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Bath Without Water
Would You Take a Bath Without Water?
Well, would you? The fact of the matter is that some people are unable to bathe regularly.
This is the story of a young entrepreneur who set out to find a solution...and it has the potential to save the health of millions of people!
As a 17 year old student Ludwick Marishane from rural Limpopo in Africa came up with the idea of DryBath after his friend decided he was too lazy to bath. It was four years later in 2011, while studying at the University of Cape Town, that he was awarded the Global Student Entrepreneur of the year by the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards Program.
Photo by Lyn Bell
The Limpopo River - In flood
This is where the story starts...in the Limpopo...home of Ludwick Marishane.
Carrying water on the head...
In Africa, as in many parts of the world, women carry pots on their head to collect water from wells that may be miles away. There's no tap to turn on and take a bath for them and their families! This carrying of water on the head has been a tradition for many years and one that still continues to this day.
With limited resources Ludwick Marishane researched the internet and found some startling figures such as the fact that about 2.5 billion people worldwide do not have proper access to water and sanitation - 450 million in Africa alone. This brings about disease such as Trachoma which can lead to blindness. Sadly (or should I say luckily) this disease can be prevented by just washing the face! No medication...just water!
The National Archives UK [see page for license], via Wikimedia Commons
This shampoo is not DryBath but it is a product that helps keep hair clean when washing is not an option. Think of when you have been bed ridden following an operation or you may have elderly parents...
Allergic to Water
Yes, there is a condition called Aquagenic Urticaria which is a reaction to water. Even tears and sweat can cause pain and hives.
I certainly don't know much about this condition but I did meet someone a couple of years ago who was afflicted by Aquagenic Urticaria.
It came as quite a surprise as he never appeared to suffer in any way that was visible to the audience that he spoke to on the day of his revelation. I'd never heard of it before and can't imagine how awful it would be to experience pain while taking a shower!
He did tell us (he was the speaker at a networking group I attended) that he was able to drink water and this did not affect him.
DryBath could possibly help for occasional cleansing in the case of this allergy. However, as 80% of the ingredients consist of water it should be used only with caution.
Have you ever thought about what it would be like to have to gather your water in pots?
Listen to Ludwick Marishane's amusing and inspirational speech...
Brightest Minds in the World
By the time he had completed his final year of business science at the University of Cape Town Ludwick Marishane had been chosen as one of the 12 'Brightest Minds in the World' at the Google Zietgeist conference in 2011. This annual competition is designed to find 12 extraordinary, enthusiastic and inspirational young people from across Europe, Middle East and Africa. Google Zietgeist seek young adults who are seen to be making a positive difference to their world.
By this time he had also completed an internship at Goldman Sachs and made the finals of the Global Business Plan competition held in 2010 by Singapore University.
- Ludwick Marishane: A bath without water.
If you had to walk a mile for a jug of water every day, as millions of people do, it's unlikely you'd use that precious water to bathe. Young entrepreneur Ludwick Marishane tells the amazing, funny story of how he invented a cheap, clean and convenie - The official website ~ this is where you can purchase this product
The official website for DryBath® the world's first germicidal Bath-substituting® skin gel. It is a proprietary blend of a biocide, bioflavonoids and moisturisers.
Who Do You Think Could Benefit From a Bath Without Water?
- Poor people who do not have running water.
- People who live in drought areas of the world. When I lived in Africa I know that being able to bath without water would have been a real boon!
- Travellers on long journeys on planes and trains. They'd arrive refreshed!
- The elderly and infirm cannot always get into a shower.
- When trekking through rough territory without the usual facilities most of us take for granted.
- Those that just can't be bothered to take a bath or shower!
- People who are afraid of water! ~ Called Aquaphobia.
- When a major catastrophe strikes such as an earthquake. Believe me I been there too with no water for more than four days.
- When recuperating following an operation.
- I thought I'd add astronauts for fun after all the shower or bath water would splash in the cabin!
If you had water flowing from the tap would you consider a bath without water?
It might be fun on occasion and just think of the water I would be saving!
It might be fun on occasion and just think of the water I would be saving!
I have lived in the forest for a couple of weeks. I did OK but I think that would be the limit of my going without water.
yes
Sure...to save water.
Yes I will, thanks to open the eyes and show new picture
If I really had to, yes.
I could consider it!
Ive had to take a waterless bath a few times in my life. Although not the best scenerio you adjust to your situation at hand and make the best of it. So if you run out of hot water in the middle of winter....would you prefer an ice cold shower or cold sponge bathing??
Hi, yes I would give it a try.
I do try to conserve & help the enviornment when I can, and I do have Dry Shampoo for those quick times I can't actually hop in the shower & wash my hair beacsue I'm going out. (Its a powder that you can brush in) There's also a spray. These are great for when you are at the beach as well & can only rinse off (esp. where I used to go, the presure was crap & if I washed or rinsed out my hair all the shampoo wouldn't come out.) Also for those states or countries that are limited to water consumption like Australia & California (that I heard of) would benifit from this. Do something like skip a day honestly Your hair should be washed only every other day to every 2 as your shampoo could make it dry & brittle definately dries it out. THe only time you shoukd wash your hair every day is if you sweat around your hairline. Plus the SHorter the hair the less water you need, & with shorter hair it's harder to tell when the last time you washed it.
