Is it rude to use someone’s shampoo/body wash when visiting?

r/

Sometimes when visiting family or friends over a weekend or for just one night, I don’t bring my own body wash or shampoo. I have a few personal rules that I follow:
1.) Only use shampoo, body wash, and toothpaste, nothing else
2.) Don’t ever go through cabinets or drawers to find something, if it’s in the bathtub it is fair game.
3.) Only use it if it’s generic and non prescription. If it looks like it’s expensive or something for a specific condition, it is rude to use it
4.) If visiting for 3 or more nights, you must bring your own.

For context, I sometimes ask to use shampoo or body wash, but a lot of times I’m already in the shower by the time I remember. So, is it considered rude to do so? I also follow these rules for other people when they visit our place. I leave out anything I consider fair game for them, such as toothpaste, shampoo, body wash, conditioner and fully expect for it to be used.

Comments

  1. xyanon36 Avatar

    My rule is basically that if it’s in the shower, it’s fair game.

  2. SomeDoOthersDoNot Avatar

    No. You’re a guest. You shouldn’t need to bring your own toiletries.

  3. nofilter144 Avatar

    No I don’t think so, not if they leave it out.

  4. Cupcakesoul24 Avatar

    I think it absolutely is if the shower you are in isn’t a “guest” shower. Separate from the owner. Ack. I’d die

  5. Corgipantaloonss Avatar

    If it’s left out you are good to go. If someone is close enough to me to use my shower of course I don’t mind me using my stuff.

    Honestly when folks stay I make sure to say (since I have one shower bathroom and one just tub) that guests are welcome to take a shower or bath and use any of the stuff in the basket.

    Weird but my I have a huge claw foot. My mom sometimes takes a bath when she visits.

  6. BGoodOswaldo Avatar

    Shampoo and bodywash yes – toothpaste I think is a no because I’d be concerned about germs.

  7. nijmeegse79 Avatar

    In my pov and how we in my friends and family are used to

    Was spending the night planned or expected, then yes it is rude without asking. I
    Was spending the night a spur of the moment thing or after a party and driving was a bad idea, then no it is not rude.

    But asking before getting in the shower is either way the polite thing to do.

  8. Organic_Singer_1302 Avatar

    Maybe only if you use their loofah in your tight spots.

  9. Reasonable_Hawk78 Avatar

    Just ask the worst that can happen is a no. Lots of people enjoy hosting and making sure others have what they need. I think the answer would be an enthusiastic of course

  10. StoleUrGf Avatar

    No. My wife leaves fancy shampoo and body wash in the guest bathroom that we’re not allowed to use. It’s only for guests.

  11. SparklyGames Avatar

    Unless you’re staying for more then a week I feel like it’s fine.

  12. mayfeelthis Avatar

    Just mention it, ‘hey I’m about to jump in the shower. Do you mind me using shower gel/shampoo/toothpaste or maybe you can show me what’s off limits?’

    Some people have their special products and don’t mind telling you if you’re friendly and easy about it. You’ll know which friends will tell you up front ideally but it’s nice to ask imho.

    Do have the basics you need if you can or some backup (prepare to drop by a drugstore or whatever).

  13. chippy-alley Avatar

    Its not rude to use whats out. If theyre providing you with a shower, they must know you’ll need shower products

    Its usually pretty obvious whats there for everyday use & what is expensive/prescription etc

    I personally always have to have my own, for allergen reasons, but I always plan for guests to need some

  14. Appropriate_Ask6289 Avatar

    I definitely don’t want anyone using my toothpaste. Maybe that’s just a weird hangup of mine..I have my own tube lol.
    Shampoo, conditioner, body wash….I would be ok with a guess using them.

  15. SmokyBlackRoan Avatar

    If you leave your toothbrush in my bathroom ima use it,

  16. OkraTheExplora_1925 Avatar

    My rule is I will bring my own toiletries when visiting to my friend but in my family, I will not.

  17. Responsible-Kale-904 Avatar

    Using it WITHOUT their permission is disrespectful violation

    Bring your OWN : toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, hair body bath shower bar, to wherever you are staying

    Ask permission to use their shower gel, making very clear you will give them at least $1.75 for each time you using it and their shower

  18. Whole_Database_3904 Avatar

    I think it’s best to ask before the visit. That way the host can say no. You can be aware product packing is required. People buy $50 bottles of shampoo. Guests have long hair. A week long visit can be 1/3 of a bottle.

    State, “I think it’s okay to ask. It’s also okay for you to say no. How many days are you okay with guests using your toothpaste, shampoo, and body wash? Zero is an okay answer.”

    I supply bottles and backup bottles in my guest bath. I get them from hotels.

  19. tracyvu89 Avatar

    I don’t think it’s rude as long as the home owners don’t tell everyone in advance (before they’re coming over) that they have to bring their own stuffs.

  20. KrisKrossKringe Avatar

    I always assume they’re gonna use my stuff

  21. Capable_Way_876 Avatar

    I accept that I’m in the wrong but do it anyway. I would expect the same from any guests I have so I’d probably just put away my expensive hair products before they come over if I don’t want them using it.

  22. CoastNo6242 Avatar

    If someone comes to mine I could not give a shit if they use my shampoo and shower gel, in fact I encourage them to do in case they’ve forgotten or feel awkward about it cos I don’t want them to feel awkward over something trivial. 

    I mean they’re in my house, completely naked using my shower – seems mental to be fine with that but not with someone using my shampoo or shower gel 😅

  23. madcats323 Avatar

    When I have someone visiting, I tell them where the toiletries are.

