It's an age-old question that has haunted the cracks and crevices of the World Wide Web for years: how many times a week should we really be showering?
For some, the prospect of showering any less than once or twice a day is unfathomable, unthinkable. They sneer in disgust at the swamp monsters among us - those who dare shower every second day or worse, the anomalies who have the audacity to admit they only wash once or twice a week.
And the debate has once again wafted its way into public discourse after a woman went viral on social media for revealing she only showers once per week - and her husband apparently doesn't mind. It's safe to say, the admission has caused quite a stir online, with the comments awash with a wide range of reactions.
In a clip shared earlier this month, which has since amassed more than 3.2 million views, the woman - who goes by the username @reindrrop on the video-sharing platform - revealed the four reasons why she only washes once weekly.
"I just don't like it," she said matter-of-factly. "I figured I could try to provide a little more insight into why.
"Reason one, the time commitment from warming the water up, getting into the shower, doing all of the necessary shower things, to getting out of the shower, to drying, to waiting for my hair to dry.
"Reason two, wet hair. I hate the feeling of wet hair and no, I can't do hair dryers, because I hate the sound of the hair dryer.
"Reason three, skin issues. Since I started showering less - and keep in mind, I was never an everyday showerer since like middle school maybe - my eczema, my dry scalp, all my skin is [sic] better.
"And reason four, it's not wasteful - both with water and products."
In other clips explaining her showering strategy, the woman added that she often finds the process "overwhelming" and can suffer from "sensory issues".
When asked by a viewer what her husband thinks about her scant bathing schedule, @reindrrop jokingly replied: "No. I mean, does he mind it enough to get the government involved to separate us? I hope not."
Despite proving controversial, some fans of @reindrrop have expressed support for her unconventional approach, with several agreeing that their skin has also improved with less regular washing. Others noted that if the routine works for her and her lifestyle, that's all that matters.
"Good for you! Not everyone's norm is the same," one woman commented.
"Me watching this showering two to three times a day -although I don't wash my hair as [much], I agree with the thoughts on wet hair," another offered.
"Oh my gosh. I feel the same exact way. I HATE showering. In the winter I often only do it once a week," a third agreed.
However, as expected, the woman's admission did leave a bitter taste in some people's mouths.
"That's like saying 'I don't like the feeling of toilet paper and it takes too long to wipe, so I just don't do it'," one pointed out, with a second adding: "And this woman is married. Yet I'm over here taking a shower twice a day and have been single for five years."
Others were more curious, asking the woman whether she showers more frequently during her menstrual cycle or if she also limits how often she washes her face.
"So you have the time to commit to a whole workout but not a quick three to five minute shower? That's crazy," another added.
"At least her water bill is low, I guess," another acknowledged.
In a clip shared on Monday (local time), the woman clarified that while she only "steps into the shower" once a week, she does "wash up" in the sink with a washcloth usually "every other day" to keep fresh in between showers. She also noted that as she exercises often, she will clean up using body wash and a cloth afterwards to reduce any odours.
Speaking to the Independent, gynaecology doctor Dr Sarah Welsh noted that if you are not visibly dirty or sweaty, you probably don't need to shower more than three times a week.
"The factors that impact your need to wash include your occupation (if you're doing manual labour or working with patients) and your social and exercise habits," she said.
"Generally, it's important to especially wash your feet, armpits and groin, as these areas are prone to becoming infected if not kept fresh. And even without COVID-19, you should ensure you wash your hands regularly."
According to Harvard Medical School, approximately two-thirds of Americans shower daily, which increases to more than 80 percent in Australia. But in China, about half of people report bathing only twice a week.
The Medical School also agrees that showering daily may exacerbate certain conditions as hot water can cause the skin to become dry and irritated.
"Overcleaning your body is probably not a compelling health issue. Yes, you could be making your skin drier than it would be with less frequent showering. This is not a public health menace. However, daily showers do not improve your health, could cause skin problems or other health issues and, importantly, they waste a lot of water.
"Normal, healthy skin maintains a layer of oil and a balance of 'good' bacteria and other microorganisms. Washing and scrubbing removes these, especially if the water is hot. As a result, skin may become dry, irritated, or itchy."
