Bathing may provide a wonderful way to relax, and as well a time to nourish the spirit. However, many worry that they don’t get fully clean while bathing, and instead feel a shower is more effective for thorough cleaning. Most experts agree that showering is the cleaner method, however, one can gain the same results from bathing with a few simple steps.

Stepping right out of a bath, particularly if one has taken a bubble bath and washed the hair means one will still have residual soap on the body. As well, one is essentially sitting in the water in which one has washed off the dirt. Showering, conversely, tends to wash off the dirt from the body, and conveniently get rid of the water through immediate drainage. If one is especially dirty, it may be wise to shower off excess dirt before bathing.

Bathing followed by a quick shower to rinse off dirt and any accumulated soap, can also get one as clean as simply showering. In fact some areas are likely to get cleaner from soaking than from a quick shower, especially the areas under the nail beds.

Bathing, however, can cause problems for some people with sensitive skin. It can cause irritation of the vagina or penis in young children, and may contribute to yeast infections in women. Children with especially sensitive skin may prefer to shower when they are old enough, and should especially not bathe in bubble baths, which tend to cause the most skin irritation.

Bathing with enticing scents or oils can still be accomplished for those with sensitive skin by testing products on a tiny area of the skin first. As well, natural products from natural food or health food stores are less likely to cause irritation, though some may just find the act of soaking irritating to the skin.

If one truly prefers bathing to showering, one can invest in a movable showerhead, which can be pulled down and used to shower off the body and the hair prior to exiting the bath. This gives lovers of bathing a way to relax, and as well to get shower clean.