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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:
formerbabe · 16/04/2019 18:20

I only wash my hair twice a week...it's very thick and never gets greasy.

Shower or bath every day though. I would smell if I didn't and be so self conscious. Washing every day is totally normal and not worthy of comment.

Shootingstar1115 · 16/04/2019 18:36

I shower every morning, a few times a week I have a bath in the evening too.

Washing whether it’s in the shower, bath or sink is v important every day IMO.

I once went on a weekend away with a friend. I took long showers every day (why not, when on holiday) and she didn’t shower all weekend 🤷‍♀️ Not sure she had a wash either! She asked why I shower so much? I’ve also seen showering daily normal as i was made to shower/bathe daily as a child and teen and I enjoy it. She didn’t stink or anything but a whole weekend 😬

englishdictionary · 16/04/2019 18:38

All this 'my hair doesn't get greasy until day x without a wash' Shock do you not know that hair can be dirty without looking greasy?

ElspethFlashman · 16/04/2019 18:42

If its not greasy I don't think you have to use shampoo though, but you do have to rinse it in water every couple of days to get the food smells out.

As I'm a grease ball who has to wash it every 2 days, I am always baffled and slightly in awe of people with hair that doesn't get greasy. I expect the temptation to ignore it would be huge.

3in4years · 16/04/2019 18:43

I think everyone should shower once a day if they can. Think of all the things you come into contact with in a day.

Lowena · 16/04/2019 18:44

I can't imagine why anyone would have a strip wash if they can jump in a shower instead. Why faff around with a flannel at the sink when you could literally be showered and out again in a minute if you wanted to be quick and were worried about the water and energy costs.

woodhill · 16/04/2019 18:55

I only wash my hair every 4 days, as you get older it is dryer.

EdWinchester · 16/04/2019 18:57

Yuck. Of course it's not OK.

But this is MN. You will get people saying the wash daily at the sink, or shower only in the evening and no, they don't smell.

Strip washing belongs in the 1940s, imo.

TeaAddict235 · 16/04/2019 19:00

So let's break this down in frank and basic terms, she's trying to control how often you wash your armpits and vagina and bum?

She complains about what you put into your buccal cavity (mouth)?

What else is she militant about, and how old is she? (Not to be ageist but this might be a helpful pointer)

If she is maybe older ~70s or so she might not sweat as much as the menopause can slow down perspiration. Does she know that the weather is going to ramp up over Easter?

Original poster
Brodiebirdy · 16/04/2019 19:04

@teaaddict235 she’s 29, we’re actually twins! She’s very odd about food but not generally anything else- so I was surprised about the washing issue!

OP posts:
BarbieJellyBabyBrain · 16/04/2019 19:08

Even if they've just had a pee, they leave a horrible musty smell of unwashed fanny in there. Yuck! Just YUCK!

Oh FFS! No they don't! 😂

ForalltheSaints · 16/04/2019 19:09

I hope I do not meet the OPs sister, even with my limited sense of smell.

BarbieJellyBabyBrain · 16/04/2019 19:09

I don't think that the OP is BU at all by the way but oh my days, the crap that people come out with on these showering threads!

OldAndWornOut · 16/04/2019 19:19

As long as the three fs (face, fanny and feet) are cleaned, I don't think the rest matters too much.

BlueJava · 16/04/2019 19:23

I have a shower and wash my hair every morning. Sometimes I have a bath or shower the night before too (just to relax, or if I've been gardening/decorating/whatever). No way would I want to have a day without showering first thing. YANBU.

BloodyDisgrace · 16/04/2019 19:28

I am surprised that not only people shower "every day" as opposed to "every other day", but that they don't shower twice - yes, you heard me, fucking twice - a day. I have a shower in the morning and evening, even if I'm ill and tired.

bmbonanza · 16/04/2019 19:31

I shower and wash my hair every single day. I hate the feeling of not washing it and feel dirty if I just do a strip wash. I am definitely not a clean freak but just 'have' to full shower every day to feel comfy. I'd offer to pay towards her water bill if she really is that tight!

SerenDippitty · 16/04/2019 19:34

I really don’t know how some posters would cope if there was a drought!

Pinkprincess1978 · 16/04/2019 19:37

I do the same - if I'm not washing my hair I will have the quickest shower to wash my body. I do smell unless I properly wash. I'm sure a strip wash of the essential places is ok but I would feel clean after it.

BarbieJellyBabyBrain · 16/04/2019 19:44

I am surprised that not only people shower "every day" as opposed to "every other day", but that they don't shower twice - yes, you heard me, fucking twice - a day. I have a shower in the morning and evening, even if I'm ill and tired.

Urgh, you absolute minger.

I shower on the hour, every hour - yes, you heard me, fucking every hour - even if I'm ill and tired.

Mydollymolly · 16/04/2019 19:46

I shower each day before work to wake myself up. I also wash my hair each day while showering. My hair looks like Ken Dodd with his finger in the plug socket when I awaken, so needs must.
It's a personal choice.

cptartapp · 16/04/2019 19:48

Shower or bath every day. PIL have a bath weekly and share the water. And I think their house and clothes smell. Kind of musty and unwashed.
We go camping with BIL and SIL every summer for 3-4 days. Despite choosing campsites with great facilities, neither shower the whole time.

YesQueen · 16/04/2019 19:50

My hair is about every 3-4 days, I only use conditioner, never shampoo and no, it doesn't get greasy

By every other day - sometimes it's actually once a day but I'll shower say Monday morning and then have a bath Tuesday evening. I can tell when I smell, if I've been to the gym and been sweating then I can smell it, I'm not nose blind Grin

64sNewName · 16/04/2019 19:57

I really do shower twice a day and these threads always get me down and make me feel guilty about it 😞

But I feel grimy/unconfident if I get dressed and go about my day without a quick shower/hair wash. And I also find it helps my insomnia if I have a warm shower before bed - and DP is in the same habit so we both come to bed clean when he stays over and it’s much nicer and sexier that way.

I don’t have a car, haven’t been on a plane in years, am fairly low plastic etc. so I’m giving myself an environmental pass on showers as they do so much to help me function. Strip washing does not compare.

Whitechocandraspberry · 16/04/2019 20:02

I shower every morning and nice bubble bath every night