What You Need For Your Emergency Bathroom
Have you thought about what you need for your emergency bathroom? I was very surprised when I read on Facebook that a few people were going back and forth on what was needed for an emergency toilet or if we really needed to have one. Are you kidding me? I don’t know about you, but surely people know they need one, right? I have written so many articles on making one, I was shocked to hear the idea was still under debate.
I guess I’m back on the soapbox today! We have got to get the word out to everyone that they must make an emergency toilet. They are cheap to make and you will sleep at night knowing you have one ready to use after a disaster. If the disaster is big enough the sewer lines may be shut down due to a power outage or broken lines. You do not want to have to go somewhere to use the bathroom, particularly during or right after a disaster. If you need to “go” in the worst way, how are you going to feel if the toilets don’t work and you DON’T have an emergency backup plan in place? Take some time today and set out to have an emergency toilet ready to use ASAP.
I’m just surprised by all the flooding, the fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, and whatnot that people may not have water stored, extra food, and their own emergency bathroom planned out. Of course, we need so much more, but I feel strongly I need to address this topic today.
I’m Not A Survivalist
Sometimes I get discouraged because I don’t know why people don’t get it. I’m not a survivalist, although I know I’m prepared to survive almost anything. But I can’t take care of everyone in my neighborhood. How do I get the world to realize that their church, the government, or their city will not be there to pick them up and take care of them?
It’s not going to happen if you think others will be looking out for us each time a disaster happens. There are just too many of “us” for the agencies to step up and take care of. We are supposed to be self-reliant. If we can’t take care of our own family then we are in deep trouble. Okay, I’m stepping down off the soapbox. Thank you for your encouraging words, you all keep me going. And I thank you for that!
Emergency Bathroom Supplies
- Emergency toilet
- Toilet paper
- Diapers, paper or cloth
- Hand Sanitizer
- Baby wipes
- 33-gallon size garbage bags
- Kitty litter
- Sawdust
- 10-gallon garbage bags
- 4-gallon garbage bags
- Tissues
- Paper towels
- Maxi pads
- Tampons
- Depends-incontinence needs
- Bio-Blue by Reliance (cuts down on the smell)
- Biffy Personal Toilet (for the car)
- 5-gallon buckets
- 6-gallon buckets
- Reliance Ready Made Portable Toilet
- Bedside Commode Toilet Set
- Duct Tape
- Bleach (for safely cleaning up sewage)
Emergency Bathroom Ideas
There are so many options for making your own emergency bathroom or toilet facility. Let’s get started. I do better with pictures, so here we go.
5-Gallon and 6-Gallon Buckets
You can see the one on the left is a 5-gallon and the one on the right is a 6-gallon bucket. You don’t have to squat down so far with the 6-gallon bucket. Just giving you the heads up here. All you need is some 10-gallon garbage bags and some kitty litter, sawdust, or Reliance Bio-Blue.
Toilet Seat Picture
These are the two styles I have for the 5 and 6-gallon buckets. You can buy these at most emergency preparedness-type stores or here: Toilet Seats
Car Emergency Bathroom
I remember taking road trips with our daughters and I always said before we left, “Has everyone used the bathroom?” Well, two hours into a trip you may need this little #10 can if you are miles from everywhere. I fill mine with hand sanitizer, 4-gallon garbage bags, duct tape, and of course, a roll of toilet paper.
Your Existing Bathroom
Here you can use your bathroom toilet by lifting the toilet seat, turning off the water supply, and placing a 33-gallon bag on the toilet base. I would use duct tape to keep it in place. Fill with some kitty litter or sawdust. The only things you need to stock are 33-gallon size bags, kitty litter or sawdust, and of course, some toilet paper.
Dane’s Homemade Toilet
I wish I had the directions to make this, but I don’t. My nephew, Dane is one of those awesome “handyman” guys. He can think up just about anything and build something with scraps. All you need is to build the frame, attach a regular toilet seat, and toilet paper holder, place a 6-gallon bucket inside, some 33-gallon bags, and kitty litter or sawdust.
