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We often refer to camping to as ‘roughing it’. That applies less to the RV life though.
The convenience of the moving adventure it offers means that you can’t quite live with all the comforts of home but there are some things it would be fair to say that no-one would want to do without, especially on a longer trip. One of those things is a nice hot shower.
The ability to shower in private – and hopefully in relative comfort – is just one of the reasons that having an RV beats ‘tent life’. Standing in line for the public showers at the average campground is not something that could be described as fun, and the showering process itself is less than pleasant.
The biggest problem many RV owners come up against however is the fact that the showerhead that comes standard when they first buy their vehicle just isn’t very good. Stock options are very basic and rather flimsy.
This lack of real quality leads lots of people to seek a replacement RV showerhead. But even that is easier said than done, as there are lots of options to choose from. So many it can get very confusing very quickly.
If you are looking to upgrade your RV showerhead so that you can finally enjoy the relaxing, soul soothing shower you really want we’ve done some legwork for you. We’ve tried and tested dozens of RV showerhead s to come up with a list of five of the very best. So, without further ado, let’s get started…
Our Reviews of The Best RV Shower Heads
Oxygenics Fury RV Handheld Shower – 92781
Editor's Choice
Of all the RV showerhead options we looked at – and put through their paces – it is this sleek looking showerhead that we liked best. And certainly not just for its looks. Allow us to explain further…
In general, Oxygenics has reigned as one of the best known, best-selling RV showerhead brands for years now. The brand has a ‘claim to fame’ that runs throughout its product line; oxygen is introduced to the water as it flows from the showerhead to help create a stronger spray without the need for increasing the amount of water you’re using and even if the water pressure is quite low.
This functionality works well across the product range, but it is especially good here. Five different settings, everything from the standard water saving Oxygenics setting to a rather invigorating massage setting, means that everyone can find a setting they enjoy and that offers them the best possible shower experience. There’s a wide spray setting for those that need it and as focus stream that’s great for bathing younger kids. There is an ample 72″ hose and multiple finish options.
In terms of other functions this showerhead comes with a No-Clog guarantee and it’s a great water conserver. Conserving water is not only good for campers from a practical point of view – the water tank will need to be filled less often – but also from an environmental point of view. And as the point of RV travel is enjoying the great outdoors it’s our responsibility to help preserve it!
The Fury has an older sibling, the Body Spa (more on that soon) that has been a popular choice among RV fans for years, but it’s outdone by the Fury for a couple of reasons. The adjustable spray rate is one. The Fury can offer a shower experience that is closer to the one you get at home, which after a long day outdoors is priceless.
The appearance difference is another, The Body Spa is sleek, but the Fury is exceptionally good looking. It’s offered in several different colors and has a heftier appearance that looks more like the showerhead we have in our homes and less like an inferior ‘portable’ alternative.
You will pay more for the Oxygenics Fury but we think the extra money is worth it, especially for those who put in a lot of miles on the road or travel with a larger road crew.
PROS: Faster showering thanks to the 2.5 GPM flow rate , oxygenating function increases the feeling of pressure, 5 spray settings, attractive and durable .
CONS: Some people report that the finish begins to chip over time.
Technical specifications
- Item Weight: 1.7 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 5 x 5 x 5 inches
- Water Flow Rate: 2 GPM
- Colors Available: White, Chrome, Nickel
Oxygenics BodySpa RV Handheld Shower – 26781
Budget Pick
Great function. Amazing price. Lots of extras. Also known as the Body Spa, you’ll find this budget option RV shower head in RV campers all over the world. And for good reason. In fact there are all kinds of reasons we love the Oxygenics BodySpa RV Handheld Sprayer Kit, but the most important is that even when you are in a low water pressure area it offers you the chance to reliably enjoy an invigorating shower without using up all your water.
The fact is that RV showers are notorious for their low water pressure problems. Lots of people spend more time trying to get themselves wet enough to lather up than properly and then struggling to rinse themselves off than they do actually enjoying a shower. This handheld shower head addresses the problem head on (pardon the pun).
