Washing clothes on long hikes

Rinse your socks and undies out with water, rub them on rocks then re-rinse and wring dry. Put them on damp in the morning.

I can't think of a lighter weight solution than that :) I've done plenty of trips with no extra pairs of anything. You certainly won't smell good at the end of 10 days, but I don't think your performance will be affected.

Edit: Alternatively, leave the wet clothes in the sun when you are stopped, and tie them to the outside of your pack while you're moving.

posted almost 13 years ago

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Ryley‭

84 reputation 2 42 8 0

When washing in the backcountry there are some techniques and considerations that will benefit yourself and the pristine wilderness you are traveling within.

Don't ever wash near a water source, you are contaminating it for yourself, everyone else, and the animals that drink from it.

1. Always carry water at least 500 feet away from:

• The source of the water.
• Your campsite.
• The trail or travel area.
• Other persons' campsites.

2. Never use a nitrate-based soap

• These soaps kill naturally occurring and helpful bacteria in the soil.
• The soaps can cause an overabundance of certain kinds of water-based algae.
• They contaminate water sources and make them unfit to drink for yourself and the animals living nearby.

3. Wash yourself and your clothes in a central location if staying for multiple days.

• Moving the wash location affects a greater number of areas.
• Concentrating the wash area minimizes contamination elsewhere.
• Scatter dirty water within the wash area to prevent soap from entering the deep soil and killing plant roots.

4. Use a scentless soap

• Using a soap that smells like fruit is a good way to get tracked or attacked by bears or mountain lions.
• In some areas scented soaps are not allowed (e.g. Glacier National Park)

5. For drying clothes:

• Use the sun if possible, get into camp early (i.e. 3:00 pm), wash, and dry.
• OR wring clothes and place them on your body inside the sleeping bag at night. Your clothes will be dry by morning.
• For socks, tie them in a knot and store around your neck while sleeping. Same result as above.

Pack a vessel that can carry water and that you won't be using for cooking. The best I have seen are collapsible wash buckets made of synthetic fabric. These are light and allow for easy transportation of water away from the camping/water/travel area.

For the best backcountry soap I've used try the following. Dr. Bronners - Unscented castille soap, baby.

For more information please see the following: Leave No Trace - FAQ

posted almost 13 years ago

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Dangeranger‭

101 reputation 5 28 11 0

• Find a spot at least 200 ft away from water sources, camp, and trails. (Per LNT guidelines)
• Place soiled items in a gallon zip-loc bag with water and small amount of concentrated, biodegradable camp soap (I use Dr. Bronner's).
• Burp all air from the bag.
• Agitate the mixture until desired laundering is reached
• Open the bag slightly, squeezing it and broadcasting used water in a flinging motion to aid dissipation and breakdown of waste water.
• Use the same procedure to rinse (don't use too much soap to begin with)
• Optionally reuse the soapy water to wash multiple items if they don't fit in one bag. Two zip-loc bags is helpful (and they can serve other purposes.)
• Wring out excess water
• Wrap the item in a camp towel or shammy and re-wring with it inside to remove more water. Repeat until no more water can be absorbed. (This will greatly aid drying.)
• Use sun (hanging on branches, rocks, pack), body heat (wearing), or careful placement by a campfire to further dry items.

posted about 10 years ago

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manoftheson‭

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