Instead of using all that water to do dishes, why not use the boiled water and soap in a spray bottle and pre-spray your dishes, then scrub them, rinse all at the same time, and voilà! Clean dishes on less than two litres!
My favorite is to not fill sink but start dishes from cattle, deep bowl etc pouring some water and detergent then after wiping or brushing pour solution to next smaller. Also easier to do silverware and knives etc in biggest bowl.
I am totally new to the van life life.🤪 I am totally boring my whole family with van-life stories and you guys, you are totally awesome, have the best videos. I don’t have a van but spend most days dreaming of my perfect layouts, toilet or no toilet and what thickness of mattress I’d have. You both remind me of my eldest daughter and her boyfriend. Such lovely energy, lots of creativity and humour. Much love xx Jill
Jill Adams ahhh that’s nice! Thanks for the kind words Jill! Having a toilet or not is so personal, but still wanted to show people how we do it. Say hi to the daughter and boyfriend !!
Tip for washing your dishes and saving a ton of water: two spray bottles. One with a bit of dish soap and filled with water and the other spray bottle with fresh water. Spray on a little of the soapy mixture on your dish, wash, then rinse with the clean spray bottle. These bottles last forever, although the fresh rinsing bottle gets filled more frequently. We fill up our bottles at the same time we fill our fresh water tank. It’s amazing how much water you can save and how little you actually need for your dishes!! Also, always washing your dishes after you eat saves on scrubbing dried on food. As well as using a sheet of paper towel, or a cloth, to wipe off food bits before washing.
Brilliant idea Nicola! I am using a smallish ice-cream container for my soapy water and then giving the item a quick rinse - but wiill try your method for sure 😉👍... arrn't we humans wasteful?🤦🏻♀️
I love that you’re not the typical “dental floss bathing suit wearing, cutsie girl with her man-bun preppy surfer boi with rescue cat” channel. It’s a breath of fresh air. Thank you! I have a travel trailer but many of your Van life tips can work for me too!!
Not going to comment much on this, but seriously, can't do it! You'll never see me wearing a dental floss bathing suit. NEVER! Plus, Dom doesnt know how to surf.
Voyon câlisse! lol. But for real your videos are amazing and I'm happy there is finally a resource for people doing van life in cold climate because I'm also québécoise and I'm planning on doing van life in about 2 years ( once I figure out the money money situation) and cold climate water management was one of my concern
Dom in the shower made my day. It looks like a party! I use a bucket for the poop situation but it is definitely bulky. I use bags in the bucket and throw the waste out ASAP so I'm not hanging around with a bucket of poo if you know what I mean. :) You can store things inside the bucket when you are not "using it". Like your shower bag could go in the bucket for example. If you are camped out in nature you can set the bucket outside most of the time so you dont have to keep it in your space. I use a popup tent which also works as a place to shower or change clothes since I can't stand up in my van. I'm sure you've thought about the bucket already I just wanted to add that it can be done in a small space :)
This is actually a fantastic video and an amazing channel. I love that they are Canadian especially because most people that are camping in a van or in Arizona or somewhere where they don’t have to worry about cold weather. You mentioned about a smaller toilet and one thing we have been using is a litter box for people essentially. We have cats the camp with us and I realized that it is much easier to dump a garbage bag full of litter Then it is to manage other kind of material. It’s a little bit more socially acceptable if you need to dump your toilet at a park because it’s in a separate bag full of litter which also means it doesn’t smell because most litter has a scent or baking soda. So if you have room for a bucket this toilet should fit. It will need power and it doesn’t need water but you will have to bring a box or bucket of water with you.
In the winter I keep at least 5 gallons of water. I refill two 16oz water bottles with the squirt cap, one I use to brush my teeth. The other to rinse dishes with. I microwave a Tupperware bowl of water to wash dishes in but I try to cook once a week. The rest of the water is for drinking. I shower at the gym. And go to laundry every two weeks. Winter bathroom #1 only, I buy potty chair bags that are leak proof and add kitty litter. Every morning I put the bag in a trash can.
