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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

How often should I shower?

999 replies

grosstonotshower · 12/01/2022 10:36

Ok so I'm having a few drinks with friends last night. We are all female a mix of parents and non parents. One friend mentions she is struggling to find time for o shower every day since she had her baby. I said "well I don't shower every day without a young baby," All of my friends looked at me in horror. Apparently even the ones with kids shower daily. Full disclosure I have two dd one under five and I work part time. I shower on work days plus one extra day so usually three times a week my days off usually consist of playing at home, walking dog, school run and maybe park. I would shower extra if exercising/having sex/on period etc. I bath my dc three times a week. My oh works out every week day so he does shower more than me. AIBD? (Disgusting 😂)

OP posts:
BlackandJello · 12/01/2022 15:33

I shower probably every other day.

I have ridiculously thick and curly hair that cannot tolerate being washed daily. And the humidity from the shower leaves me looking like a lion tbh so I can't just wash my body and not my hair either.

I would shower daily if I had more manageable hair.

fjernelse · 12/01/2022 15:36

I think 3 times a week is fine. I shower after running (approx 3 times a week) and that's probably it. If my hair looks greasy, I'll shower. I'm not a sweaty person (rarely need deodorant) but will wash under my arms if going out somewhere. I'm sitting at a desk all day, at home. Not sure what I am supposed to be washing off. I also only wash my bath towels every 2 weeks Grin. I don't particularly like my shower at home. Shower a lot more on holiday (2-3 times a day depending on what we've been doing] but the showering experience is always much nicer.

Thirtytimesround · 12/01/2022 15:36

I shower every day.

Much depends on how much you sweat / poo etc, but having worked with several colleagues in the past who had no idea that they stank, I think better safe than sorry! People get used to their own smell and don’t notice it, but those walking past you might.

I love showering 😀

hangrylady · 12/01/2022 15:38

I shower everyday but wash hair every other day. If I ever skip a day I feel gross

RosiePosieDozy · 12/01/2022 15:41

As long as you don't smell then I don't see a problem with it.

I shower twice a day. I have to shower in the morning or I smell musty or sweaty some days when I've stayed in my pyjamas for a bit.

I like to shower at night because it helps me relax and feel clean for bed.

If I excercise in the day/get particularly sweaty, then I'll also have a midday shower.

Fatarseflanagan09 · 12/01/2022 15:43

I've noticed that since menopause I sweat more, mainly armpits but I'm always concerned in case other people can smell me, I don't think just by wiping with toilet paper cleans your bits properly either so a shower is necessary for me.

lljkk · 12/01/2022 15:46

If you don’t smell then there is no need to shower.

That.
The fact her friends never have found her yucky is pretty good sign that a less-than-daily regime suits OP.

Dettol bath???

Workinghardeveryday · 12/01/2022 15:48

Bath every single night without fail, family of 5 and we all do.

This might sound mean and it isn’t meant to be, but you know those who say they shower 3 times a week and don’t smell, have you ever considered you do smell but only you can’t smell it? Like when you walk past someone on the street that looks presentable but smells awful, do you think they are aware they smell?

readyshreddiescook · 12/01/2022 15:49

Since WFH I tend to shower every other day unless I'm going out/sweaty etc. I don't tend to be a smelly person but I do shower every day if needed. I wash my face thoroughly every day. I wash my hair once a week - it's hideous if washed more frequently - takes a couple of days to calm down from the wash!

AryaStarkWolf · 12/01/2022 15:49

Also - I notice a lot of people commenting that they shower every day because 'it wakes them up'. I also don't need that. I wake up and am awake. Don't press my alarm snooze.

I would love to be like that, I just hate mornings, I snooze at least 3 times before I roll out of bed Grin

Looubylou · 12/01/2022 15:50

"wet dog" Was that aimed at me? 😂😂Scuttles off to check with friends and family.....

DrSbaitso · 12/01/2022 15:50

I'd rather shower before I'm smelly than wait until I am.

Tevion28 · 12/01/2022 15:52

I shower whenever I'm at work other than that I'm too lazy Grin

Tevion28 · 12/01/2022 15:53

I do suffer from odour under the breasts though.

Fraternaltwin · 12/01/2022 15:57

[quote StripedMousse]I’ve started not doing full showers everyday but I do wash. The Vivienne Westwood approach (but not for ‘staying young purposes’).

www.vogue.com/article/vivienne-westwood-staying-young-wash-less[/quote]
Good god she only takes a bath once a week. That’s very grim.

Thevoiceofreason2021 · 12/01/2022 16:00

Each to their own, the bath/ shower is the only place I can get 10 mins peace.

ravenmum · 12/01/2022 16:01

[quote LuckyAmy1986]@ravenmum Oh I see you did add instructions for someone further up in the end anyway! Interesting

Anyway, you missed off rinsing with the sink part. Unless you just leave shower gel/soap on your body? Rinsing is much easier in the shower.[/quote]
I use the time I would have spent scrubbing the shower to rinse my flannel and use it to remove anything left on my skin.

@DrSbaitso - I hate scrubbing my shower!

userxx · 12/01/2022 16:01

@Tevion28

I do suffer from odour under the breasts though.
Does it get a bit warm under there ? I'm quite big busted and use asda liquid talc, it's from their own baby range. A god send in summer!
Hotyogahotchoc · 12/01/2022 16:12

I think you should shower every day

And no I don't stink if I don't shower for a day bit I think it's good to be clean and unless you use a bidet every time you go to the loo then your arse needs a wash daily

Chakraleaf · 12/01/2022 16:13

My skin is a million times better since I stopped daily showers

oakleaffy · 12/01/2022 16:15

@DoodleBelle

Personally I shower every day but I don’t wash my hair every time. I’m sure you must wash on days you don’t shower but for me it’s easier popping in the shower than having a wash at a sink. If you don’t smell and are happy as you are then I don’t see an issue.
Showers are WAY easier than washing at sink. Rinsing of soapy water at a sink is a pain compared to washing it all off with a spray Heck, in this wet weather even the Whippet gets a shower daily ( legs, undercarriage) as she gets muddy !
MaybeHeIsMyCat · 12/01/2022 16:16

I find if you want to shower more but your skin gets dry then do under arms and feet with soap, and then either water everywhere else or bioderma shower oil is great
My skin is actually better weirdly since I started using soap all over and then washing again with a moisturising oil/gel

Gwenhwyfar · 12/01/2022 16:22

"I find if you want to shower more but your skin gets dry then do under arms and feet with soap, and then either water everywhere else or bioderma shower oil is great"

Soap is drying, but so is water itself.

Gwenhwyfar · 12/01/2022 16:24

"Rinsing of soapy water at a sink is a pain compared to washing it all off with a spray"

It really isn't that complicated. I think there are a few people where who've had showers from a young age so have never learned how to wash in the sink. You don't have to plaster yourself in soap, you just use the amount you need, just like washing your hands.

Gwenhwyfar · 12/01/2022 16:25

@Hotyogahotchoc

I think you should shower every day

And no I don't stink if I don't shower for a day bit I think it's good to be clean and unless you use a bidet every time you go to the loo then your arse needs a wash daily

You can wash your arse without having a shower.