washed.

I couldn't manage the stairs and the bathroom is upstairs. I was managing between the downstairs loo and the kitchen sink.
My grandparents didn't even have a bathroom. Just a tin bath in front of the fire, a loo at the end of the yard, and toothbrush at the kitchen sink. (This was up until the late 1980s).

How did they empty the tin bath? I always wonder this. Surely they are super heavy when full

MsNevermore · 23/04/2025 19:48

I’ve been in the Army 🤷🏻‍♀️😂

I’ve done training exercises and deployments where showers weren’t available for weeks on end…..so I know I CAN go ages without a shower but that’s only because there literally was no other choice.
But in your situation?
I think I’d have to ask a friend/family member if I could use their’s at least once in the timeframe you describe. If my hair is washed and I’ve had a good scrub everywhere else, I reckon I’d be fine with strip washes after that for a couple of days. I’d feel fully minging by the end of it, but I’d manage!

blueleavesgreensky · 23/04/2025 19:49

OutOutDamnSpot · 23/04/2025 19:44

Why are you showering twice a day?

I bath once and shower once a day. Because I like it.
And contrary to what people seem to say on mn by skin is really good

mindutopia · 23/04/2025 19:50

It’s absolutely fine. I have cancer and often don’t feel well enough to shower at times when the shower is free or there is hot water. I probably only actually shower 2-3 times a week at the moment, but I’m not going out most days or running marathons or rolling around in the mud. The days when I actually get dirty (we live in a farm, animals, etc), I shower.

I had to have surgery last year and couldn’t wash my hair for 6 weeks (due to incision that couldn’t get wet). Sounds horrific but actually I was surprised that my hair wasn’t as gross as I thought it would be.