A bath or a shower?

**GreenVillage** · 06-26-2009, 12:11 AM

Does bathing rather than showering save water? What requires more water - A bath or a shower?

**frugalfranny** · 06-26-2009, 02:40 AM

Short shower.

**Grainlady** · 06-26-2009, 06:25 AM

-A faucet delivers 3-7 gallons of water per minute.

-The average tub requires 30-50-gallons of water.

-The average shower of four minutes with an old shower head uses 20 gallons of water. With a low-flow shower head, only 10 gallons of water is used.

The rest is up to you. Do you stand under a shower so long you use the entire contents of the hot water heater? Do you have multiple shower heads or huge rain showers? If so, a shower could easily use 80-100-gallons of water in a shower.

Or are you like me. I turn on the hot water and catch the cold water in the line to use elsewhere. Wet a washcloth, apply soap and wash off. The only time I turn the shower on is to rinse off and probably take less than 2 minutes and about 1-2 gallons of water.

**phoeny_moonstar** · 06-26-2009, 06:42 AM

A long shower probably uses more water than a bath. But I will not take a bath. I personally can't stand the thought of sitting in my own dirty water. I'll take a short shower and feel clean.

**wjcalderon** · 06-26-2009, 08:19 AM

You can test this yourself. Next time you take a shower, plug the drain and see how much water accumulates.
If it's less than you would put in the tub for a bath, then the shower is better.
If it's about the same, there isn't a difference in the usage.
If it's deeper than you normally run for a bath, then the bath is more efficient.

**Momto2Boyz** · 06-26-2009, 08:43 AM

I was going to say the same as above! Plug the drain when you shower and see how much water you use. If it is less than you would fill a bath, then showers are more efficient. I think it varies from person to person, depending on how long the showers are that you take and how full you fill the bath tub.

For me, showers are more efficient. But for my kids, baths are more efficient becuase I only give them a few inches of water, and they like to play...so if they were in the shower, tons of water would be going down the drain!

**savvy_sniper** · 06-26-2009, 05:54 PM

We have a low flow shower head and we turn the water on to get wet, off to lather up, and back on to rinse off. We are charged for 3000 gallons of water whether we use it or not. The water we save showering, running the dishwasher every other day, etc. allows us to water our grass, fruit trees, and flowers during these high temp/no rain periods of summer and not go over the minimum.

**jlaporte** · 06-26-2009, 06:26 PM

for me it is a shower. i have learned to take short showers. when u have to shave my legs i used to shower too but i stopped that. i take a large cup fill with water and use a face cloth to wet my legs then i use conditioner while i am doing that the water is off and my razor is in the hot water. shave then use that water to clear my razor and the drain then i shower i have it timed to a 3 min shower! but yes for my lil 5 yr old a bath with a few inches of water. but my older sons take a shower as does hub. but now if u ask them what is best theyd b clueless cuz they take the long pampering showers it drives me nuts! we go all conservative and r sensable and they just could care less!
but i vote for shower

**McD** · 06-26-2009, 06:57 PM

Here's an easy way to test it:

Before you take a bath tonight, read your water meter. After your bath, read your meter again and check your consumption. Then do the same next time you shower.

**spyzvixxen** · 06-27-2009, 12:57 AM

I also agree with the thought that it depends on usage. Personally, I can't get used to the whole military shower idea yet I can't stand the thought of bathing in my own filth.