How To Shower In A Van

Staying clean during van life is non-negotiable. Taking showers in your van is tricky with lots of nuances. While it's entirely possible to build a shower inside of your van, there are plenty of alternative and practical ideas that save money, space, and resources.

In this post, we'll take a look at how to actually shower in your van, if it's worth it to have a shower in your van, some of the logistics behind having one, and some great alternatives to staying clean on the road.

Table Of Content

Indoor Vs. Outdoor Shower

Is It Worth It To Have A Shower In A Van?How Much Water Do You Need To Shower In A Van?
Where Do People In Vans Shower?
Van Shower Alternatives
Conclusion

Indoor Vs. Outdoor Showers

When you have the luxury and the desire to have a shower in or out of your van, it brings a whole other level of being self-sufficient, enclosed, or off the grid. Some of the coolest van builds have fully built-in showers, with tiles, curtains, etc.

The middle-ground solutions are some crafty ways to achieve the same result. A lot of van builds simply do not have the space or the resources for a shower, so there are plenty of ways to get the job done outdoors too!

Indoor Van Showers

Having an indoor shower in your van allows you to live the high life while on the road. With some limitations in mind, you could shower daily and really blend home and van life.

Some people build full-out tiled wet baths, including a toilet in their shower space. Some builds have built-in vents for their shower space to prevent moisture build-up.

Take a look at this video to see an ultra-luxurious van shower.

Alternatively, there are folks who make more crafty and multifunctional showers. A lot of them are based on the same principle or a stowable shower head mounted above, a curtain that somehow suspends all the way to the floor, and some sort of capture system, like a large bucket or drainage to the outdoors.

Check out this crafty van shower solution.

Ultimately, showering inside your van comes with some nuances. Keeping the moisture contained is a big deal, especially if your water is creating steam. Moisture getting behind your walls should be avoided at all costs.

It's also difficult to carry enough water to make the shower worth using on a regular basis. So, your showers need to be short, and in the style of "get wet, turn off the water, soap up, turn on the water, rinse, turn off the water, soap another area, turn on the water, ...". Take a look below at how much water it takes to shower.

Your van showers likely won't be as spacious as at home, so bending over to wash, shave your legs, etc might become that much more difficult.

Outdoor Van Showers

The next step in van shower luxury is having some sort of external shower. There are many ways to accomplish this, and depending on your desire for being one with nature, they can be a more intimate experience with your new location. While this isn't necessarily inside of your van, it's still a shower based around your van.

Using a simple hose and shower head attachment to your sink and mounting it outside is a great solution. This works with your preexisting plumbing setup, so it might not work well for those with foot pumps (unless you have a gracious friend).

Road shower tubes act as a way to store water, heat it, and let gravity wash over yourself. They're pretty compact and discrete (they look like an awning), but they're a hassle to fill and set up.

Propane water heaters are also a great alternative and are easy to set up. It allows you to shower in any body of water (use a clean one) and even have hot water on demand! Check out the video below to see how great they can make your backcountry life.

Rechargeable electric shower heads are another way to shower outside of your van. While cold, they're highly portable and convenient. They can work with a bucket, or in a body of water.

Another option is to use a garden sprayer as a pressurization reservoir for water. While bulky in how it stores away, it gets the job done.

Unfortunately, it takes a bit of gall to shower outside, especially in a semi-public area. More so if you're trying to remain incognito. Thankfully, you can use tarps for curtains between your rear doors, or even buy a stand-up tent that allows you some privacy while showering.

Is It Worth It To Have A Shower In A Van?

While having a shower in your van is an extreme luxury, it might not be the best use of space and resources. In this section, we'll go over some pros and cons of having a shower in your van.

Pros Of Having A Shower In A Van

• Showers whenever you want
• Storage for wet clothing and gear
• Fully off-grid capabilities
• Privacy
• Storage of composting toilet

Cons Of Having A Shower In A Van

• Temperature-sensitive plumbing system
• Expensive to build
• Moisture build-up from steam
• Water containment problems
• Uses a lot of your limited water
• Dealing with grey water
• Usage of space

I believe a permanent shower in your van is a waste of space, money, and time. There are plenty of other options that give you much more freedom in many other aspects of van life.

If you're on a tight budget, take a look at this post about the financials of living in a van.

How Much Water Do You Need To Shower In A Van?

How much water you use depends a lot on how you choose to take your showers. On average, you might use 1-5 gallons, depending on your habits.

Perhaps one of the biggest limiting factors to having a shower in a van is the amount of water it uses. How much water you bring can influence how long you can be off the grid. Cooking, cleaning, showering, and drinking all take a toll on your water reserves.

At home, the average water usage during a shower is 12-40 gallons. Some of the biggest water reservoirs for vans are 36 gallons. So, conservation will be key to ensuring you don't run your system dry by mistake.

Look at how little water Kara and Nate are able to use in their van.

Where Do People In Vans Shower?

Sticking to the idea of an actual shower, which is far superior to any other option in my mind, is the question of where people can shower if they live in a van without one. From the gym to a sneaky shower meant for beachgoers, there are a plethora of options available to those looking to clean up.

• Gyms (chain gyms like Planet Fitness, Anytime Fitness)
• Recreation Centers (often some of the cheapest)
• Campgrounds (sometimes allow non-campers to shower)
• Beaches (showers next to changing areas)
• Truck Stops (they're not just for truckers)
• Pools (please shower before enjoying the water)
• Friends (or family)

Some options are sneaky, some are legal, and some are paid. There are plenty of other options than having a shower in your van. They might even be less expensive overall compared to the cost of building.

Take a look at this post for more information on if a gym membership is worth it during van life!

Van Shower Alternatives

For most of us, we end up in this category. As seen above, having and using a shower in your van is a lot of work. While it's sometimes worth it, for the most part, other options are sufficient. Here's a list of an alternative ways to clean yourself while on the road.

• Cleaning wipes (baby wipes, Wilderness Wipes)

• Natural bodies of water (lakes, rivers, oceans, hot springs)

• Bird bathing (sponge, cloth, pouring water over yourself)

Some of these options only get you so far. Similarly, they lack the amazing feeling of on-demand, unlimited, "as hot as you want it" water.

If you're not in public every day, attending meetings, or facing clients, then you can likely get away with not showering daily.

Conclusion

Showering in a van truly is a luxury of van life. Showering in your van is great for privacy, and showering outside is an incredible way to connect with nature.

However, not everyone has access to this luxury. Depending on your circumstances, you might need to weigh the option of installing one in your van or not.

Thankfully, there are many places van lifers can shower. And when an actual shower is not an option, there are plenty of options to stay clean during your travels.

Leave a comment below to share some of your cleaning hacks while on the road.