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How to stay clean while hiking or backpacking, such as washing hands, bathing, dishes, and laundry.
Whether on a weekend trip or a 10-day expedition, being able to stay clean is an important health concern. Taking some simple steps can help any hiker promote hygiene and prevent the spread of disease. Washing HandsHand-washing after digging a cat hole and before eating food can help reduce the chances of contamination and getting sick. Using cold water and liquid camp soap works well, as well as hand sanitizer. Do not light or operate a backpacking stove immediately after using hand sanitizer, as the alcohol is flammable. BathingTaking a bath isn’t practical in the backcountry, especially as it is not low impact to be using soap in a pond or stream. However, it is possible to bathe and get clean. Fill one or two 1-quart water bottles with purified water and have some camp soap and a bandanna available. Walk well away from streams, trails, and other campers so as not be in sight. Use the water and soap to lather up and rinse, and the bandanna as a wash cloth. Drip dry in arid climates, or use a second bandanna to dry. If there isn’t a lot of water available, clean the armpits and crotch area to get rid of sweat and dirt. Outdoor retailers also sell a camp shower, which is a bag filled with water, hung to a tree, with a tube running down to a shower head. DishesClean dishes and eating utensils by eating all food and licking/wiping dishes and pots clean. Sterilize by immersing dishes in boiling water, and let them air-dry. Do not bury leftover food, as animals will dig it up and eat it, which can be a problem in bear country. If possible, eat leftovers later or pack it out. This situation can be prevented by correctly portioning food at home when planning the trip. LaundryWash t-shirts and underwear to rinse out salt and sweat, and to extend the life of the clothing during a trek. Take a resealable plastic bag and pour a quart of water in it. Add a few drops of camp soap and the garment, then seal the bag. Squish the bag to work the soap into the clothes, then pour the water out onto the ground. Add another quart to rinse. Wash clothes 200 feet from water sources to prevent soap from getting into streams or ponds. Daily CleanlinessEven just wiping dirt off the legs and arms with a damp bandanna can do wonders for staying clean. It also feels refreshing to wipe down after a long dusty day on the trail. Things to Bring
More InformationFor more information on backcountry hygiene, visit Backpacker Magazine online.
The copyright of the article Backpacking Hygiene in Wilderness Backpacking is owned by Bill Sassani. Permission to republish Backpacking Hygiene in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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