Let’s face it—camping can be grungy. As a working woman, I have not lost my need to feel clean and presentable when I go into public, which will be this afternoon, since I need to find some internet and phone service soon!
I bought this Ivation RECHARGEABLE shower on Amazon about a year ago when I had started planning for this, my first solo camping trip of more than a day or two. When I charged it 3 days ago, I found it had held 90% of its charge for the year it sat unused!
I made a simple conversion from “office-in-the-woods” to “shower-in-the-woods” by using my desk as a vanity for shampoo etc., and removing everything else but for the shower and a large pot of hot water. I wanted to bring a stainless deep turkey fryer and heat the water over my fire, but couldn’t fit that in Sparky this trip. So I use the largest pot I have and heat the water on my Coleman stove, with an extra coffeepot-full at the same time just in case I need more.
I have always loved showering outdoors, but this shower – overlooking the creek and under the shade of huge pine trees, is the best yet. I simply hang the shower head from the center grommet on my screen shelter’s ceiling. Even though I doubt anyone would see me from the road, I ensured my privacy by installing (very easy) two of the wind panels on my shelter, just on the sides that were barely visible from the road. The soft panels, made of the same fabric as the roof, just hook on the top and bottom corners and Velcro across the top and sides of the shelter. When not using them, I leave them hooked at the bottom and just rolled up for easy install next shower time.
This shower-in-the-woods experience beats a 5-star hotel any day. Squeaky fresh and clean, I am! IMPORTANT UPDATE: Some astute adventurers have made a point that, even though I am using mostly Dr. Bronner’s unscented castille soap, it is safe for the ground but NOT for water and aquatic life! I have moved my shower 100 ft. away from the water, even though it was about 12 ft. above on a ledge. Also, I got rid of all cosmetics other than organic, unscented shea butter and Dr. Bronner’s unscented castille, and baking soda for tooth-brushing–as well as unscented laundry detergent. I’m going in to bear country, and one must be careful not to smell TOO GOOD!
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That’s pretty high tech! The last outdoor shower I bought was a black hdpe bag which you filled with water and hung in the sun to heat up. I like yours a little better – good job.
Thanks. I never tried the solar kind, but think this has more flexibility in terms of when I get to take one.