Nothing beats showering after a long day of work or an intense workout. As if you’re wiping away both the grime and the day’s stress, taking a shower can be a relaxing experience. But does showering translate to getting clean?
“We come in contact with thousands of allergens every day. Showering rinses off those allergens, as well as bacteria and viruses,” dermatologist Shilpi Khetarpal told the Cleveland Clinic. Yet, some experts say there’s no added benefit to showering every day. “When it comes to concerns about health, however, it’s not at all clear that a daily shower accomplishes much,” Dr. Robert Shmerling, the clinical chief of rheumatology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center at Harvard Medical School, told Considerable. “In fact, a daily shower may even be bad for your health.” This raises the question: What would happen if we stopped showering? Here’s a look.
You will discover your natural scent when you stop showering
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When you start skipping showers, the most noticeable effect will be a strong body odor. While a shower would normally wash away the odor-causing bacteria, the bacteria will now linger and break down sweat in the apocrine glands, which have many proteins, according to Medical News Today. The apocrine gland is located in certain parts of the body, including the armpits, groin, and face. And as Healthline explained, you should clean these areas daily.
While you might have people scooting the next chair over, your stench won’t last forever. In The Atlantic, physician James Hamblin wrote about his own experience with giving up showering and remarked how his smell changed over time. “After a while, the idea goes, your ecosystem reaches a steady state, and you stop smelling bad. I mean, you don’t smell like rosewater or Axe Body Spray, but you don’t smell like B.O., either,” he explained. “You just smell like a person.”
Hamblin believes cleaning goes against evolution. “If we do more to allow our oil glands and bacteria to equilibrate, the theory goes, skin should stop fluctuating between oily and dry,” he continued.
Dark patches on your skin may arise after you quit showering
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If you see blotches on your skin after giving up showering, they may be more than dirt. Medical News Today explained that not cleaning your skin regularly can produce dark patches called dermatitis neglecta. Our bodies regularly create new cells and shed as many as 40,000 skin cells per day, according to Verywell Health.
Regular bathing helps to remove the excess dead cells and prevent flaking of the skin. When you don’t shower, Medical News Today explained, the dead skin cells can accumulate with other components such as sweat, oil, dirt, smoke, and germs to make the skin dark, scabby, and callous. If poor hygiene persists, secondary infections — especially ones that cause the skin to crack and bleed — can arise from dermatitis neglecta.
Dermatitis neglecta is treatable, according to Medical News Today. Cleaning up affected areas with alcohol or antibacterial wipes can eliminate the brown plaques. Only in severe cases will you have to see a doctor for dermatological treatment.
When you stop showering, your risk of jock itch increases
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Jock itch is a fungal infection that may make it difficult for you to stop scratching yourself — especially in areas where you sweat, such as the inner thighs and buttocks, explained Alberta Health Services.
“Keeping moist, salty sweat soaked clothing close to your skin for long periods after working out leads to irritation and the increased risk of small abrasions or skin breakdown,” Holly L. Phillips, a women’s health physician and medical contributor to CBS News in New York City, told Women’s Health. “This can raise your risk of bacterial and fungal infections, like staph bacteria or the fungus that causes jock itch.”
Even if you ditch the sweaty clothes immediately, you really shouldn’t ditch the post-workout shower. “It’s not the smell of sweat that you have to worry about but the fact that perspiration left behind on your skin allows bacteria to proliferate,” Phillips continued.
Not showering can trigger acne breakouts
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Along with the smelly body odor comes the risk of acne. According to Verywell Health, not showering causes dead skin cells and other bacteria to accumulate on the skin. Excessive amounts of dead skin cells and oil, Verywell Health explained, can get trapped in pores. These blockages can cause blackheads or, if bacteria is introduced, inflamed acne. For this reason, the publication recommends washing your face daily, even when you shower less often.
However, acne isn’t just limited to the face. “Sweating and humidity can aggravate breakouts by giving the bacteria on the skin a better environment to grow,” said David Lortscher, dermatologist and Curology founder, to Well+Good. “Restrictive, tight clothing, like athletic clothing can also contribute, as sources of friction can aggravate acne as well, which is why we often see acne in women that occurs along the line of a sports bra.”
When you give up showering, you may get a yeast infection
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While body odor may lessen after a period of not showering, there’s a yeast called Candida albicans waiting to move into your private areas. This bacteria causes yeast infections, a type of fungal infection that affects up to three out of four women in their lifetime, per the Mayo Clinic. And “yes, men can get yeast infections, too,” physician Patricio C. Gargollo, confirmed.