  24. nemc222 Avatar

    When I have guests I always ensure I have shampoo, body wash, toothpaste, and even an extra toothbrush for them. It’s part of having a house guest.

  25. OldBat001 Avatar

    Bring your own toothpaste, but a good host should provide you with bathing essentials.

  26. NoiseyTurbulence Avatar

    I’d be OK if I guest used my shampoo, conditioner, or body wash. But I would not be OK with you using my toothpaste. I actually put my toothpaste away when I have guests because I have an autoimmune disease and I can’t fight off infections. I don’t want anything put inside my toothpaste from leftover bacteria on someone else’s toothbrush that can potentially make me sick.

  27. hokeypokey59 Avatar

    Yeah, we called that the “lookin’ at soap, towels, etc” because that’s all we are allowed to do unless we are “company”

  28. Proud-Reading3316 Avatar

    Of course it’s not rude. It’s part and parcel of staying the night at their place. When people stay at mine, I assume they’ll use my bathroom products and they assume it as well without asking. I’d be really uncomfortable being friends with someone who got annoyed because I used their shampoo without asking when I’m already staying round.

  29. gerlindee Avatar

    I usually ask my friends before the visit if it’s OK. Also, close friends, I will ask (or rather by now it is the rule anyways) if i can get a shirt and some pants to sleep in (if it’s only a couple of days). Especially in winter when the bag your traveling with is fuller and heavier this is really nice not having to worry about it.
    Same for towels and goes without saying that I’d return the favor.

  30. Free_butterfly_ Avatar

    As a host, if I put something in the shower, I’m assuming my guests will use it

  31. B-u-tt-er Avatar

    As a host of someone who is visiting I usually mention. “Oh if you need anything like shampoo, towels, etc.. There is some in the cabinet.”

  32. amazonallie Avatar

    Toothpaste.. no. That’s gross.

    As long as you aren’t going to waste my salon shampoo and conditioner, stay away from my face wash (I bought it as a treat when I did well in Vegas. It is $200 a bottle) and don’t mind the cheap body wash, have at it.

    Don’t use my Loofah, and I don’t have facecloth, so you need to bring one. I have just never used them. Weird I know.

    I am pretty lax with my stuff, but anything that goes close to your mouth, nose, private areas, etc please bring your own. I don’t share my hairbrush either.

    And clean your hair from my drain catcher.

  33. North-Neat-7977 Avatar

    My guest bathroom is stocked with shampoo, conditioner, and bar soap. It’s there specifically for guests.

    But if I ever had to have someone use my personal bath, I would be fine with them using my stuff as long as they didn’t leave hair in the drain. And if something is low, tell me before I get in there and don’t have shampoo.

  34. Dear-Ad1618 Avatar

    In my world it is rude of me, as the host, to NOT provide toiletries for my guests. They ALWAYS get clean towels and washcloths, soap and shampoo. I believe that a host’s job is to make the guest comfortable. I would never expect my guests to ask if they can use toiletries or if it’s OK to have my food (I let them know what ingredients need to be saved for meals). My parents, grandparents and great grandparents were all this way.

  35. madkins007 Avatar

    Heck, I don’t even use my wife’s products without asking. I personally would consider this rude and a bit creepy.

    I also do not feel right traveling without being prepared, even for something like this. I actually generally have a tiny overnight bag in the car for things like this (sample size all-in-one soap like Dr. Bonners, toothpaste, toothbrush, floss sticks, comb, disposable razor, travel washcloth that can actually work as towel), a day’s worth of my meds, etc. all in a small zip seal bag.)

  36. AsparagusOverall8454 Avatar

    I always bring my own when I go anywhere cuz I like only specific products but i don’t care in the least if others use mine while they’re here.

  37. alcutie Avatar

    i’m only staying in the home of people i care about and they would never tell me no i couldn’t use their bathroom supplies – just as i would never tell them no – even fancy stuff (tbh all my stuff is fancy 😆)

  38. cassiopeia18 Avatar

    No. Shampoo, body wash is fine.

    Face cream far isn’t. I don’t want guest to put their finger to the jar.But if it was generic face cream with a pump, body lotion like cetaphil, cerave, it’s fine.

    In guest room I put shampoo, hair conditioner, shower gel, handwash, towel, brush, toothpaste, new toothbrush package that I took from in hotel toiletries.

  39. winkleftcenter Avatar

    Our guest bathroom is always stocked with everything a person staying could need. This includes new toothbrushes(from dentist); toothpaste; floss; deodorant (sample size); shampoo; conditioner and body wash

  40. Scoobs_McDoo Avatar

    I think it really depends on your relationship with the person. When visiting my parents I always borrowed but with my friends I brought my own stuff.

  41. RustyNail2023 Avatar

    I always make sure to have the bathroom a guest will use stocked with shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, face wash, clean towels, ect. When my mom comes I even have some single use makeup remover towelettes. Unless it’s a last minute guest and I didn’t have time to set it up then I have that stuff under the sink at all times. When I had an apartment with only one bathroom then yeah anything in there is fair game although I would make a sour face if you used my razor to shave without asking. Or my lube.

  42. splicepark Avatar

    I think this all sounds very respectful

  43. kanemano Avatar

    If this is not an unexpected stay, the host should provide proper amenities, anytime anyone stays over they are provided with a towel and a new bar of soap, sometimes slippers and a robe.

  44. spazhead01 Avatar

    I mean it wouldn’t hurt to ask if you plan on showering there. But if you see a big bottle of shampoo I don’t think they’ll even notice a dab of it gone.

  45. sammagee33 Avatar

    Those rules seem fair.

  46. OverlappingChatter Avatar

    Your rules are perfect