A Showering and Bathing Guide: Must-Know Steps and Mistakes

In our fast-paced lives, the simple acts of showering and bathing can often go unnoticed. Despite doing them since childhood, when did you last pause to question whether you were performing them correctly?

 You might think that there’s nothing that can go wrong while showering or bathing to cleanse dirt, oil, sweat, and germs from your body. Yet, there are specific steps to follow and mistakes to avoid to ensure you maintain hygiene effectively.

Learning to take an efficient shower or bath, which includes knowing must-know steps and mistakes, can help save water and reduce energy costs. On top of allowing you to play your part in saving water, it helps you maintain a  clean, fresh, and healthy skin.

This article unveils the proper steps for showering and bathing, shedding light on the common oversights and the valuable insights about hygiene products, such as Dettol Antibacterial Body Wash, that will transform this daily routine into a revitalizing and refreshing experience.

How to take a shower

Taking showers regularly is nothing more than a self-imposed routine task. While you may cut back to a few showers per week during winter months, for some, showering every day is a matter of utmost importance as it helps them maintain hygiene,  prevent body odour or just stay fresh in summer. 

Whichever of these camps you belong to, it is important to ensure that you clean your entire body while showering. Here’s how to do it most effectively: 

1. Water temperature: Get the water temperature right. Lukewarm or slightly warm water is preferable because it lets you stay comfortable and maintain your body temperature. In addition, make sure that the water is spraying down from the shower head rather than out of it. 
   
   
2. Quick rinse: Before applying shampoo or soap, do a quick rinse to wet your entire body to lose dirt and dust. Slowly turn around a couple of times under the shower head to let the water cover your entire body, including your private parts. 
   
   
3. Shampoo: First, start with your hair and apply a small amount of shampoo to your palm. Lather up, and work it gently down to your scalp and the nape of your neck. Be gentle, but ensure all the strands of your hair are sudsy to their end.
   
   
4. Soap or body wash lather: Apply the Body Wash or Antibacterial Soap to your body using a loofah, washcloth, or just your hands. Start from your neck and shoulders and work your way down to your feet. Don’t forget to wash under your arms and in your private parts thoroughly. 
   
   
5. Final rinse off: Thoroughly rinse off all the shampoo from your hair and soap by turning around under the water and gently rubbing your hands to remove any lingering soap, shampoo, and loosened grime.

Gently towel dry your head, face, torso, abdominal area, pelvic region, legs, private areas, and feet. After drying off, now is a good time to put on deodorant, lotion, aftershave, hygiene products, or anything else you may need to put on that you can't put on when clothes cover your body.

How to take a bath

Taking a bath can be an excellent way to relax and feel rejuvenated. But not all baths are equal. Here’s the step-by-step process to follow if you’re taking a bath:

1. Bathtub cleaning: Thoroughly clean your bathtub using the Bathroom Power Cleaner Trigger, paper towel, or cloth to wipe off any dust, dirt, or mildew.
   
   
2. Quick rinse: Although it is optional, a quick rinse before bathing is preferred by many to remove dirt from their body. 
   
   
3. Filing bathtub: Plug the drain and fill your bathtub with lukewarm or slightly warm water. Scalding hot water will burn your skin, and even too hot water will dry your skin. You can test the temperature of the water carefully with your hand.
   
   
4. Soap or body wash lather: After getting in the bathtub, apply the Body Wash or Antibacterial Soap to your body using a loofah, washcloth, or just your hands. Just remember to exercise caution to avoid removing too many dead skin cells from the outer layer of your skin. Because, if not done properly, this could eventually cause more harm than good. 
   
   
5. Washing hair: While washing your hair isn’t necessary every time you bathe, if you want to do so, start with shampooing. Use a cupful of water or a shower head attachment to rinse off.
   
   
6. Drying: After bathing, gently dry your body with a towel, and promptly apply moisturizer to lock in skin hydration.

Showering at different ages

A person’s showering or bathing needs change throughout their life. 

Babies

The common practice of bathing babies daily is not necessary. Instead, bathing them two to three times a week is enough after their first couple of weeks of life.
Take a pediatrician’s advice on deciding the bathing frequency for your baby.

Children 

Bathing daily is not a strict recommendation for most children between the ages of 6 and 11 if they look visibly clean. Instead, it's okay for them to shower or bathe two to three times a week or twice weekly, depending on the dirt and grime they tackle daily.

Teenagers

Because of their high level of physical and sweat gland activity, which can result in body odor issues, teenagers should aim to shower or bathe at least once daily.

Adults

Taking a shower or bath twice or thrice a week for most adults can be sufficient to maintain cleanliness and meet general grooming standards. 

Common showering and bathing mistakes 

Whether you are showering or bathing, there are some mistakes to avoid: 

• Using extremely hot water: Don’t use water that’s too hot. Instead, use lukewarm or slightly warm water for showering or bathing. While hot water may feel relaxing, using it regularly can damage your skin by removing its natural oils, making it prone to dryness, and affecting the scalp's pH value.

• Not cleaning your loofah: Any loofah, washcloth, or sponge is great for scrubbing, but they are also a perfect hiding spot for germs. Clean your scrubbing tool weekly by washing it thoroughly and rinsing it well, letting it dry at a cool place, and replacing it at least every 3 to 4 weeks. 

• Washing your hair too often: You shouldn’t wash your hair daily unless you have an oily scalp. If you exercise or sweat daily, stick to a regular hair-washing schedule. In addition, don’t harshly rub your hair while washing, as it can lead to hair breakage. Instead, massage the shampoo with your fingertips by applying light pressure and washing it off. 

• Post-shower moisturizing: Moisturizing after a shower is important because it traps moisture in your skin. Apply the moisturizer within a few minutes of drying off right after a shower or bath. 

Final Thoughts

Showering or bathing doesn’t have to be complicated. But performing this basic hygiene routine efficiently can help you save water and time, lower energy costs, and prevent overly dry skin. 

Switch up your shower and bathing routine with techniques mentioned in this article and use hygiene products such as Dettol Antibacterial Body Wash that ensure healthy, glowing, and refreshing skin after every use. 

FAQs

How long should a shower take?

According to the CDC, the average shower lasts 8 minutes. However, some experts believe the recommended maximum shower time is 5 to 10 minutes. This is ample time to cleanse and hydrate the skin without overdoing it. 

Should I shower in the morning or night?

While it completely depends on your preference, it is also true that your skin is at its best after your shower routine is done first thing in the morning, before facing any sunlight, dirt, or debris. 

How often should I shower?

A daily shower is fine for most people, but two to three times a week is enough for many people and might be even better for maintaining good health. Depending on the lifestyle, the shower frequency will vary.