Keep yourself clean and fresh when you’re camping
Camping can be sticky business. Unless you camp in a fully loaded RV or a state park where you have access to a shower every night, you’re going to get a little grubby. But if you’re spending several days on a backpacking trip or other outing where you’re away from the basic tools of hygienelikes sinks and showers, it’s still possible to keep yourself from turning into an unwitting bacteria breeding colony.
Here’s how to do it:
Bring hand sanitizer, and use it often.Bring a portable solar shower.
Pack deodorant, even when traveling as light as possible.
Bring baby wipes.
Take a spit bath.
Hit the creek or lake well before dark.
A vigorous swim or just briskly rubbing yourself with a washcloth or your hands will wash away all that sweat, grime, sunscreen and bug dope. If you’re fair skinned or concerned about a sunburn, put on a light long-sleeved shirt and a hat after you dry.
When evening comes and the bugs come out, put on long pants and a hooded sweatshirt thick enough that bugs can’t bite through it.Use a sleeping bag liner or just an old sheet.
Wear merino wool, bamboo and other odor-resistant clothing.
This story was originally published May 14, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Keep yourself clean and fresh when you’re camping."