Many people believe that communing with nature would be much more enjoyable if it weren’t so filthy. A camping trip in the woods brings with it not only bugs and things that go bump in the night, but also dirt. While there is little that can be done about forest creatures that slither, bite, sting, and wander into campsites without permission, maintaining cleanliness is simple. A good camping shower is all that is required.
Showers for camping are available in a variety of styles, with prices ranging from ten to several hundred dollars (USD). There are versions with hot water and pressure, as well as primitive contraptions that provide a simple cold-water rinse. Open-air camping showers are available, as well as showers with a full enclosure and a shower curtain.
Plastic garden sprayers, which can be found at any hardware store, can be used to make the most basic camping shower. A new, unused sprayer, which is normally used to mist insecticides or herbicides on flowers or plants, can be filled with water just as easily. The water is under pressure after a few pumps of the handle. The nozzle can also be adjusted for a wide spray or a narrow stream. It is not elegant, but it is inexpensive at an average of $5 US Dollars (USD).
The solar shower is probably the most popular camping shower, both in terms of affordability and the fact that it takes up very little packing space. A solar shower is a three to five gallon (11.4 to 18.9 liter) plastic or Mylar® bag filled with water that is left in the sun to dry. A tube for filling the bag is on one end, and a hook allows it to be hung or tied to a tree limb is on the other. A shower nozzle is on the other end. The bag is filled with water, heated for a few hours, and then hung from the ceiling.
A lukewarm, low-pressure rinse will be provided by solar camping showers. A propane camping shower is a more enjoyable option. A water tank, a small propane canister and burner, a hose of at least six feet (1.8 meters) in length, and a hand-operated plunger to pressurize the water in the tank are all included in these devices. The water in the tank will heat to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.7 degrees Celsius) in less than 10 minutes once the propane burner is lit. Propane showers are a great option for groups of campers who want to stay clean while on the road.