How to Make a Handwashing Station With a Cooler

Camping allows you to get back to nature, but nature can get all over your hands. Even in the grubbiest situation, it is important to wash hands. Fortunately, making a warm water hand-washing station is easy. It works equally well for camping, ball fields, picnics and any other time when a bathroom with running water is out of reach. It is important to get a cooler with a hands-free spout. This allows the washer to use both hands to scrub. While the instructions are for warm water, cool water can also be used with antibacterial soap.

Things You'll Need

• Large pot
• Heat source
• Table
• Cooler, five gallon capacity with hands-free spigot
• Bucket, five gallon capacity
• Soap, bar or pump container
• Wire clothes hanger for slacks or pants (with rolled paper tube)
• Paper towels
• Plastic storage container with lid, one gallon capacity
• 2 or 3 rocks, larger than a softball

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Instructions

• 1

  Fill large pot with water. Place on heat source. Heat until very warm, but not boiling.

• 2

  Set up a small table in an accessible area. The table should be sturdy enough to hold about 40 to 50 pounds. Place the cooler on the table.

• 3

  Pour hot water into the cooler. Add cool water to cool the water until it's warm but not hot enough to burn. Put the lid on the cooler to trap the heat.

• 4

  Place the five-gallon bucket under the spigot to catch the wash water. Put the soap on the table next to the cooler.

• 5

  Remove the cardboard tube from the wire pants hanger. Replace it with the roll of paper towels and hang from the water cooler handle above the spigot.

• 6

  Cut a large hole in the lid of the one-gallon container. Place two or three large rocks---at least the size of your fist---in the bottom to prevent the container from blowing away. This is your trash can for the paper towels