Two Liters of Water Shower Travel Tip is almost Explained in Ghana

The problem with the these "rags" are they are a vector for bacteria if not disinfected properly. The bacteria are munching on epidermis ditrus ("dead skin") and can sometimes be rubbed into pores causing boils, and the like. Don't forget the bleach or iodine and sunshine to do them in. Sometimes these darn "rags" are too abrasive on the skin, and leave the skin exposed to more virus and bacteria than with a less vigorous scrubbing.

Most surfers/divers can do the 1/2 gallon scrub up and rinse off.

A friend and I once camped out on a deserted island with no water source but a plastic 55 gallon drum. Still had about 1/3 left after 8 days, used up much of the 2/3 when we caught sight of the mayor's office field ship coming to pick us up. And we would use about 1/2 gallon to get rinsed after spearfishing and surveying daily.

The thing that caught my attention initially to HoboTraveller was Andy's hot water bathing contraptions.

I use aircon runoff condensation catchment with a few drops of chlorine for washing up, as the water from the tap is heavily mineralized. Also have my orchids water on a dripline from other aircons.

I thought about living long term on one of the other "uninhabited" islands in this chain, and think one could have 10-20 gallons of fresh water from 10 x 40 sq. foot solar still(s). Plus the top glass could double as rain catchment.

Gadget from has written 1,020 comments

Hello Vic,

As I understand, dry is more sanitary than wet. The rubbery plastic Frenchie things dry super fast, while any normal rag takes hours. Not using a rag or anything is an option, but there is value in opening the pours once or twice a week with a good scrub.

Yes, a person should not use these rubbery nets to a level where they take too much off, but this is what is nice, I clean my body fast. If I am in a common shower where it truly is not comfortable, I can get debris off my body faster.

I have noticed, in the tropics, when you walk around as much as I do, as I sweat, the dust accumulates on my body. I need to clean my body better because of this dust.

The inside of my computer collect this same dust, I need to clean the inside of the computer also or it will overheat.

Now, if you stay in air conditioned room with a window AC, it could maybe clean the air, but Africa is a dust bowl. I do not like the AC that recirculate the same air.

The amount of dust pollutants is triple of the USA, and Asia is normally about double, in Asia the polluted air or smoke from cars is bad. Central and South America can sometimes be the cleanest on the planet.

I am aware of dust and sound pollutants, the ambient noise and the amount of dust entering the air are factors or variable of my health and happiness. I am not going to start walking around with a mask on as some of the silly-need-to-go-home bunch do, but I am not going to just ignore it.

I cough up a good spit in the morning, it is natural, I do this because it is natural and clean my noise passages with a good blow, because again this is natural. To not spit or blow out our noses is a huge problem of modern man. I do this spitting, coughing and clearing my nose in private, contrary to the natural man who does this anywhere and everywhere.

My failing is not disinfecting my room better, but I am sort of macho, I will drink out the same coffee cup for a week. If my piece of bread falls on the floor, I am not going to starve, or worry about germs.

I am a very healthy person, there are many people who are horribly sick all the time, mostly because they think they are healthy, but truly have malnutrition. Modern countries have a lot of malnutrition problems.

My macho tendancy to ignore all this crap is causing me problems as my body gets older it is not defending itself, and I must optimize my bodies chance of survival.

Page Turner from has written 99 comments

I am 77 years old and live in the USA. When I was a child I always took a bath in a big tub that my mother used to wash clothes once a week on a Saturday night. She put buckets of water on the stove to heat and we all took a bath. Some families used the water for more than one person but in our family we each had our own clean water. We sometimes saved rain water for this purpose. Later I moved to a home that only had a shower and I brought the old washtub in for my grandson's nightly bath. One night I decided he used the shower at home and the wash tub was no longer necessary. He became very vocal wanted his tin can for a bath. This summer we all are going to be issued rain barrels to save the rain. We will only use it to water our plants, wash down the house etc.

Thanks Andy. I'm amazed that one can get so clean with so little water. But the kids do look to suds up quite well.

It's fascinating to see how resourceful people are around the planet. Also, your mention of time, I don't have the realization how much things have changed within the last century, but I try to be grateful on a daily basis.

while using a tabo and bucket, I still used more than two liters of water, more like 4 or so.
In the USA in winter, it is truly a luxury to take a nice long, overly hot shower. (we get our water from a well and heat it with wood so it doesn't really cost too much.) Do they use toilet paper anywhere in Africa?

Gadget from has written 1,020 comments

Most of Africa uses toilet paper regularly, however, I have yet to truly decide what the do in the bush. But in a hotel, it is standard, and it is sold everywhere.

There is always the mystery, what did that person do before me? I went into a common toilet the other day after a boy, once in I discovered there was no paper. I went back to my room, and retrieved some, but the boy, he did something or nothing.

I suspect that only about 25 percent of the men wear underwear, but again who know, I do not see them hanging on the line to dry.

Nobody should ever try to understand India or Southeast Asia on the toilet situation, truly is disgusting.

Asiabill from has written 260 comments

I'm not sure what to think of this post other than it's good reminder to people in general about how much is wasted during their daily lives. I guess there is a moral lessen as well like "waste NOT want NOT" but most people in the wealthier countries choose pleasure and immediate gratification from an entitlement justification point of view. Yachtsmen and people who spend much of their lives on boats and ships develop such water saving practices. Wastefulness is similar to conspicuous consumption being a borderline moral issue when so many people in the world have and live on so little below or just above the poverty line.

Wow Andy, just discovered your site! I have spent the past two hours reading, reading, laughing, taking notes.

My husband and I are planning on going around the world next year. We are retired and in our sixties. On a budget, but not severely.

You are an inspiration!