BACK IN 2013, WHEN I FIRST BEGAN FULL-TIME VAN LIFE out of my 2001 Ford E350, dubbed the Evergreen Queen, I did not immediately have a plan to wash hair without showering. I assumed that I’d wash my long hair at truck stops. But, I quickly realized how costly and inconvenient it was to bathe and wash my hair at a Pilot or Love’s.
After a few weeks of living on the road, I learned about washing my hair without a shower through watching a favorite BBC British 1800’s period drama, Duchess of Duke Street starring Gemma Jones. In one particular episode, Louisa (Gemma Jones), had her maid help her wash her hair using a simple ceramic bowl and a pitcher. I modified this for my own use and adopted the bucket and bowl method.
Pre-plumbing, folks used a ceramic washbasin and a pitcher to do all of their bathing including sponge bathing and hair washing. My bucket and bowl are made of cheap, but lightweight plastic. The major difference is that the ground acts as my washbasin or “catch-all”. That’s why I stress the importance of using eco-friendly products for any kind of bathing outdoors.
I use the most basic materials I have on hand, which gets the hair washing job done quickly, easily, and from the comfort of most of my remote boondocking camps. When in a city for a long period of time, I’ve used my bucket and bowl method while hanging my head over a toilet (carefully so as not to touch the toilet or its water with my hair). If you’re a nomad (even if you’re not), you most likely have all of the necessary materials on hand to wash your hair without running water.
You can watch a demonstration of how I wash my hair without running water here.
Here’s How I Wash Hair without Showering as a full-time vanlifer:
Step #1 – Change into clothes that can get wet
I jump into the main coach area of my van. I change into shorts, a T-shirt, and flops or Crocs without socks. Sometimes, if I’m camping remotely enough, I can wash my hair in my birthday suit, lucky me!
Step #2 – Assemble the hair washing supplies
-
- 3-gallon bucket
- 1 24-ounce bowl (soup bowl size)
- Eco-friendly shampoo
- Eco-friendly conditioner (optional)
- Towel
- Comb or brush
I dump out the paper towels from my baby blue 3 gallon bucket. I grab my green wide-toothed plastic comb, a blue bowl (which doubles for dishwashing), eco-friendly shampoo, and towel, all found jammed into my hanging “things” shoe rack.
Next, I slide my giant 6 gallon water jug near the van side door opening. I gleefully leap out of the van, pull the jug out enough for me to fill my 3-gallon bucket up with good clean water typically from the local water pump or nearby Walmart Reverse Osmosis kiosk.
Why such thrilling enthusiasm to wash my hair, you may ask?
Well, I typically wait between 2 – 3 weeks before washing my hair when boondocking remotely away from any water sources. Sometimes I’ll wash it sooner, for example, right before I take my next trip into town for a water refill.
Why do I go so long between hair washes?
When I don’t readily have access to a natural hot spring, or other water source, where I prefer to do most of my bathing when dry camping, I use 36 gallons of water over the course of 2 – 3 week boondock sits for daily dish washing, sponge bathing, and drinking water. That leaves enough water left over for me to do one hair wash. As I have medium length hair, I only need 3 gallons of water to do a thorough hair wash using the efficient bucket and bowl method.
During the warmer months, I aim to camp near various hot springs up and down route 395 in the Eastern Sierra, CA, where I have access to an abundance of full bathing opportunities at natural hot springs. Most of the water I carry in the van is used for drinking. I ensure that I drink at least a half of a gallon of water per day for optimal health benefits.
Unfortunately, when I don’t have easy access to a natural water source, since most of my water use is for other more pertinent necessities than hair washing, this leaves me with greasy hair for most of my dry camping experiences (usually wintertime), when I’m not near hot springs. However, when I’m camping near a hot spring or other natural water source, I can use my bucket and bowl method every 2 – 3 days, my preferred hair washing schedule.
As of late, my hair gets oily with menopause night sweats, and it’s naturally moderately oily. I usually conceal my oily hair from onlookers by tightly pulling it back and tying it with a hair band. Wearing my floppy sun hat also helps conceal my unsightly hair. My secret’s out.
I bring my hair washing supplies to the back rack of Evergreen Queen and lay them out neatly in a line. I get into my hair washing position by standing and spreading my feet apart and lowering my head forward towards the ground. My hair washing position minimizes splashing myself and getting soaked.