Yeast infections thrive in humid and moist places, per Healthline. When you don’t shower every day, you’re opening the doors for the Candida bacteria to settle in. Not one to be a rude houseguest, yeast infections come with several unwanted gifts, including watery cottage-cheese looking discharge, redness and swelling of the genitals, and a burning sensation during urination.
To avoid recurring yeast infections, Healthline recommended three simple steps: “Wear cotton underwear and loose clothing. Take daily showers. Wash and sterilize any clothing and towels you used during your infection.”
Fungus may grow on your skin if you give up showering
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As if straight out of a low-budget sci-fi movie, a germ invasion can occur in the absence of frequent showering. Germs not only take over — they also produce fungus. “We all have good bacteria that lives on our skin. But if you don’t help out the good bacteria by washing and exfoliating, dead skin cells accumulate, creating a medium for bacterial or fungal overgrowth, infection, and inability to fight the bad bacteria and fungus we encounter,” said Janette Nesheiwat, a family and emergency medicine physician, to Bustle.
This doesn’t mean you need to scrub your skin raw, but there’s a case to be made for showering often. “If you work out or live in a hot climate, your body will perspire more and sweat needs to be washed off, or else acne, folliculitis, fungus and yeast infections may develop,” dermatologist Estee Williams told Simplemost. “The best advice is to shower weekly for a baby, twice a week for a young child, and at least every other day for adolescents and adults. Shower after every workout and daily during the summer.”
Your hair will start to feel greasy after you skip a couple showers
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When you don’t shower enough, your hair starts to get oily, which may make you feel self-conscious, according to Healthline. Oily hair comes from the sebaceous glands that live in your hair. When your hair is dirty and dry, these glands release an oily substance called sebum to moisturize the hair, the site explained.
“If you don’t wash your hair every two to three days you will get a greasy, oily buildup,” George Rylander, a master stylist at New York City-based Dop Dop Salon, told Women’s Health. “Your hair will look and feel dirty and start to smell as it takes in the smells of the environment.”
Healthline explained that washing your hair once a day is necessary for people prone to greasy hair. But avoid washing your hair more frequently than that. This can cause your glands to produce more oil in response to the extra shampoo, according to the site.
Showering can prevent your immune system from doing its job
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A common reason to take showers is to be clean and healthy, but the sick irony is that you may be making yourself sicker. According to Harvard Health Blog, the immune system needs to be exposed to microorganisms to develop an “immune memory.” This is important in having the immune system quickly mount an immune response to a foreign invader that may harm the body.
“The immune system is composed of cells and organs that help prevent and fight infection,” said Ysabel Montemayor, a registered dietitian, to Bustle. “It is important to strengthen it to lower the chances of getting sick.” Although this may mean you can replace your daily shower with an every-other-day shower, this doesn’t mean you should roll around in the dirt and never wash yourself off.
“Although increased bacteria exposure may play a role in strengthening immunity, it could also be very dangerous,” Montemayor continued. “Poor hygiene can spread and expose you to dangerous bacteria, increasing the risk of infections.”
You can ruin your scalp health by giving up showers
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Taking care of your scalp is a juggling act. When you wash your hair too much, you risk damaging your scalp and hair. And when you don’t wash your hair enough, well, you risk damaging your scalp and hair.
“A total lack of moisture from stripping oils can also cause a dry, flaky scalp and as your scalp dries out so does your hair,” hairstylist Tonya Le said of too frequent hair washings in an interview with Insider. This can lead to an itchy scalp, according to the Cleveland Clinic. In turn, a dry, itchy scalp “can lead to increased hair shedding,” said dermatologist Shilpi Khetarpal to the Cleveland Clinic. And don’t think about picking your dry scalp. “If you then pick at those flakes or scrape at them, you can even end up damaging your hair follicles, which could lead to hair loss,” Niket Sonpal, an internist and professor at Touro College in New York City, to Bustle.
Now, if you don’t wash your hair enough, you can incur buildup on your scalp, which may negatively affect your hair growth, Angela Lamb, a board-certified dermatologist, told USA Today. In addition, not washing your hair for an extended period of time increases the risk of developing ringworm of the scalp, explained Medline Plus.
