How to Live in Your Car: Everything You Want to Know

The best manual on how to live in a car is available here. We discuss a wide range of subjects, such as cooking, maintaining personal hygiene, washing clothes, and selecting the ideal vehicle.

Perhaps you’re thinking about living in your car to save money, or maybe you want the freedom to roam and discover.

Before moving on to the crucial factors you must take into account before making the leap, we will first go over reasons why you should live in your car. You can transform your vehicle into the ideal residence for your adventure by using these suggestions.

To make sure you have a safe and comfortable experience, there is a core section on the specific items you will need for car living.

We will also respond to some frequently asked queries, such as whether it is legal to live in a car. All of your questions will be addressed in this comprehensive guide. Many people worry that it is illegal.

5 Reasons to Live in Your Car

Living in your car on purpose is becoming an increasingly common option for many young adults as housing and rental costs rise and the average American student graduates with at least $37,500 in student loan debt. Living in your car frees you from social responsibilities like high rent costs and consumer culture, enabling you to lead an entirely liberated and possible life.

1. Living in Your Car Cuts Out Your Biggest Monthly Bill, Rent.

Being able to save money is the main benefit of living in your car. According to the World Population Review, 39 states saw an increase in average rent between 2019 and 2020, with a 1 bedroom apartment costing an average of $1,098 per month. Living in your car saves money on that expense as well as expenses related to maintaining a home, such as utilities and home furnishings.

2. Between Work and Leisure Activities, Most People Spend Very Little Time in Their Homes.

Living out of your car is a great option if you frequently travel for work or enjoy exciting adventures in your free time. The typical American commutes to and from work for about an hour each day (U.S. According to Condor Ferries, U.S. Census Bureau, 466.2 million people traveled domestically on business in 2017. The total amount of time spent traveling (Tourist & Travel Statistics). You are probably not sitting at home during non-work hours if you lead an active or social lifestyle.

3. Freedom to Wander and Explore the World Around You.

Living out of your car gives you complete mobility and freedom; any location becomes a possibility for residence, employment, or travel. You are free to drive out and set up wherever your car will take you since you have no fixed address to maintain.

4. Set Yourself Free from a Consumerist Lifestyle.

When you live out of your car, you can enjoy a minimalist lifestyle; As Chuck Palahniuk said in his book Fight Club, “The things you own, end up owning you”. Living out of your car encourages you to return to the fundamentals and concentrate on what is truly important to you because America is renowned for its insatiable appetite for consumption. With so much time and money saved, who knows what experiences you might have or what lessons you might learn about yourself?

5. You Are Already Paying to Maintain a Reliable Car.

You probably already maintain a car that gets you everywhere you need to go and is reliable, so you don’t really need to maintain an apartment as well. There is no reason to hand over the vast majority of your paycheck for a place to sleep when, with a little life adjustment, you can live out of your car

5 Things to Know Before Living Out of Your Car

A growing number of young adults are choosing to live in their cars instead of homes, defying convention. Living out of your car has many benefits, including cost savings and a refreshing sense of freedom, but you’ll need to reconsider some fundamentals, such as how to handle your mail, get ready in the morning, and fill all that spare time.

1. Be Prepared for a Sharp Learning Curve.

Be kind to yourself and make sure you have a support system in place because there will be an adjustment period when you first start living in your car. There will be some culture shock, so have a few people or locations in mind where you can go ahead of time to recharge and remember all the reasons why you made this choice.

2. You Will Need to Be the Most Organized You Have Ever Been in Your Life.

Although it may seem like a wild and free experience to live out of your car, being organized is essential for a successful (and enjoyable) experience. Your daily routine (for both workdays and free days) should be written down. Then, convert each step into a version that can be driven in a car. Search for overnight parking spots near your workplace, family members, or friends, as well as locations where you can regularly take showers and use the restroom.

3. Living in Your Car is Closer to Living in the Natural Elements.

Have a plan in place for dealing with extreme weather because the weather exists and a car is not a building. You’ll need to figure out how to keep your car cool on hot or sunny days without endangering your safety, and on chilly or freezing days, you’ll need to make sure you’re warm enough or have a place you can stay with some climate control.

4. Know the Law, Know Your Rights.

Living in your car isn’t illegal and there are plenty of legal options in terms of where to sleep, cook, and shower. Know the law, understand your rights, and don’t be afraid to join some online communities that can help you get used to your new lifestyle. Get to know the local business owners and residents whether you plan to settle there permanently or just for a short time before moving on to the next location. The larger the community you create, the more options you will have.

