How to Shower in an RV
We all love a hot shower, indulge in a little sudsy procrastination – but in an RV it’s different. Your goal is to be in and out as fast as possible, saving water while also getting clean. Well, there’s a term for this and maybe you call it something else, but commonly it’s considered a military or navy shower.
But, whether you call it a military shower, navy shower, or something else it’s a great way to save water because it involves reducing water run time. It’s typically associated with the military, due to the need to conserve energy and water on navy ships, but it’s become more popular now with those both interested in conserving water and money on hydro. And if you have finite fresh water at camp, this is a super handy technique.
So how effective are they?
Let’s consider that a standard showerhead uses approximately 2.5 gallons of water per minute. So with that math, a 6-12 minute rinse will use 15-30 gallons of water, and when you add this up over a year (or even a month) that number goes up fast! But, cutting off the water during your shower when you don’t need it helps conserve, and lessens your worries about filling it up as often.
The How To of It All: Or, how to shower when every drop counts.
Yes, some of these steps border on teaching a child, but we’re going to cover all our bases.
Birthday Suit: You’re still naked as the day you were born in this showering style, so put your clothes or what you’re changing into somewhere they’ll stay dry and make sure you have all your shower necessities on hand: soap, shampoo/conditioner, wash cloth, etc.
Hop In: Get the shower to your acceptable temperature and climb in. If you’re in a public shower we recommend shower shoes to protect your feet from germs or fungi. Be careful not to slip!
Soak and Suds: Get your entire body wet as fast as possible, including dousing your hair. If you’re keen on keeping this style of shower up you can invest in a showerhead that features an on-off switch, saving you from having to adjust your water temperature.
Once you’re wet turn the water off, this should only take 30-45 seconds. Then get to lathering, no special body wash or soap required just your favorite and a cloth, loofa, or what-have-you. The water isn’t running at this point, so take your time and be thorough! You can get your shampoo lathered at this time too, although some prefer to do body then hair in stages, it’s up to choice really.
Rinse Cycle: Turn the water back on and rinse off quickly, but completely. Not rinsing all the soap off your body can actually lead to skin irritation, and improperly rinsed hair can cause itchiness, dandruff, and product build-up over time.
Depending on your personal routine, you will need to repeat this process a few times. Things like specific hair care or skin needs can add a few rounds, just be sure to rinse and turn the water off as quickly as possible in between steps.
Towel Off: Afterwards it’s just a fact of drying off and getting dressed, completing any other after shower steps you may require like lotions or skin and hair products.
When done correctly, this style of showering should only take a few minutes. And just like all things, the more you do it the more efficient you’ll become. Over time, aside from using less water, you’ll likely notice some savings on your bills as well. Whether by choice or necessity, there are lessons to be learnt from the military shower.