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Living in a car | 5 most essential things! From cooking to bathing essentials
Essential Items for Car Life: 5 Must-Haves for Living on the Road
Ark
June 02, 2025
Hi, everyone! Welcome to my channel! My name is Janae, and today I’m sharing five essential items (plus a bonus!) that I believe are absolute necessities for living the car life. Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned pro, these tips might help make your journey smoother. If you find this helpful or it makes you smile, please like, comment, and subscribe—it really helps me out! Let’s dive in.
1. A Way to Use the Restroom
Living in your car means you need a practical solution for bathroom needs. For guys, it’s simpler—any bottle, like a detergent bottle, can work for urination. For women, it’s a bit trickier. I’ve created a makeshift toilet using a funnel and a Coleman bottle with a screw cap. You fit the funnel in, use it, and secure the cap back on.
A key tip: always dump the contents the next day, ideally in the morning. Leaving urine in a bottle, especially in a hot car, will create an unpleasant smell—trust me, you don’t want that! I also use a reusable rag from the dollar store, which I wash regularly when I shower to keep it clean and odor-free. Just hang it up to dry after use, and you’re good to go.
Pro Tip: Straight urine (undiluted by toilet water) can reveal how dehydrated you are. It’s darker and stronger-smelling than diluted urine, so keep an eye on your hydration levels!
2. A Place to Shower
Hygiene is crucial, and my go-to solution is a Planet Fitness membership. With their Black Card membership (around $20/month), you get access to showers, massage chairs, tanning beds, and even red light therapy at some locations. Planet Fitness gyms are nearly everywhere, often open 24/7, and their showers are surprisingly nice—some feel downright luxurious!
Compared to truck stops, where showers cost $10–$15 each (unless you get free ones from truckers who accumulate them with fuel purchases), a gym membership is a better deal. You can shower multiple times a month, work out, and use other amenities for one flat fee. I like to exercise daily—whether it’s hiking, walking on a treadmill for 30 minutes, or doing strength exercises—and then shower afterward. It’s a win-win for staying clean and active.
3. A Camping Towel
A compact camping towel is a game-changer for car life. Unlike regular towels, which can take forever to dry and develop a mildewy smell in a small space, camping towels are designed to dry quickly. Mine, which I got for $5 at Walmart, rolls up small but unfolds to a decent size. I use it for showers or trips to the springs, wring it out, and lay it on my passenger seat to dry in about 10 minutes. It’s efficient, space-saving, and prevents that dreaded damp towel odor.
4. A Multi-Cooker
Cooking in a car can be challenging, but a small multi-cooker like my Wolfgang Puck 1.5-quart model is a lifesaver. I found mine at a garage sale for just $2—an absolute steal! It’s perfect for making pasta, cooking lentils (soft in just 20 minutes!), and more. The key is ensuring your cooker is compatible with your power source. I use a Jackery Explorer 240, and this cooker works perfectly without overloading it. (I once bought a $40 cooker from Amazon that didn’t work with my Jackery—lesson learned!) If you can’t find a deal like mine, look for a compact, low-voltage cooker that fits your setup.
5. A Portable Power Source
A reliable power source is non-negotiable for car life. My Jackery Explorer 240, a Christmas gift from my mom, powers my phone, iPad, blender, and multi-cooker. Without it, I’d be stuck running my car constantly or hunting for outlets. It’s a game-changer for keeping devices charged and appliances running. When using high-power devices like my multi-cooker, I charge the Jackery via my car to avoid draining it too quickly. Prices vary (mine was around $250), but it’s worth investing in one that suits your needs.
Bonus (5.5): A Solar Panel
While not in my setup yet, I highly recommend getting a solar panel. It’s a sustainable way to charge your power source without relying on your car or public outlets (like sitting in a Starbucks for hours). I plan to get one soon to make my setup more self-sufficient. If you’re deep into car life, a solar panel can give you more freedom to roam without worrying about power.
Thanks for reading! I hope these tips help you on your car life journey. If you’re new to this lifestyle or a seasoned pro, drop a comment with your own tips or experiences—I’d love to hear them! Please like, comment, and subscribe for more content, and I’ll catch you in the next one. Stay safe and happy travels!
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