Field washing

[mercury]

Right , everytime I go out in "the field" its sop to used your mess tin for a wash and shave, I find this revolting and a bit of a pain the the neck

Anyone have any alternatives to a mess tin ? I've found gucchi folding wash basins but they are all too big , and I reckon my crusader mug would be too small

 

[martin]

Go to your local fishing tackle shop and ask for a "ground bait mixing bowl".
They're made of a waterproof fabric come in various sizes and can be folded down small.

 

[tomtom]

or get a folding bucket from Trek Direct its not as big as one of those folding wash bowls such as you would get from cotswoldOD or F&T and has the obvious other function of being a bucket.. you can use it to do the washing up to!

and everyone washing "in the field" remember to use biodegradale soap!

 

[jamesdevine]

Boots are caring a kit for your Dog which includes a toy a towel and fold up drinking bowl. might be worth look if have dog to use the toy.

James

 

[maddave]

Also never forget the power of the 'Baby Wipes' 1 for a wash.. 3 for a bath !! :super: (I think you can even get them with bug dope on these days)

 

[mercury]

Tis true but I need something that will hold water fo a shave

Shaving oil is good but not that good !

 

[dchinell]

This has nothing to do with the field, but at home I use Afta after-shave gel to shave with.

http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jhtml?CATID=100257&id=prod1870

It's water-soluble, so the gel plus a wet razor works well for me. You could decant it into smaller portions for backpacking.

Bear

 

[ESpy]

Never found a 58 mug too small for a wash... Shave oil in the tea was less appetising, however.

I tend to use those cellulose sponges (from Sainsburys in my case), cut in half.

 

[mercury]

Thats it , drinking tea from something you have shaved in ....urggh

 

[leon-1]

Mercury, how many water bottles do you carry, I used to carry 2, this meant that I could carry two mugs, one to wash shave with the other to cook and drink out of, it is only a suggestion, but it worked for me for a long time ):

 

[mercury]

Not a bad idea, and of course the issue mug is free !!

 

[leon-1]

Just remember to mark one so that you know the difference otherwise it could be quite nasty at night coughing up furballs

 

[dave750gixer]

have to admit I never shave when off camping or bushcrafting. It just gets to be impossible as my brother, dad and me can all grow a full beard in a few days. Before I grew a beard I used to have to shave 3 times a day and if I was going out on a date I would take a razor with me! :yikes:

weird thing is I'm now going bald but still have lightning fast growth of steel wool on my chin :shock:

I never did find a suitable answer to your dilema and just gave up in the end. Fortunately I was never in the forces. My brother was in the RAF and got off of being on a charge for not shaving when he pointed out to the sergeant that he had stood and watched him shave less than an hour previously :rolmao:

 

[mercury]

I have a cunning plan that involves an old pair of dpm waterproofs ( not the goretex ones ) a sewing machine and the missus

If you can't but it ...make it ):

 

[JeremyH]

We use an Ortlieb folding bowl - available from
www.knoydart.co.uk
and others. It comes in 5ltr, 10ltr and20ltr.
The wee one is fine for everyday things and it has a multitude of uses. Have often used it to purge shell fish...as well as socks etc..!

Natural washes/soap are best - no yucky chemical waste products and the best yet is the Olive oil soap (savon de Marsaille) that can be used for everything even lubricating zips!!! :roll:

JeremyH

 

[Great Pebble]

I use my mess tin. But then I'm just minging.

 

[maddave]

Thats it , drinking tea from something you have shaved in ....urggh

I thought you were a squaddie.... lol We did a LOT more than shave in our mugs when we were on patrol
:yikes:

 

[george]

Instead of carrying an Ortlieb washing up bowl I find that using one of my small dry bags works perfectly (15l - the one I carry my sleeping bag in.). Turn it inside out, roll down the top a few turns and you have a perfect basin for washing, shaving - whatever. When you finish, empty it out turn it the right way round and repack. Easy and no extra weight than you would carry normally.

George

 

[tomtom]

no thats a dam good idea.. why didnt i think of it :yikes:

 

[RovingArcher]

I don't shave when in the bush, because a small nick can go septic very quickly. For cleanup I carry sanitary wipes of some kind, but when hunting, I bathe myself in a sweat bath that can be made up easily in the bush and rub my body down with natural plants (usually sage) for their scent covering abilities.