I DESPISE showering in the winter in this house. The Husband made a miracle happen a few years ago and installed a vent heater in our bathroom. But, that little heater can't keep up in our frigid bathroom. I'm not kidding when I tell you that room is at least 15 degrees colder than any other room in this house.
Well, this post went off the rails from the very beginning. Because I meant start by telling you that I have recently determined that I will no longer use a "pouf" (those netted things) in the shower because I recently saw a post somewhere on the internet from a dermatologist who mentioned all the mold and bacteria found on those things; that I'd been mindlessly using. I have since switched over to wash cloths; which honestly, I don't love but at least they don't skeeve me out. And I KNOW they are clean because they get washed after each use. Now I just need to go ahead and toss that pouf which is still hanging in my shower growing more moldy every day, I'm sure.
But the main reason I despise showering in the winter is because when I get out and set about moisturizing myself I am shivering beyond reason - even with the vented heater.
Then one day, my dad's voice registered in my head. I remember clearly him telling me, when I was very young - because he and my mother hadn't divorced yet - that in order to not be so cold when getting out of the shower/tub to use cooler water. Mind you, not cold but cooler.
And I shrugged that off as absolutely ridiculous because who doesn't love a hot shower? I sure do.
But after one day a week or so ago; after shivering and unable to get warm - even after being dressed - I decided enough was enough.
So, now I have been taking tepid showers. Is it ideal? No it is not. Does it work? Yes, it does. And, apparently, my skin (and my toes) are thanking me.
I am no longer shivering as I moisturize and by the time I get around from moving from the bathroom to my dressing room I'm actually pretty comfortable. Bliss.
So what say you, friends? Do you use a pouf? Are you now as skeeved out about them as I am? Could you brave a tepid shower in the winter?
15 degrees colder? Holy hell, what is happening in your bathroom? That sounds terrible! Our bathrooms are all the same temp as the rest of the house, and we had in-floor heating installed when we built, and it is so nice to step on the warm tiles.
ReplyDeleteI don't use a pouf, I just use a bar of soap!
I wish I knew what was going on in there. God forbid, I wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. Talk about eye-opening!
DeleteThere is NO insulation in our downstairs bathroom because it's part of a badly made addition. During the polar vortex there was actual frost on the floor. It is SO cold. We run a space heater when we shower and there's a towel warmer, so things are not terrible, to be honest. But I feel you, sister. Team Washcloth because everything else is gross.
ReplyDeleteFROST on the floor! Maybe I'll quit complaining about my bathroom. I think tomorrow, I'm going to drag a space heater in there and skip the heat vent - I feel like that might be a better solution.
DeleteI am constantly cold, even in the summer because Air Conditioning. I dread showering, not just because of that, but because of how dried out my skin gets in the winter despite having whole-house humidifying. Having to lotion up after a shower makes me even colder. I have to shower in cooler water to help with my skin. I haven't used a pouf in ages (see dry skin), but I've never heard of anyone contracting anything from theirs. Sometimes, I think all that is overkill unless you already have a skin condition.
ReplyDeleteMy skin is also dry - so the cooler showers helps a little anyway. I've never had an issue with the pouf but once I heard that all I can see is a mold magnet now.
ReplyDeleteNo pouf for me. A bar of soap and my two hands seems to work just fine.
ReplyDeleteOk, I don't love getting out of the shower in the winter either. *it's winter today at 57*) So I move to the smallest bathroom we have and shower there. I think your dad's idea is brilliant, but I still love a very warm shower.
I need the washcloth for exfoliation purposes re: dry skin and psoriasis. Dad's idea is helpful but it is still painful to get out and I can't wait for summer so I can go back to warmer showers!
DeleteI manage to endure the cold after getting out of the shower, but I don't love it either. I like the way my skin feels after it's been cleansed. And all I ever use are washcloths.
ReplyDeleteI think there is a collective hatred of getting out of the shower and being wet and cold.
DeleteOur bathroom is the same. Coldest room in the house! Except when the heat is actively on - then the water closet turns into a sauna. You can't win!
ReplyDeleteI have seen mold on poufs with my own eyes, but that's not the only reason I don't use them -- I am lazy. I just use body wash and my hands!
I dragged in a space heater this morning. Game changer! The vent heater only heats that one spot under it. The space heater actually warms the whole bathroom; but still not enough to enjoy a hot shower. In my opinion, the bathroom should be the warmest room in the house across the board.
DeleteI always turn on the space heater in the bathroom before showering. Just the sound of it humming helps.
ReplyDelete