How to Make a Camping Toilet

Using a Pool Noodle

Cut your pool noodle to be just shorter than the bucket’s circumference. Use measuring tape to measure the circumference of the rim of the bucket. Then, use a utility knife to cut your noodle to be about 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) shorter than this measurement. The noodle needs to be slightly shorter than the bucket’s circumference so that you’re able to fit it entirely around the rim of the bucket without the edges of the noodle’s ends bumping up against each other.

Use a utility knife to slice open 1 side of the pool noodle. Draw a line down the length of the noodle from top to bottom to guide your knife when you go to slice it. Opening the noodle this way will allow you to set it snugly along the rim of the bucket. After you cut open the side of the noodle, use your hands to gently pull the 2 sides of the cut you just made apart. Make sure the noodle has been completely cut open before you move on to the next step.

Secure the noodle to the rim of the bucket with epoxy adhesive. Place epoxy adhesive along the inside of the pool noodle, making sure to closely follow the manufacturer’s instructions for usage. Then, place the noodle onto the rim of the bucket and push it downward so that it “snaps” into place. You can also opt to skip the epoxy adhesive entirely and just make your toilet out of a bucket and pool noodle. However, without the epoxy, the noodle seat will be less secure when you go to sit on it. You can buy epoxy adhesive at any home improvement store. For best results, allow your epoxy to cure for at least 24 hours before using your camping toilet.

Attaching a Toilet Seat to a Bucket or Chair

Trace the outer and inner circumferences of the toilet seat on plywood. Lay the toilet seat on top of a piece of ⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) plywood and use a pencil or marker to trace around the interior hole and the outside of the seat. Be sure to mark the holes in the back where the seat will be screwed into the plywood, as well. If possible, add a second, slightly larger circle around the tracing of the interior hole and plan to cut along this second line so that your piece of plywood is smaller than the actual toilet seat. This will make it less likely for waste to accidentally get onto the plywood.

Cut out the tracing with a jigsaw and drill out the attachment holes. Cut along the exterior tracing first, then cut out the tracing of the interior hole. Use a drill bit that is equal in size to the bolts you’re using to attach the seat to the plywood. Your toilet seat most likely came with bolts and nuts that you’re meant to use to install it. If for some reason you’re missing these materials, bolts that are ⁄8 inch (1.6 cm) in diameter will probably work for your toilet. 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.

Attach 4 small blocks of wood to the bottom of the plywood piece. These will act as stoppers to prevent the toilet seat from sliding off of the bucket or out of the chair when you go to use it. Use nails or screws to attach the wood pieces to the bottom of the plywood on all 4 sides. Drive a nail or a screw down through the plywood piece and into each piece of wood in order to attach them. These wood pieces can be any size or shape, as long as they fit inside of the bucket. For best results, use pieces that are at least 2 inches (5.1 cm) long and that aren’t wider than the toilet seat itself.

Secure the toilet seat to the plywood with bolts and nuts. Screw the bolts through the hinge on the back of the toilet seat and through the drill holes on the back of the plywood piece. Attach the nuts to the ends of the bolts on the underside of the plywood to secure the plywood to the toilet seat. The hinge is the plastic piece on the back of the toilet seat that connects it to the lid.

Place the toilet seat over your bucket or chair to finish your toilet. Push the seat through the hole in the chair if you’re using one, or simply place it over the top of your bucket. Make sure all 4 bottom pieces of wood fit snugly and securely in the bucket or in the hole in the chair. Be sure to place a bucket underneath your chair before you use your new camping toilet.

Using Your Camping Toilet

Place a 10 US gal (38 L) bag inside the bucket. Make sure the bag goes all the way down to the bottom of the bucket and that the top of the bag completely covers your noodle seat. For best results, use a heavy-duty garbage bag that doesn’t easily rip. If you’re worried about odor, you can also use special odor-blocking garbage bags instead of ordinary bags. You can buy these at any grocery store.

Pour ⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) of absorption medium in the bottom of the bag. Use sawdust, cat litter, dirt, or some other absorption medium to soak up any liquids in the bag and suppress the odor. You’ll also use this medium to cover your waste every time you finish using the toilet. After you use the toilet, pour enough sawdust or cat litter into the bag so that your waste is completely covered. For convenience, keep your absorption medium in a separate garbage bag and use a plastic cup to scoop the medium into your toilet. You can get sawdust from a sawmill or lumberyard or buy sawdust at a feed store.

Take the bag out of the toilet and tie it closed once you’re done with it. Again, make sure you’ve covered your waste before you take out the bag. Use a double knot when tying the bag to make sure it’s securely closed and that none of the contents will fall out.

Dispose of the bag and sanitize the inside of the bucket after every use. Tie the bag containing the waste closed, then place it inside another bag and tie this second bag closed as well. Take the bags to a drop-off facility for hazardous waste in order to dispose of them properly. You can sanitize the inside of the bucket by washing it with dish soap and warm water. Do not simply leave your bag at the campsite when you head home; this is considered littering.