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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not shower every day? And....

226 replies

connemarailoveyou · 18/07/2024 19:17

I don't shower every day. Am I gross? I shower every other evening and on those days I have a proper wash including hair shampoo conditioner etc plus any shaving that needs to be done

Mornings I wash face teeth and put deo on. I think it's ok as I don't smell but wondered am I gross

Also on another entirely different subject, do some ppl never go to parents eve? And if u miss a few does it get mentioned

OP posts:
StormingNorman · 18/07/2024 21:09

I shower every other day unless it’s been hot or I’ve worked out. When I shower I exfoliate and do my hair every time so I’m clean, but daily showers play havoc with my skin and eczema flares up.

maddiemookins16mum · 18/07/2024 21:10

I never understand why people wouldn’t have a daily shower. You can tell those who don’t, the soap dodgers (who’ll make up various excuses like saving the planet or having been told by a Dr it’s bad for their skin).

Even a two minute shower can do the job.

llamajohn · 18/07/2024 21:13

maddiemookins16mum · 18/07/2024 21:10

I never understand why people wouldn’t have a daily shower. You can tell those who don’t, the soap dodgers (who’ll make up various excuses like saving the planet or having been told by a Dr it’s bad for their skin).

Even a two minute shower can do the job.

YOU CAN'T TELL.

because bit everyone is the same, and that person you "know" didn't have a shower... You have not a single clue when they last showered. It might have been the night before, it might have been 5 months...

llamajohn · 18/07/2024 21:14

MonsteraMama · 18/07/2024 21:09

I shower every other day and - get ready for it neurotic Mumsnet Clean freaks - only wash my hair once a week if that. GASP. I know.

I don't smell, I'd definitely know if I did because I have some deliciously honest friends and family who would 100% tell me if I smell.

I'm actually surprised there are so many people who would apparently reek after only 24 hours not showering. You all must sweat brine.

Everyone is different. Some people can shower every other day, so e need two a day.

SeeSeeRider · 18/07/2024 21:14

I have a bath once a month whether I need it or not. Don't know what all the fuss is about.

DumbassHamsterSitterPerson · 18/07/2024 21:16

maddiemookins16mum · 18/07/2024 21:10

I never understand why people wouldn’t have a daily shower. You can tell those who don’t, the soap dodgers (who’ll make up various excuses like saving the planet or having been told by a Dr it’s bad for their skin).

Even a two minute shower can do the job.

Maybe read the thread (or the million others there have been). There are many many reasons.
And the Dr didn't tell me it was bad for my skin. I noticed it was bad for my skin, asked the Dr if I was imagining it and she said no.

ButWhatAboutTheBees · 18/07/2024 21:18

I'd love to get those who "can tell" and stick them in a room full of people, all dressed the same. Then tell them to indicate which people they think haven't showered that morning

The reveal would be that everyone in there was a "I can tell" person. But nearly everyone in there would name/indicate at least one other person because they were expecting there to be a "soap dodger" in there.

Or that everyone in there bar the "test subject" had showered at least 48 hours ago, if not longer. And see if they had named everyone

Blinkingbonkers · 18/07/2024 21:21

Every other day for me unless I’ve been particularly active/sweaty!! Unless you smell there’s no need - why wash off all the wonderful natural oils your skin produces to replace with chemical shit?! Equally I wash my hair when it looks crap or seems a bit blueurgh - can try tell you how much better it is for it (used to do x3 a week). Modern fashion does not always equal best!!

Blinkingbonkers · 18/07/2024 21:22

My dh would absolutely tell me if I whiffed!!!

Thepeopleversuswork · 18/07/2024 21:24

This is a very well worn Mumsnet debate which I would expect to follow a similar trajectory to the others ie:

Team Shower Daily: You are disgusting, it only takes five minutes, people will smell you even though you say they dont

Team Pits and Bits: a flannel bath is fine and better for your wallet/skin/the environment

I have no particular dog in this fight, I do shower or bathe daily because I want to but I don’t have a strong view on people who don’t.

But I do find the idea that a flannel wash or a “pits and bits” wash is as easy and adequate as a shower laughable.

Standing around naked with an assortment of dirty rags scrubbing your genitals and pits seems the epitome of pointless Puritanism to me. What a monstrous and unpleasant faff to do something to save yourself pennies and still leave you dirty and uncomfortable.

