Campervan washroom essentials: stay fresh on the road
Hitting the road in a campervan doesn't mean sacrificing personal hygiene. With the right campervan washroom essentials, you can enjoy the great outdoors and still feel as fresh as a daisy
Our guide will walk you through the must-haves, from towels and toiletries to flip-flops and hair dryers, ensuring you're well-prepared for your next adventure.
Page contents
- Campsite washroom basics
- Washbag essentials
- Campervan showers
- Buying advice and tips
- Final thoughts
- About our magazines
Words by Iain Duff
Campsite washroom basics
(Photo by Geneve Brand)
Washroom facilities can vary widely between campsites, from high-end luxury parks with heated floors to basic facilities at smaller sites.
It's essential to know what to expect based on your chosen campsite. Some parks offer accessible showers and family bathrooms, while others may have unisex toilet cubicles.
Using campsite showers
Most campsites provide washroom facilities, typically offering separate male and female toilet blocks with shower cubicles. While many campsites now offer free showers, some may still require tokens or coins for access. It's wise to check the shower situation when booking to avoid any surprises.
Microfibre towels: compact and quick-drying
The key to a good shower or morning wash in a campervan is a practical towel. Forget the bulky, slow-drying cotton towels from home and opt for a microfibre towel.
These towels pack up small, dry quickly, and are available in various sizes, including microfibre bathrobes. Ideal for campervan living, microfibre towels are a space-saving essential.
Protect your feet
Campsite shower floors can get muddy with multiple users, making proper footwear essential. To maintain hygiene and prevent issues like athlete's foot, bring waterproof and easy-to-clean options, such as flip-flops or Crocs.
Slip them on and off effortlessly for a worry-free shower experience.
Washbag essentials: organise and simplify
(Photo courtesy of Snugpak)
A well-packed washbag is a game-changer for campervan living. Choose a spacious washbag with a carry handle to keep all your essentials organised and easily transportable.
Opt for travel-sized toiletries, and consider reusable mini bottles for items like shampoo. Invest in folding travel toothbrushes, each in a different colour for easy identification, and don't forget a folding travel mirror.
Water-free products: ideal for off-grid adventures
For off-grid camping with limited water access, water-free products become invaluable. Companies like Pits & Bits offer a range of dry shampoo and body soap, ensuring you can maintain personal hygiene even in remote locations.
Using electrical gadgets: stay powered up
If your campervan stays at sites with electric hook-ups, bring along essential electrical gadgets like a hair dryer.
However, opt for travel-sized versions to conserve space. Always check the amp capacity of your pitch, as some sites may only offer 10A, and overloading the circuit with high-powered devices could lead to a blackout.
Campervan showers: indoor and outdoor options
(Photo by Iain Duff)
Enjoying a shower in your campervan is a luxury that many modern campervans offer. Indoor showers provide convenience and privacy, while outdoor showers let you embrace nature.
Consider the available space, water capacity, and your personal preferences when choosing between indoor and outdoor shower options.
Buying advice and tips
When shopping for campervan washroom essentials, consider the specific needs of your travel style.
Invest in quality, compact items that suit the limited space of a campervan. Prioritise durability, water efficiency, and ease of cleaning when making your selections.
Final thoughts
Packing the right campervan washroom essentials ensures you can maintain personal hygiene and feel refreshed throughout your camping journey. Whether you're navigating luxurious holiday parks or embracing off-grid adventures, being well-prepared enhances the overall camping experience.
Stay fresh, stay clean, and enjoy the best of both worlds – the great outdoors and a comfortable campervan washroom.
Expert Campervan advice to your door!
Campervan is the exciting monthly magazine that will give you all the inspiration you need to explore the world in your campervan.
Every issue is packed with real-life campervanning experiences, inspiring travel ideas in the UK and further afield, the best campsites to stay on, campervan road tests and reviews of the latest models, and much more!
Want to know more about Campervan magazine?
About Campervan magazineExpert motorhome advice to your door!
Why not subscribe to one of our fabulous magazines and get expert advice, travel ideas, technical help and all the latest news for your motorhome and your motorhome adventures!
Want to know more about MMM magazine?
Every month MMM has articles written by motorhomers who have been there and done it, from great UK and European (and further afield) tours, campsite reviews, owners' reports and DIY projects among other things.
MMM's tests, reviews and expert buying guides are not to be missed. MMM's technical advice is a must and includes everything from weekend jobs to longer-term DIY projects. And much more!
About MMM magazineWant to know more about What Motorhome magazine?
Every issue of What Motorhome magazine provides essential buying advice for anyone looking to buy a new motorhome or campervan or upgrade their existing model.
With a pedigree of over 30 years of offering the best motorhome and campervan buying advice, every issue of What Motorhome includes more new motorhome and campervan reviews than you will find in any other magazine.
About What Motorhome
Recent Updates
Engine management lights: all you need to know
What is the engine management light? What does it mean, and what do I have to do? ...
Motorhome air suspension: all you need to know
Motorhomes are heavy and the additional weight of equipment and height of the bodywork can increase the loads ...
Motorhome WiFi: how to get better motorhome internet
Staying connected on the move is more and more essential, so relying on campsite WiFi isn't an option – here ...
A class of their own - our guide to A-class motorhomes
Thinking of trading up to an A-class, or even going straight to the top of the motorhome tree? We guide you ...
Explore overseas on a motorhome dream tour
Enjoy exotic travel in a campervan or motorhome by hiring, swapping with someone else or exporting your ...
Motorhome water systems: everything you need to know
On-board water is an important part of every motorhome – here’s everything you need to know ...
Campervanning in Europe: what you need to know
Whether you're planning a leisurely drive through the French countryside, navigating bustling city streets in ...
Campervan security: all you need to know
With thefts on the increase, it’s important to know how to keep your campervan secure and prevent campervan ...
Campervan furniture: everything you need to know
Our campervan experts guide you through all the essentials for your campervan, including tables, chairs, ...
Campervan finance: how to fund your purchase
Here we look at the different types of campervan finance available, to help you decide what’s the best option ...
Other Articles
Britain’s best used motorhomes
Want a great motorhome without paying the premium for a new one? Here's a guide to the best you can get in the pre-owned market for each layout, ...
Which motorhome? Choosing the perfect motorhome for you
Choosing a motorhome or campervan is one of the biggest buying decisions you’ll ever make, so it's important ...
Dogs in campervans: all you need to know
Follow our advice and your dog will enjoy campervanning as much as you do ...
Electric campervans: all you need to know
Our guide will take you through everything you need to know about electric campervans and what the future ...
Motorhome electrics: a complete guide to your motorhome electrical set-up
Motorhome electrics can dramatically enhance the convenience and comfort of your vehicle – but they can be ...
Lighting for campervans: all you need to know
We guide you through all the lighting options available for you and your campervan, including interior ...
Electric bikes for motorhomes: our ultimate guide
Read our comprehensive guide to electric bikes for motorhome owners, helping you add electric power to your ...
Our guide to 'cheap' motorhomes in 2024
If you're on the hunt for an affordable new motorhome, this is the best place to start – we've rounded up a ...
Campervans in winter: all you need to know
Here's your guide to preparing your campervan for the colder months, whether you will be using it or putting ...
Six alternative campervans to the VW California
Looking for a different option to Volkswagen’s famous Cali? Here are some of the best other campervans out ...