When you’re in the great outdoors, personal hygiene is often an afterthought, but it doesn’t have to be.
With a little ingenuity, you can craft a functional shower system that will make staying clean easier, even when modern amenities are miles away.
Whether you’re backpacking through rugged terrain, surviving off the grid, or simply enjoying a long camping trip, a homemade “hobo shower” can offer a surprisingly effective solution to one of life’s most basic needs.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the process of making a hobo shower using simple, everyday materials.
Not only is it incredibly easy to assemble, but it’s also lightweight and doesn’t require any specialized equipment.
Best of all, you can put it together in just a few steps.
Table of Contents
Materials You Will Need:
To build your hobo shower, you’ll need a few items that are either easy to pack or scavenged from your surroundings.
Don’t worry—nothing here is hard to find.
Here’s what you’ll need:
A 2liter plastic bottle with a cap (these are widely available and often discarded in campgrounds).
A 42gallon contractorgrade garbage bag (preferably 3 mil thick).
A smooth stone or pebble (any small, round stone will do).
A piece of wire, ideally from a metal hanger.
About 24 to 36 inches of cordage (number 18 bank line works well, but any sturdy cord will suffice).
These materials are all you need to get started. You can find many of these items at home, in campgrounds, or even onsite during your outdoor adventures.
Step 1: Preparing the Plastic Bottle
First things first: we need to prepare the plastic bottle, which will serve as the showerhead.
The top of the bottle is going to be modified to allow water to flow through, and it’s crucial to get this step right.
Start by cutting off the top of the 2liter bottle. To do this, find the point where the bottle begins to curve inward near the neck.
This curve provides a natural guide for cutting. Carefully use a knife or a pair of scissors to make a clean cut along this line.
The goal here is to remove the entire top portion of the bottle, creating an open mouth that will later act as the base of your showerhead.
Take your time with this step. The cleaner your cut, the easier the rest of the assembly will be.
A smooth edge will help you fit other parts together more snugly, preventing leaks and maximizing water flow efficiency.
Once the top of the bottle is removed, set the cap aside—you’ll need it later.
Now you have a hollow container that will allow water to pass through in a controlled manner once the project is complete.
Step 2: Creating the Showerhead Holes
Now that you have the bottle prepared, it’s time to create the holes that will turn it into a functional showerhead.
This is one of the most critical parts of the project, as the holes will dictate the flow of water. Too few holes, and the water won’t flow well; too many holes, and the pressure won’t be enough to wash effectively.
Start by heating the end of your wire or metal hanger. Use a lighter or your campfire to get the wire red hot.
Be careful during this process, as the metal will become extremely hot and can cause burns if touched without gloves.
Once the wire is hot, carefully poke small holes around the bottom edge of the plastic bottle. You’ll want to space these holes evenly.
I recommend creating between five and six holes, but the exact number can vary depending on how much water pressure you want.
If you need a stronger flow, you can add more holes later, but it’s better to start small and adjust as needed.
The placement of the holes is also crucial. Keep them as low as possible, just above the bottom edge of the bottle. This will allow the water to drain efficiently when the bottle is filled. Avoid placing the holes too high, as this could interfere with the water pressure and make the shower less effective.
Step 3: Preparing the Garbage Bag
With the bottle and holes prepared, it’s time to move on to the next component: the garbage bag.
The garbage bag will serve as the water reservoir for your shower.
A 42gallon contractorgrade garbage bag is ideal because it’s large enough to hold several gallons of water and durable enough to withstand the pressure.
First, unfold the bag and open it fully. Once it’s open, find one of the bottom corners.
This is where you’ll be making a small cut to attach the bottle.
Using a sharp knife, cut a tiny hole in the corner of the bag. The hole should be just big enough to fit the top of the bottle through it.
Take your time with this step, as the hole must be small.
A hole that’s too large will lead to leaks, which would render your shower less effective.
The goal is to stretch the plastic around the bottle neck, creating a watertight seal. If the hole is too small at first, you can always widen it gradually.
Step 4: Securing the Showerhead to the Bag
Now that the hole is cut, it’s time to insert the bottle into the bag. Slide the cutoff top of the bottle into the hole you just made.
Be careful when doing this, as you don’t want to rip the bag.
