Life aboard the International Space Station is full of scientific breakthroughs, breathtaking views of Earth, and experiments that help us understand the universe. Yet some of the most interesting details about space travel come from the simplest everyday questions…like: How do astronauts bathe in space?
Shubhanshu Shukla Explains How Astronauts Take Bath In Space
Ever wondered how astronauts stay fresh in space? Of course you have — it’s one of the questions I get asked most. So let’s settle it once and for all.
The short answer: there are no showers up here. The long answer: personal hygiene in microgravity is a surprisingly elegant… pic.twitter.com/E7k56ISpHO— Shubhanshu Shukla (@gagan_shux) March 5, 2026
One such question was recently addressed by Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who shared a glimpse into daily life aboard the ISS through a post on X. The curiosity he tackled was refreshingly ordinary: how do astronauts bathe in space?
His answer was straightforward and slightly surprising. “The short answer: there are no showers up here,” Shukla wrote. “The long answer: personal hygiene in microgravity is a surprisingly elegant little science experiment.”
Why Astronauts Cannot Take Traditional Showers In Space
On Earth, bathing is effortless because gravity does most of the work. Water falls from the showerhead, flows over the body, and drains away. But remove gravity from the equation, however, and the world unleashes a curiosity-driven phenomenon.
For that reason, astronauts rely on a method that uses very little water and complete control over where every drop goes. Instead of stepping into a shower, astronauts use a compact hygiene kit built around a simple tool, a washcloth.
Shubhanshu Shukla explained the process in detail. The kit contains a sealed bag with a washcloth that has already been loaded with disinfecting shampoo or cleansing solution. Astronauts add a small amount of water to the bag, allowing the cloth to become fully saturated. Once opened, the cloth becomes like a sponge bath, letting astronauts wipe themselves clean without loose water drifting around the station.
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The “World’s Most Expensive Sponge Bath”
“It starts with this unassuming bag,” Shukla wrote. “Inside sits a washcloth pre-loaded with disinfecting shampoo, compact, efficient, and decidedly unglamorous.”
He joked that once the cloth is ready, astronauts essentially have “the world’s most expensive sponge bath.” Every drop of water aboard the ISS is treated as a precious resource. Transporting supplies into orbit is expensive, so the station relies heavily on recycling systems.
After astronauts finish cleaning up, the towel goes to a designated spot where its moisture is captured by the station’s water reclamation system. The system extracts and purifies the water so it can be reused for drinking, food preparation, and other daily needs.
As Shubhanshu Shukla noted, the system exists because nothing in space can be wasted. “Once you’re done, the towel goes to its designated spot, where the moisture it holds gets pulled into the station’s water reclamation system, because in space, not a single drop goes to waste,” he explained.
Even Brushing Teeth Works Differently In Space
Bathing is not the only routine that changes in orbit; dental hygiene works a little differently as well. When social media users asked Shubhanshu Shukla how astronauts brush their teeth, he clarified that the process is mostly similar to Earth, except for one unusual detail. Astronauts use NASA-approved toothpaste and swallow it instead of spitting it out, avoiding the challenge of managing floating liquid inside the spacecraft.
Another user joked about the ISS experiencing 16 sunrises and sunsets every day due to its orbit around Earth. Did that mean astronauts had to repeat their morning routine multiple times? Shubhanshu clarified that the crew follows Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) on the station, so daily schedules are based on clock time rather than orbital sunrises.
In a video recorded aboard the ISS, Shubhanshu Shukla demonstrated how the washcloth preparation works. Viewers also noticed a fun detail in the clip, that his phone appeared to float effortlessly in mid-air.
He later pointed it out himself with a playful remark: “Did you notice I left my phone suspended mid air for some time? You do not need a mobile holder in space.”
The moment offered a small but vivid reminder of how dramatically everyday physics changes once gravity leaves the room.
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The insights shared by Shubhanshu Shukla highlight something astronauts often mention: life in space turns ordinary routines into carefully engineered complex systems. Whether it’s bathing with a washcloth, reclaiming moisture from towels, or brushing teeth without spitting, each activity must adapt to the realities of microgravity.
Cover Image Courtesy: gagan_shux/X
For more such snackable content, interesting discoveries and the latest updates on food, travel and experiences in your city, download the Curly Tales App. Download HERE. First Published: March 09, 2026 12:33 PMFAQs
Do astronauts take showers in space?
No. Astronauts on the International Space Station cannot take traditional showers because water would float in microgravity. Instead, they clean themselves using a washcloth sponge bath system.
How do astronauts bathe on the ISS?
Astronauts use a hygiene kit containing a washcloth and disinfecting solution. They add a small amount of water and wipe themselves clean carefully to prevent water droplets from floating around.
Do astronauts brush their teeth in space?
Yes. Astronauts brush their teeth using special toothpaste, but instead of spitting it out, they usually swallow it to avoid dealing with floating liquid.