You risk eczema flare-ups when you start skipping showers
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Eczema is more than a rash. The National Eczema Association describes eczema and atopic dermatitis — a more severe type of eczema — as a condition in which the body is losing moisture. The lack of moisture means there’s not a lot of oil to lubricate the skin. This dry skin then weakens the skin barrier, the upper layer of skin, which protects the body from bacteria, allergens, and other invading pathogens.
While constant exposures to harsh soap and chemicals can irritate eczema further, the National Eczema Association explained that taking a bath or shower at least once a day can help retain moisture and prevent dry skin. Even if you don’t want to shower, spending a few minutes under the water can help, according to Everyday Health.
“It’s counterintuitive because people think showering removes moisture from the skin. But for people with eczema, it’s important to take daily showers to get rid of allergens and bacteria,” Shilpi Khetarpal, a dermatologist, told the Cleveland Clinic.
When you stop showering daily, you retain more good bacteria on your skin
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If you were to ask someone the most important part of the body, they might say the heart or the brain. However, the real answer may not be inside your body but rather outside. Skin is the unsung hero and largest organ in the body. The uppermost layer of skin acts as a physical barrier to prevent water loss and protect against outside pathogens that can harm the body and cause infection, explained Healthline.
However, not all bacteria are detrimental to human health. A 2018 review in Nature explained that the skin barrier wouldn’t be possible without some good bacteria that evolved to live and work with the skin to defend against dangerous invaders. They also warn the immune system of potentially harmful germs. But the skin isn’t impenetrable, and showering too much can make it weaker.
“You can deplete the essential oils, lipids, and bacteria that help your skin fight off inflammation, maintain a smooth look and reinforce its protective barrier,” Dr. Niket Sonpal, an internist and professor at Touro College in New York City, told Bustle.
Your hair will be less frizzy if you stop showering so often
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Your hair will thank you for skipping a hair wash now and then. According to Healthline, oils in the hair called sebum are essential in keeping hair shiny and moisturized, and it is especially important in keeping curled hair soft and not frizzy. However, excessive shampooing can wash off sebum.
Many shampoos also contain sulfates, which are strong detergents that cause hair to dry out and become frizzy, Dana Boyer, a New York-based hairstylist, told HuffPost. “If people didn’t rely on these detergents so much the quality of people’s skin would probably be better, especially as people get older,” integrative dermatologist Elizabeth Hughes told Healthline. “People in their 40s and 50s who are still washing their hair and scrubbing themselves as if they were teenagers are really damaging their skin [and hair]. It takes a long time to fix that.”
If you’re dealing with constant frizz, you may want to consider cutting back on how often you wash your hair and utilize moisturizing hair products. Such products “help restore the hair cuticles by making them more soft, manageable and, most important, luscious,” celebrity hairstylist Tonya Le told Insider.
When you stop showering, you risk having more dandruff
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Oily hair’s BFF dandruff is never too far behind. While there can be different reasons for dandruff, according to Medical News Today, a common one is excess oils. “It’s a common misconception that dandruff is caused by dryness; in reality, it’s usually due to an overgrowth of a harmless yeast,” Jessica Wu, a dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Southern California Medical School, told Everyday Health. “In some people, the yeast starts to feed on the excess oil and dead skin cells on the scalp, causing the skin cells to shed more frequently and clump into flakes.”
Dandruff appears to be the exception to washing your hair once a day. “Not shampooing enough will only make your dandruff worse — it causes more oil and dead skin cells to accumulate on your scalp, which the yeast and fungi just continue to feed on,” said Stuart H. Kaplan, a dermatologist in Beverly Hills, explained to Everyday Health.
Healthline advised that people with dandruff wash their hair with a shampoo that contains either zinc pyrithione, which eliminates bacteria and fungus, or salicylic acid, which reduces the extra oil and flakiness.
Your manicure will last longer if you give up showering
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After treating yourself to a nice manicure at the spa, the last thing you want is chipped nails. But exposing your manicure to constant water can cause just that. According to Michigan Medicine, a constant lathering of water, soaps, and other chemicals in products can dry out your nails. This leads to soft and weak nails that split and peel. They advised moisturizing your hands with lotion and avoid having your hands in water too much. As such, forgoing your daily showers will likely lengthen the life of your manicure.
The likelihood of weak nails increases as we get older. “Our nails grow a little slower as we get older. Since it takes longer to grow out, the nail has more exposure to dry air, water and sanitizers,” said Rosemary Keskinen, a dermatologist, to the Cleveland Clinic.
