PORTABLE TOILET TIPS & TRICKS PLUS REVIEW
ALDI, ADVENTURIDGE
It's not a pretty subject - but I often feel like it's one of the most frequently asked questions or concerns for new campers, and that is -"how and where do you poop"! and the answer is "how and where do you want to poop?".
For example, your options are:
- Buy a caravan/campervan with an on board toilet – Depending on the size and age of the van, depends on the size / how 'fancy' this is - NB: you will need to empty this when full. Also bear in mind that you'll only be a few feet away from your family members when using.
- Buy a portable toilet and toilet tent – The majority of portable toilets all have similar features and similar sizes - we have reviewed ours here for reference of what to look out for. Again - this will need emptying when full, and you'll have to find a place to store it when travelling.
- Stay at a site with facilities – The majority of certified campsites will have facilities, and the age old saying applies " you get what you pay for". For example, 90% of the Camping Caravan Club sites come with modern toilets, shower blocks, laundry facilities and more - you can read more about those here. But also - remember not to judge a book by its cover - I had one of the best showers ever in an old cattle barn in the middle of no here!
- Invest in a shovel and earth-friendly loo roll – this is pretty much the only option for 'wild camping' whilst hiking - as you cannot take as much gear with you as you would for weekends away. We've personally not braved this yet - but we do have a lot of friends that do, and we hope to try it this summer.
We personally opted for a portable toilet and toilet tent for our needs - this is because we don't have a loo in the vehicle - and me with my weak bladder and mild IBS - need a loo quite often - so it's nice to know we have one on board for long journeys if needed. But also as a member of the Camping and Caravan Club we love the option of being able to use the cheaper Temporary Holiday Sites - which don't always have facilities.
And yes - I have emptied it! Multiple times in fact – and it's not that bad!
Below are my top 5 tips and tricks as well as a review of our particular toilet so you know what to look out for when buying yours.
PORTABLE LOO
TOP TIP 1:
Invest in a good 'toilet blue' - this will help break down smells and matter making it easier to empty.
Try and keep your 'blue' in a bag incase of spillage as it stains and is a nightmare to clear up.
The difference between toilet 'blue' and toilet 'pink' is that the pink stuff goes in you're water 'flush' tank, and the 'blue' goes into the base tank, diluted with some water. Don't scrimp here on either, otherwise it will be harder to empty.
TOP TIP 2:
Unless you have a new fancy loo with built-in wheels and trolley handle - invest in a good/fold away trolley and bungee straps as some 'elsans' can be a little walk away.
TOP TIP 3:
Remember to stand back to avoid 'back splash'
Bonus tip: Wear shorts so you can wash/wet wipe/anti-bac your legs after!
TOP TIP 4:
Leaving emptying the loo till the very end of 'pack down' if no facilities are on site is obvious - so this tip is to leave anti bac/wipes/soap etc out/reachable for your return.
TOP TIP 5:
Don't leave it till its 'full' - it will a lot heavier and a lot less pleasant!
Bonus tip: Don't be scared to give it a good rinse and shake! you never know what's 'lurking'
Other top tips for having a portable toilet are:
- If your toilet tent doesn't have a floor or 'shelfs' invest in a small collapsible table for things like loo roll, wet wipes, anti-bac etc as the grass can get pretty damp due to rain/condensation not wee!
- Get a waterproof toilet roll holder
- Keep a bottle of water nearby (labelled black water) to use if you need a stronger 'flush'
- If your using a toilet tent, remember to turn your touch off at night time unless you want an Austin Powers movie scene on your hands!
NOW, LET'S TALK ELSANS
These come in all shapes and sizes dependant on the site you're at. For example a modern, well facilitated site, may have a proper 'sink' with wash hose, soap etc all provided.. where as a lot of the smaller, private sites can just be a trough or 'hole in the ground' with a man hole cover.
SIDE NOTE: Don't be bashful - as mentioned some elsans are 'open' troughs and everything can be on show until 'flushed' and whilst it's common courtesy to wait and use them one at a time, and you flush and rinse the area after - you can't always control a 'blockage' so just do what you can, and inform the site manager if need - after all, it may not of been you, but the person before you, we all do it, and no one ever seems to judge.
If a site we're staying at has facilities, we often still use the portable toilet (mostly for number 1's) as it's just closer and more convenient - especially at night time - so they can't be that bad to empty. And if no Elsan is available, we take it home and empty either down our own loo, or man hole cover.
SIDE NOTE ON FACILITIES:
These again vary dependant on the type of site you're staying at. Some can be new and modern, and others a little run down - however all do the job! Also, try not to judge a book by it's cover - as I've had some of the best showers of my life in a toilet block that if it were a movie - looked like somewhere you'd get murdered.
ALDI, ADVENTURIDGE
WWW SCORE: 6/10
BRAND: Adventuridge, 14L Waste Water Tank/15L Fresh Water Tank (approx.)
PRICE: RRP apx £30
I BOUGHT FOR: £30 from Aldi middle isle - no longer available from this shop
CAN BUY SIMILAR FROM: Google shopping search, Millets, Blacks, GO Outdoors, Ultimate Outdoors, Amazon, Ebay
Our particular loo was £30 from Aldi, and we bought it to replace an old 70's style loo we had prior which was just a bit old and large.
Initial thoughts were it was a tad flimsy - especially the lid - so we don't advise sitting on it with the lid closed at all. The 'flush' is also crap - no pun intended. However, we've had it for 2 years now and had no issues. It lasts us a full weekend with only needing to be emptied the once (there's just the two of us) It's easy to carry, pack around and the lid shuts flush so doesn't 'leak' which is the main thing. I can't really comment on 'smells' as we have outside so it's very well ventilated.
We are looking at replacing our loo when we can - however, due to how poor the flush is.
score 6/10
