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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To reduce the number of showers I have each week

370 replies

Lov · 07/07/2022 18:53

Let's be honest here. During lockdown probably most of us that worked from home rolled out of bed to their laptop and started the work day (in pjs)

I believe my need for showers daily took a nose dive. Don't get me wrong I went old school and did a daily clean with a flannel and yes still brush my teeth twice a day. I was showering twice a week.

Now back into the swing of things, working face to face (twice a week) I find my routine has stayed the same and the need for daily showers has gone. Obviously if I go work out I will do but I'm talking daily no.

What's other people's experience? Has everyone resumed normal life or are there people out there like me who are now content doing a flannel wash instead of a daily shower????

I am waiting for the gross comments but honestly I don't feel worse for it and my water bill has dropped!

OP posts:
D0lphine · 07/07/2022 18:54

What's the timing of your showers? Are they before your face to face meetings?

RedCardigan · 07/07/2022 18:55

Daily shower. It’s honestly less effort than a flannel wash and leaves me cleaner so a no brainier.

Tabbouleh · 07/07/2022 18:57

Daily shower all my life. Don't feel clean without it.

Flopisfatteningbingforchristmas · 07/07/2022 18:58

Even when I had major surgery, spesis and a newborn to look after all at once I had a daily shower.

Battybonkers · 07/07/2022 18:59

Ditto. We’re exactly the same and have moved into a house with a water meter so are in no hurry to get back to pre Covid daily showers. DH and I occasionally have ‘do I smell?’ Conversations due to our change in habits but I honestly think we don’t - maybe we were just showering unnecessarily before?…. Just to clarify we’re not total soap dodgers we’ve gone from daily showers to showers on the 2 days that we’re in the office and at the weekend ‘as required’….

MermaidEyes · 07/07/2022 18:59

Daily shower every day, whether I'm going anywhere or not. Haven't had a flannel wash since the 80s.

bellac11 · 07/07/2022 19:01

Daily shower, I would have to be dead not to shower, I was viewed as very odd that I took myself, very slowly and painfully to the showers while in hospital years ago.

Ive never been keen on a flannel wash (flannels make me feel bilious anyway, disgusting things), it doesnt get you clean as a shower, it takes too long and you get water everywhere. Urgh

ApolloandDaphne · 07/07/2022 19:01

I daily shower no matter what. I just feel sweaty and grubby if I don't.

11Hawkins · 07/07/2022 19:02

I shower every other day, my skin gets really really dry and flaky if I shower every day.

LetMeInYourWindow · 07/07/2022 19:02

It’s not that your need for daily showers has gone, it’s that you are accustomed to your own scent.

way back before we were aggressively advertised to, and sold the idea that we had to be squeaky clean at all times, we didn’t bathe so much and thought we were fine. That’s because everyone was the same. We are now very used to everyone smelling fresh and clean.

I work closely near people and, even in a mask, it really is noticeable who doesn’t have freshly washed hair and who doesn’t bathe as often as you’d hope. Sorry!

00100001 · 07/07/2022 19:02

Don't ask Mumsnet.

They'll say a minimum of one shower a day, ideally two.

Otherwise it's "grim".

And soon there'll be a poster along who will claim that they know when someone hasn't showered in the previous 24hrs because they will absolutely stink. And it couldn't possibly be anything else causing that smell. It can only be because it's Wednesday at 6:30am, and the person last showered at 11:30pm on Monday. And they're an entire 7 hrs "overdue" for a shower. Definitely not because the person hasn't washed in 3 weeks, and didn't change their clothes for 5 days, and did a HIIT workout just last night.

Battybonkers · 07/07/2022 19:03

@Flopisfatteningbingforchristmas Sounds like you needed daily showers then - I remember needing up to 3 a day in the newborn leaky boobs/ lochia phase. Now that my body leaks less and I go out less I agree with OP - just need less showers….

Original poster
Lov · 07/07/2022 19:03

Yes I would say before I venture into the office and if I work out at the weekend

OP posts:
Roominmyhouse · 07/07/2022 19:04

Never stopped my daily shower during lockdown. I struggle to wake up without it and feel sweaty and uncomfortable all day if I skip it!

00100001 · 07/07/2022 19:04

I shower every other day and after exercise etc. So occasionally it might be 2 in a day. Or sometimes 3 days in a row etc. But generally every other day.

Do not stink.

AlisonDonut · 07/07/2022 19:04

During lockdown I kept up the same routine regarding bathing that I've always had.

11Hawkins · 07/07/2022 19:05

00100001 · 07/07/2022 19:02

Don't ask Mumsnet.

They'll say a minimum of one shower a day, ideally two.

Otherwise it's "grim".

And soon there'll be a poster along who will claim that they know when someone hasn't showered in the previous 24hrs because they will absolutely stink. And it couldn't possibly be anything else causing that smell. It can only be because it's Wednesday at 6:30am, and the person last showered at 11:30pm on Monday. And they're an entire 7 hrs "overdue" for a shower. Definitely not because the person hasn't washed in 3 weeks, and didn't change their clothes for 5 days, and did a HIIT workout just last night.

^ this. I don't believe half the amount of people who say they shower every day. It's a bit like when you do you wash you bedding, every one usually days 2-3 times a week but we all know it's lies! Grin

User0ne · 07/07/2022 19:05

I shower about once a week, or if I've got particularly sweaty/dirty in-between which is usually due to gardening.

I flannel wash other days.

My hair needs washing a lot less too: shampoo about once every 3 weeks and water wash when I shower in-between.

No one's commented that I smell. I work with teenagers and they'd be pretty brutal if I (or anyone) did

kittythames · 07/07/2022 19:05

YANBU to do whatever suits you. A hot shower is a few minutes of luxury in my day and I'd rather give up Netflix or wine instead!

devildeepbluesea · 07/07/2022 19:06

I feel dirty without having a shower and washing my hair.

Original poster
Lov · 07/07/2022 19:06

😂 I fully expect this. Just starting a conversation I guess. Although there seems to be less people slating others for washing their hair once a week / month to keep all the natural oils in...

OP posts:
MammaWeasel · 07/07/2022 19:07

I have sensory issues so I shower twice a week and do as you do.

Original poster
Lov · 07/07/2022 19:08

You would think as this is anonymous people would be honest 🤔

OP posts:
Twattergy · 07/07/2022 19:09

I wash my hair less but still have daily shower. I'm honest and know that I'd smell too much without that.

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 07/07/2022 19:09

This is a good thread where the abelist wankers come out saying that if you don't shower daily it's 'grim' or 'yuk'.

I don't shower daily. None of my household does unless we actually need to.

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