However, this shouldn’t stop you from washing your hands — or showering — when needed. The Cleveland Clinic explained that washing your hands and showering is necessary to protect against bacteria and viruses.
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Mistakes You Never Realized You Were Making In The Shower
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BY LAUREN BARTH/SEPT. 10, 2020 3:11 PM EDT
Showering is not exactly a fine art. You have probably been doing it for years and years, and you have your routine down pat: wash your hair, soap up your pits, maybe do some shaving, and towel off. Get in, get out, and try to enjoy the solitude of a hopefully peaceful (but potentially rushed!) shower. Easy breezy, right?While you may consider yourself a shower expert, the truth is: You could be messing it all up. Yes, there are multiple common mistakes that people make while cleansing, rinsing, and drying themselves.
As it turns out, soap might not be as necessary as you think, your water temperature could be too high, and your loofah is just festering with bacteria (oh, and don’t get us started on that germ-ridden shower head).
Want to know what you are doing wrong? Health Digest is breaking it down and sharing all the sudsy do’s and don’ts — plus some must-know hygiene habits for your next scheduled shower session.
You are showering too often
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We get it. A shower is how you wake up in the morning or how you wind down at night. It can be an invigorating ritual or part of a relaxing routine. Regardless, showering multiple times a day — or even just once daily — might be too much.As noted by Harvard Health, your skin should have “a layer of oil and a balance of ‘good’ bacteria and other microorganisms.” When you scrub-a-dub-dub your body, you are actually getting rid of all these healthy dermal helpers. And, believe it or not, in addition to causing irritation, it can also harm your immune system, which actually relies on “environmental exposures” to build up those all-important “protective antibodies.” So, yes, showering daily might impede your body from attaining some degree of natural immunity.
So how often should you shower? If possible, go with every other day, as recommended by Healthline. But if you need one to feel your absolute best, stick to a daily rinse — just try to keep it short and sweet.You are showering with water that is way too hot
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Sometimes it feels so good to get into a steaming hot shower and rinse the day away. But while that scalding H20 may strip away your stress, it can also strip your skin of essential oils and natural moisture.Shari Marchbein, a New York City-based dermatologist, told Allure, “Any skin condition characterized by a defective skin barrier can be worsened by a hot shower.” Those who have eczema, acne, psoriasis, and rosacea should definitely turn down the water temp. Even if you don’t have any such skin conditions, you should still be mindful of the water temperature — especially in the colder months. “We are all more prone to itchy, dry skin as the humidity levels drop and the hot water in showers — as well as hot, dry air from radiators — draws moisture out of the skin,” Marchbein told the outlet.
Skin issues aside, a hot shower can also raise your blood pressure, according to Healthline — so those with cardiovascular problems should be extra cautious. And in case you are wondering, the ideal shower temperature should be about 112 degrees Fahrenheit (and no hotter), according to Cleveland Clinic dermatologist Melissa Piliang (via Wall Street Journal).You are washing your hair too frequently
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Want to milk that blowout for another day or two? It may be a smart plan to avoid the shampoo in order to keep your mane looking fresh and fabulous. Washing your hair every day is not only unnecessary, it can leave your strands feeling and looking dry and brittle.Dr. Angela Lamb, a dermatology professor at Mount Sinai, told WebMD, “Hair produces natural oil called sebum, and shampoo is an emulsifier that captures and traps excess oil, dirt, and product residue, which you then rinse out to clean the hair.” But cleansing your hair too often can lead to breakage.
Of course, everyone’s hair and scalp is slightly different. According to Medical News Today, those with extremely dry scalps do not make as much natural sebum. As such, it’s particularly beneficial for these ones to go a few days in between shampoo sessions to avoid “itching and flaking.” On the other hand, those with fine hair or oily roots may find they need to stick with their daily shampoo routine.You are probably using the wrong soap for your skin
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Have you ever looked at the fine print on your favorite shower body wash product? It reads like gibberish with all sorts of unrecognizable ingredients. One thing you shold look to actively avoid though is antibacterial soaps. These variations not only eliminate bad bacteria, they also eradicate the good kind that keeps our immune systems healthy and strong. Furthermore, antibacterial sopas can actually enable antibiotic-resistant bacteria to swoop in, per WebMD.But what about regular old bar soap? According to Healthline, these products are often chock full of sulfates, parabens, phthalates and artificial fragrances. According to a study published in Dermatology, such ingredients can alter the body’s natural pH levels, affect the skin’s natural barrier, and cause discomfort.