That's what Dom keeps telling me. I guess I'm not used to it yet. But wait for it: when I'll be on the road for 3 months in a row, I can't guarantee I'll shave like this. Hahaha.
I was a little curious on the dish washing part. I was wondering if you rinsed them after the wash (I did not see that)? I am a little nutty about this and I always try to get all the soap off. You did mention that there were no "parabens” but I think I would still rinse the heck out of the dishes to make sure everything is off, just to be safe. I do not trust any manufacturer. Nice video.
You are right, we did not rinse in the video. Fact is, we usually do a quick rinse with all the dish at the end with a clean cloth and a tiny bit of water.
Great video! Thank you for talking about some of things other people don’t talk about. 😃. I’ve lived in Vancouver my whole life. I am starting to realize that the lower mainland in BC and Vancouver island, are almost like their own country; so different from the rest of Canada. Water rarely freezes here, as our winters aren’t very cold. So...come to BC in the winter and then you can use all the water you need!
Unfortunately, counters in a van need to be used for much more than just food prep. They’re sanitized 13 times per day. Plus, no food goes directly in them.
You guys are an adorable couple LOL You guys should check out the Farberware portable dishwasher, it's about $350 on Amazon in the US, it's a really cool setup for off-grid with low power consumption.
That's an interesting subject, as many conversions i saw do not have bathroom of any sort but Porta Pottys or even nothing at all... Baby whipes can't be the "one for all" answer. Btw, am i the one who thinks you look like (a nicer) Kathryn Erbe from Law & Order - Criminal Intent and Dave Grohl from Foo Fighters?
What I like is I have I don't have anymore but buying another small tent and put a bucket system using wood chips excetera and then you could bury it, that way at night you don't have to worry about doing all that until the next day. And never ever mix your urine and your number two together. That's where it stinks. If you get a tent that has no floor or use a tarp to make a tent you could even shower if you make it tall enough or use a plastic stool to sit down and wash. I have also used Park bathrooms that have running water to wash up in, laundromat bathrooms, rest area bathrooms and I even used Walmart a couple times. Just take you out collapsible Gainer fill it with warm water and you could use the bathroom stall for washing your private areas. One time I ran away from home when I was sixteen which is almost 50 years ago minus a year and a half and I would go into the rest area strip down put a towel around me wash my clothes let them dry as much as I could or use the hand dryer and I would wash myself in the bathrooms. If you have a long enough t-shirt you could wash without anybody seeing your private areas.
Oh wow, thanks for the recommendations! It's true the number 01 and number 02 mixture is always a bit smelly if you have to carry it around. For the shower part, we tend to do like you: washing when we can in public places, otherwise, figuring something out in nature (lake, river, pond, etc.). Showering in a "normal" shower is a very comfortable process, but you can stay as clean washing quickly with very little water. It's surprising.
@@vanlifesagas exactly regarding the water, that's why I like to get a bucket and use only what water I actually need. I also use buckets to wash and rinse my clothes
is all good difrent people difrent ideas..me i need to shower every day sometimes twice a day.. Thats why I have a full dry bath On my rig..with a flush toilet. And huge water tanks...and we only use our rv to go visit family Like from Mississippi to Orlando and back..or to new york an back That's couple of times a year..we Don't live in the rv..but Higgin is important to us taking a bath in the morning and before bed is inportant thats how we grew up is in our culture..but is ok if anyone else could live like this .is their way of life..is all good
You can shave your legs without rinsing by using a cheap, thin lotion. Simply apply the lotion. Shave, still using the cup to rinse your razor. When finished, instead of rinsing off your legs, rub in the excess lotion. Saves on water & your legs won’t be dried out.🙂
Where did you get your towel ... super cute ❤ I made a shower out of a pesticide sprayer. I use it for EVERYTHING shower, dishes, washing hair. I am a massage therapist and even use it as a hand washing station in my car since COVID when i am not traveling.
