It’s hard to maintain the same level of hygiene when camping as when you are at home, but that doesn't mean you regress to the habits of a caveman. Staying clean and fresh when camping is important both for your sake and that of anyone with you. 

How easy it is to maintain good hygiene when you are outdoors depends on the amenities available at the camping site, what activities you plan to do and what you pack. 

Whether you are doing dispersed camping, setting up at a designated site with lots of amenities or backpacking in the wild, here are the best ways to maintain personal hygiene when camping. 

Plan Before You Leave Home 

Thinking you’ll figure it out when you get there is a recipe for ending up with bad breath, body odor and grimy clothes. 

As you plan for everything else to make sure your camping trip goes well, including a personal hygiene plan. Here are some important questions to ask yourself. 

• How do I plan to keep my body clean?
• What about the laundry situation? 
• What’s the backup plan if I cannot take a bath or shower? 

Answering these questions helps you figure out what you need to pack for basic hygiene. You may need to carry items like eco-friendly soap, a collapsible bucket, toothpaste and toothbrush, maybe some wipes and so on.

Choose a Campsite You Are Comfortable With

There are levels to camping. Some people are happy camping in the wild with zero amenities, where you probably need to dig a hole to relieve yourself. Such a situation is obviously a lot harder on your hygiene. 

If you want to have it as easy as possible when it comes to staying clean, look for a campsite that offers plenty of amenities. You can even find one with hot showers. 

There are plenty of options in between. Personally, I don't mind taking a bath with a bucket but having access to a toilet is non-negotiable. So choose your campsite carefully depending on how rigorous you want to be with your hygiene.

Some people are okay being a bit grimy, others want to be as clean as they are when at home.   

Body Wipes are a Lifesaver 

Regardless of the facilities available at the campsite, always pack wipes. Even if you are able to take a proper bath or shower, wipes are handy for dealing with sweating especially if you have planned a hike. 

A quick wipedown of your face, armpits and other areas will have you feeling fresh instantly. 

In extreme cases, body wipes might be all you have for a bath. They are handy if you don't have a way to take a proper bath or if it’s too cold to wash with cold water. 

Remember that wipes are not biodegradable (even the ones labeled as biodegradable), so either dispose of them in the right bin or take them away with you. 

Be Careful What You Wear 

Avoid wearing synthetic clothes when you go camping. These are clothes made from polyester, nylon and other artificial fibers. 

The problem with synthetic clothes is that they stink up really quickly. An hour into hiking and you are already smelling. And if you are camping for several days, meaning you may have to repeat clothes, you’ll find it hard to wear a polyester tee more than once. 

Natural fabrics like wool and cotton are great for camping. You can wear them for hours or even days without smelling sweaty. 

We also recommend Hercleon’s anti-odor clothing like the HercShirt or the Kribi underwear. These clothes are designed to kill odor-causing bacteria. You wear the HercShirt or days or weeks and it will stay fresh.   

Take a Bath - However You Can

If it’s a 1 night camping trip, you can probably get away with taking no shower or just using wipes. For longer trips, you really need to find a way to wash your body. The best option depends on where you are camping and what you have with you. Here are some ideas. 

• Take a shower or bath if there’s a bathroom available. 
• Pack a collapsible bucket and a washcloth and take a bucket bath. 
• If you don't have a bucket, you can wet whatever piece of clothing you have (a face towel or even underwear) and wipe down your body with it. Focus especially on the areas that are likely to smell (groin, butt and armpits).
• If you have a body of water nearby and it’s safe to get in, dunk yourself into the water then wipe yourself dry. 

Brush Your Teeth

This is one where you have no excuse for not doing. A toothbrush and toothpaste take up very little space and you can even get a small travel size tube plus a foldable toothbrush (handy for backpacking).

Just brushing your teeth will help you feel a lot fresher even without taking a bath. 

Carry Deodorant

Don’t forget to pack deo or antiperspirant. It will help reduce sweating and odors especially if you are planning a hike or other activities that will leave you sweating.