5. Stay in Touch With Your Mental Health

Have a strategy in place to stay connected and content because you’ll be spending a lot of time alone in a small area. Organize ways to continue doing your favorite lazy day activities in your car. Know some great outdoor spaces where you can walk or spend an afternoon.

Before You Start

1. Find a Comfortable Car.

Remember that convenience over anything else matters when looking for a car that is comfortable to live in. Therefore, if you want to find some extra space to stretch your hands and feet, a 2-seater convertible car isn’t the best option. Alternatively, you should choose an SUV, hatchback, station wagon, truck, van, or recreational vehicle. Choose any respectable and roomy vehicle that you can sleep in without risking serious injury as a general rule.

2. Sort Out Your Delivery Arrangement.

Since you probably won’t have a permanent address living in a car, you need to sort out a virtual delivery address with a service that lets you receive your package at the nearest drop-off location. A Private Mailbox would be a wise decision.

3. Secure Your Valuables.

Even if you have an RV, a vehicle is not the safest place to store valuable items that you can’t afford to lose. However, you can join a bank that offers a safe deposit box where you can store your most valuable items.

4. Do Proper Car Maintenance.

Going on a road trip and ending up stranded because your car broke down in the middle of nowhere is the last thing you want to happen. You can detect a problem before it gets serious by keeping a regular and thorough schedule for car maintenance. You should be able to carry out simple inspections like checking the fluid levels, changing a tire, and checking the tire pressure.

5. Update Your Essential Driving Documents.

When you start driving and living in your car, it goes without saying that you will run into the police quite a bit. Make sure to keep your identity card, passport, driver’s license, and auto insurance in active status to avoid any legal snags.

6. Keep a Spare Key.

If you lose your car key, getting locked out can be a nightmare. If you attempt to break into your car and someone calls the police, it might even get worse. In any case, it’s a good idea to store a spare key in a hidden location that is safe and accessible whenever you need it.

How to Prepare Your Car to Live In

It’s time to get the car live-in ready after you’ve organized your life in preparation for moving into it. For things like clean clothes, dirty clothes, toiletries, car maintenance, food, and personal items, you should create organized sections. To ensure that the car is in a safe and suitable condition, get it tinted and take it in for full service.

Mark off areas of the car in your mind for things like a sleeping area, a kitchen for preparing and storing food, and a recreation area. You’ll remain calm and at ease in your new surroundings if you realize that everything has a place.

1. Give the Car a Full Service

Give your car a thorough service and have any avoidable problems looked at. Everything under the hood should be examined, including the air in the tires, fluids, filters, and new brake pads. You want to get off to a good start since you will be relying on your car for everything.

2. Install Extra Security Measures

You don’t want anything to happen to your car because it’s your new home. Get a steering column lock and any other additional security tools you feel comfortable using.

3. Tinting

If the car isn’t already tinted, do so as darkly as is permitted by law in your region. Privacy and security are implied by tinting. As an alternative, you can buy sunshades that you can hang over the windows.

4. Get Organized

Make designated compartments for all of the storage spaces in your car, including the trunk and the back seat. To prevent food from getting crushed or scattering crumbs throughout the entire area, everything needs to be kept separate, especially food. Know what items you should keep nearby (such as snacks and wipes) and designate specific areas in your main living area for them. While you obviously need to use the trunk for storage in order to reduce the number of times you enter and exit your car, you also need to make sure that the necessities are accessible.

5. Prepare the Designated Sleeping Space

Make sure you and all of your belongings can fit comfortably in the space where you intend to sleep. This is crucial if you have to rearrange your sleeping area every night in order to lay down the back seats.

10 Car Living Essentials

As you assemble all of the necessities for living out of your car, you’ll incur some initial setup costs. The three main groups are day-to-day living, daily living, and maintenance of vehicles.

Car Maintenance will be everything you need to have on hand to keep your car running smoothly and ensure you don’t get stuck in a sticky situation. Such items include a spare tire and jack, a back-up battery, and additional fluids. Wipes and a practical toiletries kit are examples of personal maintenance items that can help you maintain your personal hygiene. Items like your sleeping bag and food storage containers will be used on a daily basis.