Just found you and have subscribed. I have a small campervan in England that’s sitting on my drive as due to lockdown I can’t go anywhere. Since lockdown I’ve become obsessed with vanlifer videos and spend so much time on here watching. So glad I have a new one to binge on! I’m waiting to get paid and then will buy a similar shower that I found on Amazon last week. When the campsites over here reopen they can’t open up any facilities so want to be a bit self sufficient .
Hi Sharon! Welcome to the channel! Congratulations on that new van! The process is so exciting... you'll love it! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate! If you want to see anything as well, let us know :)
Just pee on the ground - girls don't need that silicone rubbish. Also, number 2's on a fallen branch isn't a good idea if you're in snake territory... The leg shaving set up is a great idea...I just take one of those battery operated ladies razors with me - it doesn't use any water. You have a great set up - but my little battery shaver works well for me & saves water.
Charla, I love you! I do pee on the ground a lot, besides when we're in cities and I need to go at night. That battery operated ladies razor was now added to the van. LOVE IT! I just have to get used to it now, this thing hurts at first.
Open the back doors, hang a sheet between them and clip the sheet to the top of the doors. You have a large shower compartment and you can take off your swimsuit . Of course being Francophones you probably don't mind showering nekkid in front of the world. For Americans privacy is a thing and the large rear door shower compartment is excellent for us, with the same pressurized solar shower. Thanks for being so frank and clear how you do the three esses (shower shit and shave) as very few people do.
Haha, we don't like to shower naked. French do that, we're Canadians :) But that idea with the backdoor open is brilliant. Will be trying that for sure! Thanks for the suggestion!
If you ever come to New Zealand please be aware that you cannot go toilet in nature here... It is illegal and will get you into trouble. We have had an issue with tourist going in our woods, lakeside's, reserves etc and it's causing serious issues. We also don't allow grey or blackwater dumping, we do have plenty of dump stations that are free to use and most have fresh drinking water also available for free.
Thanks Lilly! Wish people were more aware of that. We were in New Zealand 2 years ago and went to campgrounds to respect the law. You have one beautiful country! We can't wait to go back!
OMG....This is the first of your videos that I have watch. You guy's are hilarious! I had a belly laugh at the drawings for different #2 positions. And when you went back to real time on shower was awesome. Love you guys. I just subscribed!!!
Oh man this is a great video! We might make our own too... I know our MOMssssssss would like to know that we aren't complete dirtbags haha! Also we call the #2s in the called "taking a scenic" so much better than a porcelain toilet! Keep it up guys! See you out there!
You could take your water jugs get two bowls and add water to one. The other one add soap to and boil some water and then pour it in your sink. Or add a washing rag to the soapy water for a bird bath
I couldn't do the whole not shower every day bit. That would drive me nuts, especially in such a small space with someone else. I'm also full-time on the road, but I have an onboard shower and 43 gallons of freshwater. Doing the dishes does use an insane amount of water, so when I'm dry camping, I use compostable plates, cups, utensils etc. I also do my laundry onboard with a bucket and plunger, not a laundromat. I dry my clothes inside the rig because in the desert there aren't exactly trees to hang clothes on, and even when there are palm trees, those sand storms would really do a number on them. Happy travels!
Ah yes #2 Let me tell you what works best for me: Folgers style coffee can, line it with doggie poo bags or this small bags from the produce department. Coffee scoop full of cat litter on the bottom. Do the deed, pull the bag shake it a little, twist it and tie it off. Throw it in the trash, don't worry it doesn't smell, if you have to keep it with you for a day or two. I have used this method for years, even used it in my bass boat back in the day, just do it under a rain poncho. Take up the space of the coffee can. Store the bags and litter in the coffee can.
Girl, I do it all the time. Some say I'm disgusting, I tell them dogs do it. Plus, what's the difference with a toilet that takes your poo in the landfills?!
At 10.30 I loved how you said about going to the toilet: "...the primitive way..." And A BIRD STARTED TO "LAUGH" IN THE BACKGROUND 😁😁😁 It's not as private in the forest that you think! 😁 Thank you for the super good video!!!
