During a long road trip, it can sometimes be difficult to maintain good hygiene Showers and toilets are not always accessible and not all of us are lucky enough to have enough water or space in our van to have a dedicated toilet space. We have therefore decided to make a small list of things to know how to have good hygiene on the road!
1- What to plan as a toilet kit?
To begin, you should prepare a bag containing your toilet set with at least a soap and shampoo, ideally biodegradable, if you plan to take your shower outside! You should think of getting some large microfibre towels, they take up little space and dry very quickly in the sun. AND, don’t forget your toothbrush! 😉
2- How to quickly wash yourself?
It’s not always easy to maintain your hygiene while travelling, and sometimes showers are not easily accessible so here are three ways to quickly feel fresher without taking a real shower!
To begin, baby wipes are good enough for a quick refresh, and if needed, you can use a dry shampoo to give your hair a beautiful look! The second option is to get reusable microfiber wipes (much more eco-friendly), which you can soak in water to easily moisten your body before and after soaping up. The third option is to get a portable shower you can hang up on a tree, or on your van, to have a good water flow. This is the closest you can get to a real shower, but always make sure you have enough water to fill your small reservoir.
When it comes to privacy, portable shower cabins exist, but depending of your van, a simple curtain between your two back doors will allow you to shower anywhere.
The best for a long road trip is to plan the equipment for all three options, in order to be able to alternate and to have several possibilities depending on where you are.
3- Where to have access to a real shower?
Obviously, nothing can equal a real shower, for its comfort and hot water! Fortunately, many places offer showers, usually inexpensive or free when you’re lucky. Campsites, major rest areas, municipal swimming pools, beaches and marinas are often good places to take a good hot shower.
Take the time to call them or go there to meet the employees and to ask them what would be possible to do, they will often be able to accommodate you.
4- How to go to the toilet on the road?
When it comes to using the bathroom, many people use public restrooms at rest areas, convenience stores, or any other public place they come across. You can also download the Flush app (available on Android and Apple), which will allow you to find public toilets no matter where you are!
It usually works well when the toilets are clean, but in the forest or at night, toilets aren’t always easily accessible so the idea of a portable toilet can come in handy.
Our new 2022 conversion kit allows you to add a toilet (as an option) in the front right storage bin. You won’t have to worry anymore, you’ll always have a toilet available in your van! If you have an older kit, various types of portable toilets are offered on the market, at different prices, so it’s yours to choose!
Our tip: make sure you have a lid, wood chips or litter, and toilet bags to cut odors as much as possible!
5-Where and when to wash your clothes?
It isn’t always easy to find a place to wash your clothes if you’re in small villages (and very rare on islands!), So take the time to do so when passing through large cities. But be careful, since 2020, a lot of laundry rooms require a reservation in advance, and you can’t always stay there! So select a laundry room with activities, or a coffee shop nearby, as it can take an hour long, or even more, and it might be a little boring when you have absolutely nothing to do in the area.
Try to avoid going in the evenings, weekends, or lunchtime as these times are often very busy, midweek is often the best times to go. Obviously, you need to plan some cash money, and not just a little, because doing all of your washing and drying can easily cost over $ 10 in big cities. Take the opportunity to wash your sheets, it always feels good a little freshness!
Don’t forget that you can add the fresh kit when you rent a van (discover the other rental options here)! It will certainly help you if you’re worried about having access to a toilet and want to have good hygiene during your trip. Over time you will develop your own tips, so feel free to share them with people you meet, this is how the vanlife community will become better!
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