1. Back-Up Battery/Air Compressor Combo

An essential item for living out of your car is a backup battery and air compressor combination. Get the necessary equipment to jump-start your car on your own because you don’t want to be caught off guard by a dead battery or a flat tire.

2. Vehicle Spares

A spare tire, a jack, or a tire repair kit should always be available. If you plan to spend a lot of time on the road while living in your car, keep extra fluids, filters, and bulbs on hand—anything you might need to keep your vehicle in good working order and keep you safe.

3. Powerful Flashlight and Headlamp

You don’t want to use the dome lights every time you need to find something in the car at night, as this will drain the battery. When you need to use the restroom in the nearby forest at midnight, a bright headlamp or a sturdy flashlight that doubles as a weapon come in handy.

4. Earplugs/Eye Mask

You have no control over the surroundings when you sleep in your car. To help you sleep soundly, consider using earplugs and an effective eye mask to block out the noise and light from outside.

5. Sleeping Amenities

Invest in the appropriate sleeping supplies once you are aware of the sleeping space your vehicle can provide. This can be as simple as a pillow and sleeping bag for the backseat or as elaborate as a real air mattress with real sheets.

6. Handy Toiletries

In order to keep yourself and your living situation private, it is best to keep all of your toiletries in a covert and portable bag. Keep it simple by using only essentials like soap, shampoo, conditioner, a razor, and toothbrush and toothpaste. If you plan to live in a more rural area and utilize the natural resources, please use environmentally friendly products.

7. Wipes

The importance of having a package of wipes on hand is understood by anyone who has ever spent any significant amount of time living out of their car. The key to maintaining a clean living space is to use wipes for both personal hygiene and surface cleaning.

8. Cooler

You don’t have to rely solely on dry goods if you have a small cooler to store some perishable foods. This needs to be kept in the car’s main cabin and opened as little as possible. A great tip for keeping it cool is to top it off with a cold bottle of water every time you open it.

9. Water

Keep a large supply of water in the trunk and a smaller supply for daily use in the passenger area. Water is useful for drinking, washing, and in an emergency, topping off your car’s coolant (but be sure to know how to change your car’s coolant correctly and safely first).

10. Portable Toilet

To avoid having to find a bathroom every time you need to urinate, it is worthwhile to purchase some sort of portable toilet. Depending on your price range, you can purchase anything from a real chemical toilet to a clear plastic bottle with a wide rim.

10 Tips for Living in Your Car Comfortably

One of the biggest obstacles to comfortably living out of your car is an adaptation, so it’s critical to make the right vehicle investment (if you can). Fortunately, finding the right car is only a small component of enjoying your car life.

You can greatly improve your sense of security and comfort in your new environment by keeping it well-maintained, no matter its size, with sensible organization, sound routines, and healthy habits.

1. Invest in the Right Car for You

Everyone has different needs, a different budget, and a different circumstances; some people choose to live in their cars, while others have that decision forced upon them. If you can upgrade to a car with the features and space you need for the job. If you’re stuck with what you’ve got, downsize as much as you can and spend money on luxuries.

2. Stay Organised

To live comfortably in a small space, you must have a place for everything. Maintain a supply of healthy snacks, water, wipes, and toiletries close at hand while keeping clothing, household goods, and auto supplies out of the way.

3. Plan Ahead

Planning ahead is the best way to stay safe and comfortable while avoiding potentially dangerous situations, and we cannot emphasize this enough. Know where you can regularly take showers and do laundry, and always have a backup plan. Have several options for overnight stays.

4. Be Prepared for Unusual Situations

You’ll probably have to talk to the authorities occasionally, so remain composed, prepare your remarks, and act politely. Because you had a plan and a list of places to go, it doesn’t matter if the police move you on occasion or if you have to move because drunk people are fighting in the street.

5. Create a Comfortable Sleeping Environment

There should be a separate area set aside for sleeping from where you spend the day. Make it as comfortable as you can with reclining seats and warm, cozy bedding. When you’re sleeping, keep your windows slightly cracked, but cover them with a blanket or towel to preserve your privacy.

6. Have a Daily Routine

Setting wake-up and bedtimes help give your day structure and break up the monotony of living in a car. This makes sleeping and living much more comfortable because bathrooms won’t always be nearby. It also teaches your body when to anticipate a bathroom break.

