Getting dirty on a camping trip is pretty natural. You get sweaty while your clothes get full of debris, mold, and soot, but not necessarily; it requires you to be unhygienic all the time!
Staying unhygienic intentionally on any trip is an unhealthy practice. It can build up unwanted ailments in your body and push you toward the worst health scenario case in the future. So, you must know how to stay clean while camping.
Therefore, this guideline brings you some tried-and-true strategies for practicing hygienic procedures on any backpacking camping excursion. If you’re interested in establishing your knowledge about these facts. Then keep reading to learn more
Table of Contents
Camping Hygiene Essentials to Pack
Before learning how to stay clean while camping, let’s discover what camping necessities to carry and what not to.
This way, it will simplify the hygiene process for you even more. You’ll be able to adhere to a strict hygiene routine and do so as follows to stay clean and healthy throughout your entire trip.
1. Hand Sanitizers
Sanitizers aid in keeping you germ-free. It will safeguard your skin from unanticipated rashes, mold growth, and dangerous bacteria and viruses.
However, kindly remember to bring alcohol-free, unscented hand sanitizers. Sanitizers with alcohol scents are bad for natural fabrics.
2. Biodegradable Soap
Biodegradable soaps are helpful in many aspects. From doing laundry to washing dishes, and at times, you may use them during a camp shower!
These soaps are universally useful and can be used for any situation. As it is designed for all skin types, it is a practical option for campers to clean their bodies or faces during showers.
3. Teeth Cleaning Kit
Only because you’re camping for a few days doesn’t mean you can be careless about your dental hygiene. Teeth are a necessary element of your body. Therefore, you must always keep it clean.
You may use several products to keep your dental health healthy. Bring toothpaste, toothbrush, and floss with you to your camp. Be sincere about the products you pack in; they should be certified as harmless to the environment.
We always advise brushing your teeth using a natural product like a neem stick. You may also count on herbal tooth powder or baking soda to clean your teeth during camping.
4. Unscented Baby Wipes
Baby wipes or face wipes are a great addition to camping trips. These products are handy to use. They are also helpful in keeping your skin safe from dehydration. Therefore, don’t forget to include it in your camping equipment.
5. Quick-Drying Microfiber Towel
A quick-drying microfiber towel can either be utilized as a mat to spread out all the camping supplies you’ll need for the trip, or you can use it to cleanse your skin after each camping shower you take.
The towel’s natural fibers, which rapidly absorb water and dry out, help to keep your skin smooth and hydrated.
6. Toilet Paper/Bandana + Trowel
These items will help you stay clean while enjoying the great outdoors. Toilet paper is required for going to the restroom. A bandana can be used to wipe the sweat off your forehead or to wash your face. And a trowel can be used to dig a hole for burying your poop. So pack these items in your bag and enjoy your camping trip!
Things You Should Avoid Packing As Your Camping Essentials
Even though it’s crucial to have the necessary camping supplies, we occasionally overstuff our packs. And at times, these items might even be harmful to the environment. So, here are a few necessities you mustn’t pack for your camping vacation.
- Non-biodegradable products – A non-biodegradable product can have a substantial influence on the health of the environment. Therefore, avoiding packing this stuff on a backpacking trip is always best.
- Deodorant and other scented products – Scented products are attractive to outdoor’s animals. If they can smell it, they will surely take preparation for hunting.
Therefore, try not to bring any scented products to the campsites. Also, most scented products are made of alcohol-based substances, and these materials can harm nature.
- Razor – Razor is another unwanted product you won’t want to bring to your camping trip. This product takes up space unwantedly and leaves you with less room in your bag to stuff up other necessary items.
- Mirror – You may pack a mirror for survival purposes to target animals from a little far. However, aside from that, you won’t need to include a mirror in your bag.
- Unnecessary disposable products – Since you must pack everything out, it is advisable to pack disposable products to a minimum.
Hygiene Camping Cleanliness – A Day Routine to Follow
When camping, following a routine each day to ensure you and your campsite are clean is crucial.
- Begin your day by cleansing your face and teeth brushing. This will make you feel more awake and rejuvenated. Then, look around your campsite to see if any trash or debris needs to be picked up. Once the camp is clean, you can focus on your cleanliness.
- Don’t skip showers. If you want to go hiking or trekking, you can shower when you return from your journey. It will cool you off from the sweaty or dirty feeling you get. Go for a brief swim in the river or lake.
Decrease your exposure to the sun as well. Wash your face and hands from time to time, and carry face wipes, lip balm, and water to stay hydrated throughout the day.
- In the evening, wash up again before you go to bed. Don’t forget to do the dishes and change into new clothes. By following these simple hygiene tips, you can make sure you have a clean and enjoyable camping trip.
How to Take Shower While Camping
Even though showering while camping can be challenging, it is feasible! Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you out:
- You’ll need to find a secluded spot to set up your shower. Next, gather supplies, including a water container, a solar shower bag, soap, and a towel.
- After you’ve acquired your supplies, you can start putting together your shower system.
- Fill your solar shower bag halfway with water and set it in the sun to warm up. Hang the shower bag up. You may hang it from a tree or another sturdy object.
- When using a bucket, place it on a flat surface. Once the water in the bag is hot, you can start showering.
- Simply strip down and step into the shower bag to take a shower. Be sure to soap up before turning on the water to avoid getting soap in your eyes. Then let the water wash over you as you turn it on.
How to Brush Your Teeth While Camping
Brushing your teeth while camping is no different than brushing your teeth at home. So, here’s what you need to do to maintain your dental hygiene at a camp,
- Bring along a camping toothbrush. These toothbrushes are designed to be compact and easy to pack.