So..... you never rinse your dishes after washing?? I'm assuming you do, but how much more water does that take? Do you let the rinse water run, or do you have another trick? Thanks for the great vids!!
Larrypresley1 rinsing dishes when using natural soaps can be optional. It’s a personal thing for sure. As a child I’d camp or cottage with many family friends that didn’t rinse just hand dried their dishes.
@@vanlifesagas here ya go... 2020 New Toilet,Collapsible Portable Toilet,Portable Toilet Chair Bucket,waterproof & Strong Resistance,hold Up To 330 Lbs,Folding Commode Toilet Seat For Camping Hiking Long Trips (2.2 Lbs) www.amazon.com/dp/B08BWS6873/ref=cm_sw_r_fm_apa_i_BksbFb11TGEP2
329 litres per day?? Are you sure? I mean that’s a lot. I’ve just checked what we Germans consumed in 2017. It was 127 litres per day and in the UK they consumed 150 litres per day...
Canada is the second buggest water consumer in the world after USA. Almost double what Europeans consume daily. So your number is bang on, unfortunately. Canadians just waste a ton of water with tons of unecessary stuff (lawn, flowers, dishes, asphalt cleaning, long showers, frequent showers, large flushes on toilets, etc).
Maybe you can get away with this in the summer, but in the fall/winter if or when the plague closes public bathroom/showers down, what would call that? I can't call that anything but suffering. Why not make plans to find a place in the wintertime?
Haha, we like your way of thinking! The only problem when the plague closes public bathroom/showers is that the dumps will also be closed and you’ll probably have to keep your poop inside the truck (big no no), plus having a shower or any plumbing system in Canada requires a lot of management (everything freezes and blows). So yes, a place in wintertime is probably the best scenario if you don’t want to travel or live in a van!
@@vanlifesagas Well you future videos should be interesting and look forward to seeing them. I'm in the US. I have never lived in a van myself. on youtube I see a lot of people chase the sun, winder down south, summer in the north. 30-40 million people are facing eviction in this country. How many are going to be on the road, trying to find a place to stay is a terrifying thought relatively few people seem to be thinking about. You Canadians appear to have your act together. I wish you guys all the luck in the world.
Just Incase you want to see how much Dom reminds me of my daughter’s fella, Radi. We shot this in my kitchen. X ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-O31KoVMCrmk.html
Megan's has switched us to Truearth instead of liquid laundry soap. It is a little strip and saved millions of plastic bottles. And it is very small. May want to check it out.
@@vanlifesagas Canadian product. I know there is a funny commercial somewhere. Maybe search on RU-vid. As there is no bottle with added water, it takes less room, it is lighter, eco-friendly. Just a lot of good argument. It looks like a very good solution for the environment. Maybe not cheaper, but, when we can help the planet, we don't mind a little extra. They also do a subscription-based, so you can receive new strips automatically.
