Wash yourself!

Time to tackle down one of the most asked questions I got! How do I stay clean? Where do I go to the bathroom?

Is full time living in a Van a dirty choice?

Restroom

So where do I releave myself?

Well in fact, i got a dry toilet in my Van, inside a drawer!

Making it inside a drawer is really cool. It is hidden, but I can access it in seconds. I have two 3D printed latches on it, so I’m sure it dosn’t roll out when I’m driving.

I have room in there for the bucket, a jerrycan where I do number 1, wood chips, also some storage for toilet rolls, cleaning products(mostly vinegar and dish soap) and garbage bags.

Having a separate container for number 1 is not necessary. In fact, when I got friends, I don’t ask them to separate. But I’m used to it, and it save me some time before it is full.

I was wondering about the toilet system which way I should go, chemical toilet or dry one? After reading a bit about it, I decided to go for the dry one, I could switch later if needed. Well, I won’t, i don’t regret my choice!

What’s nice about it?

• It is really easy to build! Just a bucket in a closet, a container for wood chips, and your done.
• it is easy to use, you just do your thing, cover it with wood chips, and that’s it.
• it is easy to dump. Well I could be happier if there is more places where this can be used, like a compost, but there is not so much of that in France, so I typically dump it with my garbage.
• it doesn’t smell and doesn’t use chemicals.

Van cleaning and trash can

Well, living in 6 meter square is nice, sure it get dirty faster because it is a tiny space, but it also make cleaning time really short.

On a daily basis, I wash my dishes and I clean the flat surfaces just after.

The floor is cleaned with shovel and brush once a day, sometimes more often. And I mop the floor once a week or so, it depends of the weather mostly, it get dirty faster when it is raining outside.

I got a trash can under my desk, while it is not hidden, it is really nice to have it on hand with the shovel and brush whenever I need it.

I got a second bag for recycling, but I keep it on the passanger floor most of the time. This take some place, but don’t smell, and i do want to use a recycling bin, even while living on the road!

Washroom

Well, sort of…

I’ve made a place in my Van with a mirror where I can brush my teeth, clean my face, or cut my hair. In there I have also some little shelves for my daily use skincare products, shaving products, daily medications.

I’ve put it right over the sink, for more convenience.

It is a part of my beakfast and spices rack/kitchenware combo closet, you can see it in Feeding good.

I just have to open that door, and I have direct access to my washroom, easy, as always!

Shower

While i do not have (yet) hot water in my Van, mostly because of regulations about it, I do have a way to shower or at least clean myself!

When it is cold outside, or when I’m in urban mode, i just use a plastic basin that I put on the floor, not to be messy. Then i just wash myself with a washcloth, I can use warmed water if I want to, it is not as pleasant as a shower, but it is as efficient, and it use less water!

When it is warm outside, that’s when the fun part come: i have an outdoor shower!

It is located under the passenger seat, so I just have to open the passenger door, put a wood gratings on the floor and have a shower.

While I’m a little bit hidden by the passenger door, I like to do it when I’m in the wood, or not so close to the civilization. I am not really a shy person, but I understand this could disturb other human beings, and I have no right to impose that on them.

clean, isn’t it?

So what do you think of it? Still sure that living in a Van make me a dirty person?

I hope you liked the way I live in this Van, and i’m sure it could help you make the same choice if your still hesiting! You can check some other Van presentation posts to see if there is more ideas that can help you.