In 1972 IU student Dave Hoffman set a Guinness world record for the longest shower (2024)

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Michelle Pemberton

michelle.pemberton@indystar.com

In 1972 IU student Dave Hoffman set a Guinness world record for the longest shower (2)

IU grad Dave Hoffman holds his copy of the Guinness Book of World records on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, at his Indianapolis home. Hoffman set a Guinness world record for longest shower ever taken, 174 hours, on Jan. 27, 1972, in his dorm at IU.

Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
In 1972 IU student Dave Hoffman set a Guinness world record for the longest shower (3)

A scrapbook photo shows IU grad Dave Hoffman attempting to set a Guinness world record on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, at his Indianapolis home. Hoffman did set a Guinness world record for longest shower ever taken, 174 hours, on Jan. 27, 1972, in his dorm at IU.

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Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
In 1972 IU student Dave Hoffman set a Guinness world record for the longest shower (4)

IU grad Dave Hoffman recreates a newspaper photo of himself eating a cracker in the shower on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, at his Indianapolis home. Hoffman set a Guinness world record for longest shower ever taken, 174 hours, on Jan. 27, 1972, in his dorm at IU.

Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
In 1972 IU student Dave Hoffman set a Guinness world record for the longest shower (5)

A scrapbook features a photo from 1972 shows then IU student Dave Hoffman eating a cracker in the shower while setting a Guinness world record for the longest shower, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, at his Indianapolis home. Hoffman set a Guinness world record for longest shower ever taken, 174 hours, on Jan. 27, 1972, in his dorm at IU.

Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
In 1972 IU student Dave Hoffman set a Guinness world record for the longest shower (6)

IU grad Dave Hoffman holds his copy of the Guinness Book of World records on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, at his Indianapolis home. Hoffman set a Guinness world record for longest shower ever taken, 174 hours, on Jan. 27, 1972, in his dorm at IU.

Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
In 1972 IU student Dave Hoffman set a Guinness world record for the longest shower (7)

IU grad Dave Hoffman holds a copy of "The way to become The Sensuous Woman" which was given to him by a group of female students while he attempted to set a Guinness world record on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, at his Indianapolis home. Hoffman did set a Guinness world record for longest shower ever taken, 174 hours, on Jan. 27, 1972, in his dorm at IU.

Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
In 1972 IU student Dave Hoffman set a Guinness world record for the longest shower (8)

IU grad Dave Hoffman holds his copy of Indiana Crosswords that features his Guinness world record on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, at his Indianapolis home. Hoffman set a Guinness world record for longest shower ever taken, 174 hours, on Jan. 27, 1972, in his dorm at IU.

Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
In 1972 IU student Dave Hoffman set a Guinness world record for the longest shower (9)

A scrapbook features a photo from 1972 shows then IU student Dave Hoffman eating a cracker in the shower while setting a Guinness world record for the longest shower, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, at his Indianapolis home. Hoffman set a Guinness world record for longest shower ever taken, 174 hours, on Jan. 27, 1972, in his dorm at IU.

Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
In 1972 IU student Dave Hoffman set a Guinness world record for the longest shower (10)

A scrap belonging to IU grad Dave Hoffman features articles and photos of his attempt to break the Guinness world record for the longest shower on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, at his Indianapolis home. Hoffman succeeded in setting the Guinness world record for longest shower ever taken, 174 hours, on Jan. 27, 1972, in his dorm at IU.

See Also
Does Your Child Need to Shower or Bathe Every Day? | Banner

Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
In 1972 IU student Dave Hoffman set a Guinness world record for the longest shower (11)

IU grad Dave Hoffman recreates a newspaper photo of himself showing off his hands on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, at his Indianapolis home. Hoffman set a Guinness world record for longest shower ever taken, 174 hours, on Jan. 27, 1972, in his dorm at IU. In the original photo Hoffman's hands were wrinkled from the long shower.

Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
In 1972 IU student Dave Hoffman set a Guinness world record for the longest shower (12)

A scrap belonging to IU grad Dave Hoffman features articles and photos of his attempt to break the Guinness world record for the longest shower on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, at his Indianapolis home. Hoffman succeeded in setting the Guinness world record for longest shower ever taken, 174 hours, on Jan. 27, 1972, in his dorm at IU.

Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
In 1972 IU student Dave Hoffman set a Guinness world record for the longest shower (13)

A scrap belonging to IU grad Dave Hoffman features articles and photos of his attempt to break the Guinness world record for the longest shower on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, at his Indianapolis home. Hoffman succeeded in setting the Guinness world record for longest shower ever taken, 174 hours, on Jan. 27, 1972, in his dorm at IU.

Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
In 1972 IU student Dave Hoffman set a Guinness world record for the longest shower (14)

IU grad Dave Hoffman holds his copy of "The Indiana Book of Records, Firsts, and Fascinating Facts" by Fred D. Cavinder which features Hoffman's Guinness world record on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, at his Indianapolis home. Hoffman set a Guinness world record for longest shower ever taken, 174 hours, on Jan. 27, 1972, in his dorm at IU.

Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
In 1972 IU student Dave Hoffman set a Guinness world record for the longest shower (15)

A scrap belonging to IU grad Dave Hoffman features articles and photos of his attempt to break the Guinness world record for the longest shower on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, at his Indianapolis home. Hoffman succeeded in setting the Guinness world record for longest shower ever taken, 174 hours, on Jan. 27, 1972, in his dorm at IU.

Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
In 1972 IU student Dave Hoffman set a Guinness world record for the longest shower (16)

A scrap belonging to IU grad Dave Hoffman features articles and photos of his attempt to break the Guinness world record for the longest shower on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, at his Indianapolis home. Hoffman succeeded in setting the Guinness world record for longest shower ever taken, 174 hours, on Jan. 27, 1972, in his dorm at IU.

Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
In 1972 IU student Dave Hoffman set a Guinness world record for the longest shower (17)

A scrap belonging to IU grad Dave Hoffman features articles and photos of his attempt to break the Guinness world record for the longest shower on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, at his Indianapolis home. Hoffman succeeded in setting the Guinness world record for longest shower ever taken, 174 hours, on Jan. 27, 1972, in his dorm at IU.

Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
In 1972 IU student Dave Hoffman set a Guinness world record for the longest shower (18)

A scrapbook features a telegram congratulates then IU student Dave Hoffman on his attempt to set a Guinness world record, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. Hoffman was successful, setting a Guinness world record for longest shower ever taken, 174 hours, on Jan. 27, 1972, in his dorm at IU.

Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
In 1972 IU student Dave Hoffman set a Guinness world record for the longest shower (19)

A scrapbook at the home of former IU student Dave Hoffman features an official letter confirming he set a Guinness world record for longest shower ever taken, 174 hours, on Jan. 27, 1972, in his dorm at IU, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022.

Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
In 1972 IU student Dave Hoffman set a Guinness world record for the longest shower (20)

Left, a scrapbook features a political cartoon featuring then IU student Dave Hoffman and his 1972 quest to set a Guinness world record, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. Hoffman succeeded and set a Guinness world record for longest shower ever taken, 174 hours, on Jan. 27, 1972, in his dorm at IU. Right, Hoffman, who is not Jewish, received this and other hate mail during his 15 min of fame.

Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
In 1972 IU student Dave Hoffman set a Guinness world record for the longest shower (21)

Left, a 1972 letter asks then IU student Dave Hoffman to be the spokesperson for Sullivan Mfg. & Sales Corp.'s new shower caddy, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. Hoffman set a Guinness world record for longest shower ever taken, 174 hours, on Jan. 27, 1972, in his dorm at IU.

Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
In 1972 IU student Dave Hoffman set a Guinness world record for the longest shower (22)

IU decanters decorate the home of IU grad Dave Hoffman on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, at his Indianapolis home. Hoffman set a Guinness world record for longest shower ever taken, 174 hours, on Jan. 27, 1972, in his dorm at IU.

Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
In 1972 IU student Dave Hoffman set a Guinness world record for the longest shower (2024)

FAQs

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Guinness World Record for longest kiss: Ekkachai Tiranarat and Laksana, of Thailand, hold the Guinness World Record for the longest continuous kiss that lasted a total of, 58 hours 35 minutes and 58 seconds.

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Back in 2019, Jimmy De Frenne, a 48-year-old Belgian man, took it upon himself to smash the record for the longest time spent sitting on the toilet. His goal was to hit 165 hours (almost seven days) of sitting on the loo, however, due to sore legs, he only made it to 116 hours.

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Even better, according to Healthline, the recommended maximum shower length for your skin is between 5 and 10 minutes. Sticking to five minutes ensures you're not overdoing it.

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Most dermatologists say that your shower should last between five and 10 minutes to cleanse and hydrate your skin, but no longer than 15 minutes to avoid drying it out. You can still benefit from the shower length you prefer, whether long and luxurious, quick and efficient or somewhere in the middle.

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What is the world record for not having a shower? ›

Amou Haji (Persian: عمو حاجى, lit. 'Uncle Hajji'; 20 August 1928 – 23 October 2022), also known as the "World's Dirtiest Man", was an Iranian man known for not bathing for more than 60 years.

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#didyouknow The World Record for the longest pee is 508 seconds. That's almost 8.5 minutes. Like how?! Did they just hold it forever and not get a bladder infection 😳

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It all comes down to activities that boost oxytocin in the brain, he says. Kissing for at least 6 seconds or hugging for 20 seconds both trigger the release of oxytocin, which helps couples bond and feel trusting of each other.

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Next time you're reaching for the laxatives spare a thought for those with extreme constipation which can cause serious medical damage. In 2013, a 28-year-old woman from Chembur, India, had to have surgery to remove a “football-sized faecal mass” after 45 days without a bowel movement.

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Doctor warns you should never sit on the toilet for longer than 10 minutes.

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Who took the longest shower? ›

Hoffman set a Guinness world record for longest shower ever taken, 174 hours, on Jan. 27, 1972, in his dorm at IU. In the original photo Hoffman's hands were wrinkled from the long shower.

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What's the longest someone hasn't showered for? ›

Amou Haji (Persian: عمو حاجى, lit. 'Uncle Hajji'; 20 August 1928 – 23 October 2022), also known as the "World's Dirtiest Man", was an Iranian man known for not bathing for more than 60 years.

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A Florida man may be Marvel's greatest fan. Ramiro Alanis just reclaimed a Guinness World Record after resisting bathroom breaks long enough to watch “Spider-Man: No Way Home” 292 times.

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According to Shirley Chi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles, there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach. Showering "once every three days is fine." If you have a skin condition, the answer is different, however.

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The largest shower measured 30.48 m (100 ft) long, 12.19 m (40 ft) wide, and 3.04 m (10 ft) tall and was manufactured by PertPlus in conjunction with the Chicago firefighters (all USA) at Six Flags Great America and Hurricane Harbour in Gurnee, USA, on 9 July 2009.

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