The shower head takes the existing water pressure and amplifies it, while also widening the spray. The result is that while there isn’t a noticeably significant increase in water pressure you get wetter faster, making for a much more efficient, and enjoyable shower experience. Even better, an adjustable flow button allows you to use less water – conserving the levels in your water tank – without sacrificing efficiency.
Another common problem that this RV shower head kit solves is that of clogging. When you are travelling the water quality varies a lot, with hard water not being unusual. Lots of hard water leads to a clogged shower head over time, but the ease of cleaning that this shower head offers means that this does not have to become a problem for you. Also there is a limited lifetime warranty against clogging or performance failures of any kind with this kit.
The kit comes with everything you need to install and mount the shower head in your RV including a 60″ hose, wall mount and plumbers tape and the instructions for doing so are relatively straightforward (and there are more than a few YouTube videos to help you if you need extra explanation.)
Finally, although this may be a less important bonus for some, we love the way this looks. It’s bright and sleek without being obtrusive or clunky. And the fact that it’s a handheld makes it great for kids. All in all, the Oxygenics White Standard 26781 Hand-Held Sprayer Kit is an excellent all around budget choice for almost any RV.
PROS: Light but powerful, very maneuverable, boasts a very easy to use shut off valve, is designed not to clog even if the water flowing through it is very hard and/or gritty.
CONS: Only offers a single spray option, only offers a single spray option.
Technical specifications
- Item Weight: 1.4 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 6.3 x 4.5 inches
- Water Flow Rate : 2GPM
- Color(s) Available: White
Dura Faucet RV Single Function Shower Wand & Hose Kit – DF-SA400K-WT
If you spend a lot of time in your RV – and, as we mentioned earlier, an increasing number of folks do – then, as is the case at home, form can be as important as function. That’s just one reason we love the Dura Faucet Hand-Held Shower Kit – it is exceptionally sleek and good looking.
Crafted from stainless steel – which is unusual in an RV shower head – this option has a very similar appearance to a standard home shower head and is just as easy to install. The wand is slim and sleek and the flow adjustment button is placed just right, making it very easy to use.
There are sacrifices to be made for looks though. There is only one flow setting, but that is wide and surprisingly powerful, even in low water pressure situations. However, if you are looking for a variety of flow options than this is not the right choice for you. This single function RV shower head features a water saving trickle switch, 60″ SS hose, mounting bracket and hose ring.
We should also mention the durability factor, something that has helped make this a very popular choice among those looking for a replacement for the less than stellar shower head their RV came with. If you are a frequent traveler you need an RV showerhead that offers durability. And thanks to its stainless steel construction this is one of the more durable options on the market.
And, finally, can we say it again? This is a great looking RV shower head, especially if you opt for the elegant brushed nickel.
PROS: Lightweight but boasts a solid feel, can manage to emit 2.2 GPM even though it is smaller than many shower heads, easy to install, exceptionally good looking.
CONS: Only offers one spray option, some people found that the handle leaks when the shut off valve is deployed.
Technical specifications
- Item Weight: 15.5 ounces
- Product Dimensions: 14.5 x 3.5 x 6 inches
- Water Flow Rate: 2.2 GPM
YOO.MEE High Pressure Handheld Shower Head
Top Rated
If you’ve been out all day – hiking, biking, swimming, or whatever outdoor pursuits take your fancy, often, when you return to your RV you are pretty dusty, tired and achy. What helps? Well, apart from a large glass of something cool to drink, a nice, hot shower under a massaging shower head, and this is our top pick for the best massaging RV shower head.
Unfortunately it’s a difficult experience to recreate in an RV. As most shower heads are (purposely) low flow – and you are often dealing with low pressure and hard water at RV campgrounds – it is not easy to get the kind of increased pressure needed to sustain a massaging jet of water. The YOO.MEE High Pressure Handheld Shower head was designed to address that problem, and it’s fair to say that it does so very well.
Believe it or not, although you can really get the feeling that you are taking a powerful shower, this unit only runs at 2.5 GPM, which meets the standards for low flow. It’s not specifically made for RVs, like many of the other options on our list, but it works as well in one as it does in a home with lower water pressure, which IS what it was designed for.
