How to Stay Clean When Camping and Hiking

Staying clean when camping or hiking can be more challenging than at home, particularly when you're spending several days outdoors without running water, showers or conventional washing facilities.

However, maintaining good personal hygiene doesn't necessarily require large amounts of water or bulky equipment. A few simple habits, some lightweight washing essentials and careful planning can make a considerable difference to comfort and wellbeing.

Whether you're camping at an established campsite, backpacking through the countryside or spending several days away from facilities, this guide explains how to stay clean while minimising your impact on the environment.

Why Is Hygiene Important When Camping?

Good hygiene is about more than simply feeling clean. It can help reduce the spread of germs, prevent unpleasant odours and make longer outdoor trips more comfortable.

Common hygiene challenges when camping include:

• Limited access to clean running water.
• Dirty hands after handling equipment or preparing food.
• Sweat and damp clothing.
• Limited toilet and washing facilities.
• Difficulty drying towels and clothing.
• Keeping cooking and sleeping areas clean.

Fortunately, most of these problems can be managed with straightforward routines and a small selection of suitable equipment.

What Personal Hygiene Equipment Should You Pack?

The amount of washing equipment you need depends on the length of your trip, the facilities available and how much weight you're prepared to carry.

For a typical camping or hiking trip, consider packing:

• A small quantity of suitable soap or handwash.
• Hand sanitiser for situations where washing facilities are unavailable.
• A compact travel towel.
• A toothbrush and toothpaste.
• A small washcloth or flannel.
• Toilet paper or tissues.
• Waste bags for carrying out used hygiene products.
• A lightweight wash bag to keep everything organised.
• Any personal hygiene or medical items you regularly require.

For longer trips, you may also want a small washing container, additional cleaning supplies and spare clothing.

Choose compact containers and avoid carrying more product than you're likely to use.

How to Wash Your Hands When Camping

Handwashing is one of the most important hygiene habits outdoors.

Hands can become contaminated when using the toilet, handling rubbish, preparing food, touching animals or working with dirty equipment.

Whenever possible, wash your hands with soap and clean water.

Proper Handwashing Technique

1. Wet your hands with clean water.
2. Apply soap.
3. Rub your palms, backs of hands, between fingers, fingertips and thumbs.
4. Continue washing for at least 20 seconds.
5. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
6. Dry your hands using a clean towel or allow them to air dry.

Pay particular attention to handwashing before preparing or eating food and after using the toilet.

Can You Use Hand Sanitiser Instead?

Alcohol-based hand sanitiser can be useful when soap and water are unavailable.

Choose a product containing at least 60% alcohol and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

However, hand sanitiser is less effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy and does not reliably remove every type of germ.

Where possible, use soap and clean water, particularly after using the toilet and before handling food.

How to Wash Yourself Without a Shower

You don't necessarily need a full shower to maintain personal hygiene on a camping trip.

A simple wash using a small amount of clean water and a washcloth can be surprisingly effective.

A Basic Outdoor Wash

1. Find a private, suitable washing area away from natural water sources.
2. Pour a small amount of clean water into a container.
3. Use a clean washcloth to wash your face and body.
4. Use a small quantity of suitable soap where needed.
5. Rinse using clean water.
6. Dry yourself thoroughly with a clean towel.
7. Dispose of wastewater responsibly.

Concentrate on areas where sweat and bacteria commonly accumulate, such as underarms, feet and skin folds.

When washing your face, avoid transferring dirt from other parts of your body by using a clean section of the cloth.

How to Stay Clean When Water Is Limited

On longer walks and remote camping trips, water may be limited or difficult to obtain.

Drinking and food preparation should take priority over non-essential washing.

To reduce the amount of water needed for personal hygiene:

• Use a damp washcloth rather than pouring water directly over your body.
• Wash the areas that need attention most.
• Use small amounts of soap.
• Carry a compact towel that dries quickly.
• Change into clean, dry clothing when necessary.
• Plan ahead for reliable water supplies.

Never compromise your drinking water requirements simply to wash more frequently.

Can You Use Wet Wipes When Camping?

Wet wipes can be convenient for removing dirt and sweat when washing facilities are unavailable.

However, they create waste that must be carried out and disposed of correctly.

Even wipes marketed as biodegradable or flushable should not be left outdoors, buried or flushed into unsuitable toilet systems.

If you use wipes, place used ones in a secure waste bag and dispose of them in an appropriate bin.

A reusable washcloth and a small amount of water will often produce less waste over a longer trip.

How to Keep Your Feet Clean When Hiking

Your feet spend long periods inside footwear during a hike, where warmth, moisture and friction can cause discomfort.

Good foot hygiene can help reduce irritation and make walking more comfortable.

