Showering and bathing are two very different things.
As you must already know, showering is more common around the world (with shower heads found in almost every bathroom) and baths are often considered to be luxurious (which is why you see bathtubs in high-end hotels!).
Although the word 'bathing' is often used as a catchall term to refer to the practice of cleaning oneself with water, it actually only refers to cleaning yourself in a bathtub!
Now, you might be wondering which is better: a bath or shower? Who'll win when it comes to showers vs baths? Should you choose a shower head or a bathtub?
Let's take a look at the pros/advantages and cons/disadvantages of both showering and bathing and then come to a decision.
Advantages of Taking A Shower
Showering strictly refers to the practice of standing under a flowing stream of water and then cleaning yourself. If you're interested in the history of showers and the modern shower head, take a look at our article on it.!
Now, let's take a look at the advantages of taking a shower.
➤ Showering is generally quicker than bathing.
➤ Showering uses less water than filling a bathtub. A five-minute shower uses approximately 60 litres or almost 16 gallons of water while a bath uses around 100 litres or 26.4 gallons of water (since most people fill it up less than halfway). Now, it's important to note that shorter showers use less water than a bathtub — if you shower for a long period of time, you will end up using more water!
➤ Showers can be more efficient because you can heat up the shower as you are getting in, rather than heating up an entire tub of water.
➤ Showers evenly distribute water over your body and take contaminated water out of sight and away from your clean body. When you are taking a shower, dirty water stays in the shower drain and doesn't re-circulate around your clean body. Showers are also known to have health benefits!
➤ Showering can be more invigorating than bathing because the water is typically hotter and the shower head can provide a massaging effect. This is especially true if you have a shower head with different spray settings.
➤ A cold shower can reduce stress and anxiety while a hot shower can soothe sore muscles and help you sleep better. (Check out our interesting article on cold showers vs hot showers).
➤ A handheld shower head will allow you to clean your baby, pet, and even inanimate objects (such as clothes, plastic furniture, and furnishings) without any hassle.
Disadvantages of Taking A Shower
➤ If you have low water pressure, showering can be a very frustrating experience.
➤ Showers can be less relaxing than baths because of the constant standing.
➤ You might not have enough time in your shower to properly shampoo and condition your hair. In this case, you might have to schedule an extra shower into your beauty routine.
➤ Showering can be dangerous if you have a medical condition that causes you to faint or become dizzy. Additionally, showering might be difficult for the elderly since it requires standing for a good few minutes.
➤ If your shower head is faulty and the water coming out of your shower head is too hot, you can scald yourself.
Now, let's take a look at the pros of taking a bath!
Advantages of Taking A Bath
Bathing strictly refers to submerging your body in water and then cleaning yourself. Although showering is more common around the world, there are still many people who prefer baths.
Here are some advantages of taking a bath:
➤ Baths are very relaxing. They are often used as a way to de-stress the mind and relax sore muscles after a long day.
➤ Baths can be used for medicinal purposes. For example, oatmeal baths are good for skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and skin rashes.
➤ Baths can be fun! You can add bubbles, bath bombs, and even toys to make your bathing experience more enjoyable. Kids, in particular, tend to enjoy baths more than showers because it's like a mini pool experience for them.
➤ Baths are great for people with arthritis or other chronic pain conditions because soaking in warm water can help relieve pain.
➤ A warm bath can help you combat symptoms of a cold or flu.
Disadvantages of Taking A Bath
➤ Baths can be extremely time-consuming. It takes time for the bathtub to fill up, for you to soak in the water, and for you to drain the water afterwards. Depending on how hot you like your water and how much you like to relax, a bath can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. Thus, baths aren't a practical choice if you're rushing off to work in the morning.
➤ Baths use way more water than showers. As mentioned previously, a standard bathtub when not full to the brim can use approximately 100 litres or 26.4 gallons of water. A full bathtub can hold around 300 litres or around 80 gallons of water!
➤ If you don't have a shower head in your bathtub, it can be difficult to rinse off all the soap suds. Thus, most people end up using a handheld shower head in their bath, which further increases their water consumption.
➤ The tub can become slippery, which can be dangerous if you're not careful.
➤ A bathtub takes up more space than a shower. Thus, bathtubs can only be enjoyed by people who have large bathrooms. Additionally, installing a bathtub is more expensive than installing a showering apparatus. This is the reason why bathtubs are considered to be luxurious in most parts of the world.
➤ Baths can be dirty because the water doesn't take contaminated water out of sight and away from the body as a shower does. You end up soaking in your own filth! If you share your bathtub with others, the tub can become quite dirty over time. Thus, bathtubs also require more maintenance than shower fixtures.
Is It Better to Shower or Take A Bath?
So, should you take a shower or a bath? Which is better?
The answer to this question is subjective. It ultimately depends on your preferences and needs.
However, showering is generally considered the better option because it's more efficient in terms of time, hygiene, water usage, and eco-friendliness. Showers are also less likely to cause accidents than baths.
Thus, we would like to say that yes, showers are better than baths! However, it is important that you know how to take a shower properly! You'd be surprised by the number of people who don't shower the right way.
So, do you prefer showering or taking a bath? Let us know in the comments below.
Enjoy Eco-Friendly and Luxurious Showers with StoneStream
If you're looking for a shower head that will help you save water and energy while also being luxurious, look no further than StoneStream.
Our EcoPower shower heads are designed to reduce your water consumption without sacrificing luxury or performance. In fact, many of the advantages of showers are done away with because of how efficient and innovative our shower heads are.
That's right, StoneStream shower heads increase water flow velocity by 200% while reducing your water consumption by 35%! They also filter and soften contaminated and hard water, preventing limescale buildup and making the water gentle for your skin, hair, shower accessories, and bathroom fixtures.
Featuring an EcoStop button and 3 spa-like spray settings of rainfall, jetting, and massage, the EcoPower shower heads will make showering a highly relaxing and convenient experience for you.
Wondering if our shower heads are really better than regular shower heads? We have an article explaining in detail the benefits of our shower heads over traditional ones.
StoneStream also manufactures durable and high-quality shower accessories, such as non-slip shower mats, shower hoses, squeegees, and shower holders. Now that you know that showering is the better option, it's a good idea to go with one of the best shower brands out there!
