Hygiene in an emergency: staying clean without water or power
When there is no water, power or heating. A guide based on official advice. The same text is in the free SurvivalZone app and works without internet.
What to keep in stock
- Toilet paper, wet wipes and hand sanitiser.
- Pads or tampons, and nappies if there is a baby at home.
- Strong bin bags and a bucket with a lid.
- Soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste and cleaning products.
When there is no running water
- Emergency toilet: a bucket lined with a strong plastic bag. Tie the bag after use and put it in a separate container.
- Soil, sawdust or cat litter will cover the smell.
- If only the taps are dry, you can still urinate into the toilet.
- Wash with wet wipes and clean your hands with sanitiser, especially before eating and after the toilet.
- Your local council will tell you how to dispose of waste.
Health
- Wash your hands before eating, after the toilet and after contact with someone who is ill.
- Use only boiled or bottled water for brushing teeth and washing dishes.
- Watch for diarrhoea and fever in your household, especially children and older people.
Watch out
- Never dump waste into rivers or near wells. It can contaminate drinking water.
See also
Frequently asked questions
How do I make an emergency toilet?
Line a bucket with a strong plastic bag, tie it after use and put it in a separate container. Soil, sawdust or cat litter covers the smell.
How do I keep clean without water?
Use wet wipes and hand sanitiser. Always clean your hands before eating and after the toilet.
Which hygiene supplies should I stock?
Toilet paper, wet wipes, hand sanitiser, pads, nappies, bin bags and a bucket with a lid.
Keep it on your phone
SurvivalZone is a free app for every emergency, with no account and no app store. It works without internet and shows the nearest shelters and help points, local radio, a 72-hour plan and a mountain trip planner.
Thank you for reading. If this could help someone, send it to the people you care about. Getting ready takes a moment, and in a crisis every minute counts.
Coming soon: the app’s permanent address will be survivalzone.app.
Other guides
- 💧 How to make water safe
- 🍲 Food without power
- ⛺ Shelter at home and outdoors
- 👨👩👧 Protecting your family and yourself
- 💊 Run out of medicine
- 🎒 Go bag checklist
- 🩹 Home first aid kit
- 🔦 Prepare your home for a blackout
- ✈️ Air travel: a safe trip
- 🏜️ Desert trip
- 🪢 Knots worth knowing
- 🔥 Campfire and outdoor cooking
- 🧭 Survival kit for your backpack
- 📞 Family communication plan
- 🥫 Emergency food and medicine supplies
- 📁 Documents and money in a crisis
- 🧰 Tools and equipment for a crisis
- 🧥 Clothing and warmth in a crisis
- 📻 Communication and navigation in a crisis
Sources
- WHO: water, sanitation and hygiene in emergencies
- Polish government Safety Handbook 2025 (PDF, Polish): hygiene, p. 45
- BBK (Germany): hygiene in emergencies
Official sources are checked automatically every day. Last check: 2026-10-23.
General guidance only; it does not replace the emergency services. If a life is in danger, call 112.