The Politics of Creating Shower Scrubs

Someone asked me the other day what the deal was with 'all these shower shaker scrubs' I was sharing on the blog. It was a great reminder that it might be a good idea to explain what the deal actually is. 

The shower scrubs are part of a series of products I have been experimenting with in a attempt to create shower-friendly skincare that holds an element of luxury.

Although that could be construed as 'I am just fooling around with ingredients' (well yes, that too), there is indeed a purpose to these experiments.

Here it comes...

Saving Water Without Feeling Frugal

Our planet is in dire need of our attention and care. Our current (wasteful) way of living needs to be readdressed, rethought, and redesigned.

One thing the Western part of the world is shamefully bad at is conserving water. We are so bad at taking care of this precious resource that it pains me.

When something pains me, I either rant or try to do something about it (sometimes both). The shower shaker idea falls into the 'try to do something about it' category (and today's post is maybe a little 'rant-y' too).

Now, please allow me to shake you up with a few water-usage facts.

We are a little different about our water consumption around the world, and I've done my best to dig up some reliable numbers for you.

Typical Water Usage per Bath

North America appears to differ from the rest of the world in that it has a wide span in bathtub sizes and typical water usages.

There is a USA standard bathtub (80 - 100 gallon capacity) and a 'small/modern' bathtub (40-60 gallon capacity). The small/modern USA tub is close to the 40 - 68 gallons that is the typical bathtub capacity of rest of the world. (ref).

Bathtub capacity is not the same as water usage. A person getting into a tub filled to the brim is going to displace quite a bit of water, so water USAGE per bath is a different number. Of course it stands to reason one would use more water per bath if the tub is bigger, and that's what one typically does.

Typical water usage per bath USA 'standard size' bathtub:
161 liters / 42 gallons (ref)

Typical water usage per bath everywhere else (and USA 'modern size' bathtub):
100 liters / 26 gallons (ref) (ref)

Compare that to a Typical Shower

These are estimates based on checking figures for Europe, USA, and Australia. Since low-flow showerheads have become the norm in most places, I'm giving you numbers based on water usage with a water-saving showerhead installed.

USA
Average typical shower time: 8 minutes (ref)
Water usage per shower with low flow showerhead:  76 liters / 20 gallons (ref)

Australia
Average typical shower time: 5 minutes (ref)
Water usage per shower with low flow showerhead: 45 liters / 12 gallons (ref)

UK
Average typical shower time: 8 minutes (ref)
Water usage with (conventional electric shower) : 62 liters / 16 gallons (ref)

Europe
Average typical shower time: 7 minutes (ref)
Water usage per shower with low flow showerhead: 52 liters / 14 gallons (ref)


Of course, a longer shower is going to use even more water.

So I am on a bit of a quest to get people to change their water-consumption habits. 

Back to the Shower Shaker

Getting people to change their habits is a heck of a lot easier if it can be made fun and effective.

The challenge here is twofold. Switching from taking a bath to taking a shower only helps conserve water if the shower time is relatively short.  How to make people want to shorten shower time? See, that's a bit tougher because once a person steps into the warm water, it can be tempting to just stay there and enjoy it. 

Challenge: insert a natural break in the flow of water that makes sense, is beneficial and planet-friendly.

Enter the shower shaker scrub.

Thanks for reading.

Ready to try a shower scrub? Here are a couple of links.
Salt and Pepper Shower Shaker
Exfoliating Shoer Scrub with Essential Oils
Herbal Shower Shaker Scrub

More About Water Usage

UK: Average water usage costs 
Find your Water Footprint: Water calculator
UK daily shower uses, the Guardian
USA: Average water usages The Water Scrooge
Australia - water usage estimates
European Water Usage, Statista
German average water consumption
European energy calculation
European 'water advice per room' 
Tub sizes USA