Step #3 – Wash hair with shampoo in preferred comfortable stance
I usually stand on the dirt but, I could just as well get my camp chair and sit down in it while washing my hair. Using a chair would be most helpful for nomads who have back or leg issues and need to sit.
First, I dip the small blue bowl into the 3-gallon bucket, lean over the ground and wet my hair.
Next, I soap and suds up my hair, most preferably with environmentally friendly biodegradable shampoo, massage and scrub my scalp, and rinse. I’ll lather up twice before rinsing my hair with the remainder of the bucket water.
There are many options available for using eco-friendly, biodegradable shampoos. Do your own research but, here are a few options.
Here are a few eco-friendly shampoos to try:
- Alba Botanica (I use)
- Campsuds by REI
- Ethique solid shampoo bar for oily hair (they have a variety for other hair types)
- Yuzu – 100% PURE Yuzu & Pomelo Glossing Shampoo
- Rice Water Shampoo and Conditioner – 2 in 1 Fermented Rice Water for Hair Growth Moisturizing Unscented Solid Shampoo Bar
Step #4 – Dry and comb or brush hair
I grab my towel off my back van rack and dry my hair with it. Next, I’ll use my wide toothed comb and comb out my hair while it’s still wet. Sometimes I’ll take a hike in the sunshine and let my hair dry naturally. I haven’t blow dried my hair since the 90’s. The California sun does a great job slow air drying my hair.
Usually, I’m in a big rush to get to town after sitting in the van and doing digital work day after day while boondocking. It’s always such great fun for me to wash my hair in camp and head to town, visit with friends, shop, and, well…get more water to wash my hair again in another 2 – 3 weeks.
Usually, I’m in a big rush to get to town after sitting in the van and doing digital work day after day while boondocking. It’s always such great fun for me to head to town, visit with friends, shop, and, well…get more water to wash my hair again in another 2 – 3 week.
How do you wash your hair as a nomad?
If you’re not a nomad, how would you choose to wash your hair as one?
Share in the comments.
Dry shampoo works well in between washing.
Smaller cans of dry shampoo can now be found at the Dollar Tree. Great for in between times.
Thank you for the tip. I’d like to try the dry shampoos. It would be nice to get rid of the greasy look between washes.
went camping at Hole in the Wall, it was fall and freezing cold but I had to wash my hair.
The campsite had community potable water and water was also freezing but I washed my hair thoroughly and by the time I finished my scalp was numb from cold but I was clean.
You brave soul! I too have washed my hair in cold water that numbed my scalp. I aim to do that on a sunny day so that at least my hair can dry quickly in the sun and warm my skull back up afterwards. Keeping the body moving is necessary too.
I use the 16oz bottles of (NoRinse Body Bath) from Amazon when desert camping S.W. part of U.S. or a low water condition whenever boondocking someplace. It takes a plastic mortar mixing tub from Lowes or Home Depot, 1 oz of solution, 1 qt worm water mixed together in a plastic bowl, a sponge for cleaning tile grout residue from above box stores and a towel to dry off with. I prewash privates with a couple wet wipes. Then I start at top of head with a wet sponge and end up at one’s privates. Never failed to work for me. Feels clean and a pleasant odder. Also good for prepping.
I did the “dry cleaning method” a while back when on a 23 day trip. This was the suggestion of my hair stylist. Worked ok, but nothing like a good wet rub and rinse. Dale
If you have grey hair you can use corn starch as a dry shampoo.
If you have brown hair, mix a teeny bit of cocoa powder (NOT hot cocoa mix!!) into it!!
Use a mixture of half cornstarch and half baking soda.
Remember, less is best!!
You can always do it twice — but you don’t want the powders clumping at your scalp!! :O
A little baking soda is great also.
A light coat of corn starch or cornstarch baby powder works well. Sprinkle lightly and brush through thoroughly to absorb the oil. Your hair even feels fluffier.
I’ll have to try that! Thank you for sharing that great solution!
My solution, get yourself a cute a-la-Jamie Curtis Lee- pixie, let it STICK UP & enjoy the freedom !!!
I’m curious, wouldn’t that dry the hair and scalp out after a long period of use?
It made me smile to see your article. I was raised on a farm and that was how we bathed most of the time. I sometimes marvel at the changes we see in life that the general public can’t comprehend. What! no cell phones. Three channels on TV and it was free and floated over the air. Make your own meals instead of delivered. It definitely was a simpler time and some of us are back to much of that life but we are given the opportunity to enjoy each other and nature. Thanks again.
