Female Hygiene On The Road (Stay Fresh While Traveling)

Being a female on the road, can be a little more challenging than a male because we have longer hair (most of the time), have to shave, and have our time of the month. But living on the road full time doesn’t always mean you have to be a “dirty hippie” if you don’t want to!

Female hygiene on the road doesn’t have to be complicated. You can easily find showers along the road, carry along a portable shower or freshen up in different ways.

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Finding Showers:

Finding a shower on the road can actually be quite easy. But if you plan to take a shower every day while living on the road, the price can add up quickly.

While you might be able to find free showers around major cities, or near public beaches, they don’t offer much privacy. And these free showers tend to be dirty, have cold water, and a funky smell.

But if you’re willing to pay a small fee to find showers around town, then there are some great options with clean, hot showers. Popular spots to find showers on the road are gyms such as Planet Fitness, truck stops, campgrounds, etc.

Solar Shower/Pressurized Shower:

If you’re a frequent road traveler, investing in a solar shower bag or a portable pressurized shower is a game-changer. Here’s the lowdown: just leave the portable shower out in the sun for a couple of hours, and the black material soaks up the sun’s heat, giving you warm water.

Now, a word of caution – those solar showers can sometimes get pretty hot, so do the hand test before you dive in to avoid any unexpected burns. While most folks use these outdoor showers, I’ve seen some creative souls setting up a shower curtain in their van with a bucket to catch the water.

{Do Solar Showers Actually Work?}

To step it up a notch, we’ve got a privacy shower tent for that real shower feel. And let’s be real, when it comes to female hygiene on the road, ensuring those “private areas” get a thorough clean is a must.

The best part? These showers don’t hog much space compared to building a full-on shower in your van or RV. Plus, with water access, you’ve got the freedom to shower whenever the mood strikes. Personally, I often have the bag filled and use it sparingly outside, especially for a quick hair wash.

Water Bottle Showers:

When you’re on the road and in need of a quick hair and body rinse, the water bottle shower is a lifesaver. Grab a water bottle, preferably one with a squirt top, and use the water judiciously.

I usually prefer doing this outside the van, letting the water fall on the ground. Just a heads up, though – go for biodegradable products, because whatever’s washing off is hitting the ground too.

Now, it might not give you that same squeaky-clean sensation as a hot shower, and it’s not my absolute favorite, but hey, it’s definitely a step up from no shower at all.

Hygiene Wipes:

Hygiene wipes are my go-to for a quick and easy freshness fix. Honestly, they do the trick on those days when a shower is calling but you’re trying to stretch it a bit longer. Personally, I’m all about Goodwipes, they are biodegradable, ph-balanced, plant-based, etc.

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, just add some soap to a wet washcloth, it works like a charm for a refreshing touch!

Lakes/Rivers:

Embracing my inner hippie, taking a dip in a lake or river is my go-to natural freshness hack. Just a heads up, if you’re planning to soap up or shampoo your hair, go for the biodegradable stuff – gotta keep it eco-friendly!

Dry Shampoo:

So, I’ve got this family legacy of greasy hair, courtesy of my dad. Once I step out of the shower, my hair’s already rocking some not-so-ideal grease vibes, especially not cool for van life. My secret weapon for keeping it looking “fresh” is dry shampoo. It works like magic, tackling the oiliness and giving my hair a much-needed volume boost!

Shaving:

Managing female hygiene on the road poses a unique challenge, particularly when it comes to finding the time for shaving. I’ve navigated this by occasionally tending to it at our campsite, using our sink, or even by a serene lake. Or there are times when I choose to let it be.

Staying on top of hygiene can be demanding, especially for those of us with fast hair regrowth. However, when I anticipate being in a swimsuit or shorts, prioritizing shaving becomes a focal point.

Deodorant:

Alright, let’s talk real talk about road trips – the first casualty is usually the underarms going a bit ripe. Now, full disclosure, I’m not big on deodorant unless I know I’m diving into some serious sweat or a few days post-shower and need a quick refresh in that area. But truth be told, slapping on some deodorant is hands down one of the simplest tricks to stay fresh and on top of female hygiene when you’re on the road.

Menstrual Cup:

When it is my time of the month, I use a menstrual cup instead of pads and tampons. Beyond its waste reduction perks, the cup offers the convenience of extended wear compared to tampons. You might be curious if it’s tricky to manage on the road, but fear not – I’ve discovered plenty of single-person bathrooms with sinks for a discreet rinse with soap, avoiding the public eye.

As a backup, my purse is always stocked with hygiene wipes, just in case I need to freshen up in a public restroom. However, I play it safe with a couple of tampons on hand for situations where washing might not be feasible. Gotta be prepared for anything!

