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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not shower every day

254 replies

AngryGinger · 07/01/2017 11:18

To make it clear, I do have a wash every day but I don't see the need to actually shower or bathe every single morning. was talking to people at work about it, most of the women seemed to agree with me whilst the men thought it was weird that we didn't have a whose presence every single morning. Aibu to be washed but not showered every day?

OP posts:
madmomma · 09/01/2017 09:21

I reek even with a daily shower, but if you don't then you're nbu at all. Dh only has one 2 or 3 times a week but never smells less than fragrant. ( probably because he uses half a can of deodorant every day)

knackeredfarmingmummy · 09/01/2017 10:00

its fine, if it makes you feel better, my husband and I don't shower every day, and are frequently shoulder deep in various parts of cattle an/or covered in cow shit, we just sort of wallow in each others company

Softkitty2 · 09/01/2017 10:11

People should shower especially women imo.. Because the vagina is a very lubricant area and not washing it after a full nights sleep and go on all day expecting it to smell of daisies? I dont think so.

Take note when someone comes out of the toilet and there is a stench left that's not poo. Ew!

Like some other posters said.. Takes less than 5 mins to have a shower.

alltouchedout · 09/01/2017 10:18

I'm sure there are people who can go perfectly well without a daily shower but if I try it, I smell. I find a wash at the sink takes longer than a quick shower, and I do mean quick- if I don't have to wash my hair I literally get wet, soap up the bits that need it, rinse and get out. It's hair washing that takes the time (and water and gas) I find. But even one day without washing leaves my hair minging. I do force myself to skip days as I don't want to be wasteful but I really dislike the state of my hair on those days.

Proudmummytodc2 · 09/01/2017 10:26

I have a shower everyday and wash my hair everyday as it's always bloody greasy always been the same as long as I can remember but I have recently just discovered dry shampoo so I now sometimes skip washing the hair and use dry shampoo but I still have a shower every day I can't go without one I don't feel awake, clean and ready for the day without one bit everyone is different I suppose.

lozzylizzy · 09/01/2017 12:16

I shower first thing in a morning and have a bubble bath before bed every day. Unless I am going out in the evening then I will have a shower before I go out instead of the bath.

Edwardobolando · 09/01/2017 12:23

To me that sounds like loads more effort than just jumping in the shower for 2 minutes and washing your whole body... I wash my hair every 2-3 days but I still shower in the morning and evening or else I feel disgusting.

lozzylizzy · 09/01/2017 12:27

I tried a strip wash when my shower wasn't working. My legs and arms suddenly felt scruffy (because I left them out the wash)

I like the whole body clean feeling :)

NavyandWhite · 09/01/2017 12:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

treaclesoda · 09/01/2017 12:42

I wouldn't strip naked for a wash. I'd strip off the top half, wash, and then dress the top half. Then strip off the bottom and do the same.

I don't often do it, I usually shower, but sometimes there isn't enough hot water to shower, and needs must...

iMogster · 09/01/2017 13:27

I have a shower every other day. I have dry skin and don't sweat much. If I've been to exercise class or it's a heatwave, I always shower.
My DH showers everyday and has greasy skin and hair, he smells of BO if he skips a day.

StarlingMurderation · 09/01/2017 14:06

I'm not very neat or "handy" and I think I'd get water all over the bathroom floor if I did a strip wash, while I was rinsing. I'd certainly soak the clothes on my bottom half while washing my top half, if I did what treacle does.

Purplebluebird · 09/01/2017 15:28

I shower every other day. If I were to wash my hair every day, it would never be dry :o (very long). If I were commuting on tube or train, I would probably shower every day as they make me feel a bit dirty. Also if I get hot and sweaty / do exercise, I will shower. Most of the time I'm just at home with my little one, going to the playground or whatever, and it's not really necessary to shower every day for me. I don't smell, honest!

lokisglowstickofdestiny1 · 09/01/2017 15:38

Nothing to do with time for me. My skin dries out too much if I shower more than every other day. I wash the parts of me that need washing and I certainly don't smell.

