Staying clean in the wilderness
If someone says that keeping up with your personal hygiene while camping is not possible, or it doesn’t matter if you stink because you are in the wild, that is, umm, wrong.
Staying clean while you are camping is a crucial thing for you, your health and for the sake of the people who share the tent with you.
There are no excuses to be stinky and especially not in the wilderness because there are many ways to keep your body and your clothes clean while enjoying your wilderness experience.
All of us here at Outdoor Revival spend a lot of time outdoors, so we’ve got some experience staying clean, well, some of us. So, here’s some useful tips on how to stay fresh in the woods.
Taking a bath
Who says you can’t bring your favorite sponge on your next camping trip? All you need to do is fill a pot with water from your water source and then go far from it to clean yourself. Use a biodegradable soap to mix with the water and brush your body. Make sure not to miss any part. Dry with a quick drying camping towel.
#/media/File:Schwamm1.jpg){kind=link}
No water bath in extreme situations
When no water is available, a smudge bath might be the only choice you have. Some wood smoldering over coals are very effective in cleaning your skin and stopping fungal infections. Just let the smoke cover your body. The best trees for this are juniper, cedar, and creosote bush. You might smell a bit, but you will be cleaner.
A solar powered shower
If you find yourself near a river taking a shower is an easy thing. A hot shower as well. What you need is an inexpensive black plastic solar shower. Fill it with water, let it sit in the sun all day and in the evening use your hot water. This way you can clean your hair too.
Air out your clothing and sleeping bag
Try to get some air to your clothes and your sleeping bag. If it’s sunny, use the opportunity to hang your things outside and dry them. Fresh air will help neutralize any odor.
Washing your clothes
They are not going to end up smelling like you’ve just got them out of a washing machine but is better than not washing them. Take a zip lock bag, or a drybag, put your clothes inside with biodegradable soap and water, close it and shake it for 20 minutes. Drain the water and fill again. Shake again and drain far from your water source. Hang your clothes to dry.
Swim
Being close the water is amazing because you can swim at any time. Swimming cleans your skin and your hair. And it’s the most refreshing thing after a long sweaty day.
While camping you should always use a biodegradable soap to wash your hair, body, teeth and dishes. Don’t forget to clean your hands before preparing food. Make sure that you have extra clean clothes.
Being away from home doesn’t mean being dirty. Good personal hygiene protects our health and keeps away the stinky odor. Be Nature aware and stay clean and fresh while camping. It’s better for you and the people around you.
If you have any comments then please drop us a message on our Outdoor Revival Facebook page
If you have a good story to tell or blog let us know about it on our FB page, we’re also happy for article or review submissions, we’d love to hear from you.
We live in a beautiful world, get out there and enjoy it.
Outdoor Revival – Reconnecting us all with the Outdoor