A delicate subject, perhaps, but ...

SeeYa

Guest
... how does one manage one's toilet and personal hygiene needs when travelling in a camper van without in-built shower and/or loo facilities?

While I'm not expecting to be able to shower everyday, my experience sailing tells me that it's important to keep one's bits fresh and most cruising boats have, at least, a hand shower albeit with limited water.

I also know about portapotties(?) but have to wonder if there aren't alternatives other than over a wall or behind a tree. Are there other ways of collecting and disposing of the stuff hygienically? If dog owners can collect their animals poo in plastic bags and dispose of it in doggy poo containers, why not humans?

Sorry to raise this on a Sunday but, while I'm sure that I'll find my own ways of dealing with these important matters in (or, at least, near!) my first little camper, I just gotta know and know now!

Yeah, yeah, I should have researched this before buying the damned thing but ...

... I'm a boy ferkricesake!
 
A strip wash is all you need if no shower ,bowl of warm water , Flannel or sponge some soap or shower gel and bobs your Dads Brother, i know of people who wee in a bucket and dispose of it in a hedge somewhere, not much different to a man having a pee in a hedge really, the same people also poo in a bag and then dispose of it in doggy bins as you say, ,but you can buy cheaply, PORTI POTTIES , they have a flush system into a holding tank, to be emptied responsibly at public toilets or camp site toilets where available, the Portia Potties can be quite small if short of space and will fit into a small locker, you can also buy toilet tents, these are small tents designed to put the Porta pottie in for outside use, you could also rig up a shower in the toilet tent using a hand pressure spray that you use for spraying gardens.:):):):)
 
I have only a cold tap connected to a manual pump submersed in a jerrican - but I manage.

With kitchen roll and shower gel, you can have a good all-over wash and, if you have a gas burner and kettle then you can even have the luxury of hot water. If I have a hot water bottle overnight then the following morning I use the lukewarm water for a wash.

Re loos - I have a porta-potti but it's seldom used. There are public loos to be found in most areas and if you're near a supermarket then these can offer very good facilities particularly if you go at a quiet time and have them to yourself! Tesco baby rooms have tall taps which are ideal for filling 2-litre water bottles which are easily carried out in one of the store's own bags and can top-up the jerrican

Re showers - after 4-5 days max I'm forced to give in and use a camp site to take advantage of their showers but I aim to be as self-sufficient and improvise for as long as possible - which is part of the fun of wilding!
 
h'mmmmmmm

:cool:bucket 'm chuck it......
old fashioned potty or bucket with lid
chuck any toilet WITHOUT chemicals USE brush and GOOD CLEANSER -dettol ?FOR CONTAINER apre!
OR USE DISPERSING CHEMICAL FOR LONGER POO LIFE!
SOLAR SHOWER OR JUF WAEM WATER-STAND IN BASIN-BABY BATH.
LOTS WIPES-FOLLOW HOSPITAL PRACTICE SPONGES, CLOTHS WIPES BASINS ETC AND BUY A BAXK SCRUBBER :p;):):eek::rolleyes::eek::eek::eek::eek:
 
Thanks for all the inputs and sorry to Tippy for spoiling her Sunday lunch!

I'd forgotten all about the solar bag shower which I've actually used on a boat in much warmer climes where it produced water that was actually too hot - very useful.

I've also done a bit more i'net research and came across a site (which I can't find again for some reason) where a Swedish guy was developing a plastic bag that when buried effectively neutralised the pathogens in any waste and turned itself and the contents into fertiliser - brilliant!

His aim is to use it in undeveloped countries where sanitation is an increasing problem for rapidly increasing populations but I'm wondering if it has an application with the camping or, indeed, an other alternative for the green fraternity's reed loos etc - it'd certainly save on water!
 
Baby wipes for me too, CIF wipes for cleaning toilet...do NOT mix them up!! :D
 
sanitation in third world countries is a disaster. having talked with some of the officials in gambia on the subject. i find they didnt understand the simplicety of a cess pit. a good looked after cesspit can get rid of all your wastes of that sort. but never put bleach etc down the toilet or flood it out with washing water. itys a big problem here .people buy a country cottage .the cesspit as been ok for years ,young new couple come in washing machine dish washer put all the water down into cesspit. washes all the bacteria away or kills it .then they have to keep paying for it to be emptied . not cheap. keeps drivers like me busy. thats why i always say never wash the inside of your cassette out, leave the bacteria to eat the s--t. cheers have fun ,i do .
 
SeeYa said:
I've also done a bit more i'net research and came across a site (which I can't find again for some reason) where a Swedish guy was developing a plastic bag that when buried effectively neutralised the pathogens in any waste and turned itself and the contents into fertiliser - brilliant!
Click to expand...

Check out Ebay item number 230476199757
 
See, it really is an interesting, mindbroadening subject of general interest and applicability - and definitely not something to be brushed under the carpet!

Hygiene's actually a very big issue on boats and I guess all the same rules apply about general care and cleanliness when camping motorhoming ...

... sorry, I am new to this!

Pete
 
Book in to a campsite every two or three nights, Caravan Club offer a 'Motorhome service' for about £5. You can empty loo, have a shower and top up with water!

You will also be surprised how you will have a wee wether you need one or not... just because you've found a loo!! Major supermarkets that have a cafe, petrol stations, service areas, Mc D's, shopping centre's, bus stations etc.
 
There used to be an american product called a Bumper Dumper. It was basically a toilet seat with a plastic bag fitted to it that attached to your towhitch. it was intended for use by construction, forestry and outdoor workers, but still leaves the problem of disposing of the bag and its contents. Not sure if it ever took off, but i've not seen it advertised over here.
 
Hi Randonneur,

I used one of them once.:)

The Police arrested me.:eek:

It was very embarassing being frogmarched down Oxford Street on a busy Saturday afternoon.:p
 
Hi Maingate,

Yeah, don't think they ever ironed out that slight problem with them. :eek: :eek:
 
True

This reminds me.
I once knew a tipper lorry driver and he was bursting for a sh*t and he was in London....
He climbed into the back bit and proceeded to squat and guess what:confused:
A double decker bus parked alongside and it was full...:D
 
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