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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
woodhill · 17/04/2019 19:32

Some people are on a water meter so a strip wash may be more economic- we are not fortunately.

Mamalicious16 · 17/04/2019 19:42

In the 'old days' I remember having a weekly bath and 'saving' the water for my sister afterwards - it was normal then- couldn't imagine it now ......

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 17/04/2019 19:43

I think most people would remove pajamas when having a strip wash rather than 'rummage' under them.Confused

SerenDippitty · 17/04/2019 19:53

How is it possible to 'rummage' (God) with a wet, soapy cloth under pyjamas, and how can that be considered a pleasant (preferable) thing to do? confused

It’s called a strip wash because you take you pyjamas off to do it. 🙄

queenscot · 17/04/2019 20:00

None if these strip washers have answered.

Do you wear make up perfume daily?

Keep you skin moisturised and exfoliate the dead skin of?

Wax/shave?

Wear freshly laundered clothes daily, regardless of weather they look dirty or not they are washed after a days use to freshen them up?

How often do you brush your hair or teeth?

If not I'm inclined to believe you don't take that much an interest in yourself.

It's good and healthy to encourage these habits in children too, clean and well turned out.

64sNewName · 17/04/2019 20:02

I’m still wondering about the op’s sister’s reason for judging people who have regular sex.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 17/04/2019 20:04

I take it none of these posters who don't understand how strip washing works were born in the 70's?

Prequelle · 17/04/2019 20:06

Yes queenscot. I also put on an ice pack while doing stomach crunches. I can do 1000 now. After I remove the ice pack I use a deep pore cleanser lotion. Then I apply an herb-mint facial mask which I leave on for 10 minutes while I prepare the rest of my routine. I always use an after shave lotion with little or no alcohol, because alcohol dries your face out and makes you look older. Then moisturizer, then an anti-aging eye balm followed by a final moisturizing protective lotion.

ShabbyAbby · 17/04/2019 20:09

Sometimes I wash twice a day but every day once is standard surely? I don't think having my 2-3mins shower uses more water than having a strip wash would but it's much more pleasant.

LaurieMarlow · 17/04/2019 20:16

Given the state of the planet I really don’t think people should be discouraging a practice that’s perfectly hygienic and more environmentally friendly than the alternatives.

LaurieMarlow · 17/04/2019 20:24

I do everything you mention queenscot except this.

Wear freshly laundered clothes daily, regardless of weather they look dirty or not they are washed after a days use to freshen them up?

Because I don’t believe in washing clothes that aren’t dirty.

Are you the same batshit poster who dry cleans coats after every use?

DappledThings · 17/04/2019 20:24

I'm a strip washer ready to answer your questions!

Do you wear make up perfume daily?
No. Only when really dressing up which really means 1-2 times a year for weddings

Keep you skin moisturised and exfoliate the dead skin of?
I wash my face with sulphur soap daily as its apparently good for rosacea. Seems to be helping. I don't exfoliate or moisturise anywhere else

Wax/shave?
Occasionally!

Wear freshly laundered clothes daily, regardless of weather they look dirty or not they are washed after a days use to freshen them up?
Yes for underwear, socks, tops. Jumpers and trousers will get a second day unless had food dropped on them

How often do you brush your hair or teeth?
Hair once, teeth twice

I only associate the clothes and teeth brushing questions with cleanliness. The others are purely beauty/product based and optional.

YourSarcasmIsDripping · 17/04/2019 20:28
  • Do you wear make up perfume daily?

No
Keep you skin moisturised and exfoliate the dead skin of?

No

Wax/shave?

Rarely

Wear freshly laundered clothes daily, regardless of weather they look dirty or not they are washed after a days use to freshen them up?

Socks,pants and tops yes. Others no.
How often do you brush your hair or teeth?*

Hair in the morning, teeth morning and night.

But... I don't strip wash (I've done it a few times in 35 years but it's not a regular thing).

Do I care or not? Why does it matter?

user1472151176 · 17/04/2019 20:35

Generally I shower every day but I do have days when I don't bother. However this is mostly because I don't have a set routine. Sometimes I like to shower in the morning and sometimes I like a shower before bed.

SerenDippitty · 17/04/2019 20:46

*None if these strip washers have answered.

Do you wear make up perfume daily?*

Make up yes, perfume not daily. Why is it important to encourage children to wear perfume?

