Being born in the UK somewhere between Generation Jones and Generation X, I’m old enough to remember when washing at the sink or basin was the norm and showering a novelty. For a more thorough cleanup, most people relied on a soak in the tub a couple of times a week.

The only showers I took back then were after sports at school or a swim at the public pool.

But there was always somebody worse off. Whenever anyone mentioned the possibility of installing a shower, my father would retort that he’d had to wash and shave with only a mug of cold water during his army training.

Luckily, times have changed. The mere idea of a house without a shower is unthinkable.

Sink washing nevertheless remains a necessary skill; I’ve been without proper use of a shower or tub on more than one occasion.

As men, it’s essential that we know how to keep ourselves clean in any situation. Our sweat glands are larger and more numerous than in women, making us more prone to body odor.

In this post, I’ll show you how a sink wash can make you look, smell, and feel clean. But, in spite of what you may have read elsewhere, it’s by no means more convenient than a shower.

Nor is it healthier for the skin.

Nor does it necessarily save water.

When I take a (cold) shower, it’s a matter of getting myself wet, turning off the faucet, applying soap, and rinsing. It takes three minutes at the most and leaves me feeling fresh and invigorated.

A sink wash is more time-consuming. And rinsing away soap might not be as thorough, which could lead to irritations.

Source: Pixabay

Sink Washing When There Is No Shower or Tub

With or without running water, sink washing is only necessary if you don’t have a shower tray or bathtub.

I found myself in this situation once while spending a week in something resembling a flophouse. Another time while vacationing in a trailer in a field. And twice when my bathroom was ripped out due to a burst pipe.

Basic Items Needed for a Sink Wash

I’m not going to list everything you could use when washing at the sink; actually, it’s not that much different from showering in this respect. But these are the items you must have, as well as a couple that may be useful depending on your needs.

• Washcloths. Ideally two for each wash.
• A bathmat. Water will always land on the floor when washing at the sink.
• A cleansing agent. I prefer a soap-free wash lotion, which is less irritating if you don’t manage to rinse thoroughly.
• A towel. Quick-drying microfibers are best if you’re traveling.
• Wet wipes.
• Optional items include a mug or jug, underarm deodorant, shampoo, dry shampoo, and leave-in conditioner.

If you only have cold water, whether it’s from a faucet, a bottle, or a canister, mix with boiling water—it takes surprisingly little to bring it up to a comfortable temperature. If this isn’t an option, you’ll be glad to know that you don’t have to wash your whole body to remain odor-free.

Which Body Parts to Wash

Concentrate on the following areas in this order:

1. The face.
2. The hollow of the neck, behind the ears, the elbows, the knees, and the ankles. These are areas where grime collects most rapidly.
3. The armpits and groin, where odor-causing sweat glands are located.
4. The feet.

Always wash your feet last since they may carry germs that you don’t want to transfer to other areas. This is why we wash from head to toe and not the other way around.

A further reason to proceed in this order is because the water will become progressively dirtier and soapier. That’s why showering is said to be more hygienic than sink washing or bathing.

How to Sink Wash

1. Wet your face and neck with a washcloth, apply your chosen cleansing agent using your fingers, then gently rinse with your washcloth.
2. For the rest of the body, apply the cleansing agent to the washcloth, rub it over your skin, then rinse.
3. If you’re not short of water, refill the sink, take a new washcloth, and rub yourself down with fresh water.
4. If you are short of water or have only a limited supply of clean washcloths, rub yourself down with wet wipes. Doing so will remove all leftover traces of soap and dirt. These can also be used to freshen up between washes; Wet Ones hypoallergenic body wipes are reasonably priced and do a good job.

Source: Pixabay

Wet Shaving

You don’t want to wash with water that has whiskers floating on its surface. Nor shave with water that’s been used to clean your germ-ridden feet. Whether you shave before or after washing, treat it as a separate process.

If water is scarce, you’ll only need a mugful. And it doesn’t even need to be hot—cold will give you a closer shave.

Washing Your Hair at the Sink Instead of in the Shower

If you have running water, washing your hair over the sink will be no problem, as long as there’s a mixer tap to stick your head under. You’ll otherwise need a mug or jug or, better still, a hose with a spray nozzle linking hot and cold.

When I found myself in what I refer to as a “flophouse,” I only had a cold tap. Funnily enough, it was nowhere near as bad as I’d anticipated.

But if water is scarce, it’s better to forget your hair. If you expect to be without a shower and sufficient water over an extended period, for whatever reason, shave your head or at least get it buzzed. I’m now bald, which enables me to treat my head as an extension of my face.

If you’re having to do without a shower for only a few days, apply dry shampoo for oily hair, or a leave-in conditioner if it’s dry.

Washing With a Bucket

The pipes froze one winter in my old apartment, leaving me without running water.

But I still had a shower tray.

I also had a bucket.

And home-brand bottled water is pretty affordable, while distilled is even cheaper and will give cleaner results.

If you have a shower tray, you can use a plastic bucket to wash instead of the sink.

How to Wash With a Bucket

1. Fill the bucket to about two-thirds full. If you have a stove, add boiling water followed by more cold until the temperature is comfortable.
2. Take the bucket with you to the shower cubicle and close the door or curtain.
3. Wet your body using a sponge or washcloth. If you plan to wash your hair, use a mug or jug to wet it, which is easer than pouring straight from the bucket.
4. Soap yourself down.
5. Rinse by pouring about half the bucket over your head. Use the remaining half for difficult-to-reach areas like the armpits and groin. Again, a mug or jug is useful for this.
6. If you have a second bucket, rinse again for good measure, or rub yourself down with wet wipes.

© 2025, J. Richardson. All rights reserved.

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