Totallybonkersmum · 11/01/2017 02:47

I guess my shower routine is very different to pretty much most of you, as I'm actually disabled.
I wash my hair ever week, sometimes ten days. As it's got longer and I don't spend hours styling it anymore, it just doesn't get greasy at all.
As for a shower, that's a very different matter. I'm very unsteady and use a shower seat. That's great when I'm sat on it, but it's reaching for anything I need in addition to the soap or if I've dropped the darn thing yet again🙄. I have a carer in once a week to help me shower. I always feel very embarrassed to be seen naked by a stranger each time, as I admit I do have quite a complex about my body, due to a drip drip of vile comments from my mother. The other problem is that all my caters are significantly much shorter than me and I definitely would want them to hurt themselves by catching me, mid fall, having hurt my back that way too.
So if I feel I smell a bit mid shower, I use wet wipes. Even more so at the moment at I'm unwell.
However, it's more my nose that's sensitive to my body odours. My family tell me they can smell anything untoward.
When I do go out, it's generally for a few hours at the moment and as I've hardly awoken the clothing neither I nor my clothes get sweaty. So I wear those for two wears.
Years ago, before I was disabled, I had a shower twice a day and changed my clothing being suit and blouse, daily, my casual wear daily and my gym gear every time I used it.
I must admit my nice smellies last longer, I treat myself to a good, really nice smelling quality shampoo and conditioner. I buy those in litre sizes and because they're a thicker consistency than shop shampoos and conditioners a litre bottle of both that I bought over a year ago are still still have plenty left. I use a pump for each and only need two squirts for my long hair. I look after it because of the harsh treatment and medication that I have to take.
I know too, that I don't tend to sweat either as physically I'm unable to. Gone are those days😔.
So I just have to make the most of what I can, when I can! But thank goodness for the invention of the wet wipe!

brianna5 · 11/01/2017 20:23

We shower everyday, in the morning before work ( always on my desk and staring at a screen - office work) and school for kids. And we also have a bath most evenings before bed time. hair doesn't get washed with every day

brianna5 · 11/01/2017 20:26

Also commute by tube everyday

Postagestamppat · 11/01/2017 20:28

I used to shower every day but that was more to wake in up than for cleanliness. Now I shower twice a week. You wouldn't know if you stood next to me.

Ohsotired123 · 11/01/2017 20:37

Without trying to sound rude, but just in my honest opinion, it's pretty grim not to shower every day. After shitting and god knows what else, your ass must stink.

LastGirlOnTheLeft · 11/01/2017 21:34

Ohsotired, you were ohsotrying to sound rude, so stop with the lies.

I shower every other day because with a full time job, four young children and caring for my elderly parents, I just do not have either the time nor the inclination to shower, get my hair all wet then have the faff of drying it! Even a shower cap still doesn't keep ALL the water out.

And I always smell absolutely divine! Wink

CaraAspen · 11/01/2017 23:07

"LastGirlOnTheLeft

Ohsotired, you were ohsotrying to sound rude, so stop with the lies."

Haha. Good line.Grin

RaeofSun · 12/01/2017 08:22

OMG my shower routine now takes triple the time with the thoughts of dead skin cells, bacteria and washing behind my knees. I over balanced scrubbing the soles of my feet and whacked my head on the wall !

SukeyTakeItOffAgain · 12/01/2017 10:59

After shitting and god knows what, your ass must stink

Do you not use toilet paper after shittting and god knows what? And what else does your "ass" do? Confused

Gottagetmoving · 12/01/2017 11:11

Why is MN so bloody obsessed with hygiene and who does what?
It is not necessary to shower every day. It is a choice. It is not right or wrong to do it or not do it.
Not having a shower every day does not mean you will stink.
I shower every day because I choose to - it wakes me up. Years ago I didn't have a shower so couldn't and a bath takes too long every morning.
If you think it is minging not to - thats your issue.

FatBottomedGal · 12/01/2017 14:03

I travel to and from Central London every day by train and bus, sometimes I want to shower twice a day!

I think it all comes down to how active you are and how much you sweat. Some people just need to shower more often than others!

Have to agree with a few others on here though, if I'm not washing my hair a shower takes far less time than a sink wash.