How often do you take a shower/bath? How long? Water consumption?

[thomasortega]

Guys this thread is not intended to compare "how clean" we are and it's not intented to be nosey on each others life...
It's just a question about local habits related to water/energy consumption to get us clean.

How often do you wash yourself? (shower and or bathtub).

If shower, how long does each shower takes? (considering the water running) If tub, how big is your tub?

Again the same question considering your local community habits. (to compare how water consumption or weather can affect some habits.)

What kind of energy/heater is used to heat the shower/bathtub water?

 

[MrX]

Everything morning and if I workout. Quite honestly, I have no idea how long I shower for. However, as there is no domestic water metering or water conservation problems here, I don't really worry about luxuruatung in a long hot shower or bath.

I also have partially solar water heating, and use a green electricity provider so, my carbon footprint is relatively low!

I take a full soak in the bath once in a while, but usually, I just shower. I do put a plug in the bathtub when I'm showering though to soak my feet.

 

[henry200]

I will on rare occasions skip a day and other days either because of getting sweaty or dirty when working on projects I'll take two but I generally take one brief hot shower daily.  And then there are days in the winter when after getting very cold I might take a shower just to get warm.  Getting wet, soaping up and rinsing off usually takes no more than about 3 minutes.  A couple times I have closed the drain to see how much water I'm using and have ended up with less than an inch of water in my standard 5 foot long bathtub.  That's well under 10 gallons if I fill the tub to the same level with a bucket.  I have a 40 gallon natural gas water heater set at about 145 degrees with an additional 3 inch blanket of insulation wrapped around it.  The water heater is in the basement directly underneath the tub so no water is wasted waiting for hot water to come out of the tap.  I suspect I'm on the low end for water and energy consumption compared to most people.  According to my utility company reports I'm always ranked in the "most efficient" category compared to others in my neighborhood.

 

[thomasortega]

In my case, I take 5 or even 6 baths a day. Usually 5, but never less. On the hottest days, It's impossible to take less than 7 or 8, but then I prefer the shower to save water and time.

I don't like showers, except whem i'm in a super hurry to wait for the tub to fill. If I take a shower only to freshen up and wash hair, armpits and private parts, it lasts less than 5 minutes. A shower to clean up myself takes 40 to 60 minutes considering shave. My tub (made by Jacuzzi) fills quicky as it's very small and the water pressure is very high. Looking forward to remodel the bathroom and put a tub big enough to don't look like canned sardine when i'm in it. I also wash my hair every time because even having dry hair (lots of dye) I sweat a lot and it looks "greasy".

In my apartment I have three kind of heaters: The master bathroom has an electric water tank, big enough to fill the tub during the winter. it was always set to the minimum, but now I discovered it has a thermostat so it was set to medium-high. during the summer it's always off, so i have two cold water pipes there, 2x more pressure. The shower next to the bathtub looks like a pressure washer with both taps fully open.

The other bathroom has an electric shower head, which I always set to the minimum too or off during the summer because the cold water is always hot.
In the laundry room I have a gas tankless water heater, only to fill my washing machines. it works great!

all the water in my building has to pass thru a chiller because the sun can heat the water in the reservoir enough to cause serious burns during the summer. after the chiller, the cold water is exactly at 30 degrees C.

December and january are the worst summer months in my region. It's not rare for me to empty the ice cubes dispenser in the bathtub to feel a little more comfortable.

By the way, my favorite products are all natural coconut soap bar (yes, the same that my grandmother used to do laundry), Algemarin foam bath (it turns the water blue) and Elseve or Pantene shampoo for dyed hair. Same conditioner, when I remember to use it. At least once a week, i cut an Aloe Vera leave at my father's house peel it and apply the gel inside it on my hair and let soak for 3 minutes then rinse. It works and smell amazingly great! No shaving foam as I use the coconut soap and the only fancy cosmetic stuf I use is Avon Renew or Natura Chronos before i go to bed, if I remember too.
During the winter, I add some almond oil to the tub. and I hate those fruity or vanilla scented stuff.