The secret? The Yoo-Me shower head comes with a 79″ hose and features a patented design that forces high pressure against low pressure pipes, essentially ‘turbo charging’ the flow. Those who have tried it, both in a low pressure household and in an RV were impressed with it and so were we.
This is not a perfect shower head. It is a little trickier to install than some and some users report that it is not quite as durable. It does however feature self-cleaning nozzles, so should not clog and is easier, therefore, to maintain.
If you are not a particularly frequent traveler – maybe you only take a few long trips a year – and you’d like the luxury of a pain relieving, massaging shower on those trips then this is an excellent choice.
PROS: 2XP Turbo Charging Technology delivers a powerful, massaging water spray, maintains its 2.5 GPM water flow throughout the shower time, nozzles are self-cleaning .
CONS: Not the most durable choice, harder to install than some other models .
Technical specifications
- Item Weight: 1.1 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 3.3 x 1.8 inches
- Water Flow Rate: 2.5 GPM
- Color(s): White and Chrome
Niagara Conservation Earth Handheld Shower – N2945BN
This showerhead was designed, as its name suggests, to conserve as much water as possible. At just 1.5 GPM it has the lowest water flow rate of any option on our list.
Before we get into why we are recommending this shower head we should point out that you are not going to get the level of water flow that you do from other options. In other words, it’s not a massaging shower head, and it’s not hugely powerful in general.
What it does very well though is take low pressure connections and create a steady flow that is more than adequate for taking a basic shower, getting your body clean and washing your hair.
There is in fact a massage setting, and while it does produce a stronger water flow to call it massaging is a little bit of an exaggeration. However, the flow is wider than you might expect from a very low-flow shower when used in this mode which is a nice unexpected surprise.
Where this shower head will be most useful for RV fans is on trips where there is a serious distance between campgrounds (and water tank fill ups) Because it is so low flow you can take a quick shower when there is still a long way to go without running out of water before you get there, which for some is a nice bonus (especially if you are traveling in hot conditions.)
We also loved the fact that this shower head is very easy to install and features an ample 72″ nylon reinforced PVC hose and mounting bracket. There is no messing around with plumber’s tape, or complicated connections to make, it simply screws into the existing fittings and does so with ease. It’s also a rather nice-looking option, featuring a brushed nickel finish on the shower head and durable stainless steel piping.
PROS: 1.5 GPM is exceptionally low water consumption, so great for the environment, crafted from a thick, durable ABS plastic, looks great – the nickel finish is matte and luxurious, comes with everything you need, including a nice, attractive wall mount.
CONS: Low water pressure in comparison to other models on our list.
Technical specifications
- Item Weight: 1 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 3.3 x 2.7 x 8.6 inches
- Water Flow Rate : 1.5 GPM
- Color: Brushed Nickel
RV Shower Head Buying Guide
The RV showerheads we’ve featured on our list are some of the best you can buy. But there are other great options out there too, along with an equal number of not so great options (and a few really bad ones).
Whichever option you eventually choose however – and we hope our guide will help you make the right choice – there are some basics to keep in mind while you shop as well as things you’ll benefit from learning about RV showers and RV shower heads in general. Next, we want to take you through the most important things you need to know and understand.
RV Shower Basics
For many of you, you have made RV is, as far as possible, your little home away from home. You’ve added a better mattress to the beds to add a little more comfort at bedtime, you have enough tech on hand that you don’t have to disconnect from the world completely (and can still watch Netflix) and have created a nice little kitchen where you actually whip up some pretty decent meals.
However, in that last sentence, there is one very important word; little. Everything in an RV is smaller, because it has to be. Even those amazing million dollar RVs can only offer scaled down luxury living.
Little certainly applies to the average RV shower. Those new to the experience are often disappointed. Yes, it’s better than having to use the communal campground showers alongside the backpackers and tent dwellers, but it is very unlike taking a shower back home.
You can still get wet, you can still come out nice and clean, but you have to move faster, and use a lot less water. Unless yours is an RV that boasts a tankless water heater and is hooked up at all times to a water supply line (which is not the case for most people) you only have a limited supply of water to work with, and certainly a limited supply of hot water. You are also almost always dealing with low pressure.
You need to become adept at what some call the ‘RV Shower Dance.’ This involves getting yourself wet, turning off the water to lather up, and then turning it back on again to rinse off. It takes a little practice, but most people get used to it in the end. And it is STILL better than lining up for those communal showers…
The Importance of a Good RV Shower Head
While no RV shower-head can make the experience of showering in your recreational vehicle perfect, or even close to that 10 minute shower back home, it can enhance the shower experience significantly.
That’s why it’s a shame that in the average RV the shower-head fitted as standard leaves a lot to be desired. They are usually flimsy, plastic things that gunk up quickly, have a shut off button that becomes almost impossible to use after just a few months and are only destined to have a very short useful life.
Therefore, it’s fair to say that it is usually not too long before the new RV owner is looking for a replacement RV shower head.
But what are some absolute basics you should look for?
Here’s a little advice:
Water Pressure Handling
No RV shower will boast amazing water pressure, as it’s just not within the capabilities of the plumbing set up. Some RV showerheads are far better than others, however, and taking the low pressure hand they are dealt and, by various means, making it feel, at least, as if you are showering in a much higher pressure environment.
Our top pick on this list, the Oxygenics Rave, does that by oxygenating the water as it passes through the tubing and the showerhead nozzle. Another great pick from our list, the YOO.MEE High Pressure, has a patented mechanism that forces higher pressure into low pressure pipes.
There are a number of other choices available that operate in a similar way. Whichever you choose the aim is the same; increase the pressure in the water flow to improve the showering experience.
Is It Handheld?
The ideal RV showerhead is handheld. Why? Because in a small space, with lower than usual water pressure trying to get clean under a fixed head shower is an especially hard challenge, one that involves a lot of shuffling and maneuvering and frustration.
A hand-held shower makes it easier to reach every part of your body without having to almost literally tie yourself in knots. The best handheld RV showerheads have a nice long wand that is easy to grip and a strong, durable pipe that is easy to flex and is long enough to accommodate the needs of both kids and adults.
Flow Adjustability
Not everyone likes the same shower experience. Some people love a massage style shower, one that has the water hitting their skin hard, something that can be a great way to relieve aches and pains. Others prefer a more natural, bathing in the rain type experience. And some need a wider spray to help get them wet faster. And the real kicker is that often all of these people use the same RV!
That is where adjustability comes in. Some RV showerheads only offer one flow setting. That is fine for just one or two people who just want a decent shower, but if several people are involved – if you often go RVing with the whole family for example – then opting for a model that offers several different flow options can often be the better way to go.
A Good Shut-Off Valve
Remember the ‘RV Shower Dance’? Part of pulling that off successfully involves being able to turn the flow of water on and off with ease. Most handheld shower units come with a shut-off valve to help you do just that, but some are noticeably better than others.
The positioning of the shut-off valve is important. You will be using it when you are wet – and probably covered in soap and shampoo – so it needs to be easy to access. It also needs to be easy to operate. A too stiff shut-off valve can lead either to a lot of wasted water or to an uncomfortable time spent shivering and fumbling trying to get the water turned back on. A shut-off valve that is too loose will almost certainly waste water.
You should also consider how the shut-off valve functions when the shower is not in use. A very small trickle of water can be usual, and even the best RV showerheads may do that, but a constant stream will deplete your water supply far too quickly and may even, over time, cause water damage to your RV’s shower itself.
Appearance
As we mentioned earlier, most people put a lot of effort into creating an RV environment that is as aesthetically pleasing as possible, so an RV showerhead needs to be good looking as well as functional. The cold, hard plastic that standard RV showerheads are usually made from not only looks boring but it often yellows quickly as well.
What you consider attractive and best for your RV’s overall decor scheme is a matter of personal taste, but we do prefer the metallic finishes offered by most of the showerheads on our list. Brushed nickel can be especially attractive as it has a matte quality that looks rather high end.
Ease of Installation
Although they are very important, RV showerheads are not hugely expensive, running between $20 and $80 on average. So you do not really want to have to pay a plumber (at $50 an hour) to come and fit it.
