Bath or shower – what's better?

Water? Of course! But how much warm water is good for our skin? Opinions differ widely on whether it is better to take a shower or have a bath. While some swear by a bath, others are convinced that there is nothing nicer than having a shower. But what is better for Mother Nature? And what is kinder to your skin?

Having a bath or taking a shower, what is more sensible when?

For the sake of the environment

If customary statistics are anything to go by, having a bath consumes up to three times more water than taking a shower. An average of 40 gallons is required to fill the bath tub. Compared to this, a five-minute shower generally only consumes a maximum of 13 gallons of water, depending on the shower head and the duration of the shower. If you use the water sparingly, you can even get by with only 8 gallons. Needless to say, this includes turning off the water while you soap yourself. By the way, taking a shower is also more economical. Having a bath is up to five times more expensive than taking a shower in terms of water and sewage costs.

For the sake of your skin

Generally speaking, a short shower is kinder to your skin than a long bath, ignoring for a moment the effect of bath additives. If you have healthy skin, you can safely shower once a day without harming it. However, it is not a good idea to shower more than once a day, to use very hot water, or to stand too long under the shower, particularly if you have a tendency towards excessively dry skin, as this places unnecessary duress on the skin’s natural protective layer.

Conclusion

As a rule, a brief shower is healthier for your skin and is better for the environment. However, there’s no harm in occasionally taking a bath in the winter to warm yourself up. As usual, it’s a question of “everything in moderation”.

Opinions differ widely on whether it is better to take a shower or have a bath. For some, the bathtub is an essential feature of a standard bathroom. Others prefer to take a shower when it comes to personal hygiene. We have five reasons each for why you might prefer a bathtub or a shower.

Five advantages of the shower

Person showering in a floor-even shower with CleanLine (© Geberit)

1. A shower can be installed in a small space with an unusual floor plan and regardless of the roof pitch. There are lots of space-saving versions which vary in width and length as well as in design. In spacious bathrooms, they can also be used as room separators.

2. Either floor-even showers or shower trays can be installed. It is simpler to get into a floor-even shower than a shower tray. This enables barrier-free showering.

3. A room can look larger if the shower is adapted to suit the bathroom design. A pull-out shower cubicle or a glass door as well as tiles that ensure a seamless transition between the bathroom and the shower are a great help here.

4. A shower can also become an eye-catcher with a range of highlights such as specially shaped handles and showerheads, a colorful shower curtain, or specially patterned tiles.

5. It is quicker to take a shower and it is also more environmentally friendly because you need less water than you do to fill a bathtub. This saves time, money, and energy. As a comparison: on average, you need around 40 gallons (150 litres) of water to fill a bathtub; a five-minute shower saves three to five times the amount of water (pro tip: turn the water off while you soap yourself).

Five advantages of the bathtub

1. Having a bath is fun. In a family bathroom, the bath is often very popular with children because they get a feel for hygiene in a playful way and can splash around.

2. The advantage of a bathtub is that you don’t have to decide between bathing and showering, you can do both here. In the case of people who are no longer physically fit, there are bathtubs with a seat and a door to make it easier to get in. A corner bathtub can be a good solution in a small bathroom.

3. A bathtub represents comfort. Taking care of your personal hygiene as you lie back and relax is a joy. Bathtubs with wellness jets and sprays help ensure even more relaxation. This also offers a perfect substitute for a whirlpool.

4. A pleasantly warm bath is good for your health. It helps get rid of everyday stress and warms your body up on a cold day. If you’re coming down with a cold, a bath will help your blood flow and support the body’s natural defenses. If you want, you can add bath oil to the water. The strain is taken off muscles and joints because of the buoyancy in the water. It also helps to stop your muscles from aching.

5. Bathtubs can be real eye-catchers. Alongside standard-size bathtubs, there are also freestanding bathtubs, bathtubs embedded in the floor, and corner bathtubs with an appealing design. Designs in unusual shapes and models give bathrooms that extra certain something.

Bathtub design in an unconventional shape (© Geberit)
A relaxing bathtub filled with water (© Geberit)

Bathroom products

Which bathroom is the right one for you?

But, what exactly are your needs? Is space, cleanliness or the design important to you? Would you like user-friendly products or would you prefer that extra degree of comfort that a toilet with bidet seat, for example, has to offer? Or would you prefer a universal design? No matter what your needs are, we simplify your daily routine with our clever bathroom solutions.

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