One of the most difficult parts of camping is figuring out how to stay clean. When you are surrounded by nature, it can be hard to find a place to shower or bathe without disturbing the environment. But, with a few tips and tricks, you can stay clean while camping without having to sacrifice your commitment to nature. Here’s how!
Solar Showers & Bucket Bathing
The simplest way to stay clean while camping is by using solar showers or bucket bathing. Solar showers are bags filled with water that absorb heat from the sun and then provide warm water for bathing. If you want something a bit more luxurious, try bringing along a collapsible 3-6 gallon bucket that you can fill up with warm water for bathing. Just make sure not to use any soap directly in lakes, creeks, or other sources of drinking water as they can be harmful to the environment.
It’s also important to remember that no soap, eco-friendly or not, should be used directly in rivers or lakes. Biodegradable soaps need soil to be broken down, so follow Leave No Trace guidelines and do your bathing at least 200 yards away from any water source. A bucket and a washcloth are all the tools you need.
DIY Compost Toilet
If you’re really committed to leaving no trace on your campsite, consider building your own compostable toilet. This type of toilet is easy to make and requires no plumbing or electricity; all you need are some basic materials like wood chips, sawdust, cardboard boxes, and plastic sheets. Once built, these toilets will break down waste safely and naturally over time. You can also add a portable sink next to it so that you have access to running water while camping.
Go Natural
If you don’t feel like lugging around all the necessary materials for a DIY compost toilet or solar shower/bucket bath combo, then just go natural! Nature provides plenty of ways for us to keep clean — think swimming in lakes/rivers or using natural plants like yucca root as a body wash–so take advantage of what’s around you! Just make sure not to disturb any wildlife or habitats when doing so.
Wrapping Up
Camping doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your hygiene – there are plenty of ways for campers to stay clean without damaging the environment! From solar showers and bucket baths to DIY compost toilets and going natural with local resources – there’s an option out there for everyone who wants to keep their camping experience both green and fresh! So get out there and enjoy the great outdoors, knowing that there are plenty of options available if staying clean is important during your trip!
If you are new to camping or backpacking, make sure to check out our Ultimate Guide on Backpacking for Beginners: Backpacking 101!
