How to Use a Sunshower

Keeping clean in the woods has been quite a bit more simple with the advent of sunshowers. A sunshower is a particular model of solar shower which converts energy from the sun into heat. That heat is transmitted on to a water receptacle. Once warm, users can expect a passable shower experience. Getting clean with a solar shower requires just a little more preparation than a home shower.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Solar Shower Bag Rope Enclosure Water Soap Funnel
Solar Shower Bag
Rope
Enclosure
Water
Soap
Funnel

Step 1

Decide on the amount of water you'll need for showering. The more water you use, the longer the water will take to heat to a suitable temperature. Most solar showers have a maximum five-gallon capacity. Deciding how much water to use is a combination of evaluating your water supply, how much time you have to wait for it to warm and finally, your personal shower habits.

Step 2

Fill the solar shower with water, whether half a gallon or five gallons. While most solar showers have wide-mouthed openings, a funnel would smooth the process of putting water inside the shower without wasting any. Screw the lid tightly shut when complete.

Step 3

Place the solar shower in the sun with the black side facing up. Look for a flat piece of ground that is likely to get good sun coverage over the course of the day. The center of an open field or green space would be best. It's important to have direct light on the black side of the bag so the solar shower will more evenly and easily heat the water.

Step 4

Wait several hours, checking the bag periodically. Believe it or not, solar showers can produce significant temperatures, meaning that you don't want your bag getting too hot. The length of time it takes your water to heat will depend upon how much sun is being applied, how hot you want the water to get, how much water is in the bag and the temperature of the water upon placing it in the bag. Most users should expect to wait anywhere between two and five hours for a warm shower.

Step 5

Tie the shower bag to a load-bearing location. Solar showers will always have an obvious attachment point, typically a loop in the top of the bag. Run your rope through this loop, then tighten the whole apparatus against a tree trunk, over a branch or from a man-made object such as a flag pole. If you have opted to bring along some sort of shower enclosure, now would be the time to erect that around the location.

Step 6

Enjoy your warm shower. Typical solar showers will have an on-off spigot hanging from the bag. Those wishing to preserve their water should began by spraying themselves, then immediately turning the water off. Then lather fully with your soap, turning the water back on only for the purpose of rinsing.

Tips & Warnings

Purchase a solar shower with a built-in thermometer strip for more easy metering.

Do not hang your solar shower from dead branches or other potentially weak fixtures.

Resources

Article Written By Louie Doverspike

Based in Seattle, Louie Doverspike has been a professional writer since 2004. His work has appeared in various publications, including "AntiqueWeek" magazine, the "Prague Post" and "Seattle Represent!" Doverspike holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Hamilton College.

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