5 (More) Tips to Stay Clean While Camping (Part 2)

(Mac DeStrior/pexels)

In our last article, we ventured into the world of camping cleanliness and shared five ways to stay tidy while everything around you is covered in dirt.

Impossible? Not for you, stalwart camper. It’s well within your reach with the help of our tips to keep you feeling fresh and clean amidst the campfires, long days on the trail, and conspicuous lack of shower facilities.

Here are five more camping hygiene tips:

1. Potty #1 (for Her)

Supplies:

• Female urination device
• Sarong or microfiber towel
• Antimicrobial pee cloth

Nature didn’t exactly balance the convenience scales for men and women. Women have to put up with plenty of inconveniences, not the least of which is being unable to go potty without jeopardizing the sanctity of their legs and feet. Ladies, when nature calls, we recommend a plastic funnel-like standing urination device that tames the stream without the crouch.

You can find one of these hand-dandy funnels online, and—bonus!—they usually come with their own discreet carrying case. While you can clean your device with soap and water, it’s not necessary to clean it after each use because these devices are made to repel liquid. Simply give it a shake when you’re done and stick it back in its trusty container.

Worried about the world seeing your nether parts when you’re peeing (especially if you’re in an area without much foliage)? Bring along a sarong or light microfiber towel to wrap around your waist.

And here’s another injustice: men can drip dry a lot easier than women. But there’s a solution: reusable antimicrobial pee cloths to the rescue. Look for a cloth with both 1) a waterproof side that keeps your hands clean and 2) an odor-resistant side that absorbs your pee (but not its smell) and dries quickly. Opt for a cloth that clips to your backpack so it’s easily accessible. Ladies, you can say goodbye to toilet paper like a “Leave no Trace” Queen!

And for both the gents and ladies, make sure you pee away from the trails, campsites, and water sources for the love of all things sanitary.

Random trivia: Can you pee in a river or lake? It depends on the size of the water body. If it’s a little pond or stream, avoid it. If it’s a large river or lake, whiz away. The water volume will dilute it.

2. Potty #2 (for Him and Her)

Supplies:

• Trowel (look for a light, plastic one)
• Hand sanitizer
• Toilet paper
• Plastic zipper bags (each inside of a paper bag to keep things “opaque”)

Pee is a particular nuisance to the ladies among us, but poop…that one gets all of us. So, here’s the scoop on the poop. First, before your journey, pack yourself a poop kit with the supplies listed above.

Next, when you gotta go, and there are no civilized facilities around:

• Get about 200 feet away from the trail or campsite.
• If you can, grab a handful of large, soft, non-poisonous leaves for wiping. “Nature’s toilet paper” is the best material for protecting the environment.
• When you find your happy spot, dig yourself a hole about 4 inches wide and 6 to 8 inches deep. Do your biz and wipe with leaves and/or as little toilet paper as possible.
• Drop the wiping materials in the cat hole, cover it with the original dirt, and mark the “burial” with a stick to discourage others from digging there.
• Wash your hands with soap and water (if available) or apply hand sanitizer. If you opt to use wipes instead of TP, drop them into a zipper bag and dispose of them when you get to a garbage can. Wipes clean well (arguably better than toilet paper), but they don’t belong in cat holes–or anywhere in nature.

3. No Shower? No Problem

Supplies:

• Collapsible bucket
• Quick-dry sponge

When you need to get clean and there’s not a shower in sight, lakes and rivers are your friends. No rivers or lakes? Collapsible buckets are the next best thing. Fill your bucket with a couple of inches of water. Wet your sponge. Wash yourself down with water and biodegradable camping soap. Rinse your sponge. Rinse your skin. Dry off with a towel—but not just any towel. Microfiber is light, thin, and dries fast. Air drying works, too. (No equipment required.)

4. Condense Your Clothing

Supplies:

• 1 base layer
• 2 outfits
• 3 pairs of socks/underwear

Camping is a delightful excuse not to have to change into clean clothes every day, but just how far should you push it?

For a five-day camping trip, we recommend the 1-2-3 rule: one base layer for warmth (and sleeping if it’s not too sweaty), two outfits (shirts and shorts/pants), three pairs of socks and underwear. For your base layer and socks, opt for materials such as wool that keep moisture on the surface (sweat, rain, etc.)

Note: Don’t underestimate the unparalleled functionality of zip-off pants. Yes, they’re pricey. Yes, they make you look like your former scoutmaster, but man, do they come in handy for staying protected and comfortable amidst changing weather and terrain.

5. Let the Little Stuff Go

Fragrances

Nature has plenty of fragrances; you don’t need to bring your own. This is not the time for your Luscious Lily deodorant or your Chrysanthemum Cocoa Butter lotion. Synthetic fragrances are loaded with chemicals that aren’t great for your skin or the environment, and they’ll turn you into an insect magnet. Stick with soaps and body wash with natural ingredients.

Bonus: Some natural soaps, like Packer’s Pine Tar Soap, have been found to repel insects. Think of it as a DEET-free mosquito repellent that also cleans bug bites so they can heal faster.

Razor/Mirror

Forget the razor. It’s one more thing to pack, and it’s a hassle to shave in the wilderness. A mirror can be wasted space, too. Why spend time looking at your own mug when you can enjoy nature’s best sights?

That wraps up our two-part series on staying clean on your next camping adventure. Some people miss out on the wonders of camping and backpacking because they don’t like that grimy feeling that sets in after a few days outside of civilization. That’s a real bummer because everybody needs a break from civilization once in a while.

Fortunately, you can strike the perfect balance with our ten tips. Pack lean and stay clean so you can explore more!