Taking care of personal hygiene isn’t easy for truckers spending days on the road. Truckers need to stay prepared and get creative to maintain good hygiene.
While there are showers available at truck stops and terminals, you may not have enough time to stop and use them. Luckily, there are ways to take care of hygiene when showering isn’t an option.
Keep reading below to learn handy tips and tricks for staying fresh on the road.
Pack a Toiletry Kit
You should always plan ahead and bring all the toiletries you’ll need for the road. You can buy many toiletries at truck stops, but it’s always better to have your own supply.
Our list of essentials includes:
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Floss
- Mouthwash
- Bar of soap
- Washcloth
- Towel
- Baby Wipes
- Hand Sanitizer
- Chapstick
- Moisturizer
- Deodorant
- Dry Shampoo
- Water
You likely have many of these toiletries already, but the ones that will save you when you can’t get to a shower are baby wipes, deodorant, and dry shampoo.
Dry shampoo can keep your hair from feeling greasy without the need for water. All you need to do is apply it to your hair, massage it in, and then smooth it out with a comb.
Baby wipes can and should be used everywhere on your body. It’s not as effective as taking a real shower, but it’s a great way to get the grime from the day off.
Deodorant will be your best friend, so use it every day liberally. Be sure to wipe and wash your armpits before applying deodorant.
Another way to feel fresh is to wash your face in the morning and night. Use a little soap and water or another baby wipe to get the job done.
If the air is dry, use moisturizers and chapstick to keep your skin hydrated.
Bring Breathable Clothes
One of the best ways to stay clean without having to do much work is to pack the right clothes. First, you’ll want to make sure you have enough clothes for the trip.
If the weather is hot, you’ll need at least one t-shirt for every day on the road. Pants can be worn a few times, but underwear and socks will also need to be changed daily.
Most importantly, you’ll need to bring plenty of breathable, quick-drying underwear, and base layers. These base layers and underwear wick away moisture from your body, keeping you cleaner for longer.
You can go a step further and buy polyester pants and breathable jackets that won’t retain sweat and moisture like cotton. You can find these items in sports shops, but they are a little more pricey than basic cotton clothes.
Stay Fresh No Matter the Circumstance
We know that each mile driven is more money in your pocket, and the faster you can get home. Sometimes it’s easier to keep on trucking rather than stopping for a shower.
Other times you might not have the luxury of a truck stop shower, and you can’t rinse outside because of harsh conditions.
No matter the reason, you can still stay fresh and clean on the road with a little preparation and effort.
