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It's a staple of the modern morning routine: Wake up, hop in the shower, lather with soap.
But is that morning scrub-a-dub really necessary?
One man claims not. David Whitlock, a chemical engineer in Boston, has not showered for 12 years.
Whitlock isn't running an experiment in extreme water conservation. Rather, he believes that humans don't need to shower to be healthy, and that a daily soap scrub may actually remove a beneficial type of bacteria that keeps the bacteria that contribute to B.O. in check.
To boost the presence of odor-eating bacteria, Whitlock has designed a bacterial spray called AO+ Mist, which is now sold by the company AoBiome under the brand Mother Dirt. The company hopes this bacterial spritz could reduce the need for products such as soaps and deodorants and potentially even reduce or eliminate the need for showering for those so inclined.
His theory is that your skin will control odor-producing bacteria if left to its own devices, and that soap kills off good bacteria your skin needs.
(Score: 5, Informative) by linkdude64 on Sunday November 08 2015, @07:11PM
TFA doesn't say whether or not he smells bad.
I don't need a million-dollar scientific study, just go up to 10 people on the street, ask them to smell the guy, and if they think he stinks, the whole practical aspect of his idea is out the window.
In America, we just can't smell really bad and be taken seriously at the same time. I read elsewhere on this site that other countries where bicycle commuting is more common that it is not necessarily the case, but for now, no, I can't show up to work smelling like trash.
(Score: 2, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday November 08 2015, @07:35PM
(Score: 2) by Nerdfest on Sunday November 08 2015, @08:16PM
I'm interested in whether or not he does actually smell bad, as his theory may actually be valid. I would guess that there's an interim period where the bacteria are out of balance that he would, but theoretically after that point he'd be okay.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday November 08 2015, @08:43PM
He must still be a virgin too.
(Score: 5, Informative) by tathra on Sunday November 08 2015, @10:26PM
the real problem with not washing oneself off for a long time isn't the smell but the severe discomfort and even pain from the buildup of salts on one's skin, especially in areas that remain covered almost all the time (feet and groin). once you've sweat enough to start getting salts on your skin, you sweat even more, making the problem worse and worse. "sweat rash" is no fun, and it can start after even a single day without washing oneself if you're active enough to sweat profusely.
(Score: 2, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Monday November 09 2015, @01:43AM
We used to call it swamp ass in the army. All that sweat starts to run down your backside and the salts and everything would almost form a slime. We had no laundry for a while in Iraq and I shit you not my uniform would dry stiff. For a while we had no hot water but I still took showers. Thank god for that.
Although when we were in the states every year for two weeks we would go on a field problem with no showering facilities. You used baby wipes the best you could but that only cuts the smell a bit after a while. After about a week and a half you stop smelling BO in general. We go get real food as soon as we got back, before even getting a shower. Peoples reactions to our smell were visible.
(Score: 2) by Absolutely.Geek on Monday November 09 2015, @08:46AM
I shit you not my uniform would dry stiff
I know that feeling; after a long mountain bike session in the middle of summer my bike shirt and shorts (cotton) would dry stiff before the next morning. It makes multi-day rides annoying if you try to travel light. I would carry extra boxers and socks and rince the shirt and shorts in a handy river.....
The salt really eats the stitching in clothes; they fall apart much quicker if you are constantly sweating in them until they are soaking.
Don't trust the police or the government - Shihad: My mind's sedate.