Advice for Showering & Staying Clean

[Loaf]

A lot of things can be solved by simply taking a shower. Wherever and whenever you can. Being dirty doesn't give you crust punk points or make you ride trains better. It makes you smell like shit and contract skin diseases like staph and MRSA. So the biggest thing to do is take a shower once or twice a week or whenever offered. Remember you don't lose crust punk points if you do!

 

[Ravie]

i agree. and if you have bugs, you either have to wash or toss those pants youve been wearing for a year straight.

 

[Loaf]

fuck yeah!

 

[hartage]

A traveler friend of mine swears by those expensive hiking clothes. He said the anti-microbial pants/shirt/underwear that you can get at REI are worth it. He swears he can get away with 2 months no shower AND not stink. Any input on that from others that have tried these anti-microbial clothes ?

 

[Gudj]

I disagree with two of your points Loaf: Smelling like human does give you punk points, and I smell again within hours of my shower when I do take them.

Since this is in the health section and not the fashion section though,
Showering with soap can help prevent bugs right? But does it really help fungus that much? I am pretty fortunate about not contracting skin conditions (except a fucking terrible case of athletes foot), but am curious what anyone knows about the effectiveness of soap in preventing/treating skin conditions.

 

[mkirby]

I personally am not offended by the smell of human...if it's a friend of mine I actually appreciate a familiar smell.

However, a shower is nice to get rid of that dirt tan every now and then.

There aren't really too many health risks associated with being dirty (staph, yes, if you get dirt in wounds, and there's always bugs) but that greasy-haired, mud-caked feeling you get after going awhile without bathing can suck.

Nobody should go without a bath just because they think it's uncool.

Personally, I prefer jumping in a lake, river, or ocean to a shower. It's free!

 

[Beegod Santana]

Showering is wwaayy over rated. I think I smell worse immediately after taking a shower than I do after a month of not showering. If I'm gonna be hitching, I try to shower just to make it easier for the drivers, but if I'm hopping, I'll just wait till I get where I'm going. Gotta keep that protective layer of dirt to keep the immunities up ya know?

 

[Loaf]

I didn't say use soap and I never said every day. Just when you might need one. I like the smell of human too. No deodrant or anything like that but, I mean sometimes you need to get that dead skin off of you.

 

[Dirty Rig]

Even if you can't get to a shower regularly, KEEP YER CROTCH CLEAN! Go into a bathroom, lather up a paper towel, and scrub and rise that shit. Crotch rot is nasty, uncomfortable, and easily preventable. Plus, afterwards, you feel like a million bucks. Same goes for your feet.

 

[smellyskelly]

yes! keep your shit clean haha.

 

[BelCh]

Surprsingly, I have not gotten to manny funny looks, or rude comments ; sitting on public restroom counters washing my feet. I classify feet under super important! I like that game if you pass out with your shoes on ya get elfed ... and While we are on showers! The best way to get someone to shower is to elf em. Get the entire face a nice shaggy to dope look "so wronge": Agree'd that there is nothing wrong with smelling human, my hair does wonderfull things when not washed, I never turn down a chance to get a rinse. or better a dip DIRT Tattoo is well, not something I'm going for. Boot rot is no fun ither ...

Edit: i heard that soap accually attractes buggs ...

 

[hartage]

Human smell is human smell. Offensive smell is rotting body oils skin flakes and dirt. Much like rotting food left out. There was a dramatic drop in disease and death rates when frequent bathing became the norm brought about by indoor plumbing. There was also a drop in disease and death rates when the romans instituted closed sewage passages instead of open trenches to transport sewage away.

There are some benefits to generating antibodies by exposing yourself to common bacteria. This enables being able to consume items or be in environments where a non-acclimated person would suffer. But geez. Some people turn it into some sort of religion. Get dirty and disgusting all you want. If you really believe more dirty and more bacteria is better then eat your own crap. Eat everything that is nasty and disgusting. Pile that bacteria high and deep. I mean more antibodies the better right ? When the truth of it all finally dawns on you. You'll do the same thing as the rest of us do. Keep clean.

 

[hartage]

Edit: i heard that soap accually attractes buggs ...

I bet it is the fragrance put in some soaps that may attract bugs. Try using the non-scented soaps. I stay clean and use soap. There are no bugs on me.

 

[Livingpastense]

Showers are important i think fuck bathing every day but at least once a week. even bird baths are easy.

 

[Ravie]

I disagree with two of your points Loaf: Smelling like human does give you punk points, and I smell again within hours of my shower when I do take them.

Since this is in the health section and not the fashion section though,
Showering with soap can help prevent bugs right? But does it really help fungus that much? I am pretty fortunate about not contracting skin conditions (except a fucking terrible case of athletes foot), but am curious what anyone knows about the effectiveness of soap in preventing/treating skin conditions.

actually if you use the right kind of soap it can prevent infection, skin/foot/arm pit fungus, and can heal your boot-rott. Yeah, i know you smell worse after showering, but its not about smell at all. and yes, people realy do not shower because they think it gives em punk points. then a week later they're complaining about their balls rotting away...fucking.wash.your.balls.and.or.kittie.

 

[Ravie]

I bet it is the fragrance put in some soaps that may attract bugs. Try using the non-scented soaps. I stay clean and use soap. There are no bugs on me.

this is only true with head lice. they prefer clean hair because its easier to move around in. but soap and body lice, no. body lice realy dont care wether your covered in honey, shit, or daisy tears.

 

[Loaf]

The worst ones are the kids who have access to a shower and just won't take one. That is being stubborn! But, yeah simple fix to a few problems that you can encounter on the road. Go to the truck stops and ask if you can get a wash or just go to the nearest gas station and lather up right there in the sink who cares! Dirt is an accent until it becomes a fucking thick layer and rubs off of you on to other things. You know you are in trouble when you try to take a poop and gag from the fumes that come up from your pants being taken down.

 

[wartomods]

two words: sponge bath

 

[Atilla the Hun]

Dunno if this works or if it's even practical, but it's an idea I've had in my head for a while. Double up a plastic grocery bag, fill with water, hang bag somewhere above head, and poke holes in the bag. Instant shower!

Also, I've heard of people taking baths in swimming pools, but I wouldn't do it because there's a reason why people take showers AFTER swimming.

 

[Dirty Rig]

For those of you at Best Friends' Day: the James River did not count as a bath

I always wonder when I'm bathing in lakes and rivers if I'm actually cleaner than the water is.