I also don't use any kind of perfume, because my natural "macho" scent makes everybody ask me if i'm using Hugo Boss or any other wooden fragrance.

 

[sudsmaster]

Five minutes full blast shower every morning.

Often a second shower after work esp. if it's a hot day or I get splashed with coolant or covered in dust at work. Tub baths: not so much. Maybe once or twice a year if I feel like a long soak. I'd take more tub baths but I'm not really that fond of the tub setup, and I need to insulate it underneath because it tends to cool off very quickly in the winter.

No idea how many gallons that is, but I average less than 100 gallons per day total water consumption (according to water bill, not including well water used for irrigation).

You didn't ask, but... here's an estimate of where that water goes: shower, 20 gallons. Fish pond top-off each morning, 20 gallons. Toilet flushes: 20 gallons. Laundry/dishwashing, average per day: 20 gallons. Other: (car washing, general cleaning, etc), 10 gallons.

My water consumption has stayed constant over the years, even falling a bit, but the bill has gone up because rates are higher. I think it averages around $20/month nowadays.

The water here does get noticeably warmer in the summer, and quite cold in the winter, more so than in other locations I've lived. I don't know exactly why, but I suspect the water delivery pipe system here is buried more shallow, or even placed above ground, in the hills to the east. But the water in the summer is never warm enough to take a shower from the cold tap alone, at least not without some gasping.

 

[xraytech]

I always shower once daily in the morning, and sometimes I'll take a second shower. On average it takes me about 7-10 minutes to shower but there are times when I'm not in a hurry that I stay in until I run out of hot water. We have an electric 60 gallon water heater, we are not at all concerned about watching water use here, we have a wellas well as 1000 gallon holding tank and in 18 years we have never came close to drying up

 

[appnut]

I take a shower every morning. It last anywhere between 7 to 15 minutes. Without yard watering, my daily water consumptiono averages about 59 gallons a day.

 

[lordkenmore]

What I do with showers/baths is--like everything else in my life--something that seems to change dramatically at different times.

Currently I take a shower where I live maybe once a month, and it's always a super fast get me in and get me out. It's been a long time since the last tub bath, too.

Before everyone passes out, totally repulsed, let me hasten to say I haven't quit showering--I just shifted my showers to a swimming pool locker room. Since I have to shower there, anyway, I decided I might as well just make that the daily shower. Shift the cost to them. Plus--and this is the really practical reason--I have skin problems. Showering too often seems to make that problem worse. I am not sure how long the showers run there. The before swimming shower is always get it done fast. The one after is thorough--those skin issues mean I want to get rid of as much pool chemical residue as possible. Plus, sometimes, if I'm feeling awful, the warm water does help make me feel more human, so I tend to linger.

Before this summer, I pretty regularly took tub baths. It's particularly welcome in winter. These baths tend to be leisurely. When speed is important, or when the weather is hot--which hasn't happened much either this summer or last summer--I'd default to showers.

 

[lordkenmore]

Oh, yes--I forgot to discuss shower frequency. Right now, that's highly variable. I don't swim daily, but I do aim to have no more than one day in a row off. This means a minimum of 3-4 days a week, although I'm getting more many weeks--I'm trying to get back into passable swimming shape. Those off days are when I might shower where I live, although that depends on a number of factors. If the weather has been reasonably cool, and I haven't been doing anything to strenuous, I may decide to skip a shower. Not something our daily shower or die! culture likes, but, as I said before, I have skin issues that aren't helped by heavily showering.

 

[jerrod6]

Oh this thread is gonna be good.

