Bush Hygiene
- Thread starter AussieBushcraft
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Wash, swim, wetwipes or go dirty are my options in order of preference (weather dependant!)
I have seen field showers rigged from tin cans with holes in the base with a friend filling the can for the person washing and have used a solar heated commercial field shower once.
I have also used a "Sweat lodge" folowed by a dip in a stream - but these days I am not sure my heart would take that again!
I have seen field showers rigged from tin cans with holes in the base with a friend filling the can for the person washing and have used a solar heated commercial field shower once.
I have also used a "Sweat lodge" folowed by a dip in a stream - but these days I am not sure my heart would take that again!
SimonM
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
- Alcohol hand gel for after toileting and before eating.
- Large zip lock bag with foot powder (boots and socks off for as long as possible, dip feet in bag).
- Clean socks every day.
- If water no problem, boil a billy and have a flannel wash.
- If water scarce - wet wipe wash.
- Wear natural fibres rather than synthetic - they stay fresher for longer.
HTH
Simon
Yep pretty much as everyone else, a warm water and flannel wash daily with either wet wipes or cleansing rub before eating. If I am solo in a fairly remote or secluded area a complete strip wash first thing is really refreshing. One of those collapsible bowls are an ideal item for this with no weight and takes up next to no space. The solar shower units are cheap and effective for longer term and should be well suited to your part of the world. I also know someone that uses a watering can filled with warm water hoisted by the top handle up a tree and a pull cord around the spout with the rose fitted when he goes with the vehicle.
Sniper, your bloody brave doing the full wash in your area LOL
Flannel and wet wipes for me, evaporating hand wash for meals and toilet.
Flannel and wet wipes for me, evaporating hand wash for meals and toilet.
...well - to be completely truthful, I like being dirty...grin. Washing of my face in the morning is refreshing, but other than that (and some care for the nether regions as required) I can be dirty for a long time...and still be comfortable.
Toothpicks are great for teeth brushing...er, picking.
If it's a group camp setting, we insist on a bleach or disinfectant hand wash prior to food preparation.
D
Toothpicks are great for teeth brushing...er, picking.
If it's a group camp setting, we insist on a bleach or disinfectant hand wash prior to food preparation.
D
norseman55731
Member
I love your idea of powder in a zip lock for dipping your feet. Simple, but brilliant!
SimonM
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Ex infantry - take care of your feet cos they get you to and from work everyday!
Simon
Greetings,
Just to add a thought to the popular idea of carrying a bag of foot powder. I frequently carry this with me and apply it before every day of hiking, seems to dramatically reduce blisters and general soreness. My addition, is to add powdered menthol to the foot powder. Can be very difficult to find but worth it. Smells so good on application it practically makes you hungry and at the end of the day, the dastardly foot odour is much depreciated.
My personal list of hygiene:
In winter conditions, I do note bathe as often simply because it it too cold without the benefit of hot-tent. However, many of the potential problems can be countered by the use carefully shaped snowballs rather than loo paper. Digging through 2m of snow to the ground is not on the top of the priority list, simply a 30cm cathole in the snow and make your deposit and the 'paper' is all around you, just grab, shape, and clean thyself. This has a triple purpose of wiping and washing and blotting all at the same time.
Just my thoughts
Just to add a thought to the popular idea of carrying a bag of foot powder. I frequently carry this with me and apply it before every day of hiking, seems to dramatically reduce blisters and general soreness. My addition, is to add powdered menthol to the foot powder. Can be very difficult to find but worth it. Smells so good on application it practically makes you hungry and at the end of the day, the dastardly foot odour is much depreciated.
My personal list of hygiene:
- Daily washing of face/neck without soap in the nearest body of water
- Before meal use of non-alcohol based hand sanitizer
- Foot powder bath in the mornings
- Clean socks daily, with a rinse in clean water, subsequent drying on exteriour of pack
- Nearly daily bathing. Grab the biggest billy, strip by the water, pour fresh water over head, fill the billy, go appropriate distance from water source, lather up (in summer only) with biodegradable soap (Dr. Bronner's by choice), slowly pour billy over body, dry off and get dressed.
In winter conditions, I do note bathe as often simply because it it too cold without the benefit of hot-tent. However, many of the potential problems can be countered by the use carefully shaped snowballs rather than loo paper. Digging through 2m of snow to the ground is not on the top of the priority list, simply a 30cm cathole in the snow and make your deposit and the 'paper' is all around you, just grab, shape, and clean thyself. This has a triple purpose of wiping and washing and blotting all at the same time.
Just my thoughts
Alcohol sanitizers work well, but remember, you need to wash off dirt to maintain its efficiency, so at least a good rinse/scrub with cold water first, then the alcohol before prepping food, plus keep your nails short and clean
Grey Owl --- I'd add that certain gymnastics while relieving oneself can reduce the amount of washing required.....because, let's face it...snow crusts can be WAY too sharp....
I must seem really mucky to you, I eat what I find when out, and I don't wash it or my hands first usually. I'm vegetarian though, so meat and fish are never part of my diet. I eat the weeds as I'm working in the garden so must have a fair old immunity to a lot of stuff.
I do wash when out........joke, I'm a Scot, it's written into my contract with my maker, must be rained on at least twice a day
I use the old fashioned two flannels. One for tops and one for bottoms. Seems to work fine though I do feel grungy when I can't wash my hair......I can manage an entire scrub, hair and all in 500ml of water, and so can the female friends I camp with.....and if we can't get it warm, a cold burn will do. It just doesn't feel comfortable not to wash. Besides, there's always the rain
I only really wash my hands after loo stops or if I'm cooking for someone else.
Muddy is a state of happiness
atb,
Toddy
I do wash when out........joke, I'm a Scot, it's written into my contract with my maker, must be rained on at least twice a day
I use the old fashioned two flannels. One for tops and one for bottoms. Seems to work fine though I do feel grungy when I can't wash my hair......I can manage an entire scrub, hair and all in 500ml of water, and so can the female friends I camp with.....and if we can't get it warm, a cold burn will do. It just doesn't feel comfortable not to wash. Besides, there's always the rain
I only really wash my hands after loo stops or if I'm cooking for someone else.
Muddy is a state of happiness
atb,
Toddy
aah the old mess tin bath - pint of luke warm water, soap and washing all over with that days socks turned inside out.
glorious
you cant beat a good bar of soap or something like mountain suds to do everything with. simple but effective.
glorious
you cant beat a good bar of soap or something like mountain suds to do everything with. simple but effective.
No one has mentioned a good juniper bough smokebath... I find it is terrific to freshen me up when it is too cold to jump into the water, or if it is frozen...
Mungo
Mungo
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