An inescapable, or welcomed, part of backpacking is sweating up a storm. Hikers are getting down in the dirt. We are tossing yesterday's clothes back into the mix. Backpackers are forgoing a formal toilet or hot shower for days on end.
But despite the holiday from regular hygiene practices, it's still reasonable to stay somewhat clean. Especially if a few tricks of the trail are deployed. So fear not all you Type-A / Germaphobe prospective backpackers! Spending time in nature doesn't have to leave you feeling grubby. Here are a few tips to staying clean while camping.
Do you change your underwear when backpacking?
The easiest way to stay clean on the trail is to have two pairs of quick-drying/synthetic underwear. One that you hike in, and one that you save just for camp. For women hikers, this same strategy will apply for your sports bras.
Fresh underwear helps the attitude
It's amazing the positive impact that changing into fresh undies can have. Plus, invest in a couple high-tech pairs, with anti-microbial properties, and your rotating pairs will smell and feel great.
Rotation is key
The other benefit of the daily tag-out is that one set can be washed and hung to dry overnight. Your other set can hang off your pack, or sit in an exterior mesh pouch. Do this while you're hiking in order to air out and get the bacteria-blasting benefits of the sun.
How do backpackers wash their clothes?
If you're on the trail for more than a long weekend, and are trying to make it work with just a few pairs of socks, underwear, and t-shirts, then there's an easy way to do “laundry” while on the trail. A small bottle of natural/biodegradable soap, such as Dr. Bronner's, and a Ziplock bag are all that's required.
To wash a pair of sweat-soaked undies, put them in the plastic bag. Add a half-liter of water and JUST A FEW DROPS of your concentrated detergent (which can conveniently also be used to wash dishes and your own body) and stir/shake it all about for 3 – 5 minutes.
Once that's done, dump the dirty/soapy mixture somewhere that's far away from any water sources. Then hang your renewed knickers to dry. If you do this every day or two, you'll always have clean replacements on hand.
Can you use baby wipes for camping?
Absolutely. Good ol' baby wipes are a great way to spruce up your pits and nether-region bits when you don't have access to shower facilities, the water is too cold for bathing, or a sufficient source is non-existent.
Travel-Packs of wipes can be small
A travel-pack won't take up any noticeable space in your backpack, but just remember to carry out the soiled wipes. This small additional step can really take the edge off after a full day of hiking, or when pushing multiple days without bathing.
Dromedary Bag for Showers
If baby wipes aren't doing it for you, then try taking a dip in a cool river, diving in a glacial lake, dunking under a waterfall, or bring along a dromedary bag to make a camp shower.
More than a shower
In terms of the latter, these bladders are already helpful to transport more water to and around camp, but they can also be converted into a perfectly passable shower by hanging it in a tree and scrubbing up underneath the standard nozzle (or by attaching a special shower head that brands like MSR provide).
Warm showers
Here's a hot tip: if you leave the filled bag in the sun, you can have a warm shower in due time. Both the makeshift shower and the nature plunge allow for the scandalous, primitive thrill of being naked (or mostly naked) in the wilderness. But whichever you choose, remember to use biodegradable soap (again, I always like to have a bottle of Dr. Bronner's with me for multi-day trips) so that you don't pollute the region.
Subscribe to our Newsletter and Stay Clean!
So there you have it – staying fresh and presentable in the backcountry isn't all that difficult, and can actually be quite fun. In some ways, relaxing the usual hygiene standards is part of the adventure, but there are limits – especially if you're sharing a tent with another dirtbag. Just bring along a few simple items, take advantage of what nature gives you, and you'll stay relatively clean even if camping for long periods of time.
Soap: Dr. Bronner's Liquid Soap
Shower: MSR Shower Kit, MSR Water Storage Bag
Sunglasses: WileyX sunglasses
Backpack: Mystery Ranch Bridger 65
I hope you enjoyed this article. For plenty of more backpacking content – everything from gear reviews to best-practices to my own global adventures, check out BackpackingTV and remember to subscribe to the In4Adventure.com newsletter for strategic updates on our latest content. Keep it classy!
