Coachella Showers: Your Options for Festival Hygiene

As anyone who's attended Coachella Music Festival can attest, amidst the electrifying performances and vibrant art installations, one practical aspect often presents a challenge: staying clean and refreshed. In the desert heat, where dust and sweat are part of the experience, maintaining personal hygiene isn’t just a matter of comfort; it’s essential. Understanding the available shower options is crucial for a comfortable festival experience. 

Let’s look at both the shower facilities that are available at Coachella, as well as alternative options that campers bring with them that can serve as a temporary shower so you can be prepared when you go to Coachella.

Coachella's Provided Shower Facilities

Free Showers: Basic yet Functional

• Hours:

• Thursday: 5pm-8pm.

• Friday to Sunday: 7am-2pm & 8pm-2am.

• Limited 24-hour showers available from Friday 7am to Sunday 2am.

• Locations:

• Available in Lots 4B, 5B, 8 (ADA Only), and 10B.

• Details:

• Housed in truck trailers with separate changing and shower areas.

• Bring essentials like shower shoes, a towel, and a bag for your belongings.

• Note: Peak hours can see long lines, with wait times ranging from 1-2 hours.

Super Duper Showers: Enhanced Comfort for a Fee

• Hours:

• Friday to Sunday: 7am-2pm.

• Locations:

• Lot 4 and Lot 10.

• Details:

• Shorter lines, mirrors, power outlets, and toiletries for sale (cash only).

• Tip: Lines can be lengthy on the first day, so timing is key.

• $10 per use

Lake Eldorado Showers: Exclusive to Specific Campers

• Hours:

• Thursday: 5pm-8pm.

• Friday to Sunday: 7am-2pm and 8pm-2am.

• Access:

• Only for Lake Eldorado campers.

The Downsides of Coachella Showers

So you can see that there are a number of shower facilities available for Coachella attendees at all levels of camping. While these facilities are a great amenity that the Coachella festival provides, they do come with their downsides. These considerations should be taken into mind if you plan on relying  on the communal Coachella showers for your festival hygiene: 

• Long Lines: With thousands flocking to the festival, expect significant wait times, especially during peak hours,

• Limited Privacy: Communal showers can be cramped and may not offer the level of privacy some attendees desire.

• Variable Water Temperature: The desert environment makes water temperature control a gamble, often leading to less-than-ideal shower experiences.

• Restricted Timings: Shower facilities operate on a schedule, which might not align with your personal festival plan.

• Questionable Sanitation: You have to keep in mind that literally thousands of people will be using these facilities, and while the festival likely cleans them often, they are still likely being used by hundreds of people between sanitation. Since people are there to wash mud, sweat, and who knows what else off their bodies, you can only imagine what the condition of these is like.

• Costly: If you’re not looking to wait in line for the free showers, at $10 per use, the cost of the premium showers can add up by the end of the week.

So if you’re a person that doesn’t mind waiting in line, doesn’t mind the lack of privacy, doesn’t mind a potential cold water shower, doesn’t mind a short shower, doesn’t mind a dirty shower, and doesn’t mind paying $10 a shower, the Coachella provided showers may be a great option for you. But if you’re a person that values a convenient, hot, sanitary and private shower that doesn’t cost you $10 per use, you may need to explore other options. Luckily, there are portable shower options that campers can bring with them. The thing is, not all portable showers are created equal, so campers should do extensive research before choosing their portable shower.

To help you better understand the pros and cons of various portable showers, let’s take a look at the main varieties of portable showers and explore how their form and function would affect the showering experience in the context of Coachella.

The Types of Portable Showers and How They’d Work at Coachella

1. Solar Bag Showers

• How They Work:

• Utilize solar energy to heat the water in a bag.

• The water is released through a hose and nozzle using gravity.

• Pros:

• Eco-Friendly: Uses renewable solar energy.

• No Electricity Required: Independent of power sources.

• Lightweight and Portable: Easy to transport and set up.

• Cons:

• Weather Dependent: Requires sunny conditions for optimal heating, and can take a long time to heat up.

• Limited Water Pressure: Relies on gravity, offering weaker water flow, and must be hung over the person showering.

• Water Temperature Variability: Can be unpredictable.

2. Pump-Action Portable Showers

• How They Work:

• Manually pumped to pressurize the water in a container.

• The pressure forces water through a hose and nozzle.

• Pros:

• No Power Needed: Completely manual operation.

• Compact and Easy to Store: Ideal for space-saving.

• Cons:

• Lots of Work: Requires physical pumping, which, if you’re tired after a long day of dancing, can be tiring.

• Limited Pressure Duration: Has to be frequently re-pressurized to maintain pressure.

