Updated: Feb. 8, 2023
Originally Published: Jan. 29, 2023
Here’s a surprising revelation that might raise a few eyebrows: my family doesn’t take daily baths. In fact, we don’t even have a shower! I can almost hear the gasps from those who can’t fathom life without daily showers, picturing my kids running around with dirty feet.
The average American showers each day, consuming around 17.2 gallons of precious, non-renewable water each time. In a world where droughts are becoming more common and water scarcity is a growing concern, showering daily feels wasteful and irresponsible. An adult needs only about 2 to 3 liters of water daily to survive, and perhaps around 2 gallons for basic needs. As our population grows and natural resources dwindle, my family made a conscious choice to honor this invaluable resource by significantly reducing our water usage.
I never really pondered our natural resources until I became a parent. Parenting is inherently political; every decision we make impacts not just our children but also our communities and the environment. This realization prompted us to take action on water conservation in our home, starting with the elimination of our daily shower routine.
Three and a half years ago, just before my second child arrived, my partner revamped our bathroom. We anticipated needing more space, and while we did, we discovered that the bathroom wasn’t the priority area for expansion (hello, closets!). When it came time to choose fixtures, we decided to skip the shower and instead purchased a charming antique clawfoot tub from a quaint roadside antique shop along our coast.
This tub has transformed our perspective on water use. Unlike a shower, we can visually track how much water we’re consuming. We also made the decision to stop buying soaps and beauty products that contain microbeads, as these tiny plastics are a significant threat to our oceans and water systems. Bathing now requires more time—from preparation to soaking to cleaning up—so it has become a planned activity rather than a quick, impulsive shower.
Now you might be wondering how I manage personal hygiene without a daily shower. Each morning, I have a close encounter with a washcloth. It’s straightforward, requires minimal water and time, and I’m ready for my day without wasting gallons of water or needing to wash extra towels.
Speaking of skin health, daily bathing can actually be detrimental. According to the Atlantic web series “If Our Bodies Could Talk,” showering every day strips away the natural microbes that keep our skin, a living organ, healthy. These microbes serve as a protective barrier against germs and viruses—so having healthy skin is about more than just appearance.
And no, my kids don’t bathe every day either. Their bathing routine mirrors mine, with just a couple of baths each week, while they also utilize washcloths to maintain cleanliness amidst their various adventures.
Water is essential to life, and we treat it with the utmost respect. We avoid pouring chemicals down our drains, as we have a well and understand that these substances don’t simply disappear. We harvest rainwater for gardening and even repurpose graywater during the summer months for outdoor use.
If we’re serious about protecting our planet, we must scrutinize how we utilize our natural resources and differentiate between our perceived needs and actual necessities. Striking a balance is essential for a clean and safe world for future generations. Our family’s commitment to water conservation is a small, yet meaningful, step in that direction.
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In summary, our family’s approach to water conservation—by minimizing bathing and rethinking our daily habits—demonstrates that small changes can lead to significant positive impacts on our environment and health.