my van does not have a shower. it has a bucket. well technically its a collapsible basin that I heat water in and pour over myself outside using a portable shower bag, but "bucket" is more honest about the experience.
hygiene in a van without a bathroom is manageable but it requires creativity and a complete abandonment of any standards you had in your previous life.
the shower situation. i use a 5-gallon solar shower bag ($15 on amazon). fill it, leave it in the sun for a few hours, hang it from the roof rack, shower outside wearing a swimsuit. works great in warm weather. in cold weather i heat water on the stove, pour it in the basin, and do a sponge bath inside the van. its not spa-like but im clean.
gym memberships. planet fitness black card. $25/month. access to showers at any location nationwide. this is my primary shower source honestly. 3-4 times a week i drive to the nearest PF for a real hot shower. worth every penny.
hair. i wash my hair maybe twice a week instead of daily. dry shampoo fills the gaps. my hair has honestly never been healthier since i stopped overwashing it.
laundry. every 7-10 days at a laundromat. i own 7 days worth of clothes and rotate. everything is quick-dry fabric. nothing that needs ironing. my entire wardrobe fits in one drawer.
the toilet. composting toilet. not a bucket — i invested in a Natures Head ($960 which hurts but its worth it). no smell if maintained properly. empty the solids compartment every 3-4 weeks. empty the liquids jug every 2-3 days. its fine. really. i promise.
hand washing. foot pump sink in the van. works surprisingly well. i go through a lot of hand soap.
is it as convenient as a house? obviously not. do i smell? i hope not. the truth is you adapt fast and what seemed unthinkable before becomes totally normal within a few weeks. just dont skip the gym showers.
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This makes me want to plan a trip just to try it out.
solid advice right here
Thanks! More content coming soon.
We learned most of this the hard way. Nice to see it written out clearly.
This is so helpful — wish I had found this article sooner.
This is so helpful — wish I had found this article sooner.
Well written and to the point. Appreciate real-world experience.
This is what I tell every new RVer at the campground.
Right?! We felt the same way.
As someone who just got into RVing this year, articles like this are a lifeline.
We split time between Arizona winters and Michigan summers. This applies to both!