I love how RV life yields the opportunity to live simpler and enjoy a closer connection with others (if caravanning) and nature (if rural boondocking).
I have medium long hair. I leave my 1.5 gallon clear plastic water dispenser in the sun or on my dash to warm up. Then I set it on a table outside, sit in my chair, and lean forward, under the spout. I saturate my hair under the barely dribbling water, letting as little water as possible hit the ground. I use my eco-friendly shampoo to lather up, adding a little more water and/or shampoo as necessary and massage and scrub. Then I squeeze out as much soap as I can and rinse well. And it only takes about a gallon 🙂
Leanna, That’s exactly how I wash mine. Squeezing the shampoo out before rinsing saves a lot of water.
Leanna, I have a vandwelling friend who washes her medium length hair with a gallon jug of water. I guess I’m just spoiled using 3 gallons to wash my hair. LOL.
The only thing I would change, dip hair in bucket and wash shampoo out, instead of pouring from small bowl.
My method would take 2 buckets of water. But it would ensure shampoo is rinsed out well. Then use a leave in conditioner.
Thanks for visuals.
That sounds like it works well for you. Others might prefer this method as well. Thank you!
You can also purchase no rinse shampoo at Walgreens or CVS. I have found the bottles that need to be diluted so a little goes a long way. This works well for short or medium length hair. It is the same type they use on patients in the hospital. After diluting into suitable container, pour liquid no rinse shampoo onto your hair and scrub down to your scalp. Dry your hair with clean towel or paper towels. If you prefer, you can use 8 ounces clean water to rinse but it is not necessary.
I’m curious, how is the dirt and oil thoroughly released from the scalp? Into the towel and by brushing the hair out? Or, is this supposed to be a temporary solution? I wonder how long someone could get by using the no rinse shampoo. Thank you for sharing this.
I used No Rinse (that’s it’s name) Shampoo when I was homeless. I figured out a way to use less product for my long hair. The bottle says to put a little on the hair at a time until all the hair is wet and slight bubbles appear- it won’t be a “head full of lather.” I used a dollar store spray bottle with water to get my hair wet first, then applied the product a little at a time. Work it in- the dirt and oils are released. It will feel as though there is a coating on the hair, light at first. I washed my hair twice a week- on wash number three, I simply added cool or warm water to my hair, bubbles from the soap would appear and I would rinse everything out. It works fine and my scalp was healthy. no longer homeless, but i have a stock of it when I’m a full-time nomad, which is coming up. REALLY useful when it’s too cold to wash outside. i have No Rinse Body Wash as well.
The method Gia suggests is the way we washed my hair for three months I was in a nursing home following a heart attack and strokes. Not my favorite, but it worked and kept me feeling human.
Meant Tina’s method… ?
very nice …. even though my hair is rather short …. these are very helpful tips ….. thank you Gloria ….
For super short hair, it seems like you could get by with sponge bathing your head. Have you tried that before?
When I lived in my van with very short hair I simply scrubbed my head with a damp wash cloth and that was enough. But, I have thin hair and it’s not oily. I also scrubbed the critical parts of my body every day with a clean a damp wash cloth (3 oz of water) before applying deodorant. I always felt clean.
Since I’m half bald I just buzz the rest, and washing my hair is just a continuation of washing the rest of my head. 😀
I can imagine that being the most ideal hair washing circumstance for a nomad. I’ve thought of shaving my head, but, alas, I simply cannot. Perhaps if it thins out in old age, I might.
I don’t live in a van, but I do travel in my vehicle whenever I can, and I’m too cheap to stay in motels (usually; I am short and can sleep in my car). I would cut my hair to collar length to make it easier to wash and maintain. I don’t want my hair manly short, because I like hair; but when I travel I want to keep it “stylishly” manageable, so I have it cut for easier maintenance. I also have a USB-rechargeable battery-powered camping shower and bucket and tub mat. (I also have a portable camping shower that plugs into the cigarette lighter, but have not tried that one yet).
Rochelle, yes, cutting one’s hair shorter helps big time. I trim my own hair every few months and aim to keep it shoulder length. I can’t seem to part with my longer hair. LOL. Your portable camping shower that plugs into the cigarette lighter sounds super conveniently cool! What’s the name of it, please?
