Subscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
If you are new to camping or considering van life you may have concerns about cleanliness and hygiene. This lifestyle comes with a stigma that campers are not quote on quote clean. This is a horrible misconception as there are many ways to keep up your hygiene while on the road or on a campsite. In this article we will go through what sprinter van accessories you can keep stored for when you need to wash up. Hygiene is incredibly important. Staying clean while camping can prevent skin issues. In this article we will discuss how to keep your body and clothes clean. Here are our top personal hygiene hacks that every camper should know!
Showers
A good shower can be an obstacle for any camper at any campsite. However, showering is the number one hygiene hack we can provide. Luckily there are many valuable solutions to taking a shower whilst living the van life.
#1 Installed Shower
There are many benefits to van life when it comes to hygiene. One of them being all of the sprinter van accessories you can store, including an installed shower. There are many options when it comes to installed showers. If you are gutting and converting your van to be your home you can have already decided to build your own bathroom. Installing a toilet and shower stall is the best way to have the best hygiene possible while camping. However, if this is not your goal you can invest in a propane power shower that attaches to the roof of your van. You can hang the shower head on the side of your van and enjoy an outdoor shower.
#2 Solar Power
The next best thing to a fully installed shower is a solar shower! This is an incredible option. Many camping brands have their own version of the solar power bag system. These are typically five gallon bags with a shower head attached. You leave it out in the sun and bam you have warm water for the end of the day. This is the closest way to get a warm shower after a long day. If your water is still too cool for your liking you can always boil a small amount of water and add it to your bag. This is the second best option for showering.
#3 Baby Wipes
Baby wipes are your new best friend if you are new to camping. They are a great tool to wipe yourself off in between showers. You can give yourself a baby wipe shower during days you cannot conventionally shower or if you get very dirty. Unscented baby wipes basically equal a sponge bath. Make sure you use them for your face and any very sweating areas of your body such as your armpits and feet. It is important to remember that traditional baby wipes are not biodegradable, so if you use them, store them away until you find a proper trash can!
#4 Outdoor Shower
Another excellent way to shower is through an outdoor shower. You may be thinking, aren’t most of these options outdoor showers? Well, yes, you are correct! However, you can utilize the area where you are camping to your advantage. By the beach? See if you find an outdoor shower, one meant for washing off sand. This is a perfect opportunity to wash your hair! If you are hiking to a lake or come across a fresh pond or waterfall, use this to your advantage. Make sure you pack a small bottle of biodegradable soap with you and boom you have the perfect bath waiting for you! This is super common practice among campers. Embrace the outdoors and take a fresh water shower!
#5 Gym Membership
If you live out of your van and do not have a built in shower you can consider getting a flexible gym membership at a large gym chain. That way when you are traveling between state to state you can stop along the way at one of the gym locations. Gym memberships include access to their showers. This is a great opportunity for a deep and thorough shower. It is also an excellent
Laundry
Another very component of good hygiene is the ability to do laundry. Living in a van or camping for long periods of time may make doing laundry slightly challenging. Do not fret we have some excellent solutions for you to make sure you and your clothes stay fresh and clean!
#1 Avoid Cotton
Wearing cotton while camping is probably the worst thing you can do. To minimize odor and to regulate your body temperature it is best to avoid cotton clothing at all costs. It is best to wear hiking and workout clothing. Instead of cotton, wear nylon, spandex, and wool. Basically any sweat wicking material. These garments will also dry way faster than cotton when you have to do laundry.
#2 DIY
Laundry is extremely important, especially when it comes to undergarments such as underwear and socks. We have a do it yourself method that will allow you to do laundry painlessly and without stress. You will need clean water, a gallon sized ziplock bag, and biodegradable unscented detergent. Place your dirty clothes in the bag with a gallon of water and soap. Seal the bag and shake. Do this for a few minutes. Then, dump the water and replace it with a clean gallon of water. Shake and repeat this step. Take your clothes out of the bag, ring them out, shake them, and lay out to dry! This is a quick and easy way to stay clean! You can also use Arm and Hammer baking soda pods for your shoes to help keep them fresh!
#3 Laundromat
If you are living out of a van one excellent resource you can utilize are laundromats. Laundromats are popular and located in most places. Plus, they are affordable. This is especially great after a long camping trip where you were using the DIY method. Run a load in the laundromat for a perfect deep clean!
Hygiene Importance
We hope you found this guide to hygiene while camping useful. Van life can be liberating but it is also important to make sure you are taking care of yourself during your endless adventures!