How to Make a Pump Shower

One of the big drawbacks of camping for many people is not having a showering method. Especially on those long camping trips, there's nothing much worse than not being able to practice necessary bodily hygiene. Fortunately, there are many options these days in the world of portable camping showers. If you are a handyman or a do-it-yourself sort of person, you can make your own pump shower that is portable and easy to use for your next camping adventure.

Things You'll Need

  • 1-gallon deck sprayer
  • Black spray paint
  • 10 feet of clear vinyl tubing, 3/8 inch diameter
  • 2 hose clamps
  • Tube of silicone sealer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the sprayer hose from the 1-gallon deck sprayer. keep the sprayer wand to use as your shower head.

    • 2

      Paint the 1-gallon deck sprayer with black spray paint. Black surfaces draw in more heat, so this will help to heat up your shower water. Allow the paint to dry completely before continuing.

    • 3

      Attach the 10-foot section of 3/8-inch-diameter tubing to the 1-gallon deck sprayer. Apply silicone sealer to the connection to help prevent leaks. Use a hose clamp to secure everything together.

    • 4

      Attach the sprayer wand to the other end of the vinyl tubing. Use silicone and a hose clamp as in the previous step to secure everything together.

    • 5

      Fill the 1-gallon deck sprayer with water and replace the lid. Pump the handle up and down until you feel resistance, indicating that the system is pressurized. Check all connections for leaks. Tighten the hose clamps and apply more silicone if needed to stop any leaks.

    • 6

      Leave the deck sprayer filled with water and set it in the sun. Allow the water to be heated to a comfortable temperature before using it.

    • 7

      Squeeze the wand handle to activate the water stream during your shower. If the water pressure lowers, pump the deck sprayer handle to recharge your shower system.