As one who hauls her own water (there is no well on my rural property), and one who has had water pump issues in the past (when water was not running through my pipes), I would certainly appreciate another bathing option.
It wouldn't hurt to try!
Just a few years back in Canberra, we experienced a scary drought. People flushed their toilets once a day and caught spare water in the showers in buckets. This they put in their gardens. One would have thought that everyone learned from that. But of course as soon as the drought was over, people went back to their old ways. Interestingly, we personally didn't go back to watering our garden, whcih is large and yet, it is still thriving.
I would try it out for the experience :)
Sure...to save water and for the different experience...
No way, I like to have a bath or shower thanks!
I like the comforting feel of the warm water and the smell of the soap and shampoo.
I've got to be surrounded by lovely warm water!
no i dont
No - can't imagine it.
I can't live without morning showers. They help me to wake up thoroughly.
Not me, I've lived sparse, where we had to carry all the water and I feel like I've put in my time.
No more hot baths before bedtime to soothe my old body? No way! I really love my hot baths and showers. However, if I had no water available I would not be opposed to a dry bath.
If I have running water, I am taking my shower.
I think I would always enjoy having water in my bath but you never know
This is not the DryBath that this article is about as, apart from direct buying through the official website, I have been unable to find a place to purchase. You can find the link to the website in the links above. (Please note I am not an affiliate to the product).
This bath solution is used by NASA astronauts and is considered suitable for personal needs. There is no need for rinsing and matches the shampoo previously described. It is well respected by its users.
Your Comments are Welcome!
Good for camping but there is NOTHING like a nice warm shower when you get through.
- Author
@sierradawn lm: Camping is certainly one of the great uses for a dry bath!
I was happy to learn that I can bathe without water! Very useful when camping out
I really enjoyed this article. It's inspirational. And although I've heard about dry bath before, I never really thought much or read about it. Thanks for sharing.
Great article thanks
Very interesting lens. Great information. Congratulations on the purple star award
Congrats on the Purple Star! This is a very interesting lens. It is good to know there are younger people out there who are interested in helping others. Thanks for bringing this to attention.
- Author
@mel-kav: There are products out there for dogs but I still think the occasional bath is good for them!
Cool wonder if it works for cats. ;)
Very interesting - I wonder if it works for dogs. My dog hates water and baths.
Having had over 40 surgeries (some combined), I can attest to DryBath's need. Where water is a no~no it makes good sense.
Very interesting. I never heard about bath without water, it can be a good idea in cases of illnesses which make somebody lay down in bed. Thanks great info!
Think I will take my normal shower - not a bath
thanks to open out eyes.
Interesting and thought provoking lens.
like this lens
I think it's a great idea!!
Very interesting lens!
Loved this lens. Thanks for including the video! So cool!
Great lens,thanks for sharing this info
Great lens. I do not always think about the fact how much I actually have. But sometimes when doing the dishes and going to shower I realize how much of the water is actually wasted during the process and I feel a bit ashamed of it.
Hi we sometime forget how good we have it. I try never to waist water, I use gray water on my garden and trees. I have a barrow to catch rain water off my roof.
Thanks for this thought-provoking lens. Water is way too much wasted nowadays.
Interesting. thanks for sharing
This is very interesting! A lot of neat facts and information.
What an inspirational young man. Water has become the true wealth in our world. Because I live in the high desert, where we get less than 7 inches of rain annually, and where many individuals rely on the area artesian springs for their water, I have come to deeply appreciate water in its many forms. I think this is an incredibly important product. Thank you for presenting such a vital topic. I'll never take water or the health it sustains in us for granted.
i like morning shower,when i never bath i feel irritate or incomplete.morning shower give us relief.
Very interesting!
Fascinating how he took his idea and ran with it.
The video with Ludwick Marishane was wonderful. What an amazing young man! He really did make me stop and think about what I could (maybe should) be doing!
I do remember visiting my grandparents when growing up, and having to take baths with only a couple of inches of water in the tub. Their water supply was from a cistern gathered from the barn roofs. In drought conditions, they always had to monitor their water supply very closely.
Wow! Talk about innovation...fascinating. Thank you for the education.
Great lens! Interesting! Sundae ;-)
Nice Lens! Thanks for helping me to remember the ones who are less fortunate. I could not imagine not being able to bathe with water!
Thanks for teaching me something new today!
I had never heard of Aquagenic Urticaria. That would be awful.
this is quite the invention, it could indeed help millions. great lens
- Author
@LiteraryMind: Yes, I agree. I thought I'd noted that but I only wrote about it in the product description! I'll make sure it's added to the list. Thanks.
These are also useful for the disabled. We used the No Rinse shampoo when my Mom was disabled and it was impossible to get her to the shower; nor could she bend her neck.
Very interesting lens. Did not know blindness could be prevented just by washing the face of those kids.
The youths are very creative and it is great that Ludwick Marishane was recognized for his invention.
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