For a two or three day backpacking trip you probably don't need to worry about washing your hiking clothes. If you are hiking for longer and want to avoid packing the extra clothes with you then follow this simple advice for cleaning your clothes while on the trail.
If your really need to wash some of your clothes while you are backpacking or even camping in more remote areas, it's really quite simple and easy to do. It's also a little old fashioned.
The main reason we need to wash any clothes while we're backpacking is to avoid the bulk and weight of bringing extra clothes with us and having that weight on our backs.
When you are heading into the backcountry you do need to be especially careful of the environment and that includes the water supply around you. There are two efficient ways to wash your clothes that we have used with success but first it's important to mention what you are going to use for washing.
The soap you use is important. Regular household soaps and detergents contain ingredients that can be harmful to the water system and to the wildlife that depend on the water systems of wherever you are hiking. It's very important to use a chemical free biodegradable soap that can be found at all reputable outdoor stores such as REI and MEC.
These soaps are what we use for everything we need to wash or clean while we're backpacking and also camping with our entire family. They are not harmful to the environment and do a great job. They are meant to be used to wash yourself, the dishes, pots and pans and any laundry you need to do.
They work great with cold water and you only need a very small amount to do a lot of washing.
Use one of these great outdoor and environmentally friendly soaps and use just a bit to wash your clothes. If you are needing to wash a smaller item like a shirt or shorts, put a couple of drops of soap into a ziplock bag and place your washable inside the ziplock bag as well. Fill the bag with water and seal the top of the bag. Squish and mold the bag to act as an agitator on the clothes. This will help to make your laundry clean.
When you are done, drain the soapy water well away from any water source and fill the bag again with fresh water to rinse. Hang your washables to dry and enjoy your freshly laundered clothing. Simple, effective and it really works.
For larger items or multiple pieces of clothing I often use a container that we've brought along and work the clothing with my hands in the soapy water.
Please remember to protect our environment and never dump your soapy water into any fresh water system.
It is easy to wash your clothes while you are backpacking using safe and environmentally friendly soap and a little hand power!
Happy Hiking!
If your really need to wash some of your clothes while you are backpacking or even camping in more remote areas, it's really quite simple and easy to do. It's also a little old fashioned.
The main reason we need to wash any clothes while we're backpacking is to avoid the bulk and weight of bringing extra clothes with us and having that weight on our backs.
When you are heading into the backcountry you do need to be especially careful of the environment and that includes the water supply around you. There are two efficient ways to wash your clothes that we have used with success but first it's important to mention what you are going to use for washing.
The soap you use is important. Regular household soaps and detergents contain ingredients that can be harmful to the water system and to the wildlife that depend on the water systems of wherever you are hiking. It's very important to use a chemical free biodegradable soap that can be found at all reputable outdoor stores such as REI and MEC.
These soaps are what we use for everything we need to wash or clean while we're backpacking and also camping with our entire family. They are not harmful to the environment and do a great job. They are meant to be used to wash yourself, the dishes, pots and pans and any laundry you need to do.
They work great with cold water and you only need a very small amount to do a lot of washing.
Use one of these great outdoor and environmentally friendly soaps and use just a bit to wash your clothes. If you are needing to wash a smaller item like a shirt or shorts, put a couple of drops of soap into a ziplock bag and place your washable inside the ziplock bag as well. Fill the bag with water and seal the top of the bag. Squish and mold the bag to act as an agitator on the clothes. This will help to make your laundry clean.
When you are done, drain the soapy water well away from any water source and fill the bag again with fresh water to rinse. Hang your washables to dry and enjoy your freshly laundered clothing. Simple, effective and it really works.
For larger items or multiple pieces of clothing I often use a container that we've brought along and work the clothing with my hands in the soapy water.
Please remember to protect our environment and never dump your soapy water into any fresh water system.
It is easy to wash your clothes while you are backpacking using safe and environmentally friendly soap and a little hand power!
Happy Hiking!
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