One of the more stressful situations homeowners have to deal with is a renovation to their living space. The end result is always worth it, but getting there is hard. Renovations are especially troublesome when it comes to bathrooms, where everyone appreciates a measure of privacy. In a situation like this, you may be wondering if a temporary shower is a solution for you.
For many, using a temporary shower is the perfect solution during bathroom renovations. From cheap and simple DIYs to more costly rentable options, there are many choices. When choosing a suitable replacement shower, it boils down to your comfort level and how “bare bones” you are willing to go.
Instead of having to rent a hotel room, use the local gym, or share with friends and family, temporary showers allow you to stay in the comfort of your home. Read on to find out more about temporary shower solutions while your bathroom is under renovation, as well as shower alternatives.
Temporary Shower Options and What to Look For
In essence, a temporary shower is a shower that is in general portable, and most importantly, impermanent. In the context of this article, a temporary shower has the following characteristics:
- A water source
- Hot and cold sources
- A “tub” or basin of some sort
- A “stall”
These factors may seem obvious, but without these caveats, one could claim that a hose in the garden with a soda bottle and holes is a “shower.” The differences in temporary showers arise primarily from the cost and the bells and whistles they offer. As with most things, the more you pay, the more you get.
High-Tier Temporary Showers
These days there seems to be a product or service for every niche. Providing temporary showers for those renovating their homes has not been left out. Several companies cater to these needs. These high-end showers come equipped with everything you need and nothing you do not.
The Temporary Kitchen Company: The Pop-Up Shower
One of the most impressive services on the market comes from The Temporary Kitchen Company in the UK. Their Pop-Up Shower is a portable, one-piece unit that comes with a fully enclosed stall (preventing steam and moisture from escaping), a washbasin and faucet, and many more features. The Pop-Up Shower, in many ways, rivals what you would get in a fully functioning bathroom.
This standalone unit takes up a regular bathtub space and can be set up almost anywhere in the house in around two hours. Even if your bathroom is currently being renovated, you can still enjoy a hot shower in your own home.
An installation team comes and sets this up for you, and you pay by the day, so there is no limit to how long you can use this luxurious temporary shower.
Medium-Tier Temporary Shower
Most people, however, do not need something as fancy as the Pop-Up Shower during their bathroom renovations. With medium-tier temporary showers, you will find extra amenities, but you will have everything you need to shower at home while your regular shower is out of commission.
Freedom Showers
Companies like Freedom Showers provide portable temporary showers in this medium tier. This company’s showers are designed for differently-abled people who need access to barrier-free shower options.
These showers are incredibly lightweight, and they include:
- Soft plastic basin
- Shower curtain “stall” suspended from a pipe scaffolding
- Showerhead
- Pump
- Hookup hose
These showers are open, so you cannot expect much privacy. However, set up is immediate, and you can set this up in any room with a water source within 10 to 12 feet. You can find a semblance of privacy and solace in a locked room.
Low-Tier Temporary Shower
In many countries throughout the world, showering outdoors is common, especially in hotter weather. While these showers are usually not temporary and can be pretty elaborate, simple options are easy to set up. They are also the most affordable options!
A quick search online results in numerous outdoor shower options, many of them used for camping.
These low maintenance, easy-to-install options are perfect for those who do not mind a bit of fresh air. With a privacy screen and temporary platform, you are all set to “rough-it” in the great…well…backyard.
DIY Temporary Showers
For many DIYers, a common suggestion involves buying a cheap above-ground pool for small children and using a hose with a showerhead attachment. Stapling plastic tarps to the wall or using PVC piping and shower curtains provides privacy and prevents getting water all over the place. If hot water is a must, you can use an adaptor with a hot and cold water source or a bucket heater.
Another DIY solution finds inspiration from the millions of people that bathe across the globe without showering facilities: the bucket shower. This bathing technique involves, you guessed it, a bucket.
