# When did showers become popular in the US (instead of baths)? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 21, 2024, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-showers-become-popular-in-the-us-instead-of-baths/999135 "2024-03-21T10:23:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-showers-become-popular-in-the-us-instead-of-baths/999135/61 "2024-04-16T22:05:10Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I bathed closer to the water source, and farther from my campsite, when i used to do that. 😃 Well, sure, that’s ideal but when you’re on a multi-day hiking trip and you’re midway between water sources at a “dry camp” so that you’re 10 miles from surface water… bucket and minimal water it is. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-showers-become-popular-in-the-us-instead-of-baths/999135/62 "2024-04-16T22:07:59Z")
Or just skip the bath that day. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-showers-become-popular-in-the-us-instead-of-baths/999135/63 "2024-04-16T22:37:07Z")
I found out the hard way that not hitting the face, pits, hands, crotch, and feet daily when backpacking in summer could lead to Bad Things occurring… ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2024, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-showers-become-popular-in-the-us-instead-of-baths/999135/64 "2024-04-17T15:29:58Z")
> [@alphaboi867](#): > > They make biodegradable soap, shampoo, etc that’s safe to use on bodies of water. I am aware, though the brand I have still has warnings printed on it not to use it in a natural water source; it says to carry a bucket of water 200 feet away from the lake or stream and do your business there, disposing of wastewater in a 6 to 8 inch deep cathole. I think the bars of household soap that you buy, or at least I buy, which are pure Castile soap or Aleppo soap with no added ingredients, are not too bad for the environment, but the same rules would apply. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2024, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-showers-become-popular-in-the-us-instead-of-baths/999135/65 "2024-04-17T16:49:42Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Tub baths are more difficult for Seniors. Their balance is not as good. > > We put in several grab bars in my mom’s shower. There’s no way she could climb in and out of a tub. I’m not a senior (well, not officially; I’m 64) and I almost never bathe because it’s just too damn tough to haul myself out of a tub. Which is a shame, as we have a nice soaking tub in our master bathroom. If we ever get around to redoing the bathroom, grab bars WILL happen (both for the tub and the separate shower). ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2024, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-showers-become-popular-in-the-us-instead-of-baths/999135/66 "2024-04-19T12:55:02Z")
Yes, i vacation at lake Winnipesaukee, and it’s been illegal for decades to use soap IN the lake. But it’s use biodegradable soap in a basin and dump it on the ground away from the lake, so soil bacteria can break it down before it gets into the water. The lake has been much cleaner since that rule went into effect. Especially around little coves that are good for a morning dip. I still take a morning bath, i just do it without soap. I just rinse off my sweat. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-showers-become-popular-in-the-us-instead-of-baths/999135.md?page=3)