Washing clothes while camping can seem like a daunting task. But don’t worry – it’s really not that hard! There are some tricks to keeping your clothes clean on the go, and we’re going to teach you how in this blog post. We’ll teach you how to wash clothes while camping, and give an overview of our favourite gear for getting your dirty laundry nice and clean.
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How Do You Wash Clothes When Camping?
When washing your clothes on a camping and hiking trip, you’ll want to be conservative with your water and use a sturdy container. Here are 3 tips for washing clothes while camping:
1. Use a Dry Bag
Dry bags are often used as a way to keep your clothes dry on a kayaking or canoeing trip. But they can also be used as a great container for washing your clothes!.
These bags are pretty tough which means they are perfect for the agitation process. Agitation is the key to getting your clothes clean. It’s the process of shaking and moving your clothes around in the water – helping to remove dirt and grime.
Dry bags are ideal containers for soaking clothes. You can simply fill the bag halfway with water, a little biodegradable soap, and your clothes. Fold the dry bag over three times and let it sit for as long as you would like the soak to last.
When you’re ready to wash the clothes, pick up the closed dry bag and shake it vigorously for 4 to 6 minutes. If the clothes are especially soiled, you can add a large rock to the bag to help shake out additional dirt and debris.
Pour the soapy water out of the bag away from any natural bodies of water. Fill the bag with fresh water for the “rinse” cycle. Fold it once more and shake it for 2 to 4 minutes. Make sure you’re using a very small amount of soap to avoid repeating this rinsing process several more times.
Pour out your rinse water, remove your clothes, and hang-wring them to get rid of excess water.
Dry bags are also great for storing clean clothes in a dry clean environment. If it starts raining, just throw all your dirty clothes inside! The bag is made of a waterproof material so you won’t have to worry about any rain or mud getting in. If it’s your boots that need a clean, check out our in depth guide to that here.
2. Use a Sturdy Trash Bag
Using a trash bag for washing your clothes is a great option for those who don’t have any other equipment on hand and need a quick solution for dirty clothes.
Using sturdy bags will ensure that you won’t experience leaks or rips, which could make a big mess if you’re washing clothes outside. Some good types of bags include contractor bags or storage bags.
Unlike the dry bag method above, you’ll use two bags in this process. The first one will be for washing your clothes and the second one will be for rinsing them.
The agitation process will be a bit different well. Since the garbage bags won’t be as thick as a dry bag, you will have to knead them to wash your clothes rather than shake them.
After rinsing your clothes in the second garbage bag, hang-wring any leftover water out of them and hang them to dry.
3. Use a Bucket
Using a bucket, bin, or storage container is one of the most popular methods for washing clothes while camping. You can find these containers at your local hardware store or you can use a bucket from another activity, such as gardening. Some are also specifically designed for use while camping or hiking.
You’ll add water, soap, and clothes to the bin and will then begin to gently massage and squeeze your clothes in the water.
Since you won’t be using a closed container or bag, you’ll want to be careful and move gently enough that you don’t knock too much water (or any clothes) out of the basin.
When you’re done agitating the clothes, pour the soapy water out and refill the bin with fresh rinsing water. After rinsing, wring the clothes out in the same manner you would use for the above methods.
Best Gear for Washing Your Camping Clothes
HAWATOUR Portable Travel Elastic Clothesline
It’s important to have a place to hang your wet clothes. This portable clothesline is perfect for hanging in a tent, RV, or over a picnic table. It’s lightweight, extends up to 10 feet, and easily packs away when not in use.
This product comes with 12 clips that can help you hang clothes more securely in case of strong winds. The line is made out of strong, elastic material that won’t stretch over time like traditional ropes or cords.
Amazon Basics Foldable Laundry Rack
This vertical drying rack is a great alternative to a clothesline if you have limited space or want to be able to move your clothes to different areas throughout your campsite.
If it starts to rain, it will be easy to pick this rack up and place it under a tarp or inside a tent to make sure your clothes don’t get wet once again. Although it’s not as portable as the clothesline, it is a collapsible and lightweight option that can fit easily alongside most camper’s supplies.
The Laundry Alternative Wonder Wash
This electricity and wire-free small washer is a good choice for those who want a quick way to clean small clothing items. It is operated by a small crank and can clean clothes in under two minutes.
This isn’t as portable as many other bag options but is a great idea for someone who doesn’t want to hang agitate due to wrist issues or other physical limitations. It’s also gentle on clothes, so it works for many delicate materials including cashmere, knits, silks, and wool garments.
Dezitrek All in One Hand Wash Bag and Plunger Set
This washer bag is based on the dry bag method mentioned above and takes it to the next level by including a plunger that can help to more deeply agitate the clothes for quick clean results.