So what’s a sweaty, smelly person to do? If a water-only shower doesn’t quite do it for you, we hear you. Instead, try a natural or handmade small-batch soap. These tend to be gentler with rich ingredients like coconut oil or shea butter. You can also use a dry brush to get rid of dead skin cells or try oil cleansing, Healthline revealed.
You are definitely using the wrong soap down there
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It is probably rather obvious, but if that bar of soap doesn’t cut it for your arms, legs, and booty, it most definitely should not be what you use to clean your, um, more private regions.
The “vagina has a very acidic environment, which naturally protects against bacteria,” the Mayo Clinic explained. As such, the institution recommends women wash with warm water only. The addition of chemicals and unnecessary ingredients “alters the normal eco-system and can allow growth of bacteria and yeast.” Men, too, should avoid using soap to clean their genitals. The U.K.’s National Health Service revealed that washing “once a day with warm water is sufficient to maintain good hygiene.”And if you want to take a few additional steps to ensure your very personal hygiene? Try swapping out tight underwear for comfy cotton drawers. Better yet, go commando at bedtime and let your nether regions get some air.
You’re not properly taking care of your cuts in the shower
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Adhesive bandages, like Band-Aids, are great for small scrapes and cuts and all those minor ouchies. But after a couple days, your bandage should be removed. As noted by Harvard Health, adhesive bandages are meant to stop and absorb blood, but they do not actually help a cut to heal. In fact, most cuts will benefit from air and water after being covered for one to two days.Some may not need to be covered at all. If you have a small abrasion in an area that won’t get dirty or chafed, you can leave it exposed. While you are at it, you might want to consider dabbing a bit of antibiotic ointment on your battle wound to help speed up recovery (via American Family Physician).
But how should you deal with a Band-aid in the shower? Michelle Lage, a physical therapist and wound care specialist, explained to Steamboat Pilot & Today that wounds have to “be able to breathe and balance moisture.” That means they shouldn’t get too wet or too dry, otherwise you risk not healing as quickly. You’ll want to keep your bandage relatively dry while in the shower, and clean the wound and apply a new bandage when you get out of the shower.You are over-exfoliating — or not exfoliating enough — in the shower
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Tsippora Shainehouse, a California-based dermatologist, told Shape that excessive exfoliating will not result in smoother skin. A for effort, but, in fact, sometimes, less is more. “Rough exfoliating products can actually cause tiny tears in the skin. If you need to exfoliate, look for body sugar or salt scrubs that will melt in the water, and limit use to twice a week,” she explained to the magazine.And if you think you are better off skipping this skin-sloughing step altogether, it is time to reevaluate your self care shower routine. Exfoliating can ensure you rid your skin of all those icky dead skin cells that have been building up. While your body will naturally do this on its own to some degree, a little encouragement via a gentle scrubbing can help to prevent dry skin and clogged pores, as noted by Healthline.
You are shaving at the start of your shower
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If you perpetually have razor burn after a swift shower shave session, you may want to consider switching up your hair-removal tactics. No, you don’t have to turn to waxing just yet. A few simple changes might help keep your skin smooth and irritation-free.
While you probably choose to shave first in the shower to get it over and done with, you should actually wait a few minutes before taking out your razor. Los Angeles-based dermatologist Christine Choi Kim, told Good Housekeeping that you should hold off and let the water run on your skin longer. A little extra hydration will help enhance your shave.
Delaying your shave in the shower is one thing, but did you know you should skip the daily ablution altogether if you have an upcoming pedicure appointment? Lauren Ploch, a Georgia-based dermatologist, told InStyle, “Shaving the legs may cause microfissures (like tiny nicks) in the skin, increasing your risk of infection after the pedicure.” All sorts of bad bacteria and fungal nasties are just waiting to “take advantage of breaks in our skin barrier,” and that pedicure tub could be an infection waiting to happen. You are using soap to shave while in the shower
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So you know how we told you not to use soap at all? If you insist on keeping a bar on your shower shelf, we beg you to at least stop shaving with it. Honestly, it’s not doing you any favors.
In a HuffPost article, dermatologist Annie Chiu explained that soap actually impedes your ability to get a close shave. Instead, it adds a layer of gunk to your razor. “It can increase the risk of ingrown hairs, nicks, cuts and maybe infections because soap residue dulls razors. Typically, soaps do not provide the gentle glide that a shaving gel does,” she told the site.Furthermore, Dr. Chiu recommends investing in a better razor. The single or double-blade disposable options aren’t cutting it — literally. “Everyone is different, [so] customize your routine to your specific type of hair! If you have longer or curly hair in the bikini area that you want to groom, make sure to trim the hairs first so the long hairs don’t tangle and dull the razor.”