 

<span>When I worked in the office every day and wore my work clothes I took a shower every day.<span>  </span>Now I work from home…things are different.<span>  </span>I go to the gym twice a day morning and evening so I wash up in the sink every morning.<span>  </span>I wash the critical parts so as to not offend anyone at the gym.<span>  </span>Sometimes I will take a shower at the gym but this is rare since I am only going to go home and may work out in the yard or around the house later.<span>  </span>For hair my shower has a hand held attachment so I get on my knees<span>  </span>lean over the tub and use this to wash my hair.</span>

<span>If I go out in the evening and need to wear “better” clothes I will take a 5 minute shower but if regular clothes are used I do nothing, or just hit the critical areas.</span>

<span><span> </span>I wear many different colognes…such as Zegna, kinze Ten, Givenchy Insense, Chanel Egoiste, Opium, Issey Miyake Intense, Bvlgari<span>  </span>Extreme, Bvlgari<span>  </span>Notte, Bvlgari Green tea,<span>  </span>Dolce & Gabbana The One, Pecksniff’s , Joop, Armani Attitude.. <span> </span>I wear something different every day.. Never smelled Hugo Boss so I am wondering what a natural Macho smell is all about.</span>

 

<span>There will be at least one complete  8 minute shower each 7 days but I am not hung up on being uber clean and sanitized...just so I don't offend.. and can get my clothes clean..... that's good enough.  Oh...I do change underwear daily.</span>

 

<span>I used to take baths once in a while  but now don't take the time to do it.  It takes too much time.  Would rather jump into the shower and get it over with.  Plus my skin seems to be oily..rinse water just beads up on it..not even going to mention areas with hair....  and it takes forever to get completely dry with a towel.</span>

 

<span>Electric shower head...I don't think I want to be around this.....what does this do.....how does this work?</span>

 

 

[thomasortega]

Electric shower heads are the most common water heating device here in Brazil.

As our weather is warm-to-hot-to-scalding 99% of the year, it seems to be a nonsense to spend lots of money on hot water pipes and a water heater.

It's very safe to use if installed correctly. It's basicly a shower head, with a shielded (AND GOUNDED!!!) electric element inside it. There are many models available from the cheapest with only three positions (OFF-SUMMER-WINTER) or fancy and very expensive models with electronic infinite controls, pressurizers, etc. The temperature fine adjustment can be made by simply opening a little bit more or less the tap.

The most famous (and reliable) brand is Lorenzetti (The inventor of electric showers). They also make electric kitchen faucets (I have one and I turn it on during the winter week) and "point of use" electric water heaters and other kinds of heaters and stuff. (how they are making metal fitting too like faucets and mixers, monocommand kitchen faucets, towel holders, soap dishes, etc)

The great about these showers, faucets and point of use heaters is the fact that they are tankless, fully automatic and heats only the water you're going to use and you never run out of hot water. You just need to open the tap to turn it on and close to shut down. The electronic control can adjust the temperature or turn the element off. It also has a differential residual device to shut it off immediatelly if something wrong happens. this devide is so fast that can activate before you feel any shock. The earlier models used to last a lot, now they last only 10 to 15 years.

My shower is one of those fancy models with electronic control and pressurizer. I opened it and disconnected the pressurizer's wires because my water pressure is so righ that I had to use pressure reduction rings when I installed it otherwise it would pop out it's plastic shower head cap.

above the tub I have an standard shower head as that bathroom has a hot water tank. Recently I replaced it by a chinese model that i bought in paraguay for only 9 dollars. beautiful and interesting design it had a ring with holes and inside it there was something that looks like a star or a garden sprinkler and spins like a dishwasher arm... Super cute, but lasted only 10 seconds after i open the tap and it broke in pieces and started spkrinkling water everywhere. I don't even know how is taking a shower like dishes in the dishwasher LOL. Now I'm back to the plain shower head that came with my apartment when I bought it. Since 1997 and hever had the smallest issue with it. it also has a metal hose with a hand shower that I always use to wash my hair.

http://www.lorenzetti.com.br/site_in/produto.asp?id=DC0021

 

[mixfinder]

