Mother provokes furious debate by admitting she only showers three times a week on the days she goes to work - as some claim daily washing is 'wasteful' but others insist she must smell 'musty'

A woman who admitted to showering only three times a week has sparked a furious debate after admitting that her friends were horrified when she told them. 

The unnamed woman took to the British parenting forum, Mumsnet, to explain that she showers only on the two days that she goes to work, and ‘one extra day’.

Following a friend’s complaint that she can’t find enough time to shower because she has a young baby, the mother said that she doesn’t bother with daily washing either – even though her two children are a bit older.   

After a horrified reaction from her friends, the woman shared that her days aren’t full of strenuous exercise, but that she will shower if she’s been to the gym or gets dirty.  

Commenters were either supportive of the woman’s lack of daily showers or revolted, with some claiming that they can detect a ‘musty’ smell from people who don’t wash daily. 

A woman took to Mumsnet to ask whether she was being disgusting for not showering every day (stock image)

The woman explained that her days weren’t filled with strenuous exercise and as such she felt she didn’t always need a shower

Revealing how the topic of conversation came up, she said she was having drinks with a group of female friends – some who have children and some who don’t. 

‘One friend mentions she is struggling to find time for a shower every day since she had her baby,’ she explained. 

‘I said: “Well I don’t shower every day without a young baby”. All of my friends looked at me in horror. Apparently even the ones with kids shower daily.’ 

‘Full disclosure I have two daughters, one under five, and I work part time. I shower on work days plus one extra day, so usually three times a week. My days off usually consist of playing at home, walking dog, school run and maybe park. I would shower extra if exercising/having sex/on period etc.’ 

Some commenters thought not cleaning oneself daily was revolting and said they would be able to tell if someone had not showered

‘I bath my children three times a week. My other half works out every week day so he does shower more than me.’

However, her explanation didn’t wash with some commenters who were horrified by her lack of daily washing.  

One person said: ‘Personally I think three times a week is pretty grim, sorry. I am a shower every day person. I can’t get going in the morning without one to be honest.’

Another commenter agreed saying: ‘Twice a day for me (three times when been to the gym or for a swim, etc). My husband is the same.’

Some commenters were perplexed that anyone would shower if they didn’t need to, calling it ‘wasteful’

While a third said: ‘Every day. I wouldn’t fancy being close to someone who doesn’t shower every day.’ 

Other commenters, however, were supportive and said that it’s a waste of water if you’re not unclean and don’t need to shower. 

One commenter wrote: ‘I don’t shower every day. So wasteful. Generations before us didn’t have showers including my parents. And they definitely weren’t manky.’

‘Its just one if those first world things people have taken to doing. Completely unnecessary.’

Another piped up with: ‘That’s absolutely fine. If you don’t smell then there is no need to shower. The only thing I would say is you need to wash with water after a poo, period etc.’

And a third person agreed, saying: ‘There is nothing wrong with showering three  times a week if you don’t need a shower on the in between days.’