According to List25, the average person spends about 60 hours a year in the shower. You’d think that by spending so much time in there, we’d all be experts on what to and not to do. Turns out, there are a few simple mistakes you might be making that could lead to ill hygiene and poor health.
Here’s 10 things you should never do in the shower:
1. Never use your nails to scrub your scalp
No matter what you do, don’t scrub your scalp with your fingernails in the shower. The sharpness of your nails could loosen dry skin and cause dandruff. Gently rub with a scalp brush, or your fingertips.
2. Never use oil based products
Never use oily products in the shower, this could put you and others at risk of slipping and falling. A large fraction of bathroom injuries have been caused by slippery shower floors.
3. Never use someone else’s razor
Even if you forgot to pack your own razor, never reach for someone else’s razor in the shower. Razors can be a breeding ground for bacteria and they may even spread infections such as warts, jock itch and herpes. Steer clear, sister!
ALSO SEE: What’s causing your itchy skin?
Unsplash / Jakayla Toney
4. Never use soap with a high pH
If you suffer with sensitive skin, you’ll know that using the right soap is an important element of keeping your skin niggles at bay. Soap with a high pH balance can strip the skin’s protective barrier and leave you vulnerable to dry, irritated and infection-prone skin. Go for soaps with a natural pH, even if your skin is not sensitive.
5. Never shower long after a work out
6. Never leave your sponge hanging in the shower
A common mistake that many of us make is hanging sponges or loofahs up in the shower before rinsing and drying them out. Damp sponges partnered with moisture that forms in the bathroom creates the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive. Sun-dry your sponges, face clothes and scrubby gloves before hanging them up to use.
Unsplash / Chandler Cruttenden
7. Never use a towel for longer than a week
While washing your towel after every use is drastic, it is crucial to ensure that you are not using a damp towel, or one that has been used for longer than a week. Bacteria, viruses, mold and yeast can start to form in your towel, especially when it’s damp or due for a wash.
ALSO SEE: 6 signs you need to replace your towels
8. Never leave the shower running
Water is one if not the most vital resource that humans and animals require to survive. For this reason, we should all be following water-wise practices. The shower is a good place to start – according to experts, 30% of shower water goes unused. We’re not suggesting a cold shower, but to be aware of when your water heats up. Do not leave it running for too long after this point.
9. Never lock the bathroom door when showering
Shower injuries are far too common. Keep the door unlocked while your shower to avoid landing yourself in a situation where you have injured yourself and cannot receive immediate help because you are unable get to the door to unlock it.
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Feature Image:Pexels / Karolina Grabowska
