How to Stay Clean While Camping
Being a clean camper may sound like an oxymoron, but maintaining personal hygiene is important to creating a successful outdoor experience. Every adventurer requires different levels of cleanliness to stay happy. There are a range of methods to stave off dirtiness offer options for anyone. While some outdoorsmen, like overland enthusiast Josh Remer, refer to their “woodsy musk” as “an honorable badge of outdoor adventure,” many campers would beg to differ.
Preventative Steps
Prior to reaching the point where all you can think about is the promise of a steamy shower, there are preventative measures you can take to reduce your impending dirtiness. The most vital advice: don’t wear cotton. Clothing made from cotton may be comfortable at first, but the fabric quickly soaks up sweat. Cotton will rapidly gets dirty and can cause uncomfortable chafing. Choosing synthetic materials will help wick moisture and stop sweat from lingering on your body.
Recently returned from a trip to Zion National Park,
Joshua Riggins states, “I find that synthetics seem to dry a lot faster than cotton. They also don't cause blistering or chafing in areas that normally suffer from these issues.”
Many outdoorsmen also wear gaiters to keep their legs and ankles unsoiled during particularly muddy or sandy excursions.
While Outdoors
For a quick fix to your soiled state, baby wipes are a favorite tool for many adventurers. Outdoor companies have created wipes specifically designed for camping, but regular baby wipes can be just as effective. “Best wipes are my best friend,” says climber Kayla Hendrickson of her efforts to clean up while camping. They can be used to scrub muddy toes, refresh sticky skin, eliminate armpit odor, and more.
If you have access to a body of flowing water, consider taking a quick dip. Purely rinsing off can feel like a thorough shower experience. If you would rather use soap, be sure to pack a biodegradable variety and only use it at least 200 feet away from any water source. Don’t want to commit to bathing your entire body? Soak your feet for a few minutes, or splash your face with cool water to refresh your senses.
Anthony Sicola from Overland Nomads agrees, asserting that “a quick face wash does wonders”. When you’re out on the trail, the smallest dents in dirtiness can make a big difference.
Car camping opens up the opportunities to create a cleaning station where you can rejuvenate yourself as frequently as you’d like. Bring a small bucket, washcloth, towel, and earth-friendly soap like Dr. Bronners. Fill the bucket with a small amount of water for lathering up and scrubbing grime away. Replace it with fresh rinsing water for a miniature sponge bath. Be sure to check if your campground has access to water, if not, bring extra water designated specifically for cleaning.
Getting mud on your boots is a welcome side effect of time spent outdoors, but wet feet can become a nightmare. Aside from the threat of developing athlete’s foot, keeping your feet in wet socks elevates your chances of getting blisters. While hiking, stop occasionally to dip your toes in a stream. This allows them to cool down, clean off, and refresh any hot spots. Be sure to change into new socks daily if possible. At least carry two pairs of socks and switch them every day. Avoid sleeping in dirty, damp socks.
Beyond The Dirt
Staying clean outdoors isn’t just about personal comfort; cleanliness can affect your health, too. One of the easiest precautions to take against germs and illness while camping is packing a bottle of hand sanitizer. Make it a pre-meal habit to rinse your hands with water and apply sanitizer before every meal. This helps to reduce the likelihood of ingesting any harmful germs you may have picked up during your day’s adventure.
You may be tempted to bring along a perfumed spray or scented lotion to keep you smelling good while outdoors. However, fragrant toiletries are notorious for attracting unwanted wildlife visitors, including bears. Keeping a clean, unscented camp kept
Michael Restivo out of harms way during a recent trip when “a pack of very large mountain goats passed through our campsite”. If he didn’t take precautions the goats may have caused problems. Plus, scented products merely mask odors rather than curing them, so embrace your natural musk and avoid the chances of luring animals to your campsite.
Whether you view time outdoors as the perfect excuse to get as dirty as physically possible, or prefer to see it as a challenge to get creatively clean, there are options! The multitude of options for surviving in nature without a conventional shower offer solutions to suit any adventure from car-camping to bushwhacking.