Speed Clean

I grew up with no running water and didn't learn the normal rules of hygiene.  When we got water I was 13 and we had a tub and not a shower.  It was one bath a week with shared water, the little kids first because mom was still so traumatized by carrying every drop of water from town in milk cans for so many years.  My first apartment at college had a shower and I learned how easy it was.  That said I still have issues with "wasting" water.  I have dry skin so oiliness isn't an issue.  I have no hair on my head so some Mop'nGlo and a squeegie takes care of my coiffure.  That said I have a fur coat so it takes a little effort to rinse the soap out.  I shower every other day unless I am "entertaining" or have done something messy.  I hardly ever sweat so a PTA shower can do it for me.  Shower beginning to end: 3 minutes, unless I am "entertaining" in the shower.  I have well water and a boiler for hot water so I don't know if its possible to run out.

 

[mattl]

Daily, unless nothing is going on and I'm not going anywhere I may skip a day. I have very oily hair and use a some would say harsh shampoo - Prell to keep it clean. I can't leave the house if I don't was my hair, no question there.

As for timing, I turn on the shower and let it heat up for a minute or two, it takes a while for hot water to get there. After that I have the 4 body sprays and the shower head going for about 3-5 minutes while I relax a bit, and wash my hair. Then the water is off as I scrub the rest, then maybe 2-3 minutes to rinse off. I like a VERY hard spray and removed as many traces of water restrictions I could find. When I was replumbing the shower I gave serious consideration to drilling out the valves to allow more water flow, now in hindsight I wish I had.

In addition to a nice hot steamy shower I like lots of light, I installed 2 75W halogen spots over the 5 foot shower base. Light and water get me every time...

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

I'm like Chris Squire in the group YES: I spend eternity in the tub until someone makes me get out! (LOL)

Really, it's a quick, warm shower for me...! I turn all three knobs on, (Hot, Cold & the shower, faucet/shower diverter) then off, so the faucet goes back on...

As for my wife, it's a HOT shower! --Although she's smaller & shorter than me she seems to spend more time in the tub!

(Two knobs for her: Hot & shower/faucet diverter, then she turns only the Hot knob off, so if I want to make a bath for the baby I get hit with Shower Water!)

-- Dave

 

[jaxsunst]

Daily in the morning. Sometimes twice a day if I get funky doing outside activities. Usually 7 - 10 minutes. No idea on water usage.

I recycle towels. I use a towel twice before throwing it in the laundry.

 

[franksdad]

I take a warm shower every morning unless it is a day off and I plan to work outside in the yard that day - then I take a shower after yard work..  I also take a warm shower every evening before going to bed.  I wash what's left of my hair every time I shower.  I rarely ever take a bath, and my showers usually last about ten minutes.  After toweling off I rub lotion on my legs and arms.  Currently I'm using Vaseline Intensive Care original.  I like Dial, Safeguard, Dove, Coast, and Ivory soap and I use array of different shampoos and conditioners.   I switch between Mitchum unscented gel deororant and Avon On Duty 24 unscented roll on deodorant.  I rarely wear cologne as I'm allergic to most.  However, my wife bought me some Ralph Lauren Big Pony 1 for Valentine's Day.  It has a light citrusy aroma and I can wear it well.   Mama always said you can't help being poor but you CAN help being dirty! 

 

[twintubdexter]

It's like washing a city bus...

...I would imagine some of you svelte trim things can be in and out of the tub in the same time it takes to fix a 3 minute egg. Takes a little longer with us full-figured individuals...I'm guessing about 5 to 8 minutes. The length and amount of the hair on your head affects time too so I really save there. I have to have a shower before bed, even if I've taken one during the day. I am fortunate to have an outdoor shower which I use almost every day...walls are stucco so there's no glass to clean...the 2 showers in the house are a pain. I'm not too sure about how much water I use showering. I've removed the restrictors from all the heads since I like to get drenched. Our water here in the Desert is limited (probably has a lot to do with the fact there's a golf course around every corner) and the company rates you every month. I always get an "efficient" and that's with a front and back lawn (most homes in my neighborhood have rock "desert" landscaping) so I guess I'm doing ok...of course they base their rating system for a family of 4 and I'm a family of 1.