Public Showers

Team Incredible

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We have just returned from a few days away in our van and came across the problem of not having a shower for the first time. We think baby wipes are one of the best inventions ever but there comes a time when you need a more thorough wash. We knew we were coming home so were content to be a bit whiffy together :giggle: but wondered how others in smaller vans with no showers manage for longer trips. We are really enjoying wild camping and use little water in the van so have no need to really go onto a campsite, apart from to use the shower. We thought of using showers in motorway service stations and sport centres but are there other places with showers available to the public?
 
have done it in the past when camping with another 'larger' family.. went to the local leisure centre and booked a badminton court for £8.. the older kids had a game whilst us parents took the younger ones and all got showered, then the older ones had showers while we sat in the cafe for coffee!! there were 12 of us, so a pretty cheap shower really!! and didnt have to worry about the length of time either.. worked very well!! (and the teens enjoyed a game of badminton too!!)
 
try the truck stops..... but more important wear flip flops in showers ....in case you stub your toe
 
A bit cold this weather, but when we had a sb without a shower, John rigged up a garden hose & sprinkler on the back doors attached to a pump and we used to have a five gallon container we poured boiling hot water into about a half full container of cold water. We fastened a piece of kite fabric using the metal clips that market traders use, between the doors & covered the gap down the hinges of the doors as well. Used to be lovely when it was sunny.
 
Leisure centre
sport complex
Swimming pools
Motorway stops ( noticed there are showers , but never use it , )
 
Babywipes are virtually just man made fibre soaked in baby oil, so you could save money by wiping with baby oil on a sheet of paper towel. However, you can't beat a bit of soap and water really.


Old fashioned flannel-bath.
Just fill a bowl with warm water, then use a facecloth to wash top down as far as 'possible', then start at the feet and wash up as far as 'possible', then wash 'possible'!

Even with our on-board shower, this is what we tend to do, as it saves water, and saves all that mopping up afterwards.

To save water when washing hair, use a 2-in-1 shampoo, rub it into dry hair, then use a jug to rinse. It works fine.
 
Best advice is wear your clothes inside out, when you go for a coffee or to the opera then turn them the right way. Saves a fortune on washing and after a week you won't notice the smell - others might but they are probably strangers anyway.
 
marydot said:
Babywipes are virtually just man made fibre soaked in baby oil, so you could save money by wiping with baby oil on a sheet of paper towel. However, you can't beat a bit of soap and water really.


Old fashioned flannel-bath.
Just fill a bowl with warm water, then use a facecloth to wash top down as far as 'possible', then start at the feet and wash up as far as 'possible', then wash 'possible'!

Even with our on-board shower, this is what we tend to do, as it saves water, and saves all that mopping up afterwards.

To save water when washing hair, use a 2-in-1 shampoo, rub it into dry hair, then use a jug to rinse. It works fine.
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we call this "birdbathing"
 
Baby wipes aren't oily really and are very effective in cleaning, although brands vary greatly! However, you need soap and water on your skin and hair now and again or it can cause problems. I use a sponge that I got from Bodyshop, a sort of mild scourer on one side and sponge on the other. I also have one of those coir body brushes for when I'm in the shower. I have used public showers all over but tend now to pick a cheap camp site and get water, shower, do laundry, empty and clean cassette, charge batteries and generally take advantage of all the facilities, maximising what I get for my money.
Flannel, sponge, baby wipe dipped in hot water, anything works really.
My camper has a sink in the toilet, and the tap pulls out and turns into a shower head. The problem is cleaning the bathroom afterwards, (It's a wet room) and the fact that you have to heat a whole tank of 10 litres of water, which takes an hour on gas, and what you can't use is wasted. So I've never used it.
 
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Shower

When we had our boat there was no shower..the best thing we ever bought was a 12v shower from maplins. Just fill bucket with hot water, drop in the12v pump and hey presto..a mini power shower. It has really good power and now keep it as a back up on the camper....have seen them on amazon but there are cheap nasty ones about
 
Gemani2 said:
When we had our boat there was no shower..the best thing we ever bought was a 12v shower from maplins. Just fill bucket with hot water, drop in the12v pump and hey presto..a mini power shower. It has really good power and now keep it as a back up on the camper....have seen them on amazon but there are cheap nasty ones about
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We use one of these in the driveaway awning...standing in one of those plastic garden carry caddies so you can pour the water away somewhere sensible afterwards. Works a treat :)
 
No problem, buy a solar water heater, a toilet tent and a pump up garden spray, hot water for free, pour hot and cold water into spray unit until the temperature is right, go into tent and have a shower also works if you just want to wash your hair, used this system with our old V.Duv Spltty, worked a treat

Happy Travels
Regards Ken:D:D:wacko:
 
Naked?: in a tall thin tent?? in a lay-by on the A6???:lol-061:
 
Caravan and Camping club have a scheme where for I think its £5 you can use all the amenities for 3 hours, so drop grey, empty toilet, fill up with fresh water, have a shower and wash your cloths if you want. Never used it myself but know people who used them a couple of times a week.
 
marydot said:
Old fashioned flannel-bath.
Just fill a bowl with warm water, then use a facecloth to wash top down as far as 'possible', then start at the feet and wash up as far as 'possible', then wash 'possible'!
QUOTE]

This method served us well touring in Spain and Portugal this winter for day to day cleaning.

We do use our on-board shower. I get the job of drying it our before putting things back into it as it also acts as storage.

We full time in our van and I would rather use my own shower than one provided in campsites/truck stops or other public facilities.

John
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When I was fulltiming in a van without a shower years ago, I bought a garden 'pump up' sprayer and one of those outdoor rubber mats. Then I used to find a layby or off-road style car park, open the rear doors and then reverse against the hedge to use the doors as curtains. Then I would boil the kettle for some hot water, mix it to the right temperature in the sprayer and then soak myself while standing on the mat. A good soap up and then a rinse off would leave me feeling squeaky clean.

If I was near a town or village, I'd just find a leisure centre as others have said. Most of the time I'd get a shower for free, but then some started charging 50p or £1.00. The odd few wanted more, but I'd just pay to go and have a swim instead; that way I'd get two showers AND a long bath for my money. :D
 
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