You are forgetting to scrub the soles of your feet in the shower
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You consider yourself a scrupulous clean freak, but you may be forgetting to wash a very dirty part of your body. As noted by Eat This, Not That!, the soapy water that runs down to your feet is not doing your footsies hygienic justice. You have to get in between those toes and make sure you get the soles of your feet wet and washed. Not doing this regularly could leave you “susceptible to foot ailments such as fungus, irritation, or athlete’s foot.” The Institute for Preventive Foot Health recommends thoroughly washing your feet daily — and you can use mild soap for this part. Moreover, the IPFH experts heartily recommend properly drying your feet to ensure you get all the extra moisture from between those little piggies of yours. Still think your feet need more attention? Make sure you choose a clean pair of socks every day and rotate the shoes you wear.
You are waiting to moisturize until you are fully dry from your shower
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Dermatologist Charlotte Cho told Allure that there is not a moment to be wasted between ending your shower and starting your skincare regimen as “damp skin is more receptive to topical actives when wet.” Furthermore, she elaborated that “occlusives in your moisturizer can actually help seal in water that is on your skin.”So, yes, you will want to slather on your favorite lotion before completely toweling off your skin. Dr. Joshua Zeichner, Mount Sinai Hospital’s director of cosmetic and clinical research, confirmed this, telling Allure, “Studies have shown that applying a moisturizer immediately after bathing results in greater hydration of the skin compared to delayed moisturizing.” And while you should have some sense of urgency, you need not panic-apply when you are still dripping wet. “I’m sure high levels of penetration can still be achieved even within one minute,” the expert explained.
You keep reusing the same towel after every shower
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It’s great that you are trying to be more eco-conscious by eliminating excessive laundry, but you might want to find a better way to reduce your carbon footprint. Reusing the same towel over and over and over again is actually really gross (but, again, we appreciate the effort).In an article on the Cleveland Clinic’s site, dermatologist Alok Vij revealed, “The longer towels stay damp, the longer the yeasts, bacteria, molds and viruses remain alive and stay active. They can cause an outbreak of toenail fungus, athlete’s foot, jock itch and warts, or cause these skin conditions to spread.” Furthermore, he elaborated that dirty towels can also exacerbate atopic dermatitis or eczema.
So how may uses is too many? Dr. Vij recommends going no longer than one week between towel washes. The most important step is hanging it up to dry right away. If it’s been thrown in a clump on the floor, wash it before using again. And if you’re sick? Don’t reuse your towel; wash it first or use a new one.You are using a loofah or sponge for far too long
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You know what is even grosser than your damp reused shower towel? Your bath loofah. According to Cleveland Clinic dermatologist Melissa Piliang, loofahs are somewhat confounding. “They’re used in a wet environment and you hang them up in the shower, which is also a wet environment,” she explained. “They don’t ever totally dry out, so the loofah is a beautiful breeding ground for bacteria.” Don’t throw away your favorite body scrubber sponge just yet, though. As long as you clean it, dry it, and replace it on a regular basis you should be just fine.”If you have a natural loofah, you should replace it every three to four weeks. If you have one of the plastic ones, those can last for two months,” Dr. Piliang revealed. However, she cautioned, “If you notice any mold growing on your loofah … or if it develops a mildewy or musty odor — that’s a sign you should get rid of your loofah.” One more tip she offered: Don’t ever use your loofah on your face or genitals as the skin is far too sensitive in these places. Fair enough.
You never clean your showerhead or your shower curtain
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So you clean yourself and you wash your towels and loofahs. Check and check. But what about your shower curtain and shower head? These often neglected items may be in desperate need for a sanitizing scrub-down.A 2018 study confirmed that, indeed, there are a plethora of “mycobacteria” lurking on your showerhead. While many of these bacteria are harmless, others have the potential to cause infection. As such, it’s important to clean your shower head from time to time. The experts at Molly Maid told Real Simple that soaking your shower head in a white vinegar solution for several hours before polishing it with a toothbrush and running the hot water should do the trick. And as for your icky fabric shower curtain? You can toss that in the laundry with a load of towels, per the cleaning pros.
