Nicola here and today I’m wallowing in the bath. Or I would be if it weren’t such an un-eco-friendly thing to do these days. Before I sat down to write this blog, I checked out whether showering really uses less water than bathing and of course it all depends on how deep the bath or how long the shower. A bath filled about a third of the way up (which takes the water level over your belly button when you lie down) requires around 75 litres. An ordinary electrically heated shower puts out four litres per minute. So a 19-minute shower uses slightly more water than a bath. If you have a power shower, flow rates could be doubled and you’d need just 10 minutes.
In terms of health benefits there is also positive news on either side. Showers are better for getting you clean and not stripping all the natural moisture from your skin. Baths are more therapeutic to help you relax and of course you can add things to them to soak in. Which is where this all started before I digressed, because what I wanted to blog about today is things we put in the bath!
This all began with bath pearls. When I was a child bath pearls were all the fashion. They were clear, colourful and squishy pearls scented with bath oil. I can remember the treat of being allowed to use some of my grandmother’s bath pearls when I visited. It was so luxurious! I haven’t seen them for years, and I do remember they were supposed to melt when you put them in the bath water but in fact often the sticky skins survived and stuck to the bath when you emptied it. Not so nice. Then there were bath bombs that would explode when you dropped them in the water. They were rather fun. And all to add something relaxing and therapeutic to your bath time routine.
Naturally this is nothing new. Through history, people have been adding things to their bathing in order to relax, improve their skin or benefit their general wellbeing. In the medieval period, babies would be wrapped in linen for washing and rose petals and salt were added to the water. Back in Tudor times, it was very much the done thing to add herbs and spices, even fruits to your bath, in order to make it and you smell nice. Contrary to popular view, our ancestors were generally very aware of hygiene and even if they couldn’t afford expensive soap, they could use homegrown herbs. A 14th century household manual called Delightes for Ladies suggests the use of ‘sage, marjoram, camomile, rosemary and orange peel’ as potential additives to bath water. So our current trend for deliciously scented soap that draws on wild plants has a long history.
The Mediterranean countries were early adopters of oil-based soaps, with “Soap of Castile” for example, which was mentioned from the 12th century onward and was made from olive oil. Many oil-based soaps were prohibitively expensive; only the rich could afford them because they were heavily taxed. But if we fast forward to the Regency era there was a great step forward for the masses when Pears soap was created. It is the oldest continuously existing brand in the world, registered first in 1789. This soap, manufactured since 1807, was gentler on the skin than many previous types of soap, it was also transparent and it smelled of flowers, and it was an immediate hit.
Water isn’t the only liquid available to bathe in, or course. A number of celebrities embrace milk baths, just as Cleopatra was supposed to have done in either goat or asses’ milk. Again you can add essential oils and honey, rose or other flower scents to the bathing milk. Queen Elizabeth the First and Catherine Parr were also fans of milk baths, believing that they improved the complexion.
And finally a shout out for vinotherapy. Yes, that’s right, some people bathe in wine and champagne! Actually that’s not quite accurate (or good for you.) Red wine, and indeed any alcohol, dehydrates the skin so it isn’t a good bathing liquid. However red vine leaf extract and the by-product of winemaking (known as marc) are both substances high in grape seed oil, which is very good for the skin and can be added to water to make a “Wine bath.”
My current favourite is sea kelp bath salts from the Scottish Fine Soap Company. I was at first put off by this having identified kelp as the large brown algae you see floating in the ocean. How, I wondered, could that be transformed into something that is not only relaxing and good for you but also smells so delicious? I don’t know how, but the scent is wonderful and I love it.
Are you a showerer or a bather or both? What if anything do you add to your bath or shower water? And do you remember bath pearls?
I remember bath pearls and also bath salts. Kids always bought this for their Mums for Christmas! And as for putting things in the bath, don't forget the yellow ducky!
Posted by: Donna H. | Monday, April 25, 2022 at 06:05 AM
You left out bubble baths! They were fun because you could decorate yourself with the foam. I remember pictures of movie stars in bubble baths, with the bubbles providing full coverage.
Posted by: Lil Marek | Monday, April 25, 2022 at 07:11 AM
Usually shower, but do enjoy a good soak in the bath.
Posted by: Cheryl | Monday, April 25, 2022 at 07:59 AM
I do indeed remember bath pearls! (Nowadays I'd be leery of using them as I recall they could leave the bath slippery.)
My mother loved having a bath (and was broken hearted when moving into assisted living that only provided showers). I enjoy long, hot showers which likely waste much water.
Posted by: Kareni | Monday, April 25, 2022 at 08:03 AM
Ha! How could I forget the duck! We still have one although it is blue rather than yellow.