Someone will be along shortly to say they used to do it in the 70s and it didn’t do them any harm so it must be OK…. But Jimmy Saville, Dave Lee Travis and furry dice were also tolerated then.

Dear God: I would rather be declared bankrupt than undergo a flannel wash.

spikeandbuffy · 18/07/2024 21:33

Thepeopleversuswork · 18/07/2024 21:24

This is a very well worn Mumsnet debate which I would expect to follow a similar trajectory to the others ie:

Team Shower Daily: You are disgusting, it only takes five minutes, people will smell you even though you say they dont

Team Pits and Bits: a flannel bath is fine and better for your wallet/skin/the environment

I have no particular dog in this fight, I do shower or bathe daily because I want to but I don’t have a strong view on people who don’t.

But I do find the idea that a flannel wash or a “pits and bits” wash is as easy and adequate as a shower laughable.

Standing around naked with an assortment of dirty rags scrubbing your genitals and pits seems the epitome of pointless Puritanism to me. What a monstrous and unpleasant faff to do something to save yourself pennies and still leave you dirty and uncomfortable.

Someone will be along shortly to say they used to do it in the 70s and it didn’t do them any harm so it must be OK…. But Jimmy Saville, Dave Lee Travis and furry dice were also tolerated then.

Dear God: I would rather be declared bankrupt than undergo a flannel wash.

But some people do have no choice
I've looked after people that haven't had a shower in a decade and they smell absolutely fine because they're washed

As long as somehow you are soaping and rinsing, it's fine

Auburngal · 18/07/2024 21:35

I don’t shower everyday as start at 7am a few times a week. Have a quick wash

Every other day or if very hot after working a 7am start shift

HolyPeaches · 18/07/2024 21:35

These threads have been done to death.

OP, you do you. It doesn’t matter. As long as you don’t stink and go out in public stinking places out.

Thepeopleversuswork · 18/07/2024 21:35

@spikeandbuffy

I’m sure there are some people who can’t shower. But the vast majority of this is performative Puritanism. The majority of people can afford a quick daily shower or bath.

Auburngal · 18/07/2024 21:37

My ex and I had baths every other day in the rental place we had as took bloody forever to fill the bath to about a third / half full

LadyWhistled0wn · 18/07/2024 21:39

Some of you must sweat like pigs needing to shower every day!

I shower every other day, completely fine do not smell. It washes out your natural oils in your hair & skin if you shower daily!

Objectrelations · 18/07/2024 21:39

I don't shower every day I'm very unsweaty but will have a quick rinse in the shower if I have exercised

LlynTegid · 18/07/2024 21:41

You may have a poorer sense of smell than average and so whilst you don't feel you smell, others may think differently. I think you should shower daily.

ihatecoffee · 18/07/2024 21:41

Eurghhh!
I have a bath and a shower every day!

You put deodorant on, on top of old deodorant?

The only time I didn't bathe every day was when I was admitted to hospital and I felt very dirty - I couldn't wait to jump in the shower!

I do work with the public every day and like to be fresh and clean though

MuggleMe · 18/07/2024 21:41

I do face, pits and bits with a flannel every other day, and full shower with hair on the alternating day. Sometimes shower more if I feel particularly grimy. It's fine and I don't see how people could tell.

Summertimer · 18/07/2024 21:42

The parents evening is important, the showering sounds ok

Werweisswohin · 18/07/2024 21:42

I mostly shower (or bathe) every day these days, but haven't always in the past. It's a myth that every needs to shower (or bathe) once every day - some easily get away with less, some might prefer more! It depends on factors like your job, sport, age etc.
As for parent's night, I missed the odd one at primary and didn't bother with the lockdown video chats, but do go to upper secondary level ones.

Coconutter24 · 18/07/2024 21:42

I think I’ve only read one person who doesn’t shower everyday talk about washing their bum. You poo and wee daily how can you be ok with not washing that everyday?

Chypre · 18/07/2024 21:44

If you are 14 year old boy with raging hormones, football practice and daily bike rides - yes, you are gross. If you are an older person, who mostly potters around the house and doesn't lift anything heavier than the cup of tea - you probably are okay.

JayJayEl · 18/07/2024 21:45

I work in a residential home with the elderly, and from almost every single resident we've had, the notion of showering daily is completely alien.