Do you practice Navy showers? Even at hotels?

[sonofsven]

I don't really take showers, but I do take a daily bath with Epsom salts.
I  rarely exceed my minimum water charge (summer garden watering occasionally pushes it) and my natural gas  (which heats the water) is about $23/mo.
I live in a rain forest, not running out of water anytime soon.

[crocheted_stache]

On Oahu, our Honouliuli sewage treatment plant has been running a demonstration project to process liquid sewage (after the settling tank) through RO filtration for golf-course irrigation.  They’ve been at it for well over a decade, and they could hypothetically turn it into potable water to ease the demand on Oahu’s aquifer, but we need a better marketing campaign than “Toilet To Tap!”

At the bay end of San Jose, California, there are two water treatment plants. One cleans water to the point where they can discharge it into the creeks and the bay, and some of this output is also pumped back upstream in purple pipes for irrigating landscapes and parks, plus selected industrial uses. Some newer buildings are plumbed to flush toilets with it.

There's a second plant, still in demonstration stage although it's been running for a decade or more, that takes the output of the first plant and runs it through microfiltration, RO, and UV treatment. It's energy-intensive*, but much less so than desalination. They're currently adding the clean water back to the purple pipe water and looking at it for groundwater recharge, because, as one local water official puts it, the minute something goes "blub" once, i.e. you get any trace of the input water into the output, you lose any trust you might have built.

*It's a shame there was so little coverage, but one article I saw toward the end of one of the last major droughts attempted to account for the tremendous amount of energy saved due to all the water conservation, because so much less water and especially sewage treatment needed to be done.

[Nords]

There's a second plant, still in demonstration stage although it's been running for a decade or more, that takes the output of the first plant and runs it through microfiltration, RO, and UV treatment. It's energy-intensive*, but much less so than desalination. They're currently adding the clean water back to the purple pipe water and looking at it for groundwater recharge, because, as one local water official puts it, the minute something goes "blub" once, i.e. you get any trace of the input water into the output, you lose any trust you might have built.

*It's a shame there was so little coverage, but one article I saw toward the end of one of the last major droughts attempted to account for the tremendous amount of energy saved due to all the water conservation, because so much less water and especially sewage treatment needed to be done.

That’s exactly where our entire state is headed— especially the drier areas of the Big Island and the much bigger population of Oahu.

[Sailor Sam]

I feel that the best way to wrap up this conversation is to post a video I made today.

NEEDLEGUNNING! @spartana @Nords

https://youtu.be/LXcJnmZ5ccA?si=97fVfMzP8zosDfzg

[Nords]

I feel that the best way to wrap up this conversation is to post a video I made today.

NEEDLEGUNNING!

Gosh, it turns out that I might not miss this practice as much as I thought…

Nice charts on the bulkheads, though.

[spartana]

I feel that the best way to wrap up this conversation is to post a video I made today.

NEEDLEGUNNING! @spartana @Nords

https://youtu.be/LXcJnmZ5ccA?si=97fVfMzP8zosDfzg

I think I'm now officially glad I'm deaf. When you're an engineer who hasn't slept for 3 days  and your rack is right up against the bulkhead the deck crew are needlegunning, and the Deckie gets to continue living, then you know you've got a deaf engineer.  Thanks for the memories!

[johndoe]

I'll sometimes do this, maybe it's not true but I feel like it can give soap more time to 'do its thing' on me before being washed off.

I'm annoyed that seemingly every hotel has gone to pump soap, so I (with no loofah) seem to use 20 pumps per shower, especially if I'm not doing the 'navy shower'.  Can we go back to bars of soap?! Surely the pumps don't save them THAT much money

[GilesMM]

I'll sometimes do this, maybe it's not true but I feel like it can give soap more time to 'do its thing' on me before being washed off.

I'm annoyed that seemingly every hotel has gone to pump soap, so I (with no loofah) seem to use 20 pumps per shower, especially if I'm not doing the 'navy shower'.  Can we go back to bars of soap?! Surely the pumps don't save them THAT much money

Even the small bars are mostly wasted because only used once. Unless you want to share with other guests...

[johndoe]

Even the small bars are mostly wasted because only used once. Unless you want to share with other guests...

While sharing soap does sound great (we're already sharing toilet seats, bedsheets, remote controls, etc) that wasn't my intent :)

I feel like getting the tiny soap was a little benefit for use on future trips.  And the tiny shampoo / conditioner was allowable through TSA security (theater).  I always took those!

[crocheted_stache]

Even the small bars are mostly wasted because only used once. Unless you want to share with other guests...

While sharing soap does sound great (we're already sharing toilet seats, bedsheets, remote controls, etc) that wasn't my intent :)

I feel like getting the tiny soap was a little benefit for use on future trips.  And the tiny shampoo / conditioner was allowable through TSA security (theater).  I always took those!

I suspect the soap pumps and liquid soap save a little on soap and a lot on cleaning time and effort. Bar soap makes soap scum and slime trails on the side of the tub.