Useful habits include:

• Wash or wipe your feet at the end of the day.
• Dry carefully, particularly between your toes.
• Change damp socks when practical.
• Allow footwear to air out overnight.
• Inspect your feet for rubbing, blisters or damaged skin.
• Carry suitable blister care supplies.

Avoid putting damp socks back on unnecessarily, especially in cold conditions.

Keeping your feet dry is often just as important as keeping them clean.

Managing Sweat and Body Odour Outdoors

Sweating is a normal part of walking and other outdoor activities.

Although you may not be able to wash as frequently as you would at home, you can reduce discomfort by managing moisture.

Consider the following:

• Wear clothing appropriate for the weather and activity level.
• Adjust layers to avoid unnecessary overheating.
• Change out of damp clothing when practical.
• Allow clothing to dry between uses.
• Wash areas where sweat accumulates.
• Keep clean sleeping clothes separate from dirty daytime clothing.

On multi-day trips, having one set of dry clothing reserved for sleeping can improve comfort considerably.

How to Maintain Personal Hygiene During Your Period

Menstrual hygiene requires some additional planning when camping or hiking, particularly where toilets and running water are unavailable.

Pack enough of your preferred menstrual products for the trip, along with suitable spare supplies.

Carry a secure, opaque waste bag for used disposable products until they can be placed in an appropriate bin.

Never leave menstrual products outdoors or bury them.

If using reusable products, follow the manufacturer's cleaning instructions and ensure you have sufficient clean water and appropriate hygiene facilities.

Hand hygiene before and after changing products is particularly important.

How to Brush Your Teeth When Camping

Maintaining your normal dental hygiene routine is straightforward with a compact toothbrush and a small tube of toothpaste.

Use clean drinking-quality water for brushing and rinsing.

Where facilities are available, use designated sinks and wastewater disposal points.

When camping remotely, avoid spitting toothpaste or disposing of brushing water directly into streams, lakes or other natural water sources.

Follow local guidance for managing wastewater and minimise the quantity of toothpaste used.

How to Use the Toilet Responsibly Outdoors

Established toilet facilities should always be used where available.

When walking or camping in remote areas, you may need to plan for situations where toilets aren't accessible.

Rules and suitable methods vary depending on the location, ground conditions and local regulations.

Before Your Trip

• Check whether public toilets or campsite facilities are available.
• Find out whether the area requires human waste to be carried out.
• Pack appropriate waste bags and hygiene supplies.
• Check local access and environmental guidance.

When No Toilet Is Available

Choose a private location well away from water sources, paths and camping areas, following the rules for the location.

In places where burying solid human waste is permitted, use the depth and location recommended by the relevant land manager or access authority.

In sensitive environments, busy areas, rocky terrain and locations where burial is prohibited, you may need to carry waste out using a suitable system.

Toilet paper, wipes and sanitary products should be packed out unless local facilities or guidance specifically provide another acceptable method.

Always clean your hands afterwards.

Why You Shouldn't Wash Directly in Rivers or Lakes

Natural water sources are important habitats and may also supply drinking water to people and animals downstream.

Soap, shampoo, detergent and other washing products can introduce substances that harm aquatic environments.

Even products described as biodegradable can cause problems when used directly in water.

Instead:

• Collect only the water you need, where permitted.
• Move well away from the water source before washing.
• Use minimal quantities of suitable cleaning products.
• Dispose of wastewater according to local environmental guidance.
• Never pour concentrated soap or detergent into a watercourse.

As a general precaution, carry out washing at least 60 metres from streams, rivers and lakes where the terrain and local guidance allow.

Always follow any stricter local rules.

How to Dispose of Washing Water Responsibly

Wastewater from washing can contain soap, dirt, food particles and other contaminants.

At an established campsite, use designated wastewater disposal facilities.

When camping remotely, follow local rules and guidance for greywater disposal.

Where dispersal on land is permitted, use small amounts, keep well away from watercourses and avoid sensitive vegetation or heavily used areas.

Never assume that biodegradable soap makes wastewater safe to pour directly into a stream or lake.

Keeping Cooking Equipment Clean

Clean cooking equipment helps reduce the risk of food contamination.

When camping:

• Wash your hands before preparing food.
• Keep raw foods separate from ready-to-eat foods.
• Use clean utensils and preparation surfaces.
• Remove food residues from cookware promptly.
• Wash equipment using suitable cleaning products and safe water.
• Allow items to dry before storing them.

At campsites, use designated washing-up facilities where available.

When camping remotely, collect food scraps and dispose of washing water responsibly rather than tipping it into natural water sources.

How to Keep Your Tent and Sleeping Area Clean

A clean sleeping area can improve comfort and help prevent dirt and moisture from accumulating inside your tent.

