5-min shower challenge

[PrincessPerky]

Re: 5-min shower challenge

I don't know how long the showers took today, but I rearanged the order of starting and managed to only have the water run for a few seconds where I wasn't washing anyone (of the 4 of us)

I know you are thinking that is obvious, but I think showers clean better than baths, and DD can't sit in a bath with shampoo or soap in it (bad for girl parts) and UE can't be wondering around he has to be in the tub (9month old baby) and at some point the bathroom has to get bleached, and I have to fix hair shortly after the two older ones get out (curly, style when wet), and showers are not just about getting clean they are also body parts lessons (ankle, toes, ect) water physics (floats or sinks?) and fun time.....today I did it with about as little water as I think will ever occur

you really don't need all the details, but for non parents just know it isn't as easy as you think!

[getforfree]

Re: 5-min shower challenge

I used 65 min out of 200 allowed, so I will be sending extra $14 with my house payment which is due on the 1st. + the other $22 profit I made on ebay for this month.

[Great to be Debt Free]

Re: 5-min shower challenge

I was supposed to take a shower at the gym today, but didn't make it b/c my friend called to tell me she was in an accident (everyone's ok). But I missed my aerobics and so I had to shower at home to get to the bank, etc. Oh well, maybe tomorrow after Cardio Beat!

[b4freedom]

Re: 5-min shower challenge

How much money do you think you actually save per month by taking a 5 minutes shower vs a 15 minute shower?

[getforfree]

Re: 5-min shower challenge

The cold water alone for 10 min shower, about 20 gallons, costs you 3c. And I think it costs another 20c for the heating of water, depends of your water heater. So, for every 10 min, it's like 13c extra.

If you are using clean towel after every shower, assuming that you can fit 20 towels in your washing machine. For the load it costs, 3c water +15c if you add hot water, +8c for detergent and softener+3c for electricity =29c, or 1.5c to clean one towel, but it depends on a size of your towel too. Plus, if you dry it in the dryer, add another 1.5c-2c.

So if you cut back on your shower time, and save 13c/day x30 =$3.90/month, and another 30c for always using your towel twice, before washing it ot if you take shower every other day. The less you use, the more you can save.

[mariec99]

Re: 5-min shower challenge

Personal hygiene is the LAST thing I would ever skimp on to save a few pennies. Projecting a professional image (meaning super-groomed and well dressed) is economically advantageous in Western society.

[Marcymox]

Re: 5-min shower challenge

Personal hygiene is the LAST thing I would ever skimp on to save a few pennies. Projecting a professional image (meaning super-groomed and well dressed) is economically advantageous in Western society.

absolutely- but MOST of that professional image is obtained outside of a 5 minute shower. clean pressed clothes, styled hair, make-up, polished shoes, deoderant and brushed teeth is all done outside of the shower.
You don't get any cleaner by washing your body for 20 minutes than you do if you scrub for 3 minutes- unless of course you've been working in the mines, digging ditches, construction, ect.

( you meaning general you)

If you develop a streamlined shower system, you can be in and out in 5 minutes or less. The second the water is warm enough, wash your hair. Don't stand there all day and lather up.- if you feel the need to scrub your scalp for 20 minutes, turn off the water.
apply conditioner, while that is soaking, soap up, and then rinse the conditioner and body soap all at once. done. if you shave in the shower add 1 minute. if it takes you more than one minute to shave, you should be doing it with the water off.

It's hard for me to understand what people are doing in the shower for a half an hour. I suspect most of the time just standing there. I was in the military and the water is on a timer- it comes on for exactly 3 minutes. if you are too slow and it shuts off with a head full of lather- too bad. you are sticky and soapy all day. move faster next time.
guess that's how I got good at fast showers.

[mariec99]

Re: 5-min shower challenge

It's hard for me to understand what people are doing in the shower for a half an hour.

It is not as long as 30 minutes, but here is what takes me more than 5 minutes: shaving my legs and underarms, washing and conditioning hair, full body exfoliation; using an exfoliating facial mask; pushing back cuticles; cleaning nails (hands and feet); extra scrubbing of knees, elbows and feet; plus all the regular washing done in a shorter shower. I am very busy!

[b4freedom]

Re: 5-min shower challenge

I am one of those people that takes ½ hour shower. I just stand there, I don't even wash myself. I let the water beat on the back of my shoulders. I enjoy it. And, for $3.90/month, I'll continue to enjoy it. If it was $30/month, I'd still enjoy it. I'd rather skimp someplace else and enjoy a long hot shower. On hot summer days, I'll work outside, get all gross, and go take a hot shower, and slowly make it colder and colder until the hot water is completely turned off. I'll just let it beat on my head. I'll get out, and go work outside again so I could get all gross and take another shower. If I could, I'd take 5 showers a day in the summer.

I guess I just like showers. I like to think in the shower. It's where I block out everything and just think random thoughts. It's where I find my zen moments.

But, I also like to lay at the bottom of the pool in the deep end and just look up at the world. If I had scuba gear on, I'd stay for as long as I had air. I find water relaxing and I enjoy it.

[PRICEPLUS]

Re: 5-min shower challenge

I wonder where one can get a pull chain for the shower. You pull the chain to allow a stream of water. No constant running of water. You wet up. You soap up. You rinse off. I think the savings might be substantial. It may be impractical for some though!

[b4freedom]

Re: 5-min shower challenge

I wonder where one can get a pull chain for the shower. You pull the chain to allow a stream of water. No constant running of water. You wet up. You soap up. You rinse off. I think the savings might be substantial. It may be impractical for some though!

A quick look found this: http://www.plumbingsupply.com/speakm...rs.html#valves or even cheaper: http://www.kingssupply.com/item35.htm

[seaar2000]

Re: 5-min shower challenge

I already take five minute showers. Our water bill in our city thinks they have to increase our water every 6 months.

[b4freedom]

Re: 5-min shower challenge

I already take five minute showers. Our water bill in our city thinks they have to increase our water every 6 months.

What do you pay for water? We pay about $25/quarter. It works out to be about 1/10 of 1¢ per gallon. Maybe that's why I like long showers.

[getforfree]

Re: 5-min shower challenge

I don't really like taking showers. I only wash because I have to, not because I like it. I don't like my hair being wet after the shower. I don't like hairdryer because it's noisy, so I never use, I just keep my hair wrapped in the towel for the next 10 min after the shower. Maybe I should get a short haircut, then I will like the showers better.

[getforfree]

Re: 5-min shower challenge

The water cost is 1.4c for every 10 gallons here. So 10-min shower costs you 3c for the cold water alone, if you use like 2 gall a min. + the cost of heating the water.

I try to use water on low, where it flows slower, maybe 1 gall/min, I increase it a little more for the last rinse, then turn the hot water off, and get 7 more seconds of warm water, then I turn the cold water off too.