How about two buckets, one that starts empty. You could hold your head over it while pouring water, minimizing what ends up at your feet.
Yes, that could certainly work too!
Thank you for telling people you wait 2-3 weeks between shampoos. I am also lacks about washing my hair too often. So it was nice to hear someone else validate it.
Thank you for list of biodegradable shampoos. Have you ever used Dawn dishwashing soap for shampoo?
Karin, yes, it took a bit of thought for me to admit and transparent about letting my hair go that long between washes. I may yet try out some of the dry shampoo options others have mentioned her in the comments between washes, if they don’t build up in my hair too much. I haven’t tried Dawn as I prefer using natural shampoos. I’m curious, have you tried Dawn before?
For the past few years of full time van life I have used a similar method for shampooing my hair once a week. I take two of the one liter water bottles (like the ones of flavored water) and drill tiny holes in the cap, effectively making it into a handheld shower that can easily be controlled, lean my head over a tub on the floor wet shampoo and rinse with only 2 liters of water. In the cold months I simply warm the water on my camp stove before filling the 2 bottles. I have medium length hair at the moment but have used this same method with long hair as well. It works well for me, I hope this suggestion can help someone else.
Jessie, that sounds really great. I’d like to try this. Thank you!
My van’s side doors are such that I can run a dowel between them as a curtain rod for a curtain, to make a sort of shower stall. I set two rectangular basins at the edge of the door, one empty and the other holding warm water. I use a small bowl to wet my hair thoroughly over the basin, lather up and then rinse over the empty basin. Repeat, comb out the snarls, towel dry and I’m done. Works just fine when a real shower is not handy.
I’d love to see this set up! It sounds like a good solution for getting privacy while out washing hair and boondocking with other nomads.
when my hair is rinsed and clean, damp, I use a couple of table spoons of conditioner on my hair and leave it in. My hair is coarse and natural curly, thick, can dry out quickly camping. This saves my hair alot.
It’s so interesting what different hair types need. I have heard of folks leaving conditioner in their hair. If I did that, I believe that my hair would look absolutely drenched. LOL.
Gloria it’s truly like U say, we wash & care for our hair according to our hair type; my hair for instance tends to be dry, thus I wash it, rinse it well, towel dry it & apply OrganiX coconut oil with bamboo essence. The oil is super light leaving your hair fluffy, soft & shinny. The oil remains in my hair till the next shampoo. It truly works well for my locks. 🙂
Lucy, that sounds amazing using the OrganiX coconut oil for your hair type. Coconut oil is so amazingly healthy too!
If your hair is darker, add cocoa powder to the corn starch for dry shampoo. You can also add cinnamon. I used to make a mix of corn starch, cocoa, and cinnamon for my hair, in between washes. The commercially available dry shampoo is full of scary toxic chemicals, so no thank you.
For regular hair washing, I have two small repurposed Jif peanut butter jars. One gets about half a handful of baking soda to which I add water. The other gets vinegar and water. The first is my “no ‘poo” wash and the latter is my “no ‘poo” rinse. After your hair becomes accustomed to this, it can go a good week between washes without looking horrible or becoming greasy. As for measurements on the baking soda and vinegar, you will learn to gauge it, but basically, the baking soda mixture should feel slippery. Rinse the baking soda completely before applying the vinegar solution. This is all-natural and inexpensive. Your hair will love it but if you use commercial shampoo now, it may take some time to get all of the residue out of your system.
Wow, Sandi, that’s amazing that you got the no poo baking soda and vinegar to work for you long term. I couldn’t get it right and it wrecked the ph of my hair for quite a while. I had to go back to regular shampoo. Congrats on doing that. I’m envious as I’d love to make it work for my hair.
That’s how I shompooed my hair growing up. I am in my seventies.
I have very oily hair, and cut it short a few months ago. For various reasons I embarked on an experiment to see how long i could go without bathing or washing my hair. I went over 2 months with no problem and no smells (I urged friends to let me know if i stink!) I started with clean washed hair and every other day used Clean Freak dry shampoo, and every day cleaned my body with adult moist wipes. I’ve tried other dry shampoos, but this one worked best for me. Becase I also have thin fine hair, it gave me lots of body and fluff as if I had blow dried it. This may not work for everyone, but for us older women with back issues, it was a lifesaver.
Jenny, that sounds incredible that you went over 2 months using Clean Freak. I’ll look into Clean Freak dry shampoo.