by Adam Simone
We ran a survey with 127 Smoosh users to get a clearer picture of what people actually do in the shower. Just the habits, shortcuts, and small frustrations that make up a real routine.
Why did we do this? Because most showers are built on momentum. You use the soap you’ve always used. You grab whatever tool is already there. You don’t question it much unless something starts to feel off. And if you've found Smoosh, that's probably because something had been feeling off.
What Do People Use to Wash Their Bodies?
Before switching to Smoosh, 31% of respondents (39 people) said they washed their bodies using just their hands. That surprised us a bit. Close behind were plastic loofahs at 28% (36 people) and washcloths at 19% (24 people). Smaller groups reported using silicone scrubbers (15 people), natural loofahs (6 people), or something else entirely.
Hands are always available. Loofahs and washcloths are inexpensive and familiar. But familiarity doesn’t always equal satisfaction. Across responses, people described tools that stayed damp, became scratchy over time, or started to smell. Some mentioned irritation. Others just described them as “gross.”
“Loofahs get very gross very quickly and I didn’t like how often I had to toss them!”
“Wanted to find something that wouldn’t hold bacteria the way loofahs do.”
Although not a dramatic issue, it is an ongoing one. The kind of problem that nags at you.
Why Do People Look for Alternatives?
When we asked why people decided to try Smoosh, the top three reasons overall were consistent: sustainability and waste reduction, cleanliness and hygiene, and convenience or an all-in-one design.
What people used before influenced their reasons for switching. Here’s the breakdown by previous wash method.
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Hands: wanted more scrub, curiosity, convenience
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Natural loofahs: lower waste, curiosity
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Plastic loofahs: sustainability + “they get gross”
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Washcloths: hygiene, laundry fatigue, wanting a handle
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Other silicone users: better lather, sustainability, all-in-one simplicity
There wasn’t one dominant reason. Most people chose several. The Body Smoosh scrubber can help smooth out small clusters of problems (along with your skin!) it's a win win win largely.
Are Silicone Body Scrubbers More Hygienic?
Hygiene came up repeatedly in open responses.
People described loofahs and washcloths that stayed damp, developed odors, or felt difficult to keep clean. Silicone scrubbers appealed to many respondents because they dry quickly, don’t absorb water, and don’t need to be replaced as often.
This is one of the main reasons people are willing to change a long-standing habit, and one of the reasons we developed Smoosh. Smoosh scrubber lasts even longer being dishwasher safe.
How Often Do People Use their Smoosh?
Usage frequency was high.
68 respondents said they use Smoosh every day, and 55 said they use it several times a week. Only four people total said they use it about once a week or less.
That kind of frequency usually means the product fits easily into an existing shower routine. It doesn’t add steps. It replaces something that was already there. But we’re happy either way if we can help people make a difference.
Are Silicone Scrubbers Sensory-Friendly?
Several responses touched on feel, even when people didn’t use that language explicitly.
Washcloths that felt too rough. Loofahs that were inconsistent. Tools that irritated skin. People who rated Smoosh highly often mentioned comfort, control, and consistency.
“Keep it up! You’re appreciated (especially amongst the ADHDers like me that sometimes struggle with shower aversion).”
“It makes showering way less intimidating when I'm tired to have the scrubber and the soap already in one.”
For people searching for sensory-friendly body care or personal care products, this matters. Silicone offers a predictable texture that doesn’t change much over time, which can be easier for people with sensitive skin or sensory sensitivities.
What Scents Do People Prefer in Body Soap?
Among current scents, Citrus Ocean was mentioned most often (51 respondents), followed closely by Cedarwood Bergamot (48), with Seasalt Orchid and Fig (41) just behind them.
When asked about future scents, people leaned toward simpler, more straightforward profiles: stronger citrus, vanilla, lavender, mint, clean or fresh scents, and familiar florals. Less novelty. More everyday appeal.
We’ve heard reports back from users how Smoosh helps tweens and teens start to build better daily hygiene habits - and that’s something we’re particularly interested in exploring more in the year ahead.
Does Technique Affect Lather with Bar Soap?
Yes! And the data was clear.
70 respondents said they were not aware of revving the engine, 45 said they were, and 11 said maybe. That awareness mattered.
Those not aware rated their lather at 4.07.
Those who said yes rated it 4.24.
It’s a simple thing, really, because the product isn’t any different… but how much folks understand how it best works IS different. Are you interested in getting the most lather out of your Smoosh body wash bar? Check out this video.
What This Survey Was (and Wasn’t)
This survey wasn’t designed to prove a point or compare brands. It was a snapshot of how people actually shower, what they were already using, and how one small change fits into that routine.
That’s what we wanted to understand.
If you’re curious about trying Smoosh (the embedded bar soap silicone body scrubber), start here and build out your starter kit.
Thank you to everyone who joined the 2025 Year End Survey! We read every response, weighed every idea (and there were some fantastic ones!). We have some exciting things coming this year.
Smoosh is built with you, not just for you.
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