7. Entertainment

Have a few road trip playlists for every occasion, happy, sad, calming, and background noise, to make the environment feel cozy. When the evenings are quiet, listening to audiobooks and podcasts is a great way to pass the time.

8. Eat Healthy Foods

You can live comfortably in a small space by eating as many clean, fresh foods as you can and maintaining a healthy diet. Keeping food in the car can be challenging, but having apples, peanut butter, powdered milk, and rolled oats on hand is preferable to chip and cookie bags.

9. Maintain Hygiene

You’ll be more at ease living in your car if you feel clean and fresh. Consider scheduling routine showers, keeping wet wipes close at hand, and storing dirty laundry in a sealed bag away from the main living area. Clean up spills and wipe down surfaces on a regular basis.

10. Prioritise Mental Health

Being at ease with oneself is a prerequisite for being at ease in one’s surroundings. Keep up with friends and spend as much time as you can outside of the car to take care of your mental health. Create a plan to continue participating in your favorite hobbies and have access to several outdoor spaces where you can pass the time. Living in your car only changes where you sleep at night; it doesn’t alter who you are or what you love.

5 Safety Tips for Living in Your Car

Although living in your car is an amazing adventure full of possibilities and freedoms, it also means you are responsible for your own safety. You will be much more exposed to the outside world, so try to be as stealthy and unpredictable as you can. Plan ahead to give yourself as many safe options as you can and maintain contact with family or the community.

1. Be as Discrete as Possible

Although it is not against the law to live in your car, it is best for your personal safety to be as covert as possible to avoid any unwanted attention. Make the living area of your car as opaque as you can, and try to minimize the number of times you get in and out of it, especially at night. Be kind and considerate to those around you so they don’t start to view you with suspicion.

2. Move in Unpredictable Or Immemorable Patterns

Don’t stick to a regular sleeping schedule or place for multiple nights in a row. There is never enough room for sleeping, and you should always have a few designated safe places on hand. This calls for having an emergency fund set aside for a hotel stay or having local friends or family who won’t mind letting you crash on their couches one off-night.

3. Plan Ahead to Keep Your Options Open

The better prepared you are, the more familiar you will be with your surroundings and your daily schedule. Have a long list of safe places to stay, park in spots that are simple to exit, and be aware of how long you can safely drive before you become fatigued. Your likelihood of finding yourself in a situation where you have few or no safe options decreases if you are prepared.

4. Have a Dependable Contact You Keep Up-to-date on Your Whereabouts

If at all possible, keep a trustworthy loved one (preferably one with a regular/stable address) up to date on your whereabouts. Create a system whereby you text them regular updates or check in with them each evening. It’s important to make sure they have a current list of the places you frequently sleep and information about your car so that, in the worst-case scenario, they know where to look first.

5. Trust Your Instincts

Get out of there and seek help if something doesn’t feel right. Your safety is paramount, so don’t feel bad if you need to stay with a friend or spend a little extra money on a safe place to sleep. Don’t be afraid to note suspicious license plates or keep your contact information up to date if something doesn’t seem right.

Safest Places to Park When You Live in Your Car

Know the area you are in and have a list of secure parking locations, regardless of whether you intend to live more nomadically or permanently in one place. Safe locations ought to be well-lit, legitimate, in a secure area of town, and close to other people you can turn to in an emergency.

1. Walmart

One of the safer options is Walmart, which is likely the most well-known place to spend the night in your car. It should be well-lit, open 24 hours a day, have access to amenities and other people, be entirely legal, be on level ground, and not have any high-speed traffic. Although there will be a lot of foot traffic from shoppers during the morning and day.

2. Campgrounds

Campgrounds are built with sleeping accommodations in mind. There won’t be any traffic, there will be lots of other people around, and the restrooms will be in a secure location. Even though the price is typically low, it can add up if you depend on it every night. The best choice might not be camping if you intend to live in a city because campgrounds are typically located in more rural areas.

3. Rest Stops

While the length of time you can legally sleep at a rest stop varies from state to state, rest stops are another place made for people to stop and sleep. Generally speaking, rest stops are well-lit and offer secure access to amenities, but you will need to assess each one separately. You want to be close to other cars but not too close to the main building and out of the way of the entrance and exit.

4. Religious Buildings

Religious structures provide solace for many people, regardless of their level of religious commitment. Outside of services, religious structures are typically deserted, making them peaceful, well-kept parking lots. It’s worth making an introduction and requesting formal permission because the staff members are frequently amiable and eager to assist others.

