Bathing

[ShaunSquid]

You can dump dirty water safely.&nbsp; You need to use biodegradable soap without weird crap in it (try Dr. Bronner's), and add a drop or two of bleach before dumping to kill bacteria.&nbsp; 50 Gallons seems excessive though.&nbsp; My suggestion would be something closer to a rubbermaid and a 5 gallon solar shower.&nbsp; You dont want to be driving around with that much water, and you dont want to be refilling it so ofter because that is a LOT of water.<br>

 

[sl1966]

At 50 gallons you're carrying 417 pounds of water too. Save gas, save $$$. Only fill up with water before you arrive at your destination.

 

[vonu]

I have been using 2 gallons of water to get clean every morning for so long that I can't remember when I starting doing it. &nbsp;It is relatively easy to find 2 gallons of clean water every day, and to dispose of it after the deed is done.<div>I use a Sterilite container for a wash basin. &nbsp;If the water is too cold, I heat it with a stove made from a 30,000 BTU/HR burner from a turkey deep fryer, and a 3.5 quart Revereware tea kettle.</div><div>I wash my hair first, by sticking my head in the water to get it wet and then to rinse it. &nbsp;Then I use two wash cloths to clean the rest of me, with a special one for the nether region, which I do last.</div>

 

[Kaldasky]

I have been using 2 gallons of water to get clean every morning for so long that I can't remember when I starting doing it. &nbsp;It is relatively easy to find 2 gallons of clean water every day, and to dispose of it after the deed is done.<div>I use a Sterilite container for a wash basin. &nbsp;If the water is too cold, I heat it with a stove made from a 30,000 BTU/HR burner from a turkey deep fryer, and a 3.5 quart Revereware tea kettle.</div><div>I wash my hair first, by sticking my head in the water to get it wet and then to rinse it. &nbsp;Then I use two wash cloths to clean the rest of me, with a special one for the nether region, which I do last.</div>

<div><br></div><div>Seconding this. It's how me and my family used to keep clean while camping. Solar showers can get a little messy in an interior. And I don't want to go through the trouble of setting up a whole tent thing outside the truck just to get clean.</div><div><br></div><div>The&nbsp;benefit&nbsp;of using such a little bit of water is, you can use some pure or distilled water for cleaning. Which means using less soap. As someone who lives in an area where the water's hardness often exceeds 20 grains per gallon, using as little soap as possible is important.</div>

 

[WanderingRonin]

This is a fascinating topic and thanks to everyone for sharing.<div><br></div><div>My basic plan for now when I move in is a large bin and yes, a bucket and a small cup thingie. I am from a third world and I'm used to it... As long as the results are the same--that I emerge clean, then it's all good. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"></div><div>I was also looking at those plastic kiddie pools but then I thought emptying those things out of my van would be a hassle since they're soft and flexible... might end up spilling the contents all over my interior.&nbsp;</div><div>I do plan to have probably a small shower curtain to prevent spills.</div><div>&nbsp;it's a work in progress for me.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>

 

[vonu]

This is a fascinating topic and thanks to everyone for sharing.<div><br></div><div>My basic plan for now when I move in is a large bin and yes, a bucket and a small cup thingie. I am from a third world and I'm used to it... As long as the results are the same--that I emerge clean, then it's all good. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"></div><div>I was also looking at those plastic kiddie pools but then I thought emptying those things out of my van would be a hassle since they're soft and flexible... might end up spilling the contents all over my interior.&nbsp;</div><div>I do plan to have probably a small shower curtain to prevent spills.</div><div>&nbsp;it's a work in progress for me.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>

<div><br></div><div>If you don't mean a third world country, what were the other two worlds? </div>

 

[Guest]

<P>@vonu: Haven't you read the book, "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus"? There they are! Venus, Earth, and Mars!</P>

 

[4x4tour]

<FONT face="times new roman, times, serif" size=3>I&nbsp;havent vandwelled permanently, but has anyone considered using a 12-volt operated 15 gallon spray spot sprayer (TSC or Harbor Freight) for showering?<BR><BR>I bought one 2 days ago at Tractor Supply Co. for $79.00<BR><BR>I diconnected the rubber hose/wand part and connected 12 feet of clear tubing (from home&nbsp;depot), connected to a shower head (had an old colemant campshower head laying around).&nbsp; It works perfectly as a shower, pet washer, sink faucet etc... perfect pressure, and is portable.&nbsp;&nbsp;I also replaced the clamp on battery connections to a regular 12-volt plug. <BR></FONT><BR><BR>

 

[vonu]

<p>@vonu: Haven't you read the book, "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus"? There they are! Venus, Earth, and Mars!</p>

<div><br></div><div>Might make one wonder why one would want to go to either</div>

 

[Wild_E]

Idea,<div>right now I am using a spay pump up bottle, it is a 2 gal version, just pump it up then spray yourself down.</div><div>Will be getting a 12v bilge pump for only about $24, for space considerations, yes even in this large box truck there is not enough room, and by the way it is only 14ft box truck not the 20 ftrs.</div><div><br></div><div>Right now I just have a shower in the back, or do the wash down thing when I can not get to the gym to workout and have a shower. I will start to lay down a tarp propped up on one side and it just flows out the back under the roll up door. Yes, eco friendly soap.</div><div><br></div><div>I was looking at Canadian Tire and Coleman&nbsp;makes compact cube, Hot Water on demand unit for only $135, put the bilge pump one one side and have a shower on the otherside <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> (you will need two hoses and a tap, as the unit is very hot, so regulate with cold water) Right now I have not gone over 1 gal for any shower, with the unit set up I might, but as you can install a garden hose in place of a tap, so you save water as you only spray when needed, not let the tap run freely. I will do what someone said above, modify a plastic box with a drainage tap, then just let it run out, grey water is safe enough for the environment, especially if there is a small hole to run it into.</div>