- Put some toothpaste on your toothbrush after wetting it to brush your teeth. Brush your teeth gently with circular, back-and-forth, and up-and-down motions.
- If no water supply is available at the camp, fill a bottle with water and bring it to your campsite.
- After you’re finished, wash your mouth with water. Spit out some water after swishing it around in your mouth. Spit the water into a cup or on the ground (away from any plants or bodies of water).
- And that’s it! Brushing your teeth while camping is just like brushing your teeth at home. Just be certain that you have all of the necessary supplies.
How to Wash Clothes While Camping
Naturally, you cannot get access to a washing machine while camping. However, there are still methods for keeping your garments clean. Here are a few tips on how to wash clothes while camping:
- Choose a sunny spot to do your laundry. Sunlight will help kill any bacteria that might be lurking in your clothes.
- Fill a large container with clean water. You can use a river or lake to ensure clean and pollutant-free water.
- Add a small amount of biodegradable soap to the water and mix it.
- Put your clothes in soapy water and swish them until they’re fully saturated. Scrub your clothes with a washcloth or sponge to get them clean.
- Rinse your clothes thoroughly in clean water. You can do this by using a second tub or bucket or rinsing them in a stream or lake.
- Hang wet clothes on a line or tree branch to dry in the sun and fresh air. Put them in the sun to help them dry more quickly if it’s sunny outside.
How to Wash Your Dishes While Camping
You ought to wash your dishes even when you’re in the woods. This stops mold growth or germs, especially during an extended camping trip.
- Rinse your dishes immediately after use. This prevents food from drying out and makes cleanup more difficult afterward.
- If possible, wash your dishes in hot water, which will help loosen any stuck-on food and make cleaning more manageable.
- Use biodegradable soap to avoid polluting the environment. There are many brands of eco-friendly dish soap available nowadays.
- Using a brush or sponge, scrub your dishes well to eliminate all traces of food.
- Clean the dishes with clean water. Make sure all the soap suds have been removed off the plates.
- Allow your dishes to air dry before packing them away.
How to Use the Bathroom While Camping
You probably wouldn’t enjoy using an open bathroom while camping. Also, dealing with all the insects and squatting over a hole in the ground is less than ideal. However, luckily, there are ways to make the experience a little bit better. Here are some tips on how to use the bathroom while camping:
1. Find a Spot Nearby
Be at least 200 feet away from any water source, like a lake or river. If you’re in an area with many trees, look for a spot to stay secluded from other campers while doing your business.
2. Bring Insect Repellent
That’s because you wouldn’t want to deal with mosquitoes or other biting insects while trying to do your business. So, use some insect repellent to keep them at bay.
3. Use a Trowel
A trowel is a small shovel that can help you dig a hole for your business. Make a hole about six inches deep. This will help keep things clean and contained.
4. Bring Toilet Paper
This one is self-explanatory. Be sure to bring plenty of toilet paper so you don’t have to use leaves or anything else that might be uncomfortable.
5. Consider a Portable Toilet
If you don’t want to deal with all the mess, you can consider investing in a portable toilet. These can be found at most camping stores and make life much easier.
How to Keep Your Tent Clean While Camping
You probably don’t think much about keeping your tent clean while camping. After all, you will only use it for a few days. Wrong! A dirty tent might be unsafe, so keep it clean and clear of trash. Here are some ideas for keeping your tent clean when camping:
1. Inspect Your Tent Regularly
Before you set up camp, take a few minutes to inspect your tent for any rips, holes, or tears. These can provide an easy entry point for insects and other pests. If you discover any damage, make repairs before using the tent.
Also, be sure you lay down a tarp or ground sheet beforehand. This keeps the floor of your tent from becoming muddy or sandy.
2. Keep Food and Drinks out of the Tent
Food and drinks can attract all sorts of unwanted critters. As a result, it’s preferable to keep them out of the tent. If you need to bring food or drinks inside, store them in airtight containers.
When cooking or eating inside your tent, use a tarp or ground sheet to protect the floor from spills.
3. Hang Up Your Wet Clothes
Wet clothes can mildew and create an unpleasant smell in the tent. If possible, hang them outside the tent to dry or away from your sleeping area.
4. Keep Your Sleeping Area Clean
Shake out your sleeping bag before use. Your sleeping bag can quickly become home to all sorts of critters, and thus, it’s important to shake it out before usage. In the morning, put the sleeping bag in a clean sleeping bag liner.
However, if you’re using an air mattress, be sure to put a sheet or tarp underneath it to protect the floor of your tent.
5. Don’t Let Dirt and Mud build up on the Tent’s Floor
Mud and dirt can be tracked into the tent, making it difficult to keep clean. So, if possible, avoid walking on the tent’s floor.
Also, before you even enter your tent, take off your shoes! Doing this lets, you keep your tent’s interior clean and free of mud and filth.
When your trip is over, clean your tent thoroughly before packing it up. This will prevent dirt and debris from getting trapped inside and making your tent stink!
In Summary
Now that you have all the knowledge and resources to stay clean while camping, it’s time to practice the actions.
Remember, knowing how to stay clean while camping is just as necessary as successfully arranging a camping event. After all, you cannot enjoy your camping trip if you just lay there in your camp with body sickness.
An even more straightforward example would be to picture organizing a camping trip but then neglecting your hygiene to the point where you have bad outcomes, destroying the entire trip’s enjoyment.
So, consider how you want to spend your camping days. Stay clean, stay healthy at your best.