Can't wait for me to get started got the property the truck waiting for the right RV its going to be fun watching them on the road makes me laugh my a$$ off but thanks for inspiring me to go do me. i hope to maybe see you guys around in the States ✌🏼❤🙏 don't forget to RECORD 📹👈🏼 EVERYTHING! Lol even if you think its not good or dumb just put it out have fun stay 🙏 guy's ✌
Exactly! It's the same here in Canada. If we were down south, we'd have a van inside, but dealing with freezing pipes 6-7 months out of 12 was just not something we were willing to do! Good luck with your build :)
I have a very debilitating physical condition called hyperosmia. When it hits me, my head aches to the point of, I can't do anything but roll in pain! If it gets too bad, I will settle into a constant migraine for at least a week or longer. There are many so-called fragrance-free or unscented products on the market. Not many sold in local stores but you can find them either online or some specialty stores. There are a few problems when you suffer from hyperosmia as intensely as I do. I have tried all sorts of fragrance-free and unscented products, yet not many of them actually have "no smell". The problem is sort of like the word honey. The FDA says that natural has grey areas, just as claiming something is sugar, honey natural, juice, and such, may not be what we consumers consider those items to be. Corn syrup may be called honey as fragrance-free and unscented may have smells or chemicals in them. Some of the best products I could find (at best) smell a bit like Elmer's glue. When I lived in the Philippines, I had to navigate around heavily perfumed soaps, lotions, cleaning products and even rubbing alcohol. That was after searching past skin whitening soaps, lotions and such. I was able to find a body soap made from oatmeal that left no unpleasant chemical smell but for some odd reason, that flavor was difficult to find. Here in the US, I have only been able to find one soap I am able to manage (Ivory Aloe). It doesn't clean well, but I don't end up with a headache just to clean my body or wash my hands. I once asked a Whole Foods cosmetics and health associate about their fragrance-free and unscented products. That associate pointed out to me what was on the product label. "You see, it says (one or the other). I told them that doesn't necessarily mean there is no smell. As they read on in the ingredients, that is when they say chemicals may have a smell. This issue does not only affect me but everyone around me. Work was a constant battle. One of the many things I don't miss after retirement. At home with friends and family, I can't be around some because they just don't understand and it can be just as difficult at home with wife and children. All that to ask (keeping in mind how I describe my issue), what smell does "Unscentedco" products have?
I have never heard of that condition, but I do believe that's what the owner of the company has. That's actually why she started the Unscented Co. Found the ingredients table on their website: unscentedco.com/pages/ingredients-table
@@vanlifesagas It is a rarely know condition but more people suffer from it than know about it. I suspect more suffer from some level of it than are even aware. I am just more effected than most others. In a lighter way, I tell people it is my superpower. Seems, for every superpower, there is a "Kryptonite". I have run into a few people that either has the same issue or are related to someone that suffers from this condition. When you suffer from this condition, everyone around you is affected. It is very hard for most people on both sides. One example is, I loved my dad when he was alive. I loved hanging out with him. I always had to try and figure out how to position him or myself where I could not smell him. As we get older, a lot of us smell of urine or something else. My mom had the typical old woman smell of old perfumes. Usually rose. I don't know what it is with old women and rose perfumes. Just think about how that makes you feel and your loved ones when they notice you are insulted by their body odor? I felt sorry for making them feel that way but it was either that or not being around them at all. At work, I was put in a position of fighting some coworkers and management for clean smelling air. A lot of people love eating corn nuts and microwave popcorn. Those things make me feel like my brain is about to explode. Back in the day when smoking was as normal as breathing, I had to fight daily with coworkers and management over having to breathe in second-hand smoke, well before anyone ever heard of that term. It got so bad that one day, management threatened to put my work station outside. This, in Northern Illinois in the winter. I pushed back and I was blessed that at that moment, the US government put out a regulation that there would be no more smoking in any government facility. This condition is a life long battle. Unless you suffer from it, you would be amazed at how many items we all live with have chemicals that are harming us, but because most people are not outwardly affected, they are also not aware it is harming them. Pesticides, perfumes, smoke from cigarettes, cars, and on and on. Oddly enough, with all of the competing smells, there are few products in stores that have no smells. Many times, if there is no natural smell, they will add one. Just like how they add sugar to honey for some reason I can't understand either. I know I have said a lot, but I did so for those that are not aware that they may be harming someone without knowing it or believing they are. As I grew up, only my parents acknowledged my condition. My siblings made fun of me and to this day dismiss my claims.
How did you guys attach a the water pump to the 7 gallon jug? I want to put two 7 gallon jugs under my sink, and have them feed my sink and show, then have them run off into a grey water tank underneath the van. Where could I find a design similar to that??? Thank you
2 or 3 boxers a day? Get some baby powder ;) My wife wanted a dishwasher too lol but I trade it for a shower/toilet instead. Very instructional video! Thanks for all the tips guys. A tantôt!!
