How to Wash Your Clothes While Backpacking or Camping
If you are embarking on a long-term backpacking journey, you may be faced with having to do laundry. You can only bring so many clothing items in your backpack, so you are bound to run out of clean clothes after a week or two. With all the physical work you are putting in, chances are the clothes you have been wearing are getting pretty ripe around wear four. Therefore, it’s important to know how to wash your clothes while backpacking.
Washing your clothes on a backpacking trip may sound like a chore, but it doesn’t have to be. If you have the right resources at hand, you can get it done fairly quicky.
Waiting for your laundry to to dry completely is where the headaches may come in.
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Washing Your Clothing at a Water Source
Depending on where you are backpacking, you may want to know how to wash your clothes in a water source.
Setting up camp next to a river, pond, or lake gives you the water access you need to do all your laundry at once. Then you can leave your clothes up to dry throughout the night so they’ll be dry the next morning… if the weather is in your favor.
To wash your clothes at a water source, follow the steps below.
Items You Need:
- Two Large Plastic Bags
- Biodegradable Laundry Soap
- Rope or Cord
Steps:
- Set up cord/rope near camp as a clothing line for drying. Pile dirty clothing nearby.
- Bring both bags to water source.
- Fill one bag with clean water. Set to the side.
- Fill second bag about 1/3 full of water. Add a small dollop of biodegradable laundry soap.
- Bring both bags to clothing and rope (should be a good distance from water source).
- Throw a couple of items in the soapy bag at a time. Hold the bag closed with one hand while massaging and shaking the contents of the bag with the other.
- Rinse using clean water from the non-soapy bag. You may need to refill bag several times.
- Hang clothes on rope to dry.
Best Biodegradable Laundry Soaps
Seventh Generation Free and Clear
Seventh Generation takes pride in being 100% biodegradable and animal friendly, making it a perfect brand to use at camp. This product is free of all dyes and artificial scents. It is also effective at removing stains, dirt, and filth.
Charlie’s Soap Laundry Powder
Charlie’s soap is another trustworthy source of high quality, biodegradable products. This laundry powder is lightweight and compact, making it perfect for lightweight or ultralight backpackers! Since it is powdered, it is also easy to pack in small portioned bags.
Nature Clean Laundry Strips
Another biodegradable, earth-friendly brand to trust is Nature Clean. What makes this soap so perfect for backpacking is the fact that it comes in lightweight, compact strips. These are definitely easier and neater to pack than a travel container of liquid soap.
Sun and Earth Laundry Detergent
This is another brand that is dedicated to making a long line of earth friendly products. Sun& Earth’s plant-based detergent stands out because it has an all natural, light citrus scent. It can really freshen up your clothes without being harmful to the environment.
Finding a Washing Machine
A less creative method for how to clean your clothes while backpacking is simply using a washing machine.
If you are on one of the more lengthy and popular trails for backpackers, you may be able to find a laundry facility. Large RV and camper-friendly campgrounds that are scattered throughout many major hiking trails often have one. In which case, all you need to do is map out when you’re going to reach such a campground and plan to spend some time there.
If there is no such campground, you may need to do a little research to find a nearby laundromat. Order an uber at your next road crossing or trail head. You could also add a couple miles to your trek by hiking into a small town that is relatively close to your route.
Though using a nearby washing machine may seem less adventurous and rugged, they can save you from wearing stiff and sour t-shirts every day.
Conclusion
You can only embrace nature for so long before you need a fresh pair of underwear. That’s why it’s important to know how to wash your clothes while backpacking. When you’re out on the trails for weeks at a time, your clothes will be begging for a wash. Keep these tips in mind next time you take on a long-distance trip!
Photo by Daniel Spase on Unsplash