• No Heating: Only option for hot water is to boil water and pour it in.

3. Propane Heated Portable Showers

• How They Work:

• Use a propane heater to heat water from an external source.

• The heated water is then pumped through a hose and nozzle.

• Pros:

• Warm Showers: Can provide hot water, which is a luxury at festivals.

• Strong Water Pressure: Often more powerful than other portable options.

• Cons:

• Complicated Setup: Require extensive setup and use multiple parts, which, when you’re tired after a day of dancing, may be a bear. 

• Safety Concerns: Propane requires careful handling.

• Weight and Portability: Tend to be bulkier.

• Ongoing Fuel Cost: Propane tanks need to be refilled or replaced.

• Require External Water Source: Water has to be pumped from an external bucket or water tank.

4. Battery-Powered Portable Showers

• How They Work:

• Powered by a rechargeable battery, these showers pump water from a source through a hose.

• Some models have a built-in container, while others use external sources.

• Pros:

• Consistent Water Pressure: Offers a steady flow of water.

• Versatile Water Source: Can use any standing water source.

• Portability: Easy to move and set up.

• Cons:

• Battery Life: Requires charging or spare batteries.

• Higher Cost: Tends to be more expensive.

• Additional Water Source Needed: Requires a separate water container if not built-in.

So you can see that the type of portable shower you choose can really affect your Coachella showering experience. You’ll want to choose a portable shower that is easy to use, provides high pressure, high capacity and heating, so that you can take a hot, high pressure shower at your campsite.

Enter RinseKit: The Ultimate Coachella Shower Solution

In contrast to other portable shower options, RinseKit portable showers offer a powerful, convenient, and reliable alternative. Here’s why RinseKit is a game-changer for Coachella attendees:

1. On-Demand Convenience

RinseKit’s portable showers are battery-pressurized and use an onboard water tank. This means that all you have to do to operate it is pour in water, press the power button, and you get a consistent, high pressure spray that does not decrease as you use water. This ease of use means you can freshen up anytime, anywhere - quickly and easily. No more altering your festival schedule to accommodate shower times.

Enjoy the comfort of showering in your own space, be it near your campsite or a secluded area, away from the communal shower hustle.

2. Consistent Water Pressure 

RinseKit’s battery-powered pressure system means that they maintain a strong, steady spray, no matter how much water is in the tank. It’s the same pressure you’d get from your hose or shower at home, so you don’t have to sacrifice the pressure you’re used to.

4. Efficient and Eco-Friendly

With a high-capacity tank (3.5 to 5 gallons), RinseKit provides sufficient water for a thorough rinse while conserving water – a critical aspect in the desert setting.

5. Ease of Use and Portability

Designed for simplicity, RinseKit showers are easy to fill, use, and transport, making them ideal for the festival environment. They also all feature a convenient top handle, making it easy to carry and move around like a cooler.

6. Multifunctional for Festival Needs

Beyond showering, RinseKit’s versatile nature makes  it useful for cleaning festival gear, dishes, hands, etc. If it gets hot, the mist function also makes it so you can cool off easily at the campsite.

7. Heating Options Available

There are heating accessories available for all RinseKit Portable Showers, including the propane powered HyperHeater. The HyperHeater pumps water from the RinseKit through the heater, heating it up to 100F in seconds. So with the RinseKit paired with the HyperHeater, you can have a piping hot, high-pressure shower like you’re used to at home in minutes.

Adding Privacy to Your Setup

For those wishing to have a fully private shower at their campsite, a shower tent is a great way to take a shower fully covered up. The RinseKit Shelter is a two room shower tent that has a dedicated showering space and a space for changing and storing toiletries. It boasts convenient features like a shower nozzle hook, windows, and draining vents on the floor. It’s a great way to maintain privacy at the campsite while you take a hot, high pressure shower with your RinseKit.

Real-Life Scenario at Coachella

Picture this: You’ve been dancing and reveling in the festival spirit all day. As the sun sets, you feel the need to freshen up before the night's headliners. Instead of trekking to the communal showers and waiting in line, you head to your campsite. Within minutes, your RinseKit and HyperHeater setup is ready, and you’re enjoying a hot shower under the desert sky – all set for another round of unforgettable performances.

Conclusion

At Coachella Music Festival, where every moment is precious, RinseKit offers an efficient, private, and enjoyable showering experience. It’s not just about staying clean; it’s about maximizing your festival experience, ensuring comfort, and maintaining hygiene without missing a beat of what Coachella has to offer. RinseKit isn’t just a portable shower; it’s your personal oasis in the midst of Coachella’s exhilarating chaos.