In this article, we unpack the essentials for a rustic cleanse, the cleaning methods to avoid, and options for showering, handwashing, tasteful toileting, and outdoor laundry.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s upgrade from the gum leaves, and keep it clean \u2018n classy\u2026<\/p>\n
![\"Leave-no-trace](\"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Ben-Trewren-leave-no-trace-gear.jpg\" "\\"Leaving")
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Ensure you have the right gear with you to keep clean and leave no trace.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n You may know that phosphates aren\u2019t great for the environment, but you may not know why. Phosphates increase algae growth, which decreases oxygen in the water \u2013 making it harder for fish and other aquatic life to survive.<\/p>\n So, when choosing a biodegradable soap for camping or hiking, choose phosphate-free too.<\/p>\n Here are some of the essentials you could bring to keep clean when outdoors.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n While this is a pretty straightforward activity, there are a few things to consider when you\u2019re out on the trail.<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t mind carrying the extra weight, a\u00a0toothbrush shield<\/a>\u00a0helps to keep it clean. Teeth are also best cleaned at your campsite and using water you know is 100% bacteria-free. Try using a smaller amount of biodegradable toothpaste than you usually would, swish your mouth with a small amount of water, and spray it over a wider area (so it\u2019s not concentrated in one spot – this minimises the impact on the environment).<\/p>\n Alternatively, spit the residue into a hole you\u2019ve dug.<\/p>\n Hand sanitiser\u00a0will be your best friend out on the trail, as you won\u2019t always have access to soap and water.<\/p>\n When you\u2019re amongst a group of people, germs can spread quickly \u2013 so it\u2019s essential to sanitise your hands every time you go to the toilet or prepare food.<\/p>\n Wash your hands or use sanitiser to keep germs from spreading. Image: Sea to Summit<\/em><\/p>\n To maintain good hygiene when away from the comfort of a running shower, there are a couple of options for a lightweight adventure.<\/p>\n While it is tempting to skip the wipe or wash after a long day out and about, keeping clean will help keep your clothes and bedding in better condition, preventing oil, dirt, and sweat from rubbing into your mat, sleeping bag, or pillow. Trust us, your\u00a0down sleeping bag<\/a>\u00a0will thank you for it, as you won\u2019t have to\u00a0wash it<\/a> as often!<\/p>\n If you\u2019re happy to carry the extra weight, a\u00a0Pocket Shower<\/a>\u00a0is a more luxurious option when you\u2019re travelling light.<\/p>\n This is essentially a dry sack with a shower head built into the base which can be adjusted via a twist mechanism. Simply fill with water, warm it up in the sun, and hang it up for an 8.5-minute shower! Once you\u2019re done, dry off with a compact\u00a0microfibre towel<\/a>.<\/p>\n There is a range of camp showers available to make cleaning a comfortable experience. Some even run on solar power or batteries, offering a hot water option. You can also simply use a small tub of water, soap, and washcloth.<\/p>\n A few things to note:<\/strong><\/p>\n This option probably won\u2019t be suitable for every trip, but on a particularly warm and sweaty adventure you\u2019re likely to appreciate this method of washing away the day! For more on how to set up a camping shower, check out Ben’s blog here<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you can spare the space and weight, a pocket shower is an option for keeping clean. Image: Sea to Summit<\/em><\/p>\n While nothing beats a shower after a long day, this isn\u2019t always practical if you\u2019re hiking for a few days and don\u2019t have access to a lot water or room in your pack to carry equipment.<\/p>\n Heat up some water, and pour it into a\u00a0portable sink<\/a>. Add some biodegradable body\u00a0wash<\/a>, grab a washcloth, and get started! When finished, ensure you dispose of the water 60-100m from a water source. A\u00a0squeezy water bottle<\/a>\u00a0comes in handy here, as you\u2019ll be able to rinse those hard-to-reach areas.<\/p>\n Another technique to clean yourself is to use moistened cotton balls.<\/p>\n A washcloth, portable sink and biodegradable wash is another option for staying fresh. Image: Sea to Summit<\/em><\/p>\n These are great when you either can\u2019t spare the water, or you\u2019re just too tired after a long day to attempt anything else!<\/p>\n You want the sort that will remove salt, sweat, and oils from your body. Depending on your preference, you may want to try unscented baby wipes or something a little thicker like\u00a0Sea to Summit\u2019s Wilderness Wipes<\/a>.<\/p>\n You may not be burying them, but still consider a compostable option for when you arrive home and need to dispose of them.<\/p>\n When you’re really exhausted, or water is limited, wipes will get the job done.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n If you are going to wash directly in a lake or river, don\u2019t use any soap\u00a0at all<\/em>\u00a0\u2013 even if its biodegradable. Also, if you\u2019ve smothered yourself in sunscreen and insect repellent, this will wash off into the water and can cause contamination. In this case, it might be best to collect water to wash with and scatter it afterwards instead. Other people might be using the river to collect drinking water from too, so consider that before you jump in!