Just because you’re camping doesn’t mean you should neglect your hygiene.
Fortunately, campgrounds often have showers that make it easy for campers to wash off dirt, sweat, and anything else that nature has left on them.
However, there are a handful of common mistakes that are made when using camp showers.
Today, we’re going to show you these mistakes and how to avoid them so you can stay clean and fresh while camping. Let’s get started!
What are showers at campsites?
Many campgrounds offer bathhouses with toilets and showers. Camping showers are available for guests.
However, the quality of facilities varies by campground. Some keep their showers better maintained and clean than others.
These facilities are beneficial for tent campers and campers in smaller RVs who do not have full bathrooms. They are a great way to get clean and stay fresh in the great outdoors.
How do campground showers work?
Showers at campgrounds are generally on a first-come, first-served basis. Many of these showers operate the same way as residential showers.
Every now and then, however, you will find campgrounds with fee-based showers. At these showers, campers must insert a quarter into a slot and receive a few minutes of water in return.
Some showers attempt to conserve water by asking the user to push a button every 30 to 60 seconds.
How do you take a shower at a campsite?
Taking a shower at a campsite means packing your things and taking everything you need to the campsite showers. Depending on the campsite, these are individual shower rooms or gender-specific bathrooms with shower stalls.
In either case, when showering at the campground, be considerate of other campers and be as efficient as possible. You don’t want to waste water or take up more time than necessary.
Are the showers at the campsite clean?
The cleanliness of showers at campgrounds depends greatly on the location. They usually vary greatly from campground to campground. We have experienced some hotel-like restrooms at campgrounds and RV resorts and were quite impressed.
Many campgrounds go to great lengths to maintain and update their restrooms. However, that is not always the case. Some campground showers and sanitary facilities have not been updated in decades. No matter how well you clean these sanitary facilities, they still look pretty rough.
5 mistakes you make when using campsite showers.
If you have to use a camping shower, you need to make sure you do it right. Let’s dive into the five mistakes people make when using a camping shower.
Not wearing shower shoes
You should always wear shower shoes when using a public shower. This will help you avoid walking barefoot on surfaces that may or may not have been thoroughly cleaned recently. They serve as a protective layer between your feet and the unclean surface.
Not wearing shower shoes in a community setting can lead to bacterial and fungal infections such as athlete’s foot, ringworm, and staph/MRSA infections.
Many people wear cheap flip-flops as shower shoes. However, you should make sure they do not slip off your feet and provide enough grip on slippery surfaces to prevent falls.
Remember: If you rely on public showers when you’re on the road, here’s what you need to know. How to find clean and safe public showers!
Showers at peak times
Since campground showers are used on a first-come, first-served basis, you have to be careful about when you shower. Typically, showers are busiest in the evening when everyone is trying to get clean before going to bed after a day of adventure.
If you try to shower during peak hours, you’re likely to stand in line and feel rushed while showering.
If you want to avoid crowds, shower as early as possible. Instead of showering after dinner, have as many of your campers shower as possible while dinner is cooking.
This will make the evening after dinner less chaotic. You can sit around the campfire and enjoy each other’s company without worrying about someone stinking up the campsite.
Items left behind
We don’t know how many times we’ve entered a campground shower and found shampoo, conditioner, or body wash left behind by another camper.
We also don’t know how many times we were the campers who left something behind.
Leaving something behind after showering is a waste. Usually the cleaning staff throws the items in the trash at the next cleaning. You need to buy these items again before the next shower.
If you use a shower caddy or something similar to store your shower utensils, you can make sure you don’t leave anything behind in the camp shower.
Showering too long
Always be considerate of other campers, especially when showering.
A line can form in the evening hours, and you don’t want others to have to wait longer than necessary. Be as efficient as possible when showering so you don’t inconvenience others.
In addition, keep your showers short to conserve water. Just because you don’t pay the water bill doesn’t mean the water is free.
Many campgrounds use revenue from reservation fees to pay their bills, including water usage. So don’t be wasteful and use water unnecessarily or take too long a shower just because you can.
Remember: Using a vault toilet is not the end of the world as long as you know not to make any of these 5 mistakes!
Do not have coins at hand
While many campgrounds have limited-time or free showers, this is not always the case.
As mentioned earlier, campers at some campgrounds have to pay to use the campground showers. In the event you find yourself at one of these campgrounds, it’s a good idea to have a few coins handy.
The cost varies by location, but a quarter will usually get you a few minutes of hot water to wash up.
If you’ve never taken the time to shower efficiently, this is a good time to learn, because otherwise you’ll spend a fortune and need a big stack of quarters every time you shower.
Avoid these camping shower mistakes
Showers at campgrounds allow adventurers to stay clean and fresh while spending time in nature. However, if not used properly, they can become a nightmare.
Fortunately, if you can avoid some of the common mistakes we’ve discussed with you today, showering at a campground will be a painless and stress-free experience.