Shubhanshu Shukla reveals how astronauts stay fresh in space: ‘There are no showers up here…’

Shubhanshu Shukla in his recent X post, continuing the series following his insights on his journey in space, describes what follows astronauts getting ready in the International Space Station (ISS). Shukla is the first Indian to visit the ISS and only the second Indian to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma. “Ever wondered how astronauts stay fresh in space? Of course, you have it’s one of the questions I get asked most,” Shukla wrote. “The short answer: there are no showers up here. The long answer: personal hygiene in microgravity is a surprisingly elegant little science experiment,” he added.

What alternatives do astronauts follow, if not shower

As per his most recent X post, “Personal hygiene in microgravity is a surprisingly elegant little science experiment.” He mentions how there are no showers present in the ISS bathrooms, and the astronauts resort to a ‘washcloth.’ He further added, “It starts with this unassuming bag. Inside sits a washcloth pre-loaded with disinfecting shampoo - compact, efficient, and decidedly unglamorous,” he wrote. “Add water, and the cloth becomes fully saturated. Tear open the bag, and you’ve got yourself the world’s most expensive sponge bath.”

How scarce is water in the International Space Station (ISS)

Shukla further went ahead explaining how even the water used during the process is carefully managed. Mentioning “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.”



In a previously recorded video aboard the station, Shukla demonstrated how astronauts prepare the washcloth. He also pointed out an interesting moment in the video where his phone appeared to float mid-air. He goes further, jovially asking the fellow X users, “Did you notice I left my phone suspended mid air for some time? You do not need a mobile holder in space.”

How users engaged with Shubhanshu Shukla’s post

The post garnered many fun interactions amongst other users. One user asked, “What about dental hygiene?” to which Shukla responded, “Same like ground. Except you swallow the NASA approved paste.”

Some users went ahead asking “Out of 16 mornings per day, which morning you are considering as a morning? Or you are taking a towel bath 16 times in 24 hours?” While Shukla responded by saying “Not really. You follow GMT on station. So mornings are based on clock time.”