Instead of constant water flow and standing under a showerhead, you use a bucket and ladle to wet yourself, lather, and rinse off. The benefit of this method is that it saves a tremendous amount of water, and, frankly, once you get used to it, it is a pleasant way to bathe.
Your Local GYM
If privacy and convince is not top priority, you can put your local gym membership to good use! It is one of the cheapest options as you are already paying for it. If you do not have a membership, most gyms offer a 30-day free trial. Gym shower facilities are ideal for when you are in a pinch. Best of all, you can get a workout done at the same time.
Showering Without Water
Showering without water probably seems like a strange idea to most readers. However, throughout history, many people have found ways to clean their bodies when water is scarce. For others, cultural reasons played a role in bathing without water.
In these modern times, people shower without water all the time, even if they do not realize it. Some of us can most likely think of a time we used napkins or “wet wipes” when pressed for a quick cleanup.
- Oil bath
- Dry shampoo and shower gel (Check these products from Batiste)
- Wet wipes (Check the Ventura Wipes on Amazon)
These quick options can be used to spot clean in a pinch. While they will not replace your full shower experience, they can prolong the time in between showers when necessary.
Oil Bath
For the ancient Greeks, a common way of bathing involved using olive oil to cover the body. The oil way then scraped off of the body using a special stick with a “blade” on one end. This process removed oil and dirt on the body while acting as an exfoliant and moisturizer.
These days, however, towels are used to remove excess oil and dirt. Advocates for oil bathing maintain that, unlike soap, oil does not strip away beneficial natural oils and instead conditions skin and hair.
Dry Shampoo
The invention of dry shampoo changed humankind forever. Dry shampoo is a bit like a leave-in conditioner, but it does the opposite job.
- Spray a small amount into your hair.
- Work the product in with your fingers.
- The product will absorb oils and dirt in your hair.
Unlike regular shampoos, dry shampoos work by using alcohols or naturally absorbent materials (charcoal, powdered rice, etc.). These substances leave your hair looking lighter and feeling dryer, but it does not clean it. Experts recommended using this product for no more than two days in a row. Overuse can lead to overly oily hair (defeating the purpose) and skin irritation.
Another consideration when using dry shampoo is to take into account your hair type. For brunette and black hair, dark-tinted formulations provide lighter locks and blend well with hair. The same goes for curly hair, which also needs special consideration.
Dry shampoo will not replace the need for washing your hair. It will, however, allow you to skip daily washes or even go a few days in between washing.
Dry Shower Gel
This particular item is not only a great product on its own, but it also has a great back story. Invented by a high schooler from South Africa, the idea came about when a friend lamented that he did not like to take showers. In stepped Ludwick Marishane, who spent the next few years figuring out how to achieve this goal.
Using his cell phone to access the internet and to write his business plan, Ludwick spent the next few years developing his idea, which resulted in DryBath Gel.
This product works like a lotion. You simply rub it onto your body and wait for a few minutes before using a damp cloth to wipe it off. In addition to being highly convenient, this gel contains natural ingredients which benefit the skin.
Furthermore, by using this product, you save on average 21 gallons (80 liters) of water per shower. For those living in water impoverished regions, this product is not only environmentally friendly but genuinely life-saving.
Wet Wipes or Napkins
You may have found yourself in the situation where you need to clean up for a date or maybe an interview but have no time for a shower. In these situations, cleansing napkins or wet wipes are a godsend.
With one or two of these convenient wipes, you can clean your entire body without much fuss. While not a permanent solution to your shower needs, these handy little wipes can certainly hold you over until you are able to shower.
Conclusion
While remodeling your bathroom is irritating and stressful, numerous options allow you to stay in the comfort of your own home. If you have the money to spend, you can have a high-end, fully functioning temporary shower installed in your home. There are also budget-friendly options available. And for those who are handy, the DIY option is great, too.
With several bathing alternatives, you can even water-free for the duration. So should you use a temporary shower when renovating your bathroom? Absolutely! With the options outlined above, you may not be in a hurry after all.