Death of the bath: 21 million adults never take a bath
- One in five (20 per cent) homes do not have a bath
- Over half (56 per cent) of those who have a bath prefer to shower
- Over a quarter (26 per cent) that do not bathe, say baths are too expensive
- Half of adults (51 per cent) say they do not need a bath in their home
The UK is witnessing the death of the bath, as one in five people (20 per cent) do not get in the tub to wash, reveals new research1 from Direct Line Home Insurance. Almost one in ten (nine per cent) householders have had all the baths removed from their home. Changing trends in bathing mean showers are now the most popular way for people to wash.
A staggering 21 million (40 per cent) people say they never take a bath and over half (56 per cent) of those with access to a bath say that they prefer to shower. Cost is a key reason for not taking a bath with a quarter (26 per cent) of people saying that it is too expensive to run a tub of hot water: a bath can use 150 litres of water, compared with just 50 litres or so for a five-minute shower.
Hectic lifestyles also play a part: a fifth of people (20 per cent) say that they do not have time to bathe, rising to over a quarter for younger adults. This age group are also more likely to see baths as unhygienic with one in eight (12 per cent) of 18–34-year-olds avoiding baths as a result.
Table one: People who are not using their baths and why
Why people who have access to a bathtub don’t take baths at least once a week |
All age groups |
18–34-year-olds |
People aged 55+ |
I prefer to shower |
56 per cent |
55 per cent |
65 per cent |
Baths are too expensive |
26 per cent |
31 per cent |
21 per cent |
I don’t have time to bath |
20 per cent |
25 per cent |
9 per cent |
I don’t like baths |
17 per cent |
18 per cent |
16 per cent |
Bath water goes cold too quickly |
10 per cent |
11 per cent |
Eight per cent |
I’m unable to get in and out of the bath (e.g. due to age or disability) |
11 per cent |
Four per cent |
18 per cent |
I think baths are unhygienic |
Nine per cent |
11 per cent |
Eight per cent |
I find myself topping it up too many times with hot water |
Five per cent |
Three per cent |
Four per cent |
I only use the bath for my children |
Six per cent |
Five per cent |
One per cent |
Source: Direct Line Home Insurance 2025
Half of householders (51 per cent) say that it would not be a problem if the home did not include a bath, with one in 10 (10 per cent) homeowners choosing to add one or more showers to their home instead.
Dan Simson, Head of Direct Line Home Insurance said, “People are turning away from baths and embracing showers. For people managing busy lives, jumping in the shower may just be more convenient. There are also an increasing number of people who view using a bath as unhygienic. Regardless of personal preference, if looking to change the use of the bathroom in your home, or undertaking significant home renovations, it is important to inform your insurer of this in advance.”
Why do people take baths?
For those that do take baths, it is seen as a treat or a comfort, rather than a way to wash. A typical bath lasts on average 24 minutes, although six per cent admit to spending more than double that long in the tub. Three in five (60 per cent) say that they are ‘a relaxing time just for me’.
Baths are not only used for relaxation, over half (59 per cent) say that they help to ease their muscles and almost a third (29 per cent) say it helps them to feel better if they are feeling unwell.
It is women in particular who prefer to take a bath, seeing it as a time to relax. Half (49 per cent) will add bubble bath and one in five (21 per cent) will light some candles too. Singing in the bath is more popular amongst men (12 per cent), with them also using it as an opportunity to catch up on their phone (21 per cent) or on emails (10 per cent).
Table two: What people enjoy in the bath
What people who take baths like to do in the tub |
Men |
Women |
Relax and have a long soak |
39 per cent |
50 per cent |
Add bubble bath or bath salts |
28 per cent |
49 per cent |
Listen to music, audiobooks or podcasts |
28 per cent |
29 per cent |
Use my phone |
21 per cent |
16 per cent |
Read |
18 per cent |
22 per cent |
Light some candles |
Nine per cent |
21 per cent |
Watch TV / video |
15 per cent |
15 per cent |
Sing |
12 per cent |
Seven per cent |
Catch up on emails |
10 per cent |
Six per cent |
Source: Direct Line Home Insurance 2025
ENDS
Notes to editors
1. Research conducted by Opinium with a nationally representative sample of 2,000 UK adults, 18th February – 20th February 2025.
For further information please contact:
Direct Line Group:
Chelsey Wheeler
Deputy Head of News and Issues
Email: Chelsey.wheeler@directlinegroup.co.uk
PR team:
Fleishman Hillard
Email: directlinegroupmedia@fleishman.com
Phone: 07808 727280
Direct Line
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