Is It That Bad to Skip Cleaning Your Shower?

Your shower may feel like a daily cleanse for your body, but if you’re not regularly scrubbing it down, it could actually be harboring grime and germs that no amount of body wash can wash away.

While skipping shower cleanings here and there is unlikely to cause harm, leaving your tub to fend for itself month after month can turn it into a breeding ground for mold, bacteria, and fungus. We spoke to a public health expert to understand what might really be lurking in your shower and when it becomes a potential health hazard.

1. It Can Trigger Allergies or Asthma

Showers are a paradise for mold thanks to the high humidity and damp surfaces. For most people, a little mildew on your shower curtain or tiles isn’t dangerous. But for those with asthma or mold allergies, exposure can trigger flare-ups, sneezing, rashes, and watery eyes.

“High levels of mold can irritate the airways and provoke asthma attacks or allergic reactions,” says Kelly Reynolds, PhD, a public health researcher and director at the University of Arizona.

2. It Raises Your Risk for Skin Infections

Sharing a shower with roommates or family members and neglecting to clean it could leave your feet (and skin) vulnerable. Over time, bacteria and fungi thrive on damp shower floors, especially when soap scum and dead skin cells build up.

Common shower-acquired infections include:

• Athlete’s foot

• Warts (caused by HPV)

• MRSA, a bacteria that causes painful skin infections and is resistant to some antibiotics

“If you have any cuts or blisters, those can serve as entry points for bacteria,” Reynolds notes. People with compromised immune systems are at even greater risk.

3. It Might Cause Stomach Problems

Yes, your shower could even mess with your digestion. Fecal bacteria like E. coli can land on shower surfaces especially when people don’t wash their hands well or if the tub is used for bathing children or pets. These microbes can potentially spread through contact or if accidentally ingested.

While most strains of E. coli are harmless, some can lead to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or worse complications in children or older adults.

4. It Can Harbor Lung-Infecting Bacteria

If you’ve never cleaned your showerhead (like, ever), you may want to reconsider. Warm, wet environments make showerheads the perfect place for biofilms to form and those can harbor Legionella pneumophila, the bacteria responsible for Legionnaires’ disease, a potentially severe lung infection.

People at greater risk include:

• Older adults

• Those with chronic lung conditions

• Individuals with weakened immune systems

“When you turn on the shower, these bacteria can be released into the air and inhaled,” Reynolds says.

So, How Often Should You Clean Your Shower?

For a healthy home (and a healthier you), aim to clean your shower weekly. Here’s what the experts recommend:

Every Week

• Scrub floors and walls with a soap-based cleanser and brush

• Disinfect with a spray or foam product after cleaning

• Wipe down your showerhead with disinfectant

Every Month

• Wash bathmats, shower curtains, and liners (check labels first)

• If not machine-washable, wipe them down with sanitizing wipes or sprays

Once a Year

• Deep-clean your showerhead: unscrew it, soak in diluted disinfectant, and scrub with an old toothbrush

When You Should Definitely Clean

• You smell must or mildew

• You see visible mold, grime, or a pink film

• You or someone in your household has allergies, asthma, or a compromised immune system

• You share your shower with others or bathe kids or pets in it

So, How Bad Is It Really to Never Clean Your Shower?

If you’re in generally good health, you might not notice major effects right away but that doesn’t mean your shower isn’t quietly becoming a petri dish. Skin issues, stomach bugs, and respiratory symptoms may creep up over time, especially if you're already prone to them.

“If you’re noticing recurring allergies or infections or if your shower looks or smells unpleasant it’s definitely time to clean,” Reynolds says.

Ultimately, keeping your shower clean doesn’t just feel better it helps safeguard your health, especially if you’re sharing your space or managing an existing condition.

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