Posted by: Nicola Cornick | Monday, April 25, 2022 at 09:12 AM
Oh goodness, yes! Hours of fun with bubble baths!
Posted by: Nicola Cornick | Monday, April 25, 2022 at 09:13 AM
Ah, that sounds lovely and relaxing!
Posted by: Nicola Cornick | Monday, April 25, 2022 at 09:13 AM
Yes, that's the thing I particularly remember about bath pearls; they did make the bath very, very slippery. My m-i-l also gave up baths when she moved into assisted living and I think I would miss that a lot too.
Posted by: Nicola Cornick | Monday, April 25, 2022 at 09:14 AM
A shower only. I am highly sensitive to most perfumes and fragrances so try to avoid scented items as much as possible. It is difficult. I have never used bath salts, pearls, or beads
Posted by: Nancy Mayer | Monday, April 25, 2022 at 03:31 PM
Yes, I appreciate that scented water and perfumes are not nice for everyone. There are a number of perfumes I am allergic to!
Posted by: Nicola Cornick | Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at 05:43 AM
I loved bath pearls! A happy memory from the past was soaking in the fragrant water they provided and reading till the water got too cold. And yes, I remember the "skin" of the bath pearls sticking to the tub, and sometimes me!
Posted by: Laura Lee Hall | Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at 06:53 AM
I used to love bubble baths as a child, and later I discovered Royal Jelly bath products from M & S - they smelled divine! Haven't bought any for ages so must look for that. Nowadays I prefer showers even though I actually have one of those slipper baths you're meant to sit in and eat a Cadbury's Flake while luxuriating in hot scented water. Hmm, sounds rather nice!
Posted by: Christina Courtenay | Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at 08:14 AM
Haha! I'm glad I'm not the only one who remembers those sticky bath pearl skins! Even so, soaking in the fragrant water whilst you read was still lovely!
Posted by: Nicola Cornick | Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at 08:29 AM
Christina, I feel deprived! Royal jelly passed me by. I must see if I can find some. I'm also envious that you have a slipper bath. They are so elegant!
Posted by: Nicola Cornick | Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at 08:31 AM
WOW! Y'all have reminded me of things from the distant past. I shower. It is quicker and I do try to save water. I live in Texas where water has become nearly as valued as all the oil underground.
I have had bubble baths, and I have had oils and perfumes which made the scent lovely. That was long ago.
Hope everyone is well and happy.
Posted by: Annette N | Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at 10:48 AM
Always a shower for me. I too have over sensitive skin. I can't use anything that has any type of fragrance at all. Saying that I was never a fan of baths. I don't like lying down in the water. Always hated swimming too when we used to go as kids.I'm just an oddball:)
Posted by: Teresa Broderick | Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at 01:34 PM
An old friend and I were once talking about showers vs baths and she said she did both - soaked for a while in the bath and then stood up to shower off. She said she wasn't okay with washing her face in the same water she'd just washed her butt in. It was a point that stuck with me.
I live in an apartment which badly needs me to renovate it, starting with the bathroom and kitchen. So I shower so as to minimize any leaks to the downstairs tenant. Plus the tub/shower is rather narrow and my knes are not what they once were.
They have many lovely shower products now that I never saw growing up. We had Lifebuoy soap and that was pretty much it.
Posted by: Janice | Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at 03:45 PM
I can't remember the last time I took a bath, although I've got a whole selection of bath oils. I never seem to find the time. And you can't really get your hair clean in a bathtub!
Posted by: Karin | Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at 09:21 PM
Hi Annette
I think we are all so much more aware of the preciousness of natural resources now, aren't we, which is a very good thing.
Posted by: Nicola Cornick | Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at 02:27 AM
Ha! I don't think you're odd, Teresa. Water isn't everyone's favourite. I remember my mother hated swimming; I always swore she was a cat in a former life!
Posted by: Nicola Cornick | Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at 02:29 AM
The whole market for bath products is huge now, isn't it. So much luxury! But now you've mentioned your friend's comment about washing her face and her butt in the same water, Janice, I'm not sure I'll look at a bath the same ever again! I've also got to the stage where some baths are just not convenient to get into and out of. Some friends and I were having a funny conversation about that only yesterday. Ageing!
Posted by: Nicola Cornick | Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at 02:32 AM
That's a very good point about washing you hair, Karin. I've done it, but it never feels quite right in the bath water!
Posted by: Nicola Cornick | Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at 02:33 AM
Wonderful post, Nicola! I am a great lover of baths and lovely scents. When I remodeled the bathroom in my present house, I got a jacuzzi type bath with gets and an inline water heater. I love to read and sip Sleepytime tea. (Not as escapist sounding as wine, but I like it better. But I take more showers to wash my hair, and that's good, too.
Posted by: Mary Jo Putney | Sunday, May 08, 2022 at 06:16 PM