Dr. Pablo Pereira-Doel suggests that Americans spend too much time in the shower and only need three minutes to get clean.
Dr. Pablo Pereira-Doel, an environmental scientist at England’s University of Surrey, stated that people only need three minutes to get clean during a shower. While Americans spend an average of 16.1 minutes in the shower, Pereira-Doel noted that three minutes is a sensible target for a body shower, with an additional two minutes for washing hair.
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For those seeking to be more water-efficient, he suggested cutting shower time to one minute by turning off the tap while scrubbing. Research shows some people spend nearly 40 minutes under the stream, though Pereira-Doel explained that these long showers are often for relaxation or self-care rather than hygiene. He noted that shower length is influenced by factors such as water hardness, low water pressure, and the time of day. People in soft water areas may stay in longer because shampoo lathers more easily. Additionally, he recommended shampooing only once rather than twice to save water and time.