Before you make a choice between showerheads try to do a little research to find out how hard it is to install. Most are pretty simple, but some have some extra pieces and complications that can be hard to figure out. Customer reviews online are a great place to check as are some of the ‘unboxing’ videos on YouTube that RV fans make to help educate their fellow travellers.
Ease of Cleaning
One of the complications that campers come across when travelling is varying water quality. If you encounter water that is hard – which is common – it can lead to a build up of minerals that clogs the showerhead and the water pipe, decreasing its efficiency and eventually preventing it from working at all.
This means that your showerhead will need to be cleaned at least once in a while. Better yet, if you can find a self-cleaning showerhead – as several on our list are – that will be a chore you have to bother with far less often.
Durability
No one wants to go to the trouble of choosing, purchasing and installing a new showerhead for their RV bathroom only to have it break and then need replacing far too quickly, so durability is important.
It’s fair to say that no showerhead – whether it’s for your RV or your bathroom at home – will last forever, but you should be able to get several years of use out of a good one.
Price
We left price for last because while it should be a consideration – as is the case for almost everything you buy – it really shouldn’t be the overriding factor when choosing between the best RV showerheads.
On average, you’ll find that RV showerheads will range in price from around $20 to up to $80. Sometimes you may only be paying a little more for a brand name, or a specialist finish, but it is fair to say that the greater the functionality you are seeking the higher the price. Our Editor’s Pick, the Oxygenics Fury, is one of the more expensive options on the market, but we found the price to be perfectly reasonable for the enhanced functions it offers.
RV Showerhead FAQs: 8 Questions & Answers
1. How do RV showers work, anyway?
If you have never owned one you may not be quite sure just how a modern RV shower works. You know it must be rather differently to one in your home of course, but in what ways?
In terms of water supply, your shower gets its in one of two ways; either from a hookup at a campsite or, if you are actually out on the open road, from its freshwater tank.
Most RVs have a freshwater tank that can hold around 50 gallons of water. That sounds like quite a lot, until you realize that those 50 gallons are for dishwashing, cooking, toilet use and for quick washes as well as showering. Then it does not sound like quite so much.
If you are staying on a campground with hookups, you’ll probably have access to a city water source and you can ‘power’ your shower and sink off that, as well as take the opportunity to replenish your freshwater tank, You will need a special pressure adapter that attached to the hose line though or the sudden increase in pressure may cause all your pipes to burst!
If you are wondering where your shower water goes, it heads into what is called a gray water tank. Your RV has two waste water tanks. The black water tank is for waste water from the toilet and should be kept sealed at all times (for obvious reasons) You do not have to keep the gray water tank sealed, but many people do prefer to, as they say that if you do not then things still get a little stinky in the RV itself.
2. Why are standard RV showerheads so bad?
Most people find, when they buy their RV, that the showerhead that comes standard is, to be blunt, pretty bad. That’s perhaps because these are mass produced vehicles and the showerhead is not considered as important as some as the other features. As long as it works, that will do.
While you will occasionally find a fitted as standard RV showerhead that is pretty good, most people still find themselves considering a replacement at some point. The other thing the ‘fitted as standard’ RV showerheads tend to be is pretty flimsy, so their useful life is limited to say the least.
The other issue with the showerheads fitted in RVs as standard are not as eco-friendly as they could be, or as water efficient in general. And when you are trying to get the most out of that 50 gallon water tank before you reach the next campground that can be a real pain2. .
3. Is an RV showerhead really that important?
This is a question that would only be asked by someone who is just entering, or considering entering, the RV life. Anyone with any experience RV camping knows that the right showerhead can make a very big difference.
As we mentioned earlier, the RV showering experience is never going to be the same as you get at home in your spacious shower in your spacious bathroom. But it does not have to be a nightmare, and can, in fact be perfectly pleasant, as long as you have the right equipment, including the right showerhead.
The shower experience grows in importance the longer you stay in the camper. If yours are very short, occasional trips other aspects of your vehicle may be far more important to you, the function of your kitchen or the air conditioning perhaps (which are both very important) Stay more than a day or so and the importance of a good shower becomes far more obvious!
4. How long can you shower in an RV?
How long of a shower you can take in your RV depends on a number of different factors; how much water you have in your tank, how much hot water you have (or need) and what water conserving measures you have in place.
