We’ve all experienced it – the scary smell of someone who’s been on a trek for days and hasn’t showered. The aggressive scent of a stranger’s B.O. is uncomfortable to be around, and you wonder, do they know they smell that bad? How can they not know?
You might get used to the smell of your own funk, but I assure you, other people never do. I figured that out the hard way when I tried all-natural deodorant.
Sometimes you don’t have access to a shower and having a personal cleanliness kit handy can be quite helpful.
How to Shower When Camping
Bring The Right Products
Baby wipes, two washcloths or hand towels, bar soap, mini spray bottle, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, enough underwear to have at least one clean pair per day, headband or hat, drinking water.
Optional: Travel size 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner, baby powder, hand sanitizer.
This rinseless shampoo is perfect for camping.
Hair: Leave hair in a braid or put it up, and try not to play with it. The excess oil from your hands will add to the oil your hair produces naturally, making it more greasy than normal. Baby powder will soak up excess oil, should you chose to bring it. No water? Use the rinseless shampoo. You can also wear a head scarf or hat if washing your hair is not an option.
Skin: Avoid lotion, other than sunscreen, especially if it’s scented. Sweet perfume smells attract mosquitos, making you an easy target for bug bites. Use the small spray bottle filled with water, one washcloth and bar soap to wash your face, underarms and body. Use second washcloth to dry. You can use baby wipes instead of washcloths if needed. If you develop acne and pimples, you can always go to the dermatologist for a microneedling treatment. Another way of removing hypotrophic acne scars would be dermal fillers.
Teeth: Brush em! Make sure you use purified, bottled water for this daily task. There’s nothing worse than being sick on a trek!
Lady Parts: Baby wipes are a girl’s best friend. Always wipe front to back and be sure to bring enough clean underwear to have at least one pair per day to avoid infections. It’s also a good idea to stock up on toilet paper before you leave in case the communal supply runs out.
Hands: Nails can get gritty. If possible, cut them short before you go so there is less space for dirt to hide. If you bring hand sanitizer, use it often! Hands touch everything. Try not to touch your face if you can help it! This will cut down on acne.
Feet: Clean your feet with baby wipes, and be sure to bring a few pairs of socks.
If you have the opportunity to jump in the ocean, do it! The salt water will clean your skin and hair for the short term, and kill germs.
3 Comments
Thank you For this advice!! I was really thinking of how I would do this until I came across this page. Thank you??
Helpful. Thanks.
You should not use 2-in-1 shampoo while camping – if it gets into rivers it can kill fish and damage the ecosystem. It is also really gross because often people will drink from water sources that people shampoo in or close to.
Your tips here should be edited to better respect our environment – it belongs to all of us!