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Silly poll: Would you reuse bathwater?

Poll Results: Would you reuse bathwater in this scenario?

 
  • 25% (56)
    Sure!
  • 74% (164)
    Nope!
220 Total Votes  
post #1 of 109
10/22/09 at 12:10am
Thread Starter 
This is actually stemming from a serious conversation, and I'm curious to hear some other peoples' opinions on this one:

DS is a fairly clean toddler who loves the bath. Water is very expensive where we live and we feel that it is also a precious commodity in general, so we try to limit the baths to no more than every other day, though DS would take one every day if he could. We use a soap-free bubble bath which dissipates by the end of the bath, otherwise no soaps or lotions of any kind in the water. DS splashes around for 20-30 minutes and then comes out. So here is the proposed scenario...

On Day 1, we wouldn't drain the tub. So no different for DS really. Day 2, we would add hot water to heat the tub and end with a "clean rinse".

Would you do this? Is it even sanitary? Of course this would not apply on dirty days where washing is necessary, but those are few and far between around here.

{For the record, I am not advocating this, just asking!!!}

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post #2 of 109
10/22/09 at 12:14am
No way would I do this. I think that germs breed in sitting water (i might be wrong) but even if that weren't a factor, I would find it really disgusting for myself to get into a bath that I had already been in that has been sitting for a day. So since I wouldn't do it for myself, I wouldn't do it for my kids.
post #3 of 109
10/22/09 at 12:15am
Okay, I'm sorry but I don't think that would be a good idea. Bacteria grows and multiplies over time, and you could run into trouble. And, it is just kinda gross! Maybe put less water in the tub or add another day in between if you want to save water...
post #4 of 109
10/22/09 at 12:17am
Wait...you live in the Chicago suburbs??? I am near by...you would be saving maybe a few pennies!
post #5 of 109
10/22/09 at 12:18am
no I would not leave bathwater sitting in a tub for an extended period of time because it is a drowing hazard. Your son could slip off on his own, get into the tub and drown. Also, I think the amount of hot water you would have to add to the cold water to warm it up would be almost equal to the amount of water for a new bath.
post #6 of 109
10/22/09 at 12:20am
I wouldn't reuse it as you describe, but I do have my kids get in eachother baths immediatley following one another ala Little house on the Prairie.
post #7 of 109
10/22/09 at 12:21am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by APToddlerMama View Post
Wait...you live in the Chicago suburbs??? I am near by...you would be saving maybe a few pennies!
Nope, I wish. The suburb we live in charges more than double any other Chicago suburb. It would be substantial.
post #8 of 109
10/22/09 at 12:25am
Sounds like a great way to grow a brand new mold or mildew colony in your tub every other night. Even if your guy isn't "dirty", bathing still sheds sweat and dead skin cells, which are awesome food for bacteria.

A resounding "no".
post #9 of 109
10/22/09 at 12:29am
Okay, still double...have you really figured out how much you'd save? I have figured out roughly what water costs figuring that we do about 20 loads of wash a week (cloth diapers which you have to wash twice, plus an extra rinse) which is a huge water guzzler, plus run the dw daily, and three people bathe daily here and even if I doubled it, it still would be a few cents for a little bath (we pay around $50/month for water as pretty heavy users). Not that it isn't a noble cause to be saving resources like water...just that it is probably not the most sanitary way to do so.
post #10 of 109
10/22/09 at 12:31am
Just a thought - one way I conserve water is by not flushing the toilet all the time (unless it is #2). I got tired of telling the kids to flush all the time and I read on this board in the environmental section that not flushing "the yellow" was a way to help conserve water. So it was a win/win situation - no more fighting with the kids and also helping the environment.
post #11 of 109
10/22/09 at 12:35am
I do consecutive (or simultaneous) baths in the same water with my kiddos, but I would not reuse water that had been sitting for a day.

Have you thought about doing shallower baths instead? My grandma always bathed us in water that was maybe two or three inches deep, out of frugality, and I don't remember it bothering us to bathe in less water at her house. We still had fun playing in the bath just the same.
post #12 of 109
10/22/09 at 12:35am
Could you bathe in his water? maybe you one night and dh the next night (so the two of you are still bathing every other day). Wather sitting over night is going to be realllllly cold the next day and will need a substantial amount of water to warm it up anyway (3/4 of the tub?). What else could you use the water for so you are not just wasting it? watering plants? hand washing/presoaking clothes? mopping floors?
post #13 of 109
10/22/09 at 12:35am
I would rather skip a bath than take one in day old used bath water. Yuck. Also, since you'd be adding hot water and doing the "clean rinse," I don't think you'd be saving that much water if any really.
post #14 of 109
10/22/09 at 12:36am
I also think you risk trouble with unsanitary water. Even if he is clean when he goes into the tub, dead skin cells and body oils will be left in the water. I wouldn't do it.

If you really want to conserve water, I'd look into systems that re-use grey water from sinks, showers and tubs, install dual flush or low flow toilets, and install raintanks. Replace old appliances with water conserving dishwashers and washing machines.

If you don't want installation costs for these systems or appliances, there are some simple conservation practices you can use. For example, use a bucket in the shower to catch the first, cold spray before the water turns warm and you step in - and use that bucket of water for watering the garden, or for housecleaning. Limit shower time. Don't run the tap while you brush your teeth. There are lots of ways to save water.
post #15 of 109
10/22/09 at 12:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by vbactivist View Post
I wouldn't reuse it as you describe, but I do have my kids get in eachother baths immediatley following one another ala Little house on the Prairie.
but I do add water for the 4-year old.
post #16 of 109
10/22/09 at 12:41am
I'm pretty sure DD pees in the bath so I wouldn't.
post #17 of 109
10/22/09 at 12:52am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Crystal_R View Post
I'm pretty sure DD pees in the bath so I wouldn't.
Yep, this was the dealbreaker for me!!
post #18 of 109
10/22/09 at 12:54am
No way.

If you are really worried about cost why not give a bath in the sink? Or even a wash tub? My grandma and mom did this when my sister and I were little and it was fun.

Both of my kids have enjoyed it too.
post #19 of 109
10/22/09 at 1:04am
I'm gonna say... No.

My kids do shower/bathe together, though, and that I have no issue with, but dirty water sitting around for another day seems icky to me. I'd rather just bathe them even less often than I already do, if I had an urge to save water that much.
post #20 of 109
10/22/09 at 1:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by AbbieB View Post
No way.

If you are really worried about cost why not give a bath in the sink? Or even a wash tub? My grandma and mom did this when my sister and I were little and it was fun.
Both of my kids have enjoyed it too.
I used to walk into the kitchen to find my youngest having a lovely time sitting in the sink. Now I put 2 kids in the shower together and my youngest has a shallow bath.

You may also like:

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Mothering › Mothering Discussion Forums › Natural Family Living › The Mindful Home › Reduce, Reuse and Recycle › Silly poll: Would you reuse bathwater?