<\/p>\n If you are free camping too, consider the impact on the environment as well as your health and safety. Fresh or saltwater, if safe, is for unpolluting, cleansing, and refreshing dips. However, being swept away by the current, or becoming\u00a0croc<\/a>\u00a0bait is not worth the risk\u2026 so know the water source and your environment before taking the plunge!<\/p>\n Just like a coffee order, towel selection is personal. Do you prefer large or small? Thick, or thin?<\/p>\n Many travellers like a compact,\u00a0fast-drying microfibre<\/a>\u00a0range, car chamois, or sarong. Even a small and thin 100% cotton towel is sufficient, and doesn\u2019t take long to dry. On the other hand, a large towel is bulky and guaranteed to be packed wet or \u2013 at best \u2013 damp.<\/p>\n A few tips:<\/strong><\/p>\n If you bathe in a river or lake, be considerate of the environment. Image: Sea to Summit<\/em><\/p>\n On a lightweight trip, you\u2019re not going to be carrying a whole wardrobe of clothes. Instead, you\u2019re likely to keep a couple of pairs of socks, underwear, and a spare set of clothes to rotate.<\/p>\n A great way to clean your clothes (that doesn\u2019t use a lot of water) is a\u00a0Scrubba Wash Bag.\u00a0<\/a>This is essentially a portable mini washing bag \u2013 simply add a couple of garments, biodegradable washing detergent, and water. Push out the excess air, seal it up, agitate for 3 mins, rinse, and dry.<\/p>\n You could also use your dry bag, or a portable sink. Both will get the job done in a similar way, and are multi-purpose to save on weight.\u00a0When you\u2019re finished, just ensure you scatter the greywater the safe and correct distance from water sources.<\/p>\n Sometimes, laundry isn\u2019t always practical. In these instances, air-dry your clothes after hiking each day. Wet or sweaty clothes stored in your pack can be a source of bacteria. You can also choose to wear clothes that wick away moisture so they dry much faster and don\u2019t become as sweaty. A lot of hiking clothing is designed specifically for this purpose.<\/p>\n A travel towel, like the\u00a0Sea to Summit Drylite Towel<\/a>, is also a great investment. Regular towels can stay wet for a long time and harbour bacteria, while a travel towel will air-dry in no time at all.<\/p>\n Fresh clothes will help you maintain good hygiene on the trail.<\/em><\/p>\n For the females reading this, there are a couple of options for managing your monthly visitor on an off-grid getaway.<\/p>\n The most efficient and environmentally friendly choice is a menstrual cup. Keep in mind that your hands need to be clean when both using and emptying it. You should also dispose of the cup contents as you would when going to the toilet.<\/p>\n Secondly, use standard, disposable feminine hygiene products \u2013 but ensure you have a way to carry them out with you. A Ziploc bag is usually best for this, or covering it with duct tape for more discretion.<\/p>\n Put together a little kit of your hygiene products. That way, it\u2019s easy to locate in your rucksack with minimal stress in the critical moment!<\/p>\n There are a number or\u00a0portable toilets<\/a>, and even\u00a0toilet tents<\/a>, available for doing your business in private. These are useful if you\u2019re camping out in some of the coastal or desert country of Australia, where there aren\u2019t as many trees to squat behind!<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t have room to take a portable toilet, a few tips to consider when going to the toilet in the bush are:<\/p>\n Keep everything you need in one bag, so that it’s ready to use.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Ben and Lauren also discuss how to take care of business<\/a> in the outdoors on the Snowys Camping Show<\/a>:<\/p>\nPersonal Hygiene Essentials:<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Avoid:<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Your toiletries bag may also include:<\/span><\/h2>\n
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![\"Essentials](\"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Essentials.jpg\" "\\"Depending")
<\/p>\nBrushing Your Teeth<\/span><\/h2>\n
Handwashing<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"Washing](\"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Washing-your-hands-STS-1.jpg\" "\\"The")
<\/p>\nBathing When Hiking or Trekking<\/u><\/h2>\n
Portable Showers<\/h2>\n
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![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/STS-pocket-shower.jpg\" "\\"A")
<\/p>\nSponge Baths<\/h2>\n
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![\"Man](\"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/POCKET-TOWEL-WASH.jpg\" "\\"An")
<\/p>\nWipes<\/h2>\n
![\"Wiping](\"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Wipes.jpg\" "\\"Wipes")
<\/p>\nNature’s Bath!<\/h2>\n
Drying Off<\/span><\/h2>\n
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![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/WASHING-IN-LAKE-OR-RIVER.jpg\" "\\"It's")
<\/p>\nLaundry<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"Clothes](\"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/HANGING-UP-WASHING-BT.jpg\" "\\"Clean")
<\/p>\nGoing About Your Business…<\/span><\/h2>\n
Feminine Hygiene<\/h2>\n
Number 1\u2019s and 2\u2019s<\/h2>\n
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![\"Keeping](\"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Ziploc-bags-and-tampons-1.jpg\" "\\"Make")
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