If you're a human of average size, taking a bath isn't always as relaxing as it sounds—especially when your legs are sticking halfway out of the water. The problem? Bathtubs are too small. But why?
I bought a foldable bathtub some time ago and it is SO MUCH better than what I was used to
You have to kinda sit in it but it means that you can submerge your whole body without your legs constantly floating up. It fits in my shower and can be stored away when I don't use it
just after World War II, Crane—a major producer of bathtubs—reported that 75 percent of their business was in 5-foot tubs, as smaller tubs are cheaper and therefore more appealing to landlords.
It makes a ton of sense to make them as small as possible, given how much water it takes to fill them up. Unlike in Japan, we hardly use that water, while they leave them filled and keep using it.
Imagine always filling a pool just because you want to refresh for 30 minutes and then dumping all that water.
Japanese home baths are almost always right next to a shower, and you take a shower before getting in the bathtub to soak. Because you're clean before using the tub, a family will leave it full until everyone has had a bath. They still empty the tub after everyone has used it though-- it's not like they keep the same water for days on end.
It's a similar concept at bathhouses, where everyone gets in the same baths after showering.
I remember staying at this wonderful couple's BnB in Northern Michigan and they had a claw-foot standing bathtub, that thing was incredible. So spacious
At the Insight Meditation Center in Barre, MA they have an enormous claw tub. I was able to straighten my entire body inside it, and he completely underwater.
Same with hot tubs. I prefer the old fashioned wooden ones simply because they were deeper. Modern hot tubs put way too much effort into various seating arrangements, none of which gets you under much water and none of which I find comfortable
I redid my bathroom in my old house and put a larger bathtub in. The issue is it requires a lot more water to fill. Great having much more leg room but it just uses so much water. I ended up using it less due to costs.