Allo! Je viens de vous découvrir et je suis addicté et j'écoute tous vos vidéos :) Je m'aménage une minivan en campeur et c'est un défi de rentrer tout le nécessaire dans un aussi petit espace. Je me demande où avez vous trouver vos Jerry Can? Amazon ou en magasin? Je crois que ce serait un bon format pour mon eau grise et que ça rentrerait entre mon lit et la porte coulissante. Merci à l'avance.
Oh my gosh you guys You're HILARIOUS. Thanks for sharing. I'm in the midst of selling my house and while I want be going tiny I am going into an apartment and I do want to reduce my footprint. Thanks for the advice.
@@vanlifesagas oops I meant to say I won't be going tiny. I love love love the idea and it truly inspires me but for me it will be an apartment. I am however going to be much more minimalist and aware of my space. By the way I am right here in La Belle Province aussi. Bonne journée
Can I get a personal van tour when you come to Calgary on your way to the west coast. J’aime que votre van est courte et j’aimerais bien voir le layout en personne. Aussi, j’ai fais la route souvent jusqu’à Vancouver, je peux vous donner des tips and tricks si vous ne l’avais jamais fait. 💜🙌🏽
@@vanlifesagas the kind of weed spray you pump up the pressure and then use the trigger on the end of the spray kinda wand, spear and Jackson 5 ltr pump up sprayer, or go to any garden centre or b&q outlet there for weeds
I use a nano technology "lifesaver bottle", small compact, able to filter 6000 litres of drinkable water on one cartridge, pretty inexpensive and it uses both carbon filters and nanotubes, that filter out particles the smaller than a cholera virus, and you can recycle from sewer water and it will come out to London Metropolitan - UK water standards, so it permits decentralisation of water supply. You can get it from creeks, you can recycle your urine up to 3 times, after that it becomes too saline. It does not take dissoved salt out and it won't exclude liquid petroleum. I have taken it around the world, through war zones, too many third world countries and I have never been sick. You could save your greywater and filter that back into fresh clean odourless drinking water. There are jerrycan size one that can provide clean drinking water for a family of 4 for three years at approximately 3 cents (US) a litre.
@@vanlifesagas ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-CYa85fcpVjY.html (A terrific TedEx discussion of the benefits) and www.911supply.ca/products/lifesaver-bottle-4000uf (4000 ltr version) and www.amazon.ca/Lifesaver-Bottle-Ultra-Filtration-Water/dp/B001EHF99K (6000 litre version).
Your shower gave me an idea for an SUV camping design I’m developing. I’m tired of always setting up tent etc. So i sleep in my suv and now I’m going to build up a small kitchen that pulls out and i think your shower might work there too (as a water supply to kitchen sink and a shower). - I don’t know if I’ll be able to shower there without giggling at Don’s hair flip. Toooo 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. Thanks for the idea guys! Safe travels🐾🙌
@@vanlifesagas There is also this. Poor girl had a performance problem in front of the camera crew. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-LrcmToEzqBI.html
Vanlife Sagas I understand, as kids we dug goles no fancy funnel but men now a days are so immature it was refreshing to see him be so mater of fact about it. Keep the content coming. Hope to catch you back in AZ next time you’re by these parts.
Also you can quick,semi-dry clean up/shower with water,bowl,bathing soap and cotton/fiber cloth/sponge, rinse and take soap off then dry self and walaah!! Clean
Love your videos! I had a question about the water. What if you had one of those water tanks in the van. Some have for example a 30L under their bed. Would that still freeze in Canada?
Krystal White we don’t have a fixed bed, so we couldn’t have it !! But it would still freeze. Where we live, it’s impossible to have water in the winter unless you heat all the time, but that’s no good
Do you guys know Eamon and Bec? Because you guys would be best friends for life. Look them up on YT if you don´t know them. Very similar humor and style.
I saw a comedy show that covered this very issue of leg shaving, the mother was telling the girls (adult women pretending to be 13) that once you choose to shave your legs you can never stop for the rest of your life. Made me think that is a Matrix moment for girls, do I take the red pill or the blue pill.
Man, that show was right. My mom flipped when she learned I was shaving my legs at 13. She was right, I havent stopped since. It's like beard! Sort of!
