To ask how often you shower / wash?

[springthorn]

This came up in a conversation with friends the other day. Some shower morning and night, some just once a day, others only once every couple of days and then others only when they have to leave the house, so potentially less than that! Just wondered what was "normal" for you?

[poppingin1]

The type of earwax you have is dependant on ethnicity from what I understand.

Beast I know what you mean because I used to attend college with a woman who washed every other day and said it was just because she didn't sweat as much as other people. But she did smell and looked as if she hadn't washed. I could never say anything to her.

I also think it depends on where you live. Living in a big city I think you are exposed to more dirt and pollution than in the middle of the countryside. Maybe that makes a difference?

[Beastofburden]

I dunno. But i really wish I knew how to say something. The problem is, whenever we have these online discussions the not washers are convinced there is no problem and the washers are being holier than thou. I am sure that's the response you would get IRL as well.

[HorryIsUpduffed]

City/country does matter. I definitely needed to wash more when I was commuting.

And I'd be surprised if I smelled, tbh, because (a) I have pregnancy super-smell-sense so the faintest whiff of sock has me heaving and (b) I cornered DH earlier to ask him and he looked at me like I was insane for even considering that I might smell. He doesn't know how often I wash (presumably because he isn't the one who launders towels or cleans the bathroom ) and he guessed far more often than the truth is.

[Pobblewhohasnotoes]

I shower every morning. I don't necessarily wash my hair every day. Normally every other day at least. I like feeling clean. Not a bath fan though, get bored.

[Beastofburden]

Horrey- not everyone who washes less often smells. I couldn't claim that- not least as I have no idea how often people wash when I meet them at work, so some of the fragrant ones might almost never wash.

I would really love a good way to approach those who do. It just seems to be almost impossible to say to someone. Which is weird, cos we have ways of saying nicely that their work needs to improve. Why is hygiene so much more personal than competence?

[FamiliesShareGerms]

I'm not sure whether I have dry or wet wax (the descriptions online aren't conclusive!) but I do know I just don't sweat that much. I have one, close fitting satin dress that can make my armpits a bit whiffy in hot weather, but even if I have done lots of exercise I'm not always hot and sticky.

[MrsDavidBowie]

Twice a day, three times if I have been to the gym. Wash hair every 3 days.

I couldn't contemplate not having a shower in the morning....would feel totally skanky.

[DrDre]

If I exercise (gym or run) I shower and wash my body all over. Otherwise I have a really quick shower and only wash my hair, face, armpits and privates. I usually exercise five days a week, so five days a week I wash my whole body, but the other two days only the "smelly" bits!
I am sure I read somewhere that dermatologists think we wash way too much now, and it is detrimental to the natural oils that keep our skin healthy. However, on a hot day I have to shower otherwise I feel too smelly!

[expatinscotland]

Daily shower.

[Ifancyashandy]

Once a day - every morning - unless I've been to the gym. Then twice. And wash hair every day, else I look bananas. And often have a bath to relax in the evening whether I've been to the gym of not.

I love a bubble bath, glass of wine and general candle inspired pampering! That, followed by Strictly & X Factor is my perfect Saturday night in.

I also watch Newsnight & Question Time

[HeadsDownThumbsUp]

Agree with other posters who say that future generations will probably look back on our showering 2/3 times a day will bewilderment and anger. It's totally ecologically irresponsible, and probably very bad for our skin too.

[expatinscotland]

Some of you must have enormous water bills.

[HorryIsUpduffed]

I wonder if the reason water rates are so eye-wateringly high is that so many ratespayers have eleventy showers a week.

[filee777]

I agree with the ecological argument, there is also no need to live in such fear of your own (clean) smell. People actually smell quite nice until they are dirty!

[pollywollydoodle]

equally, is there a way to raise the issue of the cloying smell of cleaning products ...these have me breathing through my nose
honey and vanilla product users, i'm looking at you....

[MackerelOfFact]

I have a friend who has just has his genome mapped and apparently there is a gene which means you are unable to smell your own sweat, which it found he has! So perhaps that's why some soap-dodgers don't realise they whiff.

I agree there is a big difference between someone who just hasn't washed for a day or so and someone that hasn't washed for a week or more. I love the natural soft (but not funky) smell of my DCs and DP, even my parents' actually. I think it also makes a big difference whether you put your dirty clothes back on after washing or fresh clean ones.

[ILoveAFullFridge]

Since going fragrance-free (I am allergic) I've developed an even more sensitive sense of smell. The amount of fragrances, and the number of different fragrances, that people sometimes use all at one time is overwhelming! I'm with you on that one, Pollywollydoodle. I know that I pong horribly if I don't wash, I certainly do not lack that gene! And I know that I do not pong if I wash but do not use any fragrances. My family do not h

[ILoveAFullFridge]

old back their opinions on that!

BTW, there is a gene which controls whether ot not your sweat becomes smelly. Apparently 90% of Europeans have that gene, whereas 90% of Jspanese do not.

[Heymacarena]

At least once per day.

If I am going running first thing, then obviously I wait until I get back home. but other than that I find it icky to leave the house without clean body and hair.

[ArgyMargy]

So, Beast, you want other people to wash more often because you have on overdeveloped sense of smell?

[ArgyMargy]

*an

[Beastofburden]

Argy not at all. There are a lot of people that I can smell, who dont disturb anybody else, so that is for me to put up with.

What I was trying to ask is, where we have someone at work who loads of people find smelly, but some poor sod (such as me) is delegated to tell them-

How do you do it? is there any kind, respectful, acceptable way?

and why is it so much more offensive to be told that you smell, than to be told that your work is not good enough? Both are pretty personal things, but one clearly far more than the other.

[FreshLeticia]

it's very hard to do Beast, I really don't envy that job at all.

My DH reckons that people just make it worse by washing more as it makes their scent hormones/skin sebum (lubricant) work harder to compensate for their extra washing.
I disagree a bit but I also think that smelling sweaty is definitely gene-linked. Me, my DD1 and DS all need to wash every day properly, otherwise we smell. DH can get away with several days if I let him and he never smells at all. MIL has terribly dry skin, so she only bathes her whole body once a week. She washes her face, underarms, bits and feet daily once or twice of course.
I can do the same, even though I am sweaty. I find that it is those bits which smell, so washing them properly once or twice a day is the key, whether that is in a basin, shower or bath.
I have perfected the art of washing in a bowl of warm water in a tent at festivals etc.

Hair is another thing. My family have greasy fair hair which needs daily washing and DH's do not. I have found that as I have got older my hair is more dry, but still looks dull if not washed. Again, a very little shampoo goes a long way, and even just cold water if camping.

I do agree that city/office life makes you need more washing. I work outside mostly, but find that being in the the office is sweatier because there is always too much heating on and no fresh air. Yuk.

[whois]

People's skin, hair, environment, propensity to sweet etc all play a part in how often you need to wash.

In summer in the heat I was showering 3x a day which got a bit annoying (on waking up, after biking to work, after biking home from work).

Generally once or twice a day depending on level of exercise. Sometimes not during the day eg Tuesday night then Thursday morning.

[Sparrowlegs248]

I used to shower twice a day. Until we moved to a house with no shower. I now bath every other day and wash at the sink morning and night in between. Hair is washed when i bath.

Its amazing how you get used to it and fed up of waiting for the damn bath to run