X Caravan Bathroom Products That Make Life On The Road Easier

The big bathroom purchases (toilet chemicals, cleaning products) get all the attention, but it’s the small accessories that make the daily difference between a caravan bathroom you tolerate and one that actually works. These are the products experienced Big Lappers mention when you ask what they wish they’d bought sooner.

1. Quick-Dry Microfibre Towels

Standard cotton towels are a nightmare in a caravan. They take forever to dry in a small, often poorly ventilated space, and within two days they start to smell. Quick-dry microfibre travel towels ($15–$40) dry in a fraction of the time, take up a fraction of the space, and can be washed and dried easily. Sea to Summit DryLite and Matador NanoDry are both excellent. They feel different to cotton (thinner, slightly slippery), but you adjust quickly and the practical benefits are massive.

2. Suction Cup Shower Caddy

Caravan showers typically have zero shelf space. A suction cup shower caddy ($10–$20) sticks to the shower wall and holds shampoo, conditioner, soap, and a razor. Look for one with strong suction cups designed for smooth surfaces (the cheap ones fall off constantly). Command brand waterproof caddies with adhesive strips are more reliable than suction cups in most caravans. Having your shower products at arm’s reach instead of balanced on the floor makes a surprising difference.

3. Septic-Safe Toilet Paper

Standard toilet paper can block cassette toilets. Use rapid-dissolve or septic-safe paper. Supermarket brands labelled “septic safe” work fine and are significantly cheaper than Thetford branded paper. Buy in bulk when you find it at a good price.

4. Squeegee

A small window squeegee ($5–$10) kept in the shower is the simplest way to prevent mould and water damage. Squeegee the walls and door after every shower. It takes 30 seconds and removes 90% of the water that would otherwise sit on surfaces and encourage mould growth. In humid climates (Top End, QLD coast), this is particularly important.

5. Hanging Toiletry Bag

A hanging toiletry bag ($15–$30) that hooks on the back of the door or a towel rail keeps personal items organised and accessible in a space with almost no counter room. Look for one with clear pockets (so you can find things quickly) and a hook that fits over caravan door frames.

6. Anti-Mould Spray

Mould loves caravan bathrooms: small, warm, humid, and often poorly ventilated. A good anti-mould spray ($8–$15) used weekly on shower walls, ceiling, and around seals prevents mould from establishing. Prevention is significantly easier than removal. Exit Mould and 30 Seconds are both effective. Always ventilate during and after use.

7. Quick-Dry Bath Mat

The caravan bathroom floor gets wet every single shower. A quick-dry bath mat ($10–$20) absorbs water, prevents slipping, and can be hung to dry between uses. Look for microfibre or diatomaceous earth mats that dry rapidly. Avoid thick cotton bath mats; they’ll never dry properly and will smell within days.

8. Compact Toilet Brush

A compact toilet brush with a sealed holder ($8–$15) is essential. Caravan toilet bowls stain and mark more readily than household porcelain, particularly with cassette chemical use. A quick brush after heavy use keeps the bowl clean. Choose a compact design with a closed holder that won’t rattle or spill during travel.

9. Ventilation Fan or Moisture Absorber

If your caravan bathroom doesn’t have an exhaust fan (or if it’s ineffective), a small rechargeable USB fan ($15–$25) positioned to create airflow after showers helps enormously with drying. Alternatively, a moisture absorber like DampRid ($8–$15) placed in the bathroom absorbs excess humidity. In tropical conditions, both together are worthwhile.

10. Travel-Size Refillable Bottles

Full-size shampoo and body wash bottles take up too much space and are awkward in a tiny shower. Decant into small refillable squeeze bottles ($5–$10 for a set) that fit in your shower caddy. Refill from the large bottles stored in a cupboard. Saves shower space and reduces the risk of heavy bottles falling and cracking in transit.