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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Are we really disgusting?

411 replies

TransformersRobotsInDaSky · 17/07/2016 17:22

I love to have deep, hot baths and DH and DS do too. To enable us to have them really deep and not feel too bad about wasting water, we share the water, one going in after the other (or sometimes one of us shares with DS). I happened to mention this to my DSis who thinks its absolutely disgusting.

Obviously if I'm shaving then I'll go in last or if anyone's particularly dirty they go to the back of the queue, but this is normal behaviour isn't it? Does everyone else share bath water or AIBU to share bath water with my family?

OP posts:
knacked · 18/07/2016 16:43

Yip. V sensible. And, how dirty can u be if u bathe daily????

Cleanermaidcook · 18/07/2016 16:50

Yep family of 4 here, we share, no pecking order, sometimes one or both kids first then I'll jump in, sometimes I'll run a bath and one or both kids will jump in with or after me. Dh is usually last not sure why, maybe he's a grubby male? I've learned to wipe my arse properly, resist the urge to pee in it and am not usually covered in mud, same goes for the rest of the family. Funnily enough we all have very robust immune systems. Happy to be judged grubby, rank or gross, we're all happy in our own filth Grin

GrimmauldPlace · 18/07/2016 17:27

Polly research has shown that when you flush the toilet fecal bacteria sprays outwards. Considering most people have their toothbrush in the bathroom, chances are that bacteria will settle on it as well as other surfaces. As for the phone, surely I don't have to explain how germs spread? Unless you never touch anything else that someone else has touched and don't ever put your phone down then chances are high that there will be all sorts of yucky stuff all over it. You may wash your hands, not everybody does. Have you ever seen the studies in to bacteria found on tube and bus seats? Nasty.

bumpology · 18/07/2016 17:31

Yep, I can confirm that in Japan they have a quick scrub and shower first, and then soak in a hot, deep tub of water, which isn't only shared between family members but sometimes house guests too. The same tub of water is then kept and rewarmed on subsequent days. But they make sure they are very clean before they get in - no soap suds or floating pubes allowed..

BoudiccaAD60 · 18/07/2016 17:33

Not disgusting.My sister and I usually shared a bath. We turned out very clean, hygienic people! Just not sure about using bathwater separately one after the other. Would I have objected? Not a bit. Go for it!

sarahb1982 · 18/07/2016 17:38

I come from a big family and have never shared bath water - and we were poor.
My mum is in her 70's, from a huge family and never shared bath water. So it's not an older generation thing.
I honestly had no idea people did this, I'm a bit shocked!

Expat777 · 18/07/2016 17:43

Happens here too, but I always get first bath being allergic to almost all soaps etc. Dh loves bubble bath so if he goes last he can have all the smellies he wants.
We even use leftover water for toilets for unflushed wees. Can't bare to flush fresh water down loos 10 a day. For us 3/4 times is good enough for wees, unless visitors of course.

uglybugdoes · 18/07/2016 17:44

Haha well if it is then we are gross lol, unless I bath in the middle of the night I have no choice but to let my kids have my water! We have an old back boiler so the bath takes ages (and costs a fortune) to heat up and I like my water scalding.. My kids literally sit next to the bath asking when they can get in, and my DH usually gets the water after them Smile

The kids have their proper bath in the morning and will still ask to get in my water when I get in at lunchtime.

I don't think it's gross at all

Mumble29 · 18/07/2016 17:48

Yep we do that in our house too

Overshoulderbolderholder · 18/07/2016 17:52

Bath time was always so much part of the bedtime ritual when the kids were little and they did share or one in after the other, or one dumped in with me...We all shower now instead, not sure when that change over happened. Miss those days, who cares about the Yuk factor, they were fun times! ... Would say though my DP does physical work so wouldn't jump any queue to share his bath waterGrin

swelchphr · 18/07/2016 18:01

Sorry, but I've never heard of people doing this and agree that it's gross Confused. Now I'm wondering how many people around me are stewing in dirty tub water Hmm.

RubbishMantra · 18/07/2016 18:03

Good God - poo crumbs.

I'd die of mortification if my crack contained poo crumbs. Surely wet-wipes come into play to remove (if any) poo crumbs? Or maybe they could be the new and fashionable replacement to panko crumbs... Sweet-breads, coated in Poo Crumbs.

Notmuchtosay1 · 18/07/2016 18:10

My other half gets in my water but I wouldn't get in his. He's always dirty as does a dirty job. None of my children would share either. But they have showers. The oldest 2 shared when they were younger. We are not on a water meter so we don't pay for water. But that's not an excuse to be wasteful we just have showers.

OhLaVache · 18/07/2016 18:12

We do this all the time - pretty normal as far as I'm concerned. We all wash daily so usually not that dirty! I'm shocked people are shocked...

EveryCloudhasl · 18/07/2016 18:16

I'm sorry I think it's gross too- though obv the majority are for it. You're bathing in someone elses sweat, skin cells and dirt. I even have a shower after a bath because I just don't see how lying in your own dirt can make you clean. Let alone someone else's. Just yuck.

Thissideof40 · 18/07/2016 18:21

If I'm first I don't mind but otherwise I find it rank. I think I'm a bit OCD though.

We normally just have showers rather than baths.

Expat777 · 18/07/2016 18:28

All of you grossed out. You sure u got kids? As making them is much more dirty. Sharing the same bed is much worse especially after 2 weeks, but that's another mumsnet subject.

Pinkladyof66 · 18/07/2016 18:29

Hi be don't bath it I share with son if we don't bath together he will bath first I will add extra for me after son has bath every day so not dirty

Pinkladyof66 · 18/07/2016 18:29

That was meant to say hubbie don't bath

Leaspr · 18/07/2016 18:32

It's always been normal for me! When I was growing up and now it's just myself and my daughter. Kids go last as a general rule for some reason! I think it's because it's cooler when they get in. I did exfoliate and shave the other night though and ran a fresh bath after for her! I must have been feeling generous and flush. What!? I'm on a meter! Haha!

EveryCloudhasl · 18/07/2016 18:33

I'm sure I have a child. And yes having sex is more 'unhygienic' let's say, as is wiping children's snotty noses and being puked on by babies- this is why we shower n bath to rid yourself of germs not bathe in more lol.

This is lighthearted btw- wouldn't actually judge anyone for doing it.

Expat777 · 18/07/2016 18:36

No judging. Everybody does what's right for them.

noisyrice · 18/07/2016 18:39

Fair enough. Water in the south west is expensive, especially on a meter.

I've shared baths but I don't bathe to be 100% clean, I run a bath to relax and soothe any aches.

If I wanted to be clean and fresh, I'd shower.

turquoisebaby · 18/07/2016 18:42

I presume none of you use public swimming pools either?!!? Heaven forbid you get in used water.

mummylove2monsters · 18/07/2016 18:43

It's fine , we do it !! - swimming pools are far more gross - just imagine how many armpits , feet and bum holes your sharing water with there !!!! XXXX