Bar soap is solid and doesn't need to be separated for TSA. Bring your own if you want it. An added benefit is that you don't have to worry about being sensitive to an unfamiliar product if you have allergies.

[jrhampt]

I do not, but I take short showers, under 5 minutes.  I enjoy cold showers for 4 months or so in the summertime since I avoid using the A/C for as long as I can get away with it and like to cool down after working out.  We keep the heat set in the 50s in the winter so I use hot water then.  We have low flow toilets and showerheads and efficient washers (only do full loads, clothes on cold), don't water the lawn, use the bucket from the dehumidifier to water plants usually, so our water bill is ~$30/mo which I think is fairly low (avg in my state is around $70). My husband does like his hot showers year round (and he was actually in the Navy so maybe that has something to do with it as noted elsewhere in this thread :-), but we have the hot water heater set on a schedule too so it gets turned off when we go on vacation and gets turned down after 11 am. I think having a low flow toilet and an efficient washer make the biggest differences.

[iluvzbeach]

I am the queen of the long, luxurious shower.  So relaxing.

I'd have to be in an RV or in a place that literally has no water before I'd be able to take a Navy shower.  In fact, I'd rather take a sponge bath than a Navy shower.

[GuitarStv]

I am the queen of the long, luxurious shower.  So relaxing.

See, I grew up having baths.  If I want to relax there's no contest.  Baths are way better, especially if you get some epsom salts, soft music, and a good book going.  Showers are for speed.  Baths are for semi-comatose hours.

[GilesMM]

I am the queen of the long, luxurious shower.  So relaxing.

See, I grew up having baths.  If I want to relax there's no contest.  Baths are way better, especially if you get some epsom salts, soft music, and a good book going.  Showers are for speed.  Baths are for semi-comatose hours.

I think a bath uses as much water as about a 20 minute shower.  Not very frugal unless the whole family recycles the same bathwater (which was the case 100 years ago I guess).

[iluvzbeach]

I am the queen of the long, luxurious shower.  So relaxing.

See, I grew up having baths.  If I want to relax there's no contest.  Baths are way better, especially if you get some epsom salts, soft music, and a good book going.  Showers are for speed.  Baths are for semi-comatose hours.

Oh, make no mistake, I love a long, luxurious bubble bath even more than my long showers. DH is always amazed I can stay in the tub as long as I do.

[RWD]

I am the queen of the long, luxurious shower.  So relaxing.

See, I grew up having baths.  If I want to relax there's no contest.  Baths are way better, especially if you get some epsom salts, soft music, and a good book going.  Showers are for speed.  Baths are for semi-comatose hours.

I think a bath uses as much water as about a 20 minute shower.  Not very frugal unless the whole family recycles the same bathwater (which was the case 100 years ago I guess).

Reusing the same bathwater is still common in Japan.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furo

[GilesMM]

I am the queen of the long, luxurious shower.  So relaxing.

See, I grew up having baths.  If I want to relax there's no contest.  Baths are way better, especially if you get some epsom salts, soft music, and a good book going.  Showers are for speed.  Baths are for semi-comatose hours.

I think a bath uses as much water as about a 20 minute shower.  Not very frugal unless the whole family recycles the same bathwater (which was the case 100 years ago I guess).

Reusing the same bathwater is still common in Japan.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furo

Yeah, but I think it is customary to get cleaned up before entering the communal Japanese bath, so I guess it is a shower per person plus the bath thus not so frugal.  More like a public hot tub where one hopes the other bathers have showered first.  I am amazed to see people put their heads under water in those things...

[K_in_the_kitchen]

No, I hate Navy showers with a passion, as that’s what we have to do in the campervan.  Even as a teenager I preferred to take a bath, and all these decades later, it still holds true.  Big clawfoot bathtub, Epsom salts, hot water.  It’s cheaper than any therapist.  Ever since we went to Japan I’ve dreamed of putting in a Japanese ofuro (deep tub, and with a heater to keep the water hot), but yes, everyone showers before using the tub, and as guests, I was the first to use the tub, then DH, then the father of the family, then the kids (oldest first), and finally, poor mom.  Seriously, changing our entire primary bathroom to support having an ofuro is on my list of renovations we might do, and it can happen if we take out the walk-in closet.  We just wouldn’t be able to have a completely separate room for the toilet, as they do in Japan.

[iris lily]

I do not take Navy showers but do not enjoy long showers, so I am in and out ASAP.

On one forum decades ago, one young woman broke ip,with her live in boufriend essentially because she was irritated either the length of his showers.

DH takes much longer showers than I take, but he is dirtier, after working all day outside (usually) or doing house construction here inside.

[GuitarStv]

I do not take Navy showers but do not enjoy long showers, so I am in and out ASAP.

On one forum decades ago, one young woman broke ip,with her live in boufriend essentially because she was irritated either the length of his showers.

