One of the more difficult aspects of camping is going without a modern toilet.If you are out in the boonies without a toilet in sight, you can make your own.All you need to make a portable camping toilet is a large bucket, a garbage bag, and either a pool noodle or plywood.
Step 1: Cut your pool noodle to fit the bucket.
Measure the rim of the bucket with tape.You can cut your noodle by using a utility knife to be about 1 to 2 inches shorter than this measurement.If you want to fit the noodle around the rim of the bucket without it bumping up against each other, you need it to be slightly shorter.
Step 2: You can slice open the pool noodle with a utility knife.
Take a line from the top to the bottom of the noodle to guide your knife.You can set the noodle along the rim of the bucket by opening it this way.To pull the 2 sides of the cut you just made, use your hands.Before moving on to the next step, make sure the noodle is completely cut open.
Step 3: Attach the noodle to the bucket with glue.
Carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions if you want to use the pool noodle.Put the noodle on the rim of the bucket and push it downward so that it snaps into place.If you want to make your toilet out of a bucket and pool noodle, you can skip the glue.When you sit on the noodle seat, it will be less secure if you don't have the epoxy.You can buy it at home improvement stores.Allow your epoxy to cure for at least 24 hours before you use your camping toilet.
Step 4: The inside and outside of the toilet seat are marked on plywood.
Use a pencil or marker to trace around the inside and outside of the toilet seat on a piece of 2 inch (1.3 cm) plywood.You should mark the holes in the back where the seat will be screwed into the plywood.If you can, add a second circle around the interior hole and cut along the second line so that your piece of plywood is smaller than the actual toilet seat.It is less likely that waste will get onto the plywood.
Step 5: Use a jigsaw to cut out tracing.
Cut along the exterior tracing first, then the interior tracing.Attach the seat to the plywood with a drill bit that is the same size as the bolts you are using.Bolts and nuts are what you are supposed to use to install your toilet seat.Bolts that are 8 inch (1.6 cm) in diameter will work for your toilet if you don't have these materials.If you plan on using a chair for your camping toilet, be sure to drill a hole in the chair that is the same size as the interior hole of your plywood piece.
Step 6: Attach blocks of wood to the piece of plywood.
These will stop the toilet seat from sliding off the bucket or out of the chair when you use it.Attach the wood pieces to the bottom of the plywood with nails or screws.Attach them with a nail or screw through the plywood piece and into each piece of wood.As long as they fit inside of the bucket, these wood pieces can be any size or shape.If you want to get the best results, use pieces that are at least 2 inches long and not wider than the toilet seat.
Step 7: Bolts and nuts are needed to secure the toilet seat.
Attach the bolts through the hinge on the back of the toilet seat and the drill holes in the plywood piece.Attach the nuts to the bolts on the underside of the plywood to hold it in place.The back of the toilet seat has a plastic piece that connects it to the lid.
Step 8: Put the toilet seat over the bucket or chair to finish it.
Place the seat over the top of the bucket if you use a chair that has a hole in it.Make sure the 4 bottom pieces of wood fit securely in the bucket or hole of the chair.Before you use your new camping toilet, be sure to put a bucket underneath your chair.
Step 9: The 10 US gal bag should be inside the bucket.
The bag should go all the way down to the bottom of the bucket and the top should cover your seat.If you want the best results, use a heavy-duty garbage bag.Special odor-blocking garbage bags can be used if you are worried about odor.You can buy them at the store.
Step 10: Medium absorption is put in the bottom of the bag.
If you want to suppress the smell of the bag, use a mixture of sawdust, cat litter, dirt, or some other absorption medium.Every time you use the toilet, you will use this medium to cover your waste.Put cat litter or sawdust into the bag after you use the toilet to make sure your waste is completely covered.For convenience, keep your absorption medium in a separate garbage bag and use a plastic cup to scoop it into your toilet.You can buy sawdust at a feed store.
Step 11: Take the bag out of the bathroom and tie it up.
Before you take out the bag, make sure you covered your waste.When tying a bag, use a double knot to make sure it's securely closed and that the contents don't fall out.
Step 12: The inside of the bucket should be cleaned after every use.
Place the bag containing the waste inside another bag and tie it shut as well.The bags should be taken to a drop-off facility for hazardous waste.You can wash the inside of the bucket with warm water and dish soap.If you leave your bag at the campsite, it is considered litter.