Dave H. Toilet Made With Steel
Is this awesome or what? I need to ask my son-in-law to make me one because he works with steel. Dave mentioned he used one-inch square tube steel for part of it. Is this fabulous or what? Plus, Dave mentioned he uses a Gamma Lid to keep the smell and the flies away on top of the bucket, below the toilet seat. Why didn’t I think of that? Woohoo!
He even made a toilet paper holder. This rocks, right? Just so you know, most Walmart stores sell Gamma lids in the emergency preparedness section. I have only seen 5-gallon buckets at Walmart, just giving you the heads-up here. I like the 6-gallon size.
Final Word
Let’s hope people read my post today so they are prepared with their own emergency bathroom and supplies. There are so many options for everyone. We just need to get people to get prepared as soon as possible. Thanks for being prepared for the unexpected. May God bless this world, Linda
Awesome ideas!
Hi Elizabeth, thank you so much! Linda
Check out humanurehandbook.com. The book itself is available there, as are directions for humanure toilets and directions on best use of them. We do still have a flush toilet, but now use these humanure toilets as our regular–it even gives our old house an upstairs toilet now! The toilet contents are heat-composted (I know, not possible for everyone) and after a full year, we have rich compost and no worry about pumping a septic tank any more. No worries if snow, ice, or wind cuts the grid power, either.
Hi Rhonda, what a great idea! I looked it up and this is what it says: “We’re closing out our stock! Joe’s retiring from the compost toilet sales business.” They also say OUT OF STOCK, darn! This is really too bad!! I would love to get one of these! How nice to give you another toilet in your house!!! I love it!! Linda
Look for the directions on how to make a humanure toilet yourself, humanurehandbook.com/humanure_toilet It’s not hard, takes no more than an afternoon, plus sanding and staining. You might even be able to locate the fairly small lumber and plywood pieces as scraps or throw-aways–and any 5-gallon buckets with lids should work, although you do want “matching” sizes so they interchange. The book itself also shows some versions built into a house, with a bucket-bunker for the cover material. (For cover material–it’s just compostable absorbent material–I shred several bins of leaves each fall, also use some sawdust, shavings, shredded paper, etc.)
I’ve had *zero* regrets–other than the occasional guest who looks a little put-off…
Hi Rhonda, thanks for the tip on the where to get the instructions on how to make one. I had to remove the link since it’s not a secure website and could compromise my website. People will still be able to find it. I would love to make one, thanks again, Linda
I’m fortunate enough to have a septic system. I’ve got a stand seat in the storm shelter and a camper with a toilet. I’ve got an extra chemical camping one too.
I’m a little shy of how much TP I’d like to have but it’s on a list of things to get.
Being prior army truck driver I’m well versed in using the duals.
As a hunter I’m on the constant lookout for appropriate downed logs and hollowed stumps.
One should also learn the kimchi squat I learned overseas.
Hi Matt, you have it made with a septic tank! Great comment as always. We all may run out of TP, it would be impossible for me to store a couple of years worth of toilet paper. I made some “family cloth” that will be my backup plan! Linda
I have my luggable loo for camping (and of course emergencies!). I use the “double doody bags” that are a heavy black plastic bag in a double zip bag and it contains the “chemicals”. Of course, these are a bit spendy but for my campouts (and just me) they are handy. I also have extra chemicals and bags for the what if!
Hi Leanne, you are one prepared chick, and I love it! I need to look into the ones that zip! Linda
I recently watched a YouTube video by a man who discusses options for keeping clean and his solution to storing toilet paper. He demonstrated the use of compressed wipes or towels. The usual “baby wipes” or the larger version for personal cleaning and bathing are reasonable in price and easy to store. We’ve all seen them and probably used one or at least the old tiny “wet naps” to clean our hands and faces.
There are also these “towels” compressed into a little disk that you wet with a few drops of water and they expand. So they’re damp and ready to clean with. Their biggest advantage is the small size and they’re fairly sturdy. Very handy alternative to toilet paper when you have limited space or have to live out of a suitcase or backpack.
Hi Frank, yes, I bought a package of those toilet paper disks. They are awesome! I put a package of 100 in my car and took up very little space. They would be great in a backpack or suitcase. Thanks for the reminder. I’m going to go add the ones I bought to the post. Thank you!! Linda