London - Who has time for a good scrub in the tub these days?
Almost no one, according to a survey that says baths are dying out, with only one in ten people taking a daily dip and half never bathing at all.
Even among those who still take baths, more than half do so as part of a pampering or relaxation regime, rather than for basic cleanliness.
The survey by researchers at the universities of Manchester, Edinburgh, Lancaster and Southampton found that the elderly were more likely to bathe on a daily basis, as were the less affluent and those who rent their homes, some of whom may not have a shower.
But that doesn’t mean the country is getting grubbier, since people are showering more frequently than ever before. Almost one in ten of us wash more than once a day, with more and more people taking frequent showers.
The researchers said the shift towards frequent washing is putting pressure on strained water supplies – and could be damaging our health. Some scientists believe our immune systems become weakened because we are not exposed to enough dirt and germs. - Daily Mail