Festival Hygiene Tips: Porta-Potty Hacks & Essentials You’ll Thank Me For

Trippy Stuff
Sep 22
3 min read

Updated: Sep 22

It might feel like your hygiene gets sacrificed the second you step onto festival grounds. Showers are rare, porta-potties are a dumpster fire, and staying clean basically becomes a survival skill.

Nothing humbles you faster than being covered in dust, sweat, and glitter… only to end up in a sketchy porta-potty at 3 AM. But hey, we’re human, and when nature calls, you gotta answer.

If you want to avoid feeling the full-blown festival hygiene ick, here’s your Festival Bathroom & Hygiene Survival Guide

1. Porta-Potty Survival 101

Porta-potties are unavoidable, but you can make them less traumatic.

Go #2 early. Mornings are prime time before things get destroyed.
Bring your own stash. TP, baby wipes, and hand sanitizer = gold.
Be tactical. No lingering. In and out like a ninja.
Close the lid behind you. It will help keep the smell down for the next person.
Be thoughtful of your rave fit. You might look cute AF but if you struggle to undress to use the porta-potties, you're gonna have a bad time.

💡 Pro tip: Keep a mini hygiene kit on you (TP, sanitizer, wipes) so you’re never caught off guard and always have the essentials with you.

2. Hygiene Hacks Without Showers

Spoiler: you might not shower all weekend. And that’s okay.

Baby wipes = your bestie. Do a “festival shower” at camp every morning/night.
Dry shampoo. Nobody needs to know your hair hasn’t touched water since Thursday.
Wear a hat you won't have to worry about the look of your greasy hair with a bucket hat on.
Portable shower bags. If you’re extra, solar showers exist and they actually work. (ps check to see the rules on solar showers for the festival you're attending)

💡 Pro tip: A pack of wipes + a bit of extra water + a microfiber towel is ALMOST as good as a shower

3. Staying Fresh in the Heat (and After Dancing All Night)

Between the dust and sweat, staying fresh feels impossible. Here’s what works:

Extra socks & underwear. Pack double what you think you’ll need.
Cooling towels + mini fans. Heatstroke & sweat isn’t a vibe.
Reapply deodorant. Bring a travel stick for your bag.

4. Women’s Bathroom & Hygiene Tips

Ladies, let’s get real: bathrooms hit different for us.

Pee funnels are a lifesaver. No more sketchy squats at 2 AM.
Period prep. Even if you aren't supposed to get your period, bring supplies. (Not just for yourself but for other rave girlies too)
Festival pouch. Keep everything in one waterproof zip bag for easy access.

💡 Pro tip: Test your pee funnel at home first. The porta-potty line is not the time for a learning curve.

5. Festival Skincare & Hand Care

Festivals = dust, sun, and dehydration, which wrecks your skin fast.

Face wipes. Remove makeup, glitter, sweat, and dust before bed.
Sunscreen. Reapply every few hours (don’t fry).
Moisturize before bed. Face to feet.
Lip balm. Dusty venues = cracked lips in 24 hours. (Bonus points if it's SPF)
Hand sanitizer vs. wipes. Wipes actually remove grime and hand sanitizer kills germs.

💡 Pro tip: Throw mini SPF + chapstick in your hydration pack.

6. Keeping Your Camp Bathroom-Friendly

Your camp hygiene setup is underrated but powerful.

Create a “hygiene station.” TP, sanitizer, wipes, and mini trash can all in one spot.
Keep it clean.
Privacy tent. Optional but amazing for changing, wiping down, or using a camp shower.

💡 Pro tip: A simple organizer bin makes your camp look put-together and keeps supplies from disappearing.

7. The Mental Game (Laugh It Off)

At the end of the day, everyone smells by Day 3. You’ll all be crusty together, and that’s part of the experience.

Embrace the chaos. You’ll laugh about it later.
Try not to dwell on how gross you feel, you will shower again, don't worry

Bathrooms might be the biggest pain point at any festival, but with a little prep and the right gear, you can survive (and even thrive) through it.

So pack your wipes, keep your sense of humor, and remember: you’re here for the music, the people, and the vibes... not five-star luxury. If you want that go to a hotel room.