Staying fresh and clean

We made an intentional decision to not include a shower in our van build so as not to compromise on space. As a result, we created a short-list of options to stay fresh and clean (for the most part).

It is worth adding that this list is compiled by someone who would sometimes shower twice a day (in an urban living situation), values feeling clean, and is an admitted germ-freak.

Below is a ranked list of our options to keep good hygiene.

Best Shower Option Planet Fitness This is our favorite option for several reasons: locations are typically open 24/7, showers are clean, and there are private shower stalls. Finally, we also get to workout 🏋️‍♀️ We purchased 1 Black Card Membership for less than $25 per month, which means we can visit any Planet Fitness location around the world. Additionally, a Black Card Member is allowed one guest (ie. me 😉). 💡Van Living Tip: since some Planet Fitness gyms do not require a 12-month commitment and you are allowed to pick any gym as your ‘home gym’, be sure to pick one that provides this flexibility

2nd Best Shower Option Friends & Family’s Homes We love showering at friends’ and family’s homes, since it means we are spending time with people we love. Since we are typically visiting friends and family during the work week, we are usually cutting into their daily routines. So we don’t rank this as our best option since we don’t like creating a shower queue in their household.

Arne Hanna Aquatic Center

in Bellingham, WA

Shower Fee = $3 per person 3rd Best Shower Option Aquatic / Community / Recreation Centers If there are no Planet Fitness Gyms around, this is typically our go-to shower option. When we discovered this as an option, we loved it because it allowed us to live more like a local than a tourist. We don’t always love showers here because they are usually communal (not much privacy), and they can cost as much as $10 per person. 💡Van Living Tip: also search for Public Showers in the city you are visiting

💡Shower Pro-Tip Designated Shower Bags When we first started vanlife, we would take 5-10 minutes to pack our shower bags before walking into a gym or community center. Now we each have a shower bag that has our soap, shampoo, and towel. Mine also contains a razor, hairdryer, and hairbrush.

Least Used Shower Option Outdoor Garage Hose We thought this would be the shower option for us. But there are a three conditions that need to be in place to use this option: 1. Park in a remote enough location to pull this off (ie. not a Walmart Parking Lot) 2. No mosquitos or yellow jackets 3. Warm enough temperatures outside Due to the places we travel to, we have only been able to use this option twice over a 2-month period.

Pictured is a size large Epic Wipe, they are about $1.00-1.50 per wipe. Best Non-Shower Option Epic Wipes Alright, if you are considering vanlife, you have to know that not showering is going to become a reality on some days. But that doesn’t mean you can’t feel clean! We use Epic Wipes which are basically large high-quality ‘adult’ baby wipes. They are super moist, don’t rip, and have a nice neutral smell. They are individually wrapped, made of bamboo, and are 100% biodegradable. This option makes up 30% of our showers.

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