If you are staying at a campground, and are hooked up to their water supply, you could probably shower for as long as you like, as long as you don’t mind cold showers, as at some point your hot water will run out and you’ll have to wait for it to heat up again.
That hot water is another factor in shower timing. Most RV hot water heaters take at least an hour or so to heat up – and then to replenish themselves after the shower has been used. You can find more expensive, tankless models that are more efficient than that, but those are a topic for another day.
Finally there is the issue of water conservation, something that is very important when you are on the road and relying on your freshwater tank only. Taking a short shower is an easy option, but if you do invest in an RV shower head that is designed to be low flow then you can add at least a few minutes onto your shower time without worrying that your clean up will leave your tank dry.
I’m planning on going on an RV trip that will leave me with a few days between campgrounds. Are there special measures I should take regarding showers?
If you are going boondocking – the camper’s term for travelling for longer distances between campgrounds, and you won’t be passing any truck stops either (where they often have free showers for public use) you may think that means you’ll have to forego showers to avoid running out of water miles from the nearest source. But with some careful planning that does not have to be the case.
Consider doing the following:
- If you have the room, keeping a jerry can of water on hand when boondocking – or dry camping as it is also known – is always a good idea and it can give you a little extra shower time until you get to your next pit stop.
- Use as little water when showering as possible. This is where that easy to use shut-off valve we advised you to look for is really helpful. You can run water to get yourself wet, turn the water off, lather up, and then only turn the shower back on to rinse off.
- Dry shampoo can be your best friend and cut down on your unease if you can’t wash your hair as often as you like. Dry shampoo has actually been around for decades, but is enjoying something of a renaissance, as busy Millennials have discovered how useful it can be.
- If you are the type of person who needs a lot of shower time to get your longer mane washed this can also allow you to take a quick shower to clean your body but then make use of dry shampoo – which absorbs oil and dirt quite well – to keep your hair looking good AND your water tank fuller.
5. I am not great at DIY projects. Will I be able to install a replacement RV showerhead by myself?
The good news is that you do not need to be an expert handyman – or even very handy at all- to replace the showerhead in your RV.
All of the models we featured in our lists – and lots of other good alternatives that almost made the cut – are very easy to install, and call for little more than screwing off the old showerhead and screwing a new one on. If there is also a new holder to be installed (something any handheld shower needs) you may have to drill a few holes, but that is usually as difficult as it gets.
All this having been said it is important that you read the instructions, as to make the most of your new RV showerhead you should understand all its functions, especially its shut-off valve, as that is key to reducing water consumption when you shower.
Why didn’t you feature any fixed showerheads on your list?
There are certainly good fixed showerhead options available you could consider when replacing your RV’s existing showerhead but we did not feature any because a fixed showerhead is just not practical for use in an RV shower.
As you will have gathered by now, if you did not realize it before, time is often of the essence when showering in an RV setting and the average RV shower does not give you a lot of space to move around in either. A fixed showerhead usually leaves you dancing around in this very confined space in an often futile attempt to get all of your body wet.
A handheld shower offers you a lot more freedom and you can make sure you reach all the areas you need to (especially the nether regions) and that all the soapy bubbles you use are properly rinsed away.
A handheld RV shower also makes it much easier for kids to shower and we know of people – fur parents – who travel with their pups and make use of the handheld shower in their RV to wash them off too, as we all know how much dogs love to roll in any mud and dirt they find if given half the chance!
6. Can I use a standard household showerhead in an RV?
Technically, of course you can. They are basically the same thing and provided the fit is right then you can certainly opt to use a household bathroom showerhead in your RV.
It’s not something we recommend though. Handheld showers are not common in modern household bathrooms so you would probably be considering a fixed showerhead, the disadvantages of which in an RV setting we have already explained.
Then there are the water conservation and water pressure issues. The water pressure in the average RV is a lot lower than it is in the average home. A standard showerhead is often designed for that higher pressure and won’t work as well – if at all – in an RV. And it won’t conserve as much water either, unless it is specifically designed to be very low flow.