5. Residential Neighborhoods

Residential neighborhoods in secure parts of town are a good location because they are typically well-lit (but not too bright), have an even surface, have little traffic at night, and have lots of people nearby in case of emergency. Parking close to a familiar face makes it even safer. While it’s not against the law, it’s best and safer for you if you keep your distance from people’s private residences.

How to Wash Clothes When Living Out of Your Car

Maintaining clean, fresh clothing is a great way to boost your mood. It’s simpler to feel comfortable when you look and feel good. Although washing your clothes can be challenging, as long as you prepare ahead of time, there shouldn’t be any issues.

The obvious answers are friends and family, but you might not want to rely too heavily on other people’s generosity. Another obvious option is the laundromat, but as anyone who doesn’t have access to a washer and dryer can attest, this can get expensive very quickly. You really only need a bucket of water, some detergent, and some time to let your clothes air dry.

1. Portable Camping Clothes Washer

You will need: the washing apparatus, Electricity, Batteries, or Manpower (depending on your selection), water, and detergent

Cost: $25-$300 depending on which washer you select.

Dry: You will need space and time to hang dry your clothes

Whatever your needs or financial situation, a wide variety of portable clothes washers are available. They can be powered by electricity (best for people living in vans or RVs with generators), batteries, or human power and come in a variety of sizes. Simple man-powered ones are more economical and environmentally friendly than electric or battery-powered ones, which can cost between $70 and $300.

2. Lakes/Rivers

You will need: a body of water, a bucket, biodegradable detergent

Cost: Free!

Dry: you will need space and time to hang dry your clothes

If you reside in a more rural area, you might have access to nearby lakes or rivers. As opposed to washing your clothes directly in the water, it is recommended to use a bucket to collect water from the river or lake before using it to wash your clothes. Please use biodegradable or eco-friendly detergent instead of regular detergent, which is very bad for the environment. Please refrain from using salt water as it will damage your clothing.

3. Bucket of Water

You will need: a bucket, supply of fresh water, detergent

Cost: Free!

Dry: you will need space and time to hang dry your clothes

All you really need to clean those clothes is a straightforward bucket and some freshwater. It might take a while to get several loads washed and dried in a day because this works best in small loads.

4. Friend/Family Member

You will need: a good friend or family member who will let you use their washer/dryer

Cost: Free! (though it’s best to bring your own detergent and offer them a little something for their kindness)

Dry: if they let you use their washer, they are probably fine letting you use the dryer!

Utilizing a friend’s or family member’s washer and dryer can be a great way to get a really thorough clean in if you don’t mind asking. It is best to only occasionally use this option (if you have access to it). Bring your own supplies at all times, and as a gesture of gratitude, offer to help out around the house or bring a special treat.

5. Laundro-Mat

You will need: A bag of quarters, detergent

Cost: $2.50-$10.00 to wash/dry a single load

Dry: all laundromats supply dryers, though they vary in quality.

The cost of washing and drying a load of laundry at a laundromat is on average $6.20 per load, making this the most expensive choice. We suggest trying to get by with the bucket of water method and doing a big wash at the laundromat once a month if you don’t have a friend or family member you can turn to. Grab a bag of quarters and go for it, though, if you have the money and are willing to spend it.

Top Tips for Doing Laundry Out of Your Car

• When possible, use environmentally friendly products.
• If you can’t use a dryer, make sure you have enough time to let your clothes dry.
• Wash the essentials (such as underwear, socks, and tops) frequently since smaller loads are preferable, but save the bulkier items (such as jeans, trousers, and sweaters) for when they really need to be washed.
• To keep odors from permeating your car, store dirty laundry in the trunk in a sealed bag.

Preparing Food When Living Out of Your Car

Though it is different from having a full-service kitchen, cooking in the car isn’t as challenging as it sounds. Eating will increasingly revolve around what you can prepare as opposed to what you are craving.

The simplest and most cost-effective options are foods that require little preparation and don’t require white goods (like a fridge or stove) to store or prepare them, but food that is kept at room temperature rots quickly. If you intend to spend a significant amount of time living out of your car, buying a good cooler and a camping stove is a wise investment.

Eat Out at Restaurants.

For most people who eat in cars, especially those who want to save money, eating out may not be their first choice. In contrast, going to a restaurant could provide a welcome change of pace from spending most of your time in a dull and boring car. Additionally, restaurants offer a wider selection of foods that you can’t prepare in a car.