Merino Wool:

Merino wool gear is my absolute go-to for life on the road (and honestly, for everyday living too). The beauty of it? You can rock merino wool threads for several days straight without a whiff of that lingering odor. Plus, it’s a sweat-wicking champ, stays odor-free, keeps things breathable, and bonus – no plastic microfibers polluting the ocean, unlike most synthetic clothing. It’s basically the superhero of fabrics.

Hats & Headbands:

My lazy way to keep up with female hygiene on the road is to wear a hats and headband. There are far too many days that go by and you just have greasy hair and there is not much you can do about it. And hats and headbands cover up your greasy hair and make you look cute and not like a hobo!

My Favorite Products For Female Hygiene On The Road:

Shampoo bar

I’ve given shampoo bars a go for washing my hair. These handmade gems boast fresh ingredients, are cruelty-free, and vegan – major win in my book. I won’t declare undying love for them over regular shampoo, but when you’re living the van life, every inch of space matters.

And ditching those bulky shampoo and conditioner bottles? A genius move to free up some precious space.

Biodegradable Shampoo & Conditioner/Soap

When I’m having an outdoor shower or making use of a natural water source, my go-to combo is the Sea To Summit shampoo with conditioner. It’s not only effective in cleaning my hair but also boasts the bonus of being biodegradable.

Now, for soap, I swear by Dr. Bronners. They’re all about pure organic ingredients that not only do wonders for your skin but also contribute to soil restoration and planet revival. Word of advice – if you’re using it as shampoo, a little dilution goes a long way. Trust me, you don’t want to find yourself rinsing your hair for ages!

Leave In Conditioner

I have pretty long hair, so no matter how much conditioner I use, my hair will always be snarly. I love this Shea Moisture Leave-In Conditioner because it not only smells great, de-tangles my hair, it moistens my dead ends. It’s also made with all natural 100% virgin coconut oil.

Dry Shampoo

Dry  shampoo has been my life saver while living on the road. I have tried a handful of different brands, but I like Kristin Ess Dry Shampoo best. It reduces oil and adds volume to my hair.

Detangle Brush

Yup, I bought into the famous TikTok Hair Brush, and it seriously does wonders for snarly hair! The FHI Heat Unbrush has for sure saved me half my remaining hair!

I have pretty long hair, so I swear by this brush. It has helped de-tangle my hair in situations I didn’t think I would be able to come out alive and not lose half my hair. Trust me, it works!

Face Wash

My favorite face wash is the Clean & Clear Deep Action Exfoliating Scrub. Don’t worry, these products no longer have the plastic micro-beads that were harming the eco-system! But, I have tried a lot of face washed over the years and this one works best for keeping my face the clearest. 

Silicone Scrubbie

I have ditched the lufa and since moved onto a silicone scrubbie. Lufa’s are known to grow bacteria and to be one the dirtiest things in the shower. But these biodegradable silicone scrubbies are easy to wash between uses.

Dollar Shave Club

Becoming part of the Dollar Shave Club is hard when you are on the road, but you can pause shipments or do what I did and just stock up on blades before leaving for full-time travel. Or you can also get blades sent general delivery! (Update: Amazon has recently become a partner, so you can order dollar shave to an Amazon Locker) Learn more about getting mail on the road.

Because I have limited the amounts of times I shower I only use about 1 blade per month. These are my favorite razors because they give me a close shave unlike a lot of other brands I’ve tried.

I also love their shave butter. It gives you such a smooth shave and it is made with natural ingredients! It also comes in a travel size, so you can keep your shower kit small.

Hygiene Wipes

My favorite hygiene wipes for female hygiene on the road are Goodwipes. They are biodegradable, alcohol-free, free of harmful toxins or parabens, hypoallergenic and plant-based. I feel like Goodwipes are some of the only wipes that actually leave you smelling fresh, rather than some that just mask the smell.

Deodorant

I have recently gotten into Dr. Schmidt’s Natural Deodorant. It is free of aluminum salts, propylene glycol, parabens, phthalates, and artificial fragrances. 

The one negative, is when the van gets cold, the stick gets cold and it can be tough to glide on. It is still usable, but it can be a little rough on the soft underarm skin. 

Merino Wool Clothing

Merino wool is one of the best female hygiene on the road tricks. I participated in a 7-day challenge that consisted of wearing an Icebreaker Merino wool sweater for 7 days straight and it honestly didn’t smell afterward.

Merino wool is actually better for the environment as well, because it doesn’t produce plastic microfibers that make up 80% of our shorelines today. This company really cares about creating quality products that create less impact on the planet. 

My 3 favorite brands for Merino Wool Clothing are Unbound Merino, Icebreaker, and Isobaa.

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