The average toilet uses 1.6 to 3 gallons per flush. If you pee in the shower just once a day, you could save up to 1,000 gallons of water per year—enough to fill a small backyard pool!
💧 Environmental impact: In drought-prone areas or water-conscious households, this small habit adds up fast.
2. Saves Time (and Morning Stress)
For busy parents, athletes, or anyone rushing through their routine, eliminating one extra bathroom trip can streamline your morning—and keep the bathroom free for others.
3. May Help With “Shy Bladder” (Paruresis)
Some people struggle to urinate in public restrooms due to anxiety. The sound of running water in the shower can provide auditory privacy, making it easier to go.
⚠️ When It’s Not a Good Idea
While generally harmless, there are a few situations where you should skip the shower pee:
- You have a urinary tract infection (UTI): Infected urine contains bacteria and should go down the toilet.
- You’re using medicated shampoos or soaps: Some topical treatments (like ketoconazole) shouldn’t mix with urine residue—though risk is minimal with rinsing.
- You share a shower with others: Etiquette matters! Don’t do it when someone else is using the same stall.
🚫 Myth busted: Urine won’t stain tiles, won’t corrode drains, and won’t create toxic fumes when mixed with soap or shampoo. (That’s a myth from confusing urine with bleach—which you should never mix with ammonia!)
🚽 Plumbing & Environmental Facts
- Septic systems: Urine is mostly water and breaks down easily. Occasional shower peeing won’t harm your septic tank.
- Municipal wastewater: Your shower drain and toilet both lead to the same sewage system—so where you pee doesn’t change treatment.
- Eco-verdict: From a sustainability lens, peeing in the shower is a minor but meaningful water-saving hack.
🌍 Fun fact: In parts of Sweden and the Netherlands, urine-diverting toilets are being tested to recycle urine into fertilizer—proving that pee isn’t waste, but a resource!
🧼 Hygiene: Do You Need to Rinse Extra?
No. The flow of shower water instantly dilutes and washes away urine. There’s no residue left behind, and no need to “clean the shower” afterward.
Your skin, tiles, and drain are perfectly fine—especially since you’re already rinsing with soap and water.
Final Thought: It’s Your Body, Your Bathroom
Peeing in the shower isn’t “gross”—it’s a personal, hygienic, and surprisingly eco-friendly choice for many people. While it may never be socially acceptable to discuss at dinner parties, there’s nothing medically or environmentally wrong with it—as long as you’re healthy and mindful of shared spaces.
So if you’ve been doing it in secret?
You’re in good company.
And if you’re still on the fence?
Know that science is on your side.
💦 One less flush. One small step for water conservation.
Love surprising science-backed life hacks?
Explore our guides on why you shouldn’t wash chicken before cooking, the truth about “detox” foot pads, or how often you really need to wash your sheets.
