How to Bathe when Water Is Scarce

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Even when water is scarce, you still need to keep clean. Luckily, you have a few options available to you, such as taking a sponge bath, or if you have a bit more water, a navy shower. You can also take steps to conserve water in the shower even if water isn't scarce in your area.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Taking a Sponge Bath

PDF download Download Article
  1. Add 3 cups (710 ml) of hot water to a metal bucket. Stir in about 3 tablespoons (44 ml) of baking soda. Try not to leave any grains in the bottom.
  2. Soak your hair in the water, and comb it all the way through. Dump out the water, and repeat the process. Leave your hair wet in a towel.
    Advertisement
  3. Add about 3 cups (710 ml) of warm to hot water to a bucket. Add 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of baking soda to the water. Stir the mixture to combine.
  4. Scrub down your whole body, rinsing out the cloth often. You can use some soap on hairy areas, but only a little. Use water on the rag to rinse it off. [1]
    • Using too much soap means you have to rinse it out, which is difficult to do with a sponge bath.
    • However, medical supply stores also carry products that don't require much water to use, such as no-rinse liquid body soap. [2]
  5. Put fresh water in the basin. Dunk your head in the basin, getting it completely wet. Use a comb to remove the dirt and baking soda. Dunk again if you need to, and then dry off per usual.
    6. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Using Dry Methods

PDF download Download Article
  1. They won't get you completely clean, but they will help. Just be sure to use more than one wipe as each one gets dirty. [3]
    • Apply lotion after you use the baby wipes to moisturize your skin.
  2. Hold the dry shampoo about a foot from your head, aiming just at the roots. Start with enough to cover your hair, but don't spray too much. Let it sit for a few minutes, then use your hands to rub it in. You can also brush it in. If your hair still looks greasy, you can try again. [4]
  3. To keep yourself smelling good between showers, you can apply deodorant. Try applying it at night and in the morning. Applying it a night gives it a chance to work in a moisture-free environment. [5]
  4. When you aren't showering as much, you want to stay as cool as possible. The hottest areas of your body will smell the most. Loose-fitting clothing will help you stay cool in those areas and smell less. [6]
    5. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Taking a Navy Shower

PDF download Download Article
  1. Turn on the water long enough to just get yourself wet, about 30 seconds. Make sure you get your hair and whole body wet in this amount of time, then shut the shower off.
  2. With the water off, proceed to lather up your body. Put shampoo in your hair, and rub it in well. Soap up your body. Keep going until you've got your whole body covered in soap suds.
  3. While the water is off, take the time to shave. If you need a little water to rinse off your razor from time to time, fill an old cup with water. Then just agitate it in the water to clean it off before moving on.
  4. Turn the water back on. Starting with your hair, begin rinsing off the soap. Rinse from the top down so you're not adding soap back to areas you've already rinsed. Leave the shower on just long enough to rinse off your whole body.
  5. If you need to use conditioner, turn off the water again, and lather up with conditioner. Once you're done, turn the water on again to rinse it out. Alternatively, use a leave-in conditioner that doesn't need to be rinsed out.
    6. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Saving Water when Bathing

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you take a shower everyday, you're not alone. However, most of the time, you don't need to shower that often to stay clean. Try reducing the number of showers you take until you reach an equilibrium of taking fewer showers and still staying relatively clean. [7]
    • Sometimes, showering every other day will do, and some people even shower once a week.
  2. [8] These shower heads use less water per minute, so you're saving water while using them. Most of the time, you won't even be able to tell the difference between a low-flow shower head and normal shower head.
    • It also helps not to turn the water on full-blast.
    • You can find these at most home improvement stores. Typically, the run about the same price or a little more than a conventional shower head. Most of the time, you can install them yourself.
  3. Another option is to just try to shorten your shower as much as possible. While a hot shower feels great on your muscles, it wastes a lot of water. Try to take a shower as fast as you can. Start by timing yourself, and then try to reduce your shower by 30 seconds every day.
  4. Filling up a bathtub takes a lot more water than simply taking a quick shower. When you can, opt for a shower instead. When you need to take a bath, only fill it up about a quarter of the way.
  5. You and your partner can hop into the bath or shower together rather than using twice the water to bathe separately. Kids can also share one bath, helping to save water. [9]
    • Of course, if your kids aren't comfortable bathing together, it's not a good idea to force them. You could also let them wear bathing suits for privacy.
    6. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I convince my children that they have to go in with their siblings?
    OrangeBerry2846
    Community Answer
    If you have young children ages 8 and under, you can try to get them to bath together by making it fun. Bath bubbles, bath toys and simple hand games can help convince them. However, if they are ages 9 and older, it's best to find a strategy where they can bathe separately.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 7 Helpful 35
  • Question
    How can I take a bath with 1 liter of water?
    Community Answer
    Instead of a full-on bath, put the water in a bowl, and use a washcloth to wipe down your body.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 34
  • Question
    How many days can I go without bathing and not smell funky?
    Nate848
    Community Answer
    It will probably only take a day or two before you start to smell, depending on what climate you live in and what work you are doing.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 7 Helpful 18
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Fix drips immediately. A lot of water is lost each day through a dripping faucet or a running toilet. Put a large container underneath the dripping area in order to catch the water for later use.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • When first turning the shower on, the water is cold. Use a bucket to catch the water until it warms up. Set that water aside for other uses, such as watering plants or flushing the toilet.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • Do not use baking soda. It's bad for your skin and hair. Just use a body wash.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Dry Yourself After a Shower
      How to
      Fix a Leaking Shower Head
      How to
      Take a Bath
      How to
      Prepare a Relaxing Bath
      How to
      Make Your Own Soap
      How to
      Give a Sponge Bath
      How to
      Take a Detox Bath
      How to
      Take a Sitz Bath in the Bathtub & Using a Kit
      How to
      Deep Clean Your Body
      How to
      Take a Steam Bath
      How to
      Use Bath Bombs and Up Your Spa Day Game
      How to
      Dry Damp Salt
      How to
      Take Navy Showers (A Fast & Eco-Friendly Way to Get Clean)
      How to
      Set up a Romantic Bath
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.motherearthnews.com/nature-and-environment/sponge-bath-zmaz81mazraw
      2. ↑ https://modernsurvivalblog.com/health/10-tips-how-to-save-water-when-bathing/
      3. ↑ https://modernsurvivalblog.com/health/10-tips-how-to-save-water-when-bathing/
      4. ↑ http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/hair/a33710/dry-shampoo-tips/
      5. ↑ http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/anti-aging/g3897/how-to-smell-good-without-showering/
      6. ↑ http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/anti-aging/g3897/how-to-smell-good-without-showering/
      7. ↑ http://nymag.com/scienceofus/2015/04/could-droughts-end-the-daily-shower.html
      8. ↑ Kathryn Kellogg. Eco-friendly Living Expert. Expert Interview. 28 June 2019.
      9. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/live-better-unilever/top-tips-for-saving-water-in-the-shower

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 307,994 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Anonymous

        Nov 22, 2017

        "Short showers using a shower gel works for me. I like the idea of opening the shower quickly, wetting the body ..." more
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement