Portable showers are one of those things that when you get one, you wonder how you ever lived without it. 

Personally, we love having total shower freedom.

From beach trips with the fam to camping getaways with friends, it's a modern day must-have. But how does your portable shower actually work?

While we admit this isn't the most riveting topic, knowing how portable showers work can help you troubleshoot any issues and ensure your shower is always ready for action.

With that in mind, read on to learn how a portable shower works.

What is a portable shower?

Portable showers are, as the name suggests, showers that are designed to be easily transported and used in different locations.

They're typically compact and lightweight, making them convenient for camping trips, outdoor events or any situation where access to a traditional shower is limited or simply impossible.

Why should I use a portable shower?

A portable shower, whether it's a portable surf shower or a portable hot camping shower, is a convenient way to stay clean and practise personal hygiene while on the go.

Beyond assisting you in staying clean though, portable showers come in handy for a variety of purposes, including:

• Washing off sand and saltwater after a day at the beach
• Cleaning up after a muddy outdoor adventure
• Easy use as a camping shower for hiking trips
• Maintaining hygiene during outdoor festivals or events
• Cleaning dirty sporting or outdoor adventure equipment
• Safe drinking water at your campsite or while you're on the road
• Hot shower on a cold winter morning
• Portable hot shower when the electricity is out
• Perfect for washing dirty cars after a dusty drive

What are the different portable shower types?

Not all portable showers are created equal, and what makes one perfect for a beach day may not be the best option for camping.

We've attempted to make our Beach Soul® showers as practical, convenient and durable as possible. These are the different types of portable shower:

• Portable solar showers
• Portable shower unit
• Electric portable shower
• Battery powered shower
• Propane heated portable showers (basically a propane heater and a camp shower)
• Drinking water reservoir and water container
• Pump operated portable shower

What are the different components of a portable shower?

There's more to a portable shower than meets the eye. You'd be surprised at just how many components are involved in making a portable shower work. 

For the sake of this article, we'll break down the main components of a portable Beach Shower. Here's what you can expect to see:

• Water tank/reservoir: This is where the water for your shower is stored
• Pump: A plastic handle that uses air and water pressure to propel water out of your reservoir and through the showerhead
• Shower head: The piece that disperses the water onto your body. There are 12 different shower head modes that allow you to customise your shower experience
• Hose: The tube that connects the water tank/reservoir to the showerhead
• O-rings: These are rubber rings that create a watertight seal to prevent leaks
• Holder: Our Shower Holder is a handy accessory that can be attached to any surface and holds your showerhead in place
• Sleeve: Want to jazz up your Beach Shower? We have a range of colourful artist-design, recycled sleeves that you can choose from to personalise your shower experience
• Bag and mat: You can also purchase a changing bag and mat to make your portable shower experience even more convenient and comfortable

How does a portable shower actually work?

Because our user-friendly portable Beach Showers are 100% battery-free, they use air pressure as the main mechanism for creating a steady flow of water. Here's how a pump-operated portable shower operates.

Phase 1 / Water is filled into the tank

Water is filled into the water tank/reservoir. There should be enough room left for air to be pumped into the tank. This is essential for creating the air pressure required to force water out through the showerhead.

Phase 2 / The handle creates air pressure

By pumping the handle, you begin to build up air pressure inside the tank. When enough pressure has been built up, a valve opens and allows the pressurised air to push the water out of the tank and through the hose.

Phase 3 / Water flows through and out of shower head

The pressurised water then travels through the shower hose and out of the showerhead. Depending on your chosen shower mode, you can adjust the pressure and flow of water to your desired level.

Phase 4 /  Continue pumping for continuous water flow

As you continue to pump the handle, air pressure continues to build up and water will continue to flow out of the showerhead. The more you pump, the stronger the pressure and flow of shower water.

Phase 5 /  Refilling the tank

Once the water in the tank runs out, you will need to refill it and repeat the pumping process. Our portable showers come in 5, 8 and 10 litre tank sizes, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.

Where can you use a portable shower?

While there are pressure and power benefits to having a battery or electricity-powered portable shower, our pump-operated Beach Showers are the most versatile option.

As long as you have access to clean water and a flat surface to place your shower on, you can use it anywhere – whether you're in the middle of the desert or on a remote beach. 

Here are a few places where we've used our Beach Showers:

• Beach
• Camping site
• Hiking trail
• Outdoor music festival or event
• Sporting events (e.g. triathlons, marathons)
• Backyard BBQ or pool party

FAQ: Portable showers

Q. Are there accessories for portable showers?

Yes!

Our own Beach Showers come with Shower Holders, changing bags and mats and spare parts, but there are things like solar shower bags, an onboard water tank, battery powered water pump and even a propane heater that can be used with other brands’ portable showers.

Again, we're stoked that ours are so simple! There's no need for any additional equipment.

Just add water (and a little man or womanpower)!

Q. Can portable showers be used for camping?

Portable camping showers can function as a hot water shower and communal camp shower for one person, a couple or even a family. Our own Beach Shower camp showers are perfect for camping trips as they are compact, easy to use and require no power source.

Q. How long does a portable shower last?

This depends on the size of your water tank, how often you use it and the amount of water you use per shower. Our Beach Showers come in three different sizes – 5L, 8L and 10L – with each size providing enough water for multiple showers.

Q. Can portable showers be used as a drinking water source?

Only if the portable shower is made from food-grade materials and is specifically designed for drinking water. Our 10L Beach Shower is safe for drinking.

Q. Can you use them to have hot showers?

Absolutely. 

Your portable outdoor shower can be filled with warm water (not boiling) and then left to sit in a sunny spot for an hour or two before use. Solar heating via our shower sleeves ensures the water temperature is just right. 

It won't heat water, mind you, but if you leave it in direct sunlight for a couple hours the water will at least stay warm.

Final thoughts

Wet wipes. Surfboards. Portable Beach Shower. Your beach, bush and camping gear just got an upgrade. 

Shop now to turn your outdoor adventures into luxurious experiences. And don't forget, for every purchase of our portable showers we plant a tree. Elevate your showering experience with Beach Soul® today!