Simple habits include:

• Remove muddy footwear before entering sleeping areas.
• Keep wet clothing separate from sleeping equipment.
• Store food securely and away from sleeping areas where appropriate.
• Use a designated area for dirty equipment.
• Shake out loose dirt when practical.
• Ventilate the tent to help manage condensation.

After your trip, allow the tent and sleeping equipment to dry thoroughly before storage.

Travel Towels vs Ordinary Towels

A compact travel towel can be particularly useful when space and weight are limited.

Compared with many conventional household towels, purpose-made travel towels are often:

• Smaller when packed.
• Lighter to carry.
• Quicker to dry, depending on the material.
• Easier to store in a wash bag or rucksack.

However, absorbency, softness and drying speed vary considerably between fabrics.

For multi-day hiking, choosing a towel that dries efficiently can help prevent damp equipment from accumulating inside your pack.

How to Keep Hygiene Equipment Organised

A dedicated travel wash bag makes it easier to locate personal hygiene essentials.

Consider separating:

• Toothbrush and toothpaste.
• Soap and washing products.
• Clean washcloths and towels.
• Personal care supplies.
• Used or damp items.

Choose containers with secure closures to reduce the risk of leaks.

If carrying liquids inside a rucksack, an additional protective bag may help prevent accidental spills reaching clothing and equipment.

Allow damp towels and washcloths to dry whenever possible rather than leaving them sealed inside a wash bag.

Hygiene Tips for Multi-Day Hiking

Longer trips require a slightly different approach because washing facilities may be limited for several days.

A practical routine might include:

1. Morning: Clean your hands and face, brush your teeth and put on suitable clothing.
2. During the day: Wash or sanitise your hands when necessary, especially before eating.
3. At camp: Clean your hands, face, feet and other areas that need attention.
4. Before sleeping: Change into dry clothing and allow damp equipment to air.
5. After the trip: Wash clothing, clean equipment and dry everything thoroughly before storage.

The aim is to maintain essential hygiene without carrying excessive equipment or wasting water.

Common Camping Hygiene Mistakes

Using Hand Sanitiser on Very Dirty Hands

Hand sanitiser is less effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy. Use soap and clean water whenever possible.

Washing Directly in Streams

Soap and other washing products can contaminate natural water sources, even when described as biodegradable.

Leaving Wet Wipes Behind

All used wipes should be carried out and disposed of appropriately.

Keeping Damp Towels Sealed in Bags

Damp fabrics can develop unpleasant odours and may encourage mildew when stored without ventilation.

Using Drinking Water Unnecessarily

On remote trips, drinking and food preparation take priority over non-essential washing.

Forgetting Waste Bags

Carrying suitable waste bags makes it easier to dispose of used hygiene products responsibly.

Not Planning for Toilet Facilities

Check local facilities and waste disposal requirements before travelling, particularly in sensitive environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Stay Clean When Camping Without a Shower?

Use a clean washcloth, a small amount of water and suitable soap to wash essential areas. Keep your hands clean, change damp clothing and dry your feet thoroughly.

What Hygiene Products Should I Take Camping?

Useful essentials include soap, hand sanitiser, a toothbrush, toothpaste, a travel towel, a washcloth, toilet paper, waste bags and any personal hygiene products you require.

Can You Use Biodegradable Soap in a River?

No. Biodegradable soap can still affect aquatic environments. Collect water where permitted and wash away from rivers, streams and lakes, following local guidance.

Are Wet Wipes Good for Camping?

Wet wipes can be convenient when water is limited, but they create waste. Used wipes should always be carried out and disposed of properly.

How Often Should You Wash When Backpacking?

Focus on essential hygiene every day, particularly handwashing, foot care and cleaning areas where sweat accumulates. The amount of additional washing depends on the facilities and water available.

How Do You Keep Feet Clean on a Long Hike?

Clean and dry your feet at the end of the day, change damp socks where practical and inspect your skin for rubbing or blisters.

Do You Need a Special Travel Towel?

Not necessarily, but a compact, quick-drying towel can be more convenient than a bulky household towel when carrying equipment in a rucksack.

How Should You Dispose of Camping Wastewater?

Use designated disposal facilities where available. In remote locations, follow local environmental guidance and never pour soapy wastewater directly into natural water sources.

Final Advice: Keep Camping Hygiene Simple

Staying clean outdoors doesn't require a complicated washing routine or a large collection of products.

Prioritise clean hands, safe food handling, dry clothing and responsible waste disposal. A compact wash bag, suitable cleaning products and a quick-drying towel will cover many everyday needs.

Above all, plan around the facilities available and minimise your impact on the places you visit.

Explore our Hygiene department for outdoor washing essentials, travel wash accessories, wash bags and travel towels.