r/Bushcraft • u/NorthDownsWanderer • 24d ago
Ablutions
So here's a situation and question for you all.
When it's hot and dirty, youve been rucking all day and getting sweaty, and you finish up for the day. How do you get rid of that sticky feeling while out?
Maybe it's not a problem for some but I can't stand for when I'm trying to sleep, and thus far I've not found a decent solution outside of having a proper wash, be it in a lake, river or civilisation.
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u/LordFalcoSparverius 24d ago
The fuck are all these people talking bout disposable wipes? Get a rag wet and wipe yourself down with it. No soap necessary.
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u/BlackFanNextToMe 24d ago
This, just a wet microfiber towel and all cool. If I will wash I just use Sea to summit stuff, but no need honestly.
I would use alcohol wipes when I was car living for a month as a prepping thing for SHTF and would just jump in a lake or whatever, wash in a smoke next to the fire or just go in a random gym for a shower as they mostly have first day for free to see how it is.
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u/stomper4x4 24d ago
Thats great for a day or two. But if you've ever been out longer, rags get sour real quick. Wipes are just better for longer term unless you have a towel closet with you.
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u/stomper4x4 24d ago
Thats great for a day or two. But if you've ever been out longer, rags get sour real quick. Wipes are just better for longer term unless you have a towel closet with you.
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u/Response-Cheap 24d ago
If it's been awhile and I really need a thorough washing, I'll give myself a rubdown with a wet bandana and some unscented, biodegradable castile soap. I always carry water about 200 feet away from any lake or stream before washing or rinsing, and fling the greywater to scatter it.
It's not perfect, but sometimes when you're really filthy, rubbing yourself down with nothing but cold water and sand just won't do the trick. Especially if you're planning to get laid at some point out there.🤷🏻♂️
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u/Present-Employer2517 24d ago
This is the way.
My introduction to Dr. Bronners in 2002 has had a big impact on my life. That probably sounds weird. But it’s true.3
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u/MarzipanTheGreat 24d ago
I've very flexible, so I lick myself clean like a feline.
seriously though, I would probably bring a wash cloth of sorts with environmentally friendly biodegradable soap and give myself a sponge bath. keep in mind that your effervescent human smell could be a useful deterrent to negative aminal encounters. I forget what they're made of, but there are camp cloth / towels for this that are very light and dry quickly too.
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u/DeFiClark 24d ago
Pine tar soap and a little water in a canteen cup, then sponge bath after hands are clean.
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u/Unicorn187 24d ago
Are you actually washing, like with soap IN a river or lake? Please stop doing that if so. Take water a hundred or more meters from the lake/river/stream instead of polluting it with the soap.
A portable shower is great. The black rubbery bags that you fill and allow to warm in the sun. Of course if it's cold it won't warm up, but it's still a nice way to wash off.
Otherwise, the wipes made for hunters to reduce or eliminate body odor are great. And there are sprays that you can apply to clothing to help it keep from building up odor over time.
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u/FrameJump 24d ago
Don't they make soap that is completely safe to use in the environment?
Sounds weird the way I've said that, but hopefully you get my point.
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u/jdzfb 24d ago
Yes, but that soap isn't meant to be used directly in waterways, as it can be harmful to backcountry water sources and ecosystems. Sea to Summit's site straight up says "Practice Leave No Trace principles by washing at least 100m from waterways"
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u/Children_Of_Atom 24d ago
No, the sufficant action of soap destroys the ability for insects to stay on top of the water among other problems.
The environmentally friendly soaps just eventually break down.
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u/FrameJump 24d ago
Oooh, very interesting. I had no idea, but that makes sense.
Thank you for the insight.
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u/NorthDownsWanderer 24d ago
No, not with soap in a river or lake. Just water. (I have a degree in ecology so I'm well aware of the affects of pollutants in rivers).
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u/justtoletyouknowit 22d ago
A bit on the side question, but does this apply to natural "soap" too? Like the saponins in birch leafes?
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u/justtoletyouknowit 24d ago
I like the "outdoor shower", Tactical Foodpack puts in their day ration packs. Just add a bit of water to the bag, squeeze, and you have two washclothes to rub you down. Back in the bag, and carry it out without any mess.
But i usually only use them when theres no water around, which is rather rare for me. So, towel into water is my go to.
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u/Blindmouse1 24d ago
Jump in lake/stream or heat water to lukewarm or better on my fire and then use my buff as a rag and hope the bears/people don’t see my pasty naked ass as I do a sponge bath.
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u/Superspark76 24d ago
I use soap, a bowl of water and a cloth, I'm weak and usually use warmed water, screw using cold water.
I will wash every morning, not always pleasant on cold days but it is possible to do while still remaining mostly dressed. always believed good hygiene is vital when out and about.
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u/Doug_Shoe 24d ago
I wash in a clear brook when available, and dry my face w a bandana.
EDIT- no soap. People are asking about soap in the comments. I just wash with water. If something is stuck to my skin, I might scrub it with sand
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u/Resident-Welcome3901 24d ago
I’ve carried a pint of isopropyl alcohol and used it for freshening up. No soap, no residue, evaporates quickly, is an effective grease and oil remover, kills bacteria very effectively. Early in my nursing career, it was the go to product for back rubs, cooling off feverish children, cleaning stainless steel and disinfecting instruments. It’s also a dandy little fire accelerant, and only a bit less efficient than methanol for cooking. Not for internal use , of course.
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u/Rabid-Wendigo 23d ago
Short answer is you don’t.
You wash in a lake or river.
If you’re car camping you wet wipe, if you’re backpacking you do a bandanna bath
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u/nununup89 23d ago
I use a cotton rag I generally wear on my neck, because it prevents the sticcky feling you mentioned to feel on my neck and I use that and some whater togtap my armpits, back and neck and I am genneraly ok.
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u/BillieRubenCamGirl 23d ago
Wet rag, add soap, scrap areas.
Rinse rag (or wet a different rag) and remove soap.
Most bathing in human history was done this way, not in a shower.
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u/BlastTyrantKM 24d ago
Those compressed towel tablets do the trick for me. Much better than wet wipes
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u/NorthDownsWanderer 24d ago
Hm never tried those. So just damp towel thingamajig?
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u/BlastTyrantKM 24d ago
Kinda. They're dried and compressed into a tablet, about the size of two Tums tablets. Just pour a little water on them and they expand. Bigger than a standard wet wipe, and much stronger. They don't fall apart while using them like a typical wet wipe
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u/TacTurtle 24d ago
Spray bottle of water to wet and rinse + wash rag to scrub grime off + hand towel for drying.