Save Water While Caravanning

There’s nothing like a few days of free camping to make you realise how much water you go through every day. Water consumption while travelling needs some thought and a little planning.

We’ve put together some ways to save water while caravanning:

1. Cooking

Cooking on the campfire or BBQ is a good way to save water while caravanning. It’s easy to give the BBQ a quick wipe over and it’s good to go.

Think about meals you can cook that only require one pot or pan so you’re not left with a pile of washing up after the meal. Read our article on campfire cooking for some ideas.

2. Showering

Showers are the biggest water tank drainers while caravanning…

Endeavour to keep showers under 2 minutes long and shower the kids together if possible. When showering, wet yourself all over, turn off the water while you soap yourself and shampoo your hair, then turn the shower back on to rinse yourself off to save water.

Baby wipes also make an excellent choice for people of all ages to have a quick wash when water is scarce.

Another great idea is to carry a few plastic spray bottles filled with a little bit of liquid soap and water. These are great to use to wash grubby hands and faces with just a few squirts.

Also, think about saving the cold shower water that comes out before it’s heated up. Use that water for dishes or clothes washing.

And, if you really don’t mind roughing it a little and are camping near the water – live by the rule of “3 swims a day constitutes as a shower!”

3. Cleaning

Use disposable cleaning wipes for wiping down benches, tables, food preparation surfaces and even the toilet bowl, saving your water for instances when you have no other options. Fill a spray bottle with water and cleaning product and use it as a quick spray and wipe when needed. This will help save water while caravanning.

4. Washing dishes

Limit washing up to once a day.

Use a small amount of dish soap so you don’t have to rinse as much, and remember to scrape off any remaining food into the trash prior to washing them in the sink to reduce the amount of water necessary to clean the dishes.

Consider using a dish scrubber that holds the detergent as well so you can give a good clean and then use a small amount of water to rinse.

Some people like to carry a small number of paper plates with them as a backup option – you can throw them on the fire when finished.

5. Laundry

Use a bucket of water to wash your clothes. If you can, take enough clothes with you so that you don’t need to wash during your trip. If you are on the move, pull into a laundrette and use their water – a great way to save water while caravanning.

6. Toilet

Only flush if necessary (or do the old fashioned bush wee). If you have an internal shower, save the used shower water to flush the toilet. Or even better, where possible, use the amenities provided to save water while caravanning.

7. Collect rainwater while caravanning to save water

More and more people are using this method nowadays and using a rainwater catchment system when free camping.

The Original Rain Saver Gutter turns your awning valance into a gutter system that can feed directly into your van’s tanks, jerry cans or wherever you want it to go!

It can be as simple as catching the rainwater into a bucket and using it to fill your water tanks or using a caravan water hose directly to your water tank fill point.