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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wash everyday?

558 replies

Brodiebirdy · 16/04/2019 13:17

I currently wash my hair every other day and on the days in between I just have a quick wash in the shower (I’m only in there for about 2 mins). I’m staying with my sister for the week and she says it’s a lot of water to use and that you don’t really need to wash every day- she says that every other day is fine. I just wondered if other people thought that washing everyday is too much? Thanks

OP posts:
WatershedMoment · 17/04/2019 09:05

Do people who 'jump' into the shower then 'grab' a coffee and 'pick up a haul' from the shops?wink
And then 'pop in' to see a friend?

LaurieMarlow · 17/04/2019 09:06

How anyone could put on a garment that’s already been used previously without it being washed is beyond me. Yes, dry cleaning bills can be high for coats, suits etc. but it’s a small price to pay for basic cleanliness.

You sound deranged.

LaurieMarlow · 17/04/2019 09:11

From an environmental POV it would be better to get out of the habit of daily washing and washing of clothes after one use.

But it’ll depend what people are comfortable with and what’s important to them. I shower 5/6 days out of 7 (strip wash on days off) and wash underwear/vests/tights after one use, though I recycle other stuff that isn’t dirty.

I wouldn’t feel comfortable doing less than that.

LaurieMarlow · 17/04/2019 09:16

Doesn't the wet flannel just spread the sweat/dirt/dead skin cells around rather than cleaning your skin?

People who say this don’t have a fucking clue how soap works.

freshsmelling · 17/04/2019 09:18

Do people who 'jump' into the shower then 'grab' a coffee and 'pick up a haul' from the shops?

And then 'pop in' to see a friend?

... and keeping turning around to say things to people? Grin

Mabellavender · 17/04/2019 09:26

Strip washing sounds grim Envy

woodhill · 17/04/2019 09:43

Depends where you are.

I shower every day but if you are not going to work or mainly at home one day a strip wash would be fine.

tocotoucan · 17/04/2019 09:55

Some people dont wash their children every single day (I usually do because they're grimey by the end of the day after being in the garden/softplay/preschool playing with filth) but understand some people's children stay fairly clean. Lots of friends I have only bath their kids once/twice a week as they just aren't messy and avoid dirt. But adults... grown adults... yes imo you should wash everyday. I couldn't imagine going from one day to the next without a shower. I wash hair every 3rd day as it's really long and takes ages to dry, so don't have time to do it more often, but who doesn't have time for a 2 min shower once a day?! God I'd feel vile if I didn't. And I'm not rolling in dirt daily, I'm just doing everyday things. Your sister isnt bu if that's her personal choice, but she shouldn't project her choices on to you. Especially as you've offered to cover the extra "costs" of these 2 min showers. Sounds pretty controlling.

Mabellavender · 17/04/2019 10:02

Who are all these people strip washing like they’re in the 1950s? I’ve never met anyone in real life who does this (that I know of)

LaurieMarlow · 17/04/2019 10:09

I fail to see what’s ‘grim’ about a quick wash with a flannel.

If you don’t like it, don’t do it, no one’s holding a gun to your head.

runningintotime · 17/04/2019 10:14

Washing your pits, tits and slits is also known as a whore's bath Grin

Pegsinarow · 17/04/2019 10:20

I don't care how it's done but, extreme poverty or illness aside, soap and water should be applied to one's entire body at least once every 24 hrs imho!

Planetian · 17/04/2019 10:23

I shower every second day, as do a lot of people I know. It's only on mumsnet where I've seen that this is considered absolutely disgusting! My DH showers every day and often twice per day but the only reason for that is his work (think animal excrement!) so it's a necessity, but if you work an office job and aren't exercising I can't wrap my head around the need for multiple showers per day as many people on mumsnet profess to having? My skin would be dried and shrivelled! And such a waste of water and money too? I suppose perhaps I'm lucky and sweat much less than the average person, I don't know? I never smell of BO etc. maybe others do when they don't shower daily? My boss (who is one of the most groomed women I know) only needs to wash her hair once a week and she has gorgeous hair that never, ever looks greasy. I wouldn't show my face in public if I hadn't washed my hair in a week as it would be stuck to my head with grease!

Anywho OP I somewhat agree with your sister in that I personally don't need a shower every day but I don't know your personal circumstances so if you need to shower every day then YANBU

longwayoff · 17/04/2019 10:47

No no no. Washing every day is essential. You may think you don't smell. Other people will know differently but will probably not tell you.

