How long should a shower be?

How long should a shower be? For most people, five to ten minutes. That is enough time to wet, wash your hair if it needs it, wash your body and rinse properly.

Longer is not cleaner. Past ten minutes you are mostly standing in hot water thinking about things.

Quick answer

• Five to ten minutes covers most people.
• Add a few minutes after the gym or a dirty job.
• Keep the water warm, not hot.
• Skip washing your hair when it does not need it.

What fits in a five-minute shower

1. Wet everything. Hair, shoulders, back.
2. Hair, if it is a hair day. Shampoo, rinse, move on.
3. Body, top to bottom. A small amount of shower gel, focusing on underarms, chest, back, groin and feet.
4. Rinse properly. Every place you put soap.

That is it. Nothing in that list needs twenty minutes.

If you shave in the shower, add a couple of minutes and do it last, once the steam has had time to soften things up.

How long should a man shower after the gym?

A few minutes longer, because there is more to wash. More sweat means more time on underarms, back, groin and feet. It does not mean more time standing still.

The order stays the same. You just spend a bit longer on each step and rinse more thoroughly at the end.

Is a 30 minute shower too long?

For washing, yes. Long, hot showers are what leave skin feeling tight and dry afterwards. If you love a long shower, turn the temperature down and you will notice the difference.

If the long shower is where you switch off, fair enough. Just know that the washing part was done twenty minutes ago.

If you want the long shower for the switch-off, do the washing first, then turn the temperature down for the rest.

Does a shorter shower save money?

Hot water costs money to heat, so a shorter shower is cheaper. We are not going to give you a figure, because it depends on your boiler, your shower and your tariff.

A few minutes off every day adds up over a year. If you are on a water meter, the same goes for the water itself.

How to take a quicker shower without rushing it

• Have everything within reach before you get in.
• Use a pump bottle so you are not squeezing and guessing.
• Skip hair on the days it does not need it.
• Pick a song and be out when it finishes.

A pump bottle helps more than you would think. With GUYSTUFF Original shower gel, one press gives you a consistent amount every time, so you are not standing there working out how much to use.

FAQ

How long is a normal shower?

Most people are in for somewhere around five to ten minutes. Anything in that range is normal.

Is a two-minute shower enough?

For a quick rinse on a lazy day, maybe. For an actual wash, give it a few more minutes so you can rinse properly.

Do you need longer showers in winter?

No. It is tempting to stand under hot water when it is cold out. Warm and short still does the job, and your skin will be happier for it.

Should you shave before or after showering?

In or straight after the shower, when the hair is softer from the steam. Rinse with cool water when you are done.

Is it bad to shower for a long time?

Not dangerous, just not useful. Long and hot tends to leave skin dry. If your skin is properly irritated, ask a pharmacist or GP.

Five minutes, warm water, done. For the bit in the middle, have a look at GUYSTUFF Original.