We all do it — lather up in the shower, reach for our shampoo, soap, and conditioner in a sequence that feels routine. But what if your everyday shower habits are doing more harm than good? A recent study by shower gel brand Original Source suggests that most people are showering in the wrong order, increasing their risk of skin irritation, while another groundbreaking study from Northwestern University reveals that our bathroom essentials are home to an astonishing diversity of viruses.
According to Original Source, two out of five people surveyed said they scrub themselves with soap before reaching for shampoo and conditioner. Meanwhile, one in twenty admitted they use conditioner first, then shower gel, and finally shampoo — a sequence that, experts warn, could disrupt skin and hair health.
So, what’s the correct order? Shampoo first, followed by conditioner, and lastly shower gel, says Alice Plimmer, refreshment lead at Original Source.
“There’s so much more to a shower than getting yourself as clean as possible,” Plimmer explained. “Getting the order right can help rinse away product residue more effectively, preventing skin irritation and ensuring that both hair and body are thoroughly cleansed.”
But the intrigue doesn’t stop at product order. While many are concerned about how clean they get in the shower, scientists have shifted the spotlight to what’s hiding inside our bathroom — and it’s nothing short of astonishing.
In a recent study published in Frontiers in Microbiomes, a team of microbiologists from Northwestern University discovered more than 600 different viruses living on everyday bathroom items like shower heads and toothbrushes. Surprisingly, no two samples were the same, making each item a unique microbial ecosystem.
Erica M. Hartmann, the lead researcher and an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at Northwestern, said the findings were both unexpected and fascinating.
“The number of viruses that we found is absolutely wild,” Hartmann said. “We found many viruses that we know very little about and many others that we have never seen before. It’s amazing how much untapped biodiversity is all around us. And you don’t even have to go far to find it; it’s right under our noses.”
The vast majority of these viruses are bacteriophage — or “phage” — viruses that infect bacteria rather than humans. While that may sound concerning, it’s actually promising. Phages have been gaining attention in recent years for their potential to combat antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, offering a new frontier in medicine.
Interestingly, the study found no overlap between viruses found on shower heads and those found on toothbrushes, and very little overlap between any two samples overall. Each item, Hartmann explained, functions like its own microbial island.
Among the most common viruses found were mycobacteriophage, which target mycobacteria, the pathogenic culprits behind diseases like tuberculosis and leprosy. Researchers believe these specific phages could one day be used to treat such infections — or even help sanitize plumbing systems naturally. Should we panic? Not at all, says Hartmann.
“Microbes are everywhere, and the vast majority of them will not make us sick,” she emphasized. “The more you attack them with disinfectants, the more they are likely to develop resistance. We should all just embrace them.”
Instead of over-sanitizing, she suggests simple, effective maintenance: soaking shower heads in vinegar to remove buildup, using plain soap and water for cleaning, and regularly replacing toothbrush heads.
Together, these findings remind us that our bathroom routines—both in the products we use and how we clean our space—deserve more attention than they often get. So next time you shower, take a moment to rethink your sequence and be mindful of the unseen microbial world thriving just out of sight. You might not just feel cleaner — you could be healthier for it.