 

[vonu]

Idea,<div>right now I am using a spay pump up bottle, it is a 2 gal version, just pump it up then spray yourself down.</div><div>Will be getting a 12v bilge pump for only about $24, for space considerations, yes even in this large box truck there is not enough room, and by the way it is only 14ft box truck not the 20 ftrs.</div><div><br></div><div>Right now I just have a shower in the back, or do the wash down thing when I can not get to the gym to workout and have a shower. I will start to lay down a tarp propped up on one side and it just flows out the back under the roll up door. Yes, eco friendly soap.</div><div><br></div><div>I was looking at Canadian Tire and Coleman&nbsp;makes compact cube, Hot Water on demand unit for only $135, put the bilge pump one one side and have a shower on the otherside <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> (you will need two hoses and a tap, as the unit is very hot, so regulate with cold water) Right now I have not gone over 1 gal for any shower, with the unit set up I might, but as you can install a garden hose in place of a tap, so you save water as you only spray when needed, not let the tap run freely. I will do what someone said above, modify a plastic box with a drainage tap, then just let it run out, grey water is safe enough for the environment, especially if there is a small hole to run it into.</div>

<div><br></div><div>Is there something about a shower that makes it mandatory?</div>

 

[4x4tour]

<P><FONT face="times new roman, times, serif" size=3>Depends... Are we hanging out?&nbsp; lol </FONT></P>

 

[Wild_E]

Yes, eco friendly soap;<div>modify a plastic box with a drainage tap, then just let it run out, grey water is safe enough for the environment, especially if there is a small hole to run it into.</div>

<div><br></div><div>Is there something about a shower that makes it mandatory?</div>

<div>Actually the answer is yes and no;</div><div>eco friendly soap can be run onto the ground or the garden people do it all the time, but to let sticky leave a residue soap with some old body oils sit at your back door and well get on your feet or attract mosquitoes then the answer is no!</div><div>Grey water can be from showers/sinks/kitchen sinks, it should have a wee filter on it to catch any food debris, then either put it into the garden which is safe or put it into a small hole and let the water&nbsp;percolate&nbsp;downwards.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>I have seen grey water sit ontop of the ground and attract insects and wee creatures, so even putting the end into just a small hole in the ground is a better option as far as I am concerned, then I do not have to worry about emptying tanks either.&nbsp;</div><div>It also smells better!</div>

 

[VanFan]

I use a 12 volt pump/shower head combination.&nbsp; A sponge bath is fine, too, but I enjoy a little water pressure for rinsing hair.&nbsp; My water works consists of two cat litter jugs.&nbsp; The pump goes in the fresh water jug (warmed, or not) and I shower over or in a Sterlite tub.<br><br>We usually stay in developed camp grounds where gray water discharge is prohibited.&nbsp; It's simple enough to put a knee high stocking over the pump to catch hair (I shed!) and pump the water out of the tub and into a second jug, which is then easily carried to a sanctioned drain.<br><br>I shower in a pop up enclosure outside of the van.&nbsp; I don't really think I could manage the pump/shower head in the low top van without making a mess, but rinsing over a tub with a cup is no problem.<br><br>Vickie<br><br>

 

[WanderingRonin]

I also plan to keep the water around to at least convert to washing dishes... the dirty plate dip, not the rinse stage. I reckon that way I can sort of recycle the used up bath water and empty it as needed... I don't know yet how well this will work in practice since I could be doing more bathing than actual washing of dishes. I will report my findings as soon as I use the setup. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp;

 

[vonu]

I also plan to keep the water around to at least convert to washing dishes... the dirty plate dip, not the rinse stage. I reckon that way I can sort of recycle the used up bath water and empty it as needed... I don't know yet how well this will work in practice since I could be doing more bathing than actual washing of dishes. I will report my findings as soon as I use the setup. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp;

<div><br></div><div>You could also use the water from either stage to flush the loo.</div>

 

[WanderingRonin]

THAT is an excellent point! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> I did simulate the van bath today. Was pretty good, all things considered. Got really cleaned up with just 2 gallons. I definitely will need some shower curtains surrounding me because some of that water splashed out despite me being very careful...<div><br><div><br></div></div>

 

[vonu]

THAT is an excellent point! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> I did simulate the van bath today. Was pretty good, all things considered. Got really cleaned up with just 2 gallons. I definitely will need some shower curtains surrounding me because some of that water splashed out despite me being very careful...<div><br><div><br></div></div>

<div><br></div><div>Water does not splash off of a wrung washcloth.</div>

 

[butterfly]

<P><FONT size=3 face="Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">maybe it's just me, but I couldn't eat off a plate that had been dunked in bath water...</FONT></P>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

<P><b>Camping etiquette Rule #5. Always&nbsp;use your own dinnerware.&nbsp; <IMG border=0 align=absMiddle src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif">&nbsp; Maybe its a guy thing.</b></P>