DH takes much longer showers than I take, but he is dirtier, after working all day outside (usually) or doing house construction here inside.

I don't think length of shower has much to do with how clean you get.  I'm just as clean after a 3 minute shower as I am after 15 minutes.

[iris lily]

I do not take Navy showers but do not enjoy long showers, so I am in and out ASAP.

On one forum decades ago, one young woman broke ip,with her live in boufriend essentially because she was irritated either the length of his showers.

DH takes much longer showers than I take, but he is dirtier, after working all day outside (usually) or doing house construction here inside.

I don't think length of shower has much to do with how clean you get.  I'm just as clean after a 3 minute shower as I am after 15 minutes.

For the most part, yes. But for instance, if I don’t work outside, I only need to hit a few key areas and I’m done. DH really has to wash everywhere, between his toes  and fingers and etc. because he’s immersed in dirt and grime and sometimes grease.

[spartana]

I do not take Navy showers but do not enjoy long showers, so I am in and out ASAP.

On one forum decades ago, one young woman broke ip,with her live in boufriend essentially because she was irritated either the length of his showers.

DH takes much longer showers than I take, but he is dirtier, after working all day outside (usually) or doing house construction here inside.

I don't think length of shower has much to do with how clean you get.  I'm just as clean after a 3 minute shower as I am after 15 minutes.

Said no mechanic ever ;-).

[GilesMM]

I do not take Navy showers but do not enjoy long showers, so I am in and out ASAP.

On one forum decades ago, one young woman broke ip,with her live in boufriend essentially because she was irritated either the length of his showers.

DH takes much longer showers than I take, but he is dirtier, after working all day outside (usually) or doing house construction here inside.

I don't think length of shower has much to do with how clean you get.  I'm just as clean after a 3 minute shower as I am after 15 minutes.

Said no mechanic ever ;-).

Our previous place was on volcanic red clay soil that was notoriously difficult to scrub off skin.  More than a few times I missed some on my grubby post-gardening arms (after a non-Navy shower) and left red skid marks all over our white cotton towels, to furious howls from the spouse as it difficult to remove in the laundry as well.

[GuitarStv]

I do not take Navy showers but do not enjoy long showers, so I am in and out ASAP.

On one forum decades ago, one young woman broke ip,with her live in boufriend essentially because she was irritated either the length of his showers.

DH takes much longer showers than I take, but he is dirtier, after working all day outside (usually) or doing house construction here inside.

I don't think length of shower has much to do with how clean you get.  I'm just as clean after a 3 minute shower as I am after 15 minutes.

Said no mechanic ever ;-).

Our previous place was on volcanic red clay soil that was notoriously difficult to scrub off skin.  More than a few times I missed some on my grubby post-gardening arms (after a non-Navy shower) and left red skid marks all over our white cotton towels, to furious howls from the spouse as it difficult to remove in the laundry as well.

What I'm reading here is that you bought the wrong towels for the place you live.  :D

[spartana]

I do not take Navy showers but do not enjoy long showers, so I am in and out ASAP.

On one forum decades ago, one young woman broke ip,with her live in boufriend essentially because she was irritated either the length of his showers.

DH takes much longer showers than I take, but he is dirtier, after working all day outside (usually) or doing house construction here inside.

I don't think length of shower has much to do with how clean you get.  I'm just as clean after a 3 minute shower as I am after 15 minutes.

Said no mechanic ever ;-).

Our previous place was on volcanic red clay soil that was notoriously difficult to scrub off skin.  More than a few times I missed some on my grubby post-gardening arms (after a non-Navy shower) and left red skid marks all over our white cotton towels, to furious howls from the spouse as it difficult to remove in the laundry as well.

What I'm reading here is that you bought the wrong towels for the place you live.  :D

ha ha. My pretty Barbie pink towels thank me for getting super scrubby (during my navy shower) in order to get the oil and grease and dirt off before I use them.  But I agree, if I just need to wash off the normal days grime and sweat a quick soapy shower does the job good.

[crocheted_stache]

The other approach is just to hang onto an older towel or two to use when you've been gardening or working on the bike/car. (Likewise for activities like dyeing or bleaching hair.) DH and I have "grubbies" or old clothes for messy tasks. Why not do the same with towels?

[GilesMM]

The other approach is just to hang onto an older towel or two to use when you've been gardening or working on the bike/car. (Likewise for activities like dyeing or bleaching hair.) DH and I have "grubbies" or old clothes for messy tasks. Why not do the same with towels?

We recently threw away the red and white striped towels my mother bought for me when I left home for college.  They had been relegated to use as "dog towels" for the last couple decades and were getting pretty ripped.


My filthy gardening clothes were not even allowed in the house. I had to strip in the garage.  I took them to a nearby laundromat every few weeks rather than risk the wrath of bringing them in the house.

[Fomerly known as something]

Add me as not navy shower, but short shower.  I mastered the fast “normal” shower as a college athelete.  The quicker I showered after morning practice the longer the nap before class.