15 Shower Facts and Statistics: 2024 Trends & Data

When it comes to facts about showering, you may be surprised by just how interesting they are. How many of us really know about showering facts and statistics? After all, showering is pretty dull, right? You step in, get wet, and step out.

We take a tour of the world of showering and examine the impact that water usage has on the globe.

15 Shower Facts and Statistics

Let’s reveal the showering facts and data highlighting the differences in showering habits between men and women and from country to country. Here’s an at-a-glance look at the stats in this article:

1. The average showering time in the US is 13 minutes.
2. The world record for the most people simultaneously showering is 396.
3. The world’s tallest shower was 10 feet high and had a shower head spanning 40 feet.
4. A five-minute shower uses 70 to 115 liters of water compared to a bath, which uses 170 liters.
5. William Feetham invented the shower in 1767.
6. Studies suggest that 42 percent of people pee in the shower, with men being the most significant offenders.
7. 1 in 30 people defecates in the work shower.
8. Research shows that couples who shower together stay together.
9. The word hygiene comes from the Greek goddess of cleanliness, Hygieia.
10. Showering too often can remove good bacteria that protect your skin.
11. Twenty-two percent of Americans and 20 percent of Brits wash less to help conserve water.
12. The world’s population consumes 151.85 trillion cubic meters of fresh water annually.
13. Norway has 2.5 million cubic feet of water for every inhabitant.
14. The average American family uses 300 gallons of water every day.
15. Turning off the faucet while shaving saves 10 gallons of water.

Interesting Facts About Showers

Without further ado, let’s dive into the wonderful world of shower data to bring you five fun stats that might surprise you.

How Long?

The average shower time in the US is 13 minutes. This may not sound like a long time, but considering that some people spend less than five minutes per shower, it puts it in perspective.

Many people admit to wanting longer, but time pressures and concern over water conservation force them to conclude their shower early.

Although, this pales into insignificance when you compare it to Kevin “The Catfish” McCarthy, who spent an incredible 340 hours and 40 minutes taking one continuous shower.

Two’s Company

The world record for the most people showering at once in one place goes to Delaware, USA, who managed to get 396 people to shower in 2018.

How Big?

Pert Plus constructed the world’s tallest shower. It measured an unbelievable 10 ft high, with a showerhead over 40 ft wide.

Money Saver

Showers use less water than baths. On average, a standard bath takes 170 liters of water compared to 70 to 115 liters for a five-minute shower. Mind you, if you extend the shower time to 10 minutes, the consumption jumps to 180 liters.

The Shower Inventor

William Feetham is regarded as the inventor of the shower in 1767. He pumped cold water into a basin above the user’s head, which was released when they pulled a chain.

Shower Hygiene Facts

What are the habits of people around the world, and do they differ between men and women? Let’s take a look.

Shower and Toilet

Studies have revealed that 42 percent of people pee in the shower. And an incredible seven percent of people admit to not washing at all. That’s people who don’t take a shower or bath!

When we examine the facts more closely, we see that men (unsurprisingly) are the worst offenders. Sixty-eight percent of men pee in the shower, compared to 56 percent of women.

Making the Most of the Work Shower

Okay, some of these stats are going to get a bit icky. Here goes:

• 1 in 3 people urinates in the work shower.
• 1 in 4 people blow their nose and flush it down the shower drain.
• 1 in 5 spit in the shower.
• 1 in 30 people defecates in the shower.

Let’s Share

Research shows that couples who wash together stay together. Forty percent of Brits and 61 percent of Americans share a shower with their partner. Not only does this save water, but it also promotes a healthier relationship.

It’s All In the Name

The word hygiene comes from the Greek goddess of cleanliness, health, and the moon, Hygieia.

Showering Too Much?

Showering washes bacteria from your skin, which helps you stay clean. Studies have found that the human body can carry as many as 1,000 bacteria species. However, while daily showering is crucial for maintaining good hygiene, you can shower too much.

Not all bacteria in our body are bad for us. Washing too much can remove bacteria that protect our skin and cause dryness, rashes, and itching. This is especially prevalent in the winter when conditions are drier and colder.

Global Water Consumption

With all this showering across the globe, what impact does it have on the planet? Is there enough water to go around, and can the planet cope?

Washing Less to Save the Planet

Surprisingly, there is a push for people to wash less and save water. A significant number of people do this to help natural resources. Americans lead the way, with 22 percent washing less compared to 20 percent of Brits.

Americans save 684 million metric tons of water annually, which is nearly 1.5 times the amount of water in Sydney harbor. In the UK, the figure is a lot less, at 116 million metric tons, or 46,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Vanishing Water

Each year, the earth’s population consumes 151.85 trillion cubic meters of freshwater. That’s the equivalent of 50 Olympic-size swimming pools evaporating every second!

Available Water Per Capita

Norway has 2.5 million cubic feet of water for every man, woman, and child. In the EU, Finland has the most water per head of population, at 685,458 cubic feet per inhabitant. Compare that to Malta, with just 6,251 cubic feet per person, and you can see where the imbalances are.

Water Usage Per US Household

The average American family uses 300 gallons of water every day. Your shower accounts for 20 percent of your consumption, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Surprisingly, 12 percent of your total water consumption comes from faulty plumbing and leaks. It all adds up to an average of 9,400 gallons of water lost to leaks every year.

Turn Off the Taps

If people turned off their faucets while shaving, they could save 10 gallons of water daily. You can save eight gallons a day if you do the same while brushing your teeth. That adds up to almost 5,700 gallons of water saved every year.

FAQs

How Many Years Does the Average Person Spend In the Shower?

Men spend on average 185.4 days in the shower, while women spend slightly more, at 195.7 days. This is based on an average daily shower time of eight to nine and a half minutes.

What is the Fear of Taking a Shower Called?

Ablutophobia is an irrational fear of bathing, showering, and washing.

Which Country Has the Best Hygiene?

Denmark is widely regarded as having the best hygiene in the world. They score well on cleanliness, water management, and species protection too.

All Power to the Shower

Showering is a more efficient use of water than bathing. Showers are more convenient and less expensive to run. They also get you cleaner because the water moves continuously, unlike a long soak in the tub.

With water becoming more scarce by the year and the population growing, maybe it’s time to ditch the tub and get a shower. It could be better for your pocket and the planet.