If you’ve made the hole correctly, it should stretch snugly around the rim of the bottle, creating a seal.
Once the bottle is in place, it’s time to secure it using your cordage. Take your length of cord and tie a slip knot around the bottle’s nozzle.
Pull the cord tight to keep the bag snug against the bottle’s neck.
For extra security, wrap the cord around the bottle neck a few more times. The goal here is to make the connection airtight to prevent leaks.
This step is vital, as any leaks in the seal will reduce the water pressure and make your shower less effective.
Once you’ve wrapped the cord around several times, tie it off with a square knot or granny knot.
Step 5: Creating a Hanging Loop
Now that the bottle is secured to the bag, you’ll need a way to hang your shower. This is where the smooth pebble and a second piece of cord come in handy.
The idea is to create a loop at the opposite end of the bag, allowing you to suspend the entire assembly from a tree branch, tripod, or other support.
Place your smooth pebble inside the opposite bottom corner of the garbage bag (away from where the bottle is attached).
Twist the plastic bag around the pebble to create a tight knot.
Once the pebble is secure, use another piece of cordage to tie it off, creating a loop that you can hang from.
The pebble acts as a weight to keep the bag from shifting while you use the shower, and the loop gives you a convenient way to hang the bag in a tree or on a tripod.
Step 6: Filling the Bag with Water
Once the shower assembly is complete, it’s time to fill the garbage bag with water.
Be mindful not to overfill the bag, as it can hold much more water than you may be able to lift comfortably.
Two to three gallons is typically sufficient for a decent shower, but you can adjust the amount based on your needs.
The garbage bag’s size makes it easy to gather water from a stream, lake, or rainwater.
The more water you put in the bag, the longer the shower will last, but remember that the heavier the bag gets, the harder it will be to lift and hang.
The ear flaps on the garbage bag can be tied together to form a handle, making it easier to carry and hang the shower once it’s filled.
Step 7: Setting Up the Shower
Now that your hobo shower is filled with water, you’ll need to set it up for use. One simple way to do this is by setting up a tripod with three long sticks.
A tripod allows you to elevate the shower high enough so the water flows down properly. Alternatively, if you’re near a tree, you can toss a rope over a sturdy branch and hang the shower there.
AThe most important thing is to ensure that the bottle’s nozzle is elevated above your head. This will allow gravity to create the necessary water pressure.
If the showerhead is too low, the water will trickle out weakly, but if it’s high enough, you’ll get a decent flow.
Once the shower is hanging, you’re ready to go. To start the shower, simply twist the bottle cap slightly.
This will allow the water to flow through the holes in the bottle. When you’re done, tighten the cap to stop the water flow.
Benefits of the Hobo Shower
One of the best things about this DIY hobo shower is its simplicity. You don’t need to pack any fancy gear, and the materials are light enough to carry even on long treks.
Plus, the shower is reusable—just refill the bag with water whenever you need a rinse.
Additional Tips for Enhancing Your Shower Experience
If you want to get the most out of your hobo shower, there are several ways you can enhance it. For instance, you can warm the water by leaving the filled garbage bag in the sun for a few hours before using it.
The black color of the bag will help it absorb heat, giving you a warmer, more comfortable shower.
Another tip is to adjust the showerhead to suit your preferences. If you find that the water flow is too slow, you can always add a few extra holes to the bottle for increased pressure. Conversely, if you want to conserve water, fewer holes will extend your shower time.
Modifications for Privacy and Comfort
One common issue when showering outdoors is the lack of privacy.
If you’re in a more public area or camping with others, you might want to create a simple enclosure around your shower.
You can do this by using extra garbage bags, tarps, or blankets to create a makeshift screen.
Tie the corners of your screen to trees or stakes, and you’ll have a private area to shower in peace.
Final Thoughts
Constructing a hobo shower from simple, readily available materials is a skill worth mastering, especially if you spend a lot of time in the wilderness or in situations where access to modern amenities is limited.
Not only is the hobo shower lightweight and portable, but it’s also cost effective and requires minimal effort to set up.
So the next time you’re preparing for a camping trip, survival excursion, or backpacking adventure, give this DIY hobo shower a try.
You’ll be glad you did. Safe travels, and happy showering!