Store Fruits and Veggies.

Consider bringing non-perishable fruits and vegetables in your car. Fruits and vegetables like apples, beets, coconut, carrots, oranges, lemons, tangerines, cabbage, and grapefruits are examples. Even better, you could prepare a fruit or vegetable salad while driving.

Pack Foods That Don’t Need Refrigeration.

A balanced diet that does not require refrigeration is an option in addition to fruits and vegetables that can be stored for weeks. What about things like nuts, beef jerky, dried grains, honey, protein powder, coconut oil, hard cheese with wax, ghee, and powdered milk?

Store Perishable Edibles in Car Cooler Or Portable Refrigerator.

Perishable foods can now be kept in the right conditions for days or even weeks thanks to technology. To do so, you’ll need a portable refrigerator or a car cooler. In addition to preserving food items like meat, fish, poultry, and cooked leftovers, a car cooler or portable refrigerator can also be used to store ice cubes.

Make Breakfast, Lunch, Or Dinner in Your Car.

There is a clever way to make espresso coffee in your car, and all you need to do is plug the machine into the cigarette lighter. Beyond that, you can use a camp stove or portable cooker to prepare lunch or dinner in a safe and secure location.

Save Drinking Water.

Buying bottled water can be expensive and it will give you more plastic to throw away. It would be better to have a bottle with you that you can fill up with water at eateries, shopping centers, hostels, gyms, motels, and community centers.

Here’s Our Food Essentials Shopping List

• Bread/Bagels
• Fresh Fruit (apples, bananas, oranges, anything that doesn’t need to be kept cold)
• Nuts/Seeds
• Dried Foods
• Cereals
• Pre-Popped Popcorn
• Rolled Oats
• Powdered Milk
• Peanut Butter
• Protein Bars
• Protein Shakes
• Canned Goods (soups, beans, fruit, veggies, or meat)
• Water

How to Shower When You Live in Your Car

When you live in your car, finding a free, hot shower becomes a top priority because keeping clean is good for morale. Fortunately, whether you live in a rural area or the middle of a city, there are many locations where you can get a free or reasonably priced shower.

In every state and on some beaches, there are free public restrooms. A gym membership is an excellent way to regularly access a hot, clean shower, and you can always spend money on a portable shower for your car.

1. Free Public Showers

Cost: Free!

Although there may not be one nearby where you live, every state offers some free public restrooms. It is worthwhile to check the Public Showers Directory for your state to see if there are any nearby. Bring your own toiletries, towels, and shower shoes, and don’t forget to pack your own socks.

2. Gym Membership

Cost: Starting at $19.99 a month

A gym membership is a great way to get access to frequent, hot, clean showers. See what the prices are at the local gym that is the most popular. The most affordable membership is typically offered by Planet Fitness, which charges $19.99 per month for access to all of their locations. However, if you live close to a particular facility, you may be able to obtain a membership for that particular facility for even less. 24/hr fitness is another great option because there are so many across the country and they are open 24/7.

3. Portable Shower

Cost: One-time cost, $20-$300

You can take showers whenever you want because a portable shower is simple to keep or store in the car. Although there is a shower for every budget, we suggest one that folds away, has a solar heating system, is hands-free, and has enough water storage so you don’t feel rushed. The privacy and warmth of these showers will vary depending on where you are.

4. Camp Grounds

Cost: Some locations charge a fee for a night of camping, while others charge a small fee. A bag of quarters should be close at hand because some are coin-operated.

Since campgrounds are built to accommodate people, the majority have some kind of showering facility; however, you should check in advance. Many locations require you to pay for a night of camping in order to use the facility, but some don’t mind since the showers are coin-operated anyway. Do not forget to bring a bag of quarters, your towel, and your toiletries. Most cost about 50 cents for three minutes of water.

5. Friend/Family Member

Cost: Free!

Having a trustworthy friend or family member who doesn’t mind if you stop by for an occasional shower is always a plus. If you want to be invited back, make sure you bring your own toiletries and leave the restroom cleaner than when you found it.

Dry shampoo and wet wipes are essentials to have on hand for those times when your friend is out of town, you’ve run out of money, or it’s just too chilly to stand outside in front of your portable shower. If all else fails, book a room at a budget hotel and take a quick getaway.

FAQs