This bag can hold up to 9 liters or 2.4 gallons of water and clothing, which is approximately one medium load in a standard washing machine. This can save a lot of time and is ideal for multiple campers who need to wash several items at once.
The plunger is telescoping, which means it can be collapsed, and the bag can be tightly rolled, so it could fit easily in a larger bag for minimal or hiking campers.
Best Soaps for Washing Your Camping Clothes
Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Liquid Soap: Tea Tree Oils
Dr. Bronner’s tea tree oil soap cleans as well as most laundry detergents – without all the chemicals! It is all-natural and contains no parabens, sulfates, petrochemicals, or synthetic preservatives.
This product can be used for washing your hands, body dishes, and clothes, making it a perfect choice if you want to pack lightly for your camping trip.
This soap is concentrated, so you won’t need to use as much per load. Start off with a very small amount when cleaning your camping clothes to make sure you don’t overdo it and get stuck with overly soapy clothing.
The tea tree essential oils in this product give it an extra level of antimicrobial protection since this plant is known to be extremely antibacterial.
Charlie’s Soap Laundry Powder
Some people prefer powdered laundry soap when camping or traveling because it’s easier to transport than liquid soap. It’s also easier to clean if there is a spill because you won’t need to use water as you would with a liquid soap spill.
This particular product is a great choice if you would like a strong soap that is also gentle on the environment. It doesn’t contain any fillers like bleach and other harsh chemicals – just 100% biodegradable ingredients that are scent-free and hypoallergenic.
You can package the powder into small pre-measured packets to make it easier to use, or you can simply measure out small amounts at a time using the included scoop if you want to bring the whole bag on your trip.
How Do You Dry Clothes in a Tent?
If you don’t have rope, a hanging rack, or clothesline, there are many other ways you can dry your clothes at your campsite:
Use Your Guylines
If you don’t have any equipment for drying your clothes, you can try using your tent’s guylines to hang your clothes to dry on.
The guylines are sturdy enough that you can thread them through the loops of most fabrics without worrying about ripping or damaging them, and they can support a surprising amount of weight if hung properly. This is an excellent way to quickly dry off clothing even in wet conditions.
Clip or Tie Your Clothes to Your Bag
If you’re on the move but have wet clothes, you can use your bag to help them dry. Simply clip the clothing to the outside of your pack and allow it to catch any breeze or sun to help evaporate any moisture from the fabric.
Hang Your Clothes Inside of Your Tent
There are often many loops, hooks, and pockets inside of your tent that you can use to hang clothing. This is a great way to ensure they will dry out even if it’s raining outside and is a great way to keep your clothes off of the tent floor.
Use a Microfiber Towel
If there’s nowhere to hang the clothing in your tent, you can just lay a microfiber towel on the floor and set any wet clothes directly onto it. The towel will absorb most of the moisture from the fabric while still allowing air to flow through for faster drying times.
You can also roll up your clothes into the towel and squeeze tightly to further wring out any moisture.
How to Properly Wash Clothes While Camping
There are some general rules when it comes to washing your clothes during a camping trip that help to make sure that you take good care of the environment and the resources of the campground.
Don’t Wash Your Clothes in Natural Bodies of Water
First, don’t wash your clothes in the lake or river because this can pollute and damage water sources that might be used for drinking by others camping nearby. If you do choose to use a body of water as your washing area, make sure it’s not near any campsites. However, this still isn’t ideal for animals or plants that rely on the natural body of water.
Use Biodegradable Soap
Make sure you use biodegradable soap so that no residue remains after washing your clothes. This type of soap is also more friendly to the environment and won’t damage any wildlife or plants in the area.
They are also usually very gentle and great for people with skin allergies or sensitivities since they are made from natural ingredients and don’t contain harsh chemicals.
Don’t Wash Your Clothes in the Bathroom Sink or Shower
Although it may be tempting to wash your clothes in the bathroom sink or shower, this is actually not acceptable at most campgrounds. The water may be collected for other purposes and using it to wash laundry can easily throw off any calculations made by park staff.
Don’t use your water spigot to wash clothes either. This can also put stress on the campsite’s water system and can often be a messy process since it can create a lot of mud on the ground.
Be Mindful of How You Dispose of Your Laundry Water
Be mindful of how you dispose of your laundry water so that it doesn’t all drain into any sensitive ecosystems. The best place to pour out your dirty soapy laundry water is usually one of the greywater storage tanks that are provided at most campsites. This will ensure it is safely disposed of and won’t affect any area where people may be swimming or drinking from a natural source.
If you’re at a primitive site, you can dig a small hole in the ground that is far away from any natural water sources and pour the water into it. Make sure to avoid any areas where you see animals actively nesting.
Final Thoughts
Camping can be a fun and adventurous way to spend time with friends or family, and having clean clothing enhances the experience greatly. Choose one of the above methods or products that you think will work well for your budget, size, and number of people in your camping party.