Keep you skin moisturised and exfoliate the dead skin of?

Moisturised yes. Exfoliate if I’m going to be putting gradual tanning lotion on.

Wax/shave?

Yes

Wear freshly laundered clothes daily, regardless of weather they look dirty or not they are washed after a days use to freshen them up?

No clothes other than pants and socks don’t necessarily need washing after a single wear and it’s ridiculous to think they do.

How often do you brush your hair or teeth?

Hair daily teeth twice daily.

reallyanotherone · 17/04/2019 20:46

I’m not a strip washer (more shower every other day/every three days) but I’ll answer;

Do you wear make up perfume daily?

No. Never wear either.

Keep you skin moisturised and exfoliate the dead skin of?

No. Never felt the need.

Wax/shave?

No.

Wear freshly laundered clothes daily, regardless of weather they look dirty or not they are washed after a days use to freshen them up?

No. Fresh underwear daily. Jeans can last a couple of days, jumpers a bit longer.

How often do you brush your hair or teeth?
Every day.

If not I'm inclined to believe you don't take that much an interest in yourself

What do you mean by not taking an interest in myself? I don’t feel the need to wear make up, wax/shave etc. Why do you have an issue with that?

BitterestPill · 17/04/2019 20:48

I shower in the morning as soon as I get up, Dd (15) and Ds (9) , each shower after they have had cereal.
Both kids do after school activities so shower everyday before bed. I would never get into bed without having a shower first.
We don't take ages in the shower but I can't imagine ever leaving the house without having one

Jessie94 · 17/04/2019 20:49

Neither of you are being unreasonable. It's just personal choice.
Yes, it's far better for the environment and for the skin to shower less. But only if you're not s dirty or smelly person.

I shower every 3/4 days or so and wash my hair every 9 days. But only because in otherwise clean, hygienic and don't smell

user1480880826 · 17/04/2019 20:54

We actually shouldn’t wash every day. It has become the social norm but it is not good for our health. There are numerous studies that show that our obsession with hygiene is damaging our health and the health of our children.

This is a fairly decent summary:

www.nytimes.com/2019/03/12/health/immune-system-allergies.html

And yes, I also shower daily and wash my hair every other day (except sometimes at the weekend when I can’t be bothered). But it’s just become a habit and I’m conscious that I shouldn’t be doing it.

englishdictionary · 17/04/2019 20:58

I take it none of these posters who don't understand how strip washing works were born in the 70's?

I was born in the 70’s and used a shower from about age 5, before that it would have been baths, no different to how my own DC have grown up.

managedmis · 17/04/2019 21:03

I was born in the 80s and understood what a strip wash is.

The pyjama comment was upthread, someone who has quick swish around beneath their pj's with a flannel. That's their strip wash. Presumably before they head back to bed? I don't know.

Note : we are living amongst these people.

YouBumder · 17/04/2019 21:05

I take it none of these posters who don't understand how strip washing works were born in the 70's?

I know how it works, I just don’t get the point!

Micah · 17/04/2019 21:08

I take it none of these posters who don't understand how strip washing works were born in the 70's?

I was born in the 70’s and have never strip washed, my mum and nan did though.

We only got our first shower in about 1987. Before that it was a rubber hose thing attached to the taps. So baths were once a week, adults would strip wash in between.

Baths also had to be planned as combi boilers weren’t so common, we had a water tank you had to switch in for an hour if you wanted a bath, and it would only fill one bath, you’d need to wait an hour or two for it to reheat.

YesQueen · 17/04/2019 21:17

Do you wear make up perfume daily?

Without fail

Keep you skin moisturised and exfoliate the dead skin of?

I use a Salux cloth so yes

Wax/shave?

Under arms weekly, legs as I feel the need

Wear freshly laundered clothes daily, regardless of weather they look dirty or not they are washed after a days use to freshen them up?

Nope, I wear skirts/trousers more than once, change tops daily

How often do you brush your hair or teeth?

Never brush my hair, teeth twice a day

Teacher22 · 17/04/2019 21:24

I have a short, shallow bather every day. If I did not I couldn’t warm my feet as I have Reynauld’s Syndrome. I also wash my hair every day as I have short hair and need to style it.

What will I do when the climate change protesters catch up with me is what I am wondering ( as it rains relentlessly.)