I know we're all meant to be having two-minute showers to try to save power, but as much as I try I just can't manage it! Turn on shower Wait for water to warm up Get in shower & wet hair Shampoo hair Rinse hair Repeat Squeeze excess water out of hair Apply conditioner Wash body with flannel & soap Rinse body Rinse flannel & hang it up Wash face with face-scrubber Rinse face Shave underarms and/or legs Rinse razor and put it away Rinse underarms and/or legs Rinse conditioner out of hair Rinse suds off shower walls Is the two-minute shower really possible, or is it like one of those fad diets that's designed to fail and leave us all feeling bad?!
Submitted by Lindis on 1 July 2008 14:01:35
Comments
I have to admit, I struggle with the two minute shower, especially in these cold Wellington mornings. I guess a solution could be to have a quick shower in the evening instead, though that would put my morning routine into all sorts of trouble. What about the rest of you? How are you going?
Submitted by Andrew on 1 July 2008 14:22:05
I must admit I tend to use the shower a bit due to a regular exercise regime. However since attending Outward Bound I have been having cold showers after exercising as it challenges me to 'get outside my comfort zone'. And a cold shower is definitely outside my comfort zone!!
This doesnt include my routine morning shower but it has definitely cut down the daily time I spend in the shower.
Submitted by Mason on 1 July 2008 16:33:20
I can't do it either! Its impossible, especially if you have long hair like I do which takes at least 2 mins on its own to get the conditioner out of! I've been feeling bad about it too, so to make it up I'm trying to save a bit of extra power in other ways, like using the heater less than I would like to. So I have clean hair but am slightly cold! :) Does that count?
Submitted by Tamara on 1 July 2008 22:08:19
its impossible for me to manage 2 minutes in the shower, although i guess if i didnt muck around and stand in a daze because its warm i could cut it down from 30 minutes to 10, maybe 15!! i will try my hardest!
Submitted by Veronica on 2 July 2008 13:43:19
Great to hear from you Veronica! Welcome to our site.
I've only got a tiny hot water cylinder in my place, so I couldn't have the luxury of a 30 minute shower even if I wanted one!
Submitted by Andrew on 2 July 2008 14:03:32
We are a family of five and have a small hot water cylinder - our showers are five min max. I turn the shower almost off while I lather up - body and/or hair. Also if you are washing your hair everyday - no need to repeat on the shampoo - only repeat if your hair is really dirty.
Submitted by GreenGemini on 2 July 2008 19:25:33
Hi GreenGemini. Thanks for the comment.
With a family of five you must have to be pretty well organised. Do you have a timer or does everyone 'just know' how long they've got?
Submitted by Andrew on 3 July 2008 13:38:52
Ha ha Veronica, I know what you mean about standing in a daze - the shower is lovely and warm, and in a busy household sometimes it's the only time you get for yourself in the morning! I do some of my best thinking in the shower.
GreenGemini, I only wash my hair once every two or three days in an attempt to keep my showers short on the other days, but I still don't achieve the two-minute ideal, even on non-hair days.
I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who struggles to achieve that perfect two-minute shower. I thought I must be a freak!
Submitted by Lindis on 4 July 2008 15:02:14
Hello people.
I also struggle to shower within 2 mins inspite of having a clean shaven head.
From researched info I reckon between 3 and 5 mins is very acceptable, so no need to feel guilty if you're around this timescale. But every once in a while I indulge and stay a bit longer but never mor than 10 mins. When I became conscious of wasting water & energy I started using an 'egg timer' - still do occasionally just to keep me on track
Incidently scientifically - the ion rays created by the spray from showers stimulate something to make one become more alert.
Submitted by Carl Ali on 10 July 2008 10:28:05
"Incidently scientifically - the ion rays created by the spray from showers stimulate something to make one become more alert."
Aha! I knew it! So actually my employer should be PAYING me to stay in the shower longer in the mornings! :-D Or if they want to save power, at least they should pay me to go and sit by a waterfall.
Thanks Carl.
Submitted by Lindis on 10 July 2008 11:47:57
I've recently put in a low flow show head that gives an even better shower - better jet coverage with less water (obviously).
Feel like it lets me have an extra minute - still average only about 3 though.
Submitted by mady on 10 July 2008 14:15:59
Me again - where do I get "flow restrictors" as shown on WASTED?? And how much do they cost?? I have just found out that my shower head is not low flow - in fact - it is completely the opposite - even though I know (and I do) just turn down the flow, there are times like when I am rinsing my hair that I need the shower flat out, but I don't need to be wasting water.
Also have only just got back on this site due to work commitments keeping me busy (even though I work from home) and school holidays. So in answer to your question Lindis, I have timed myself in the past, but don't anymore and my kids are still young so two of them are in the shower at once or all three of them squeeze into the bath (only 1/4 full) and when in the shower I time them and set the flow on the shower, but tell them why and explain about saving water, etc.
P.S. Love this site :-)
Submitted by GreenGemini on 8 August 2008 16:48:23
Welcome back GG, glad to hear you're busy (a busy self-employed person is a good thing!)
To answer your question, apparently WA$TED gets their low-flow shower heads from SatinJet:
http://www.satinjet.com/
I have taken to timing my showers and 4 mins 30 seconds seems to be about right for me on non-hair-washing days. I've decided to settle for that for the winter and not stress about it any more!
Submitted by Lindis on 9 August 2008 21:35:41