AdvancedAvoider · 17/04/2019 10:51

God there's some real weirdos on MN Confused

I don't jump in the shower daily because if I jumped then someone would have to call an ambulance andim not keen on paramedics seeing me naked.

As for the lunatic that thinks washing coats, hats, scarves etc after one use is normal, I hold you to account for the way the planet is going.

And someone else said that those of us that don't wash daily have a poor sense of smell? Wrong, I have a hyper sensitive nose and sadly can smell everything, EVERYTHING I tell you.

MRex · 17/04/2019 10:51

I shower almost every day and face wash every night. DH showers every other day and face washes every night. DS is given a bath 1/2/3 times a week when needed or when it's Sunday, gets his face and hands washed about 4 times a day when they're filthy, bum cleaned at nappy change and any other bits washed as needed. We might wash DS every day if he went to nursery.

Clothes get washed when they're dirty or smell, underwear / socks / DS vest only gets one day but most things get a couple of wears and bras get 3/4 days. Then there are DH's jeans, which I have to find and steal every few weeks while he's sleeping to sneak them into the wash or he'd never put them in. Even after family norovirus including DS vomit on everyone he claimed "they're ok, I've wiped them", bleurgh, I put my foot down and they got washed.

woodhill · 17/04/2019 10:52

What on earth did people used to do before showers and not having bathrooms, I'm sure they didn't fill the tin bath everyday so I'm dubious of that "Whore's bath*" as strip washing was the norm.

We are very lucky. DD went to a 3rd world country to do a GAP thing. She needed wet wipes and there may have been some sort of shower but not tons of hot water as we know it.

LaurieMarlow · 17/04/2019 10:53

You may think you don't smell. Other people will know differently but will probably not tell you.

While there are a small number of people who smell, this is bollocks for the vast majority.

I think deodorant companies have done a lot to make us paranoid that we smell. Don’t fall for the bullshit.

MRex · 17/04/2019 10:57

Oh yeah, coats get washed once a year or less depending on how often they're worn or if they get dirty they'll be washed. Fleeces and scarves maybe every few months unless they get dirty.

My cleaner remains horrified that I only want bedding and towels swapped every 2 weeks unless someone is ill or there's a spillage. Hand towels weekly unless they get dirty. My mum does hand towels and dish towels every day, even though they're small it seems excessive, one of our bathrooms might have only been used twice in a day and we rarely fully dry the washing up it's just for the drips on the edge of chopping boards etc. Mum also thought me having 10 year old towels was disgusting even though they're freshly washed, so she can be a bit OTT.

BarbieJellyBabyBrain · 17/04/2019 11:03

Unless there is some sort of bacterial infection issue going on, bodies that have been in an average UK temperature, haven't done any strenuous exercise, have clean clothes on them, but haven't been washed since yesterday do not smell. And they certainly don't smell so bad that you would be able to smell someone as they walked past you in the office. It's just not how human bodies and bacteria work.

Those people who you can smell haven't washed for days and are wearing clothes that are already contaminated with stale sweat.

outpinked · 17/04/2019 11:10

Everyone I know showers every day, I thought most people did. I do the same as you and am only in there for 2 minutes on the days I don’t wash my hair.

SerenDippitty · 17/04/2019 11:12

Fresh sweat doesn't smell otherwise people who interview rugby players straight after a game would be looking a bit green and standing as far away as possible...

TheBlackDaliah · 17/04/2019 11:13

BarbieJellyBabyBrain I disagree, if I shower before bed and use deodorant I can smell my own armpits in the morning. I will then shower before work as I wouldn't want anyone to have to smell me 🤷

DrCristinaYang · 17/04/2019 11:18

I get a bath daily and wash my hair in the shower every 2-3 days.

Lweji · 17/04/2019 11:21

Unless there is some sort of bacterial infection issue going on, bodies that have been in an average UK temperature, haven't done any strenuous exercise, have clean clothes on them, but haven't been washed since yesterday do not smell. And they certainly don't smell so bad that you would be able to smell someone as they walked past you in the office. It's just not how human bodies and bacteria work.

I don't have any infections going or sweat a lot, but my armpits will smell the day after or after a few hours if I don't use deodorant. It may not be enough to smell as I walk by, but I'm sure it would after an extra day or for sensitive people.

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