So while it may be tempting to take that spare showerhead you have had under the bathroom for a while and save yourself a few bucks by installing it in your RV, it’s not a good idea, and given how affordable a good RV showerhead can be doing so will not save you much anyway!
7. Can you really take a good shower in an RV?
You can, if you get all the conditions right. You’ll need to ensure that you have enough water, that you have enough hot water specifically, that you have an RV showerhead that can maximize water flow even when dealing with low pressure and that you have a showerhead that is flexible and easy to adjust.
All of this being said unless yours is a million dollar RV the shower experience you get on the road will never quite equal the one you get at home but with the right gear and supplies in place taking a pleasant, effective shower in your RV is more than possible
8. Basic RV Shower Maintenance
Once you have found the perfect RV showerhead for your camper, and ensured that it is properly installed, it should be set to give you years of service and allow you to take lots of refreshing showers during your RV adventures.
However, if you want your RV showerhead – and your RV shower in general – to be as efficient as possible, perform as well as it can last as long as it should you will have to follow some basic care and maintenance routines.
Here are some helpful tips.
Cleaning Your RV Shower Head
Even those RV showerheads that feature a ‘self cleaning’ feature will benefit from the occasional cleaning (and so will your shower experience.)
By cleaning away the inevitable scaly build up in the fixture – which will develop, and will do so faster if a lot of the water you have been running through it is on the hard side – you will help restore the strength of its flow output and help it last longer in general.
- To do so detach the showerhead according to the manufacturer’s instructions and carefully extract the filter screen. This is usually located at the point where the water pipe attaches to the showerhead.
- Take the filter and run it under the faucet. Using a soft toothbrush gently scrub away the gunk you’ll find there. Once you are satisfied that it is as clean as possible reassemble and reattach the shower head.
If your shower has been running slower than usual recently, you should notice a difference, although maybe not a huge one in the low water pressure environment an RV shower exists in. However, by cleaning the filter you will also be helping to ensure that the water you bathe in is as clean as you’d prefer it to be too, as the unclogged filter can now do a better job of catching those mineral deposits.
Cleaning the filter will not clean the whole shower head though. The good news however is that there is an efficient way to do that too, making use of a very common household ingredient, white vinegar.
- Fill a plastic bag – a strong one like a small Ziploc will work well – with the white vinegar.
- Fit the bag over the showerhead making sure that the nozzles are completely submerged.
- Secure the bag in place and then leave everything as is for at least four to six hours, or overnight if possible.
- After the showerhead is done soaking, remove the bag and run the shower for a minute or so.
This will help remove any remaining debris and will also help ensure you don’t end up smelling like a salad the next time you make use of your RV shower yourself!
Caring for Your RV Showerhead
In addition to cleaning your showerhead, there are a few other things you can do to help extend its useful life. In addition to keeping the showerhead itself clean you should occasionally clean the hose that leads to it as well.
To do this, you should head back to your kitchen cupboard to retrieve that trusty bottle of white vinegar, along with a box of baking soda.
- Detach the shower hose and carefully use a pin to remove the mineral accumulation you can see.
- Then, in a large bowl combine 2 parts vinegar, 1 part baking soda and 4 parts warm water.
- Submerge the hose in the solution and leave it to soak overnight.
- When the soaking time is up run the hose through with clean, fresh water before reattaching it to the rest of the showerhead.
You may be wondering why we are advising that you use vinegar instead of one of the many commercially available cleaners. The fact is that these often harsh chemicals don’t do a better job of cleaning and they may damage the showerhead, shortening its useful life. Besides, the fewer chemicals you use the better, both for you, your RV showerhead and the environment in general.
Showering In Luxury Even On The Road
We hope that this guide will help you choose the best RV showerhead and that you now understand a lot more about RV showering in general.
We choose the Oxygenics Fury Handheld Shower as our top pick, and did so because we felt it offers the best all around performance as well as the best value for money. But we realize it might not be the right choice for everyone, which is why we offered some other great options as well, including an excellent budget option in the form of the Oxygenics Body Spa.
Whichever RV shower head you choose though, we hope it helps enhance your next trip, and lots of others for years to come. Now all that remains is for us to wish you happy trails, and happy camping!
