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Topic: Doing Laundry in the Backcountry< Next Oldest | Next Newest >
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ryangrayson Search for posts by this member.

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PostIcon Posted on: Feb. 07 2013, 2:18 pm  Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE
I recently posted an article on my blog about this (http://ryangrayson.blogspot.com/2013/01/doing-laundry-in-backcountry.html), but I want to know if anyone has any other comments or suggestions. What are your environmentally-friendly methods? Or do you even do it at all?

Thanks for your input,

Ryan Grayson
ryangrayson.com
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Tigger Search for posts by this member.
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PostIcon Posted on: Feb. 07 2013, 2:50 pm Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE
I won't go to your link but I will post/discuss here.

I rinse with water and wring them out. If they are real bad, I use sand.

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If I'm going to be lost, in the woods is where I want to be...
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ryangrayson Search for posts by this member.

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PostIcon Posted on: Feb. 07 2013, 2:53 pm Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE
Hmm, sand is a good idea. I will try that on my next trip. How do you use the sand exactly? Do you put it in a baggie to agitate the clothes with sand? Or do you rub the clothes down with it? Is that a dumb question? hah
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PostIcon Posted on: Feb. 07 2013, 2:57 pm Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE
Clean water soak and rinse a VERY long ways from any water source. That works quite well even for socks, the only really critical clothing to keep clean as I see it.
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SW Mtn backpacker Search for posts by this member.
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PostIcon Posted on: Feb. 07 2013, 7:06 pm Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE
I usually just rinse (or wade in my clothes).  No soap until I get back to civilization.  Think thru-hikers use soap during town stops.

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PostIcon Posted on: Feb. 07 2013, 7:10 pm Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE

(SW Mtn backpacker @ Feb. 07 2013, 7:06 pm)
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I usually just rinse (or wade in my clothes).  No soap until I get back to civilization.  Think thru-hikers use soap during town stops.

+1 on just rinsing things out with water and no soap.
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PostIcon Posted on: Feb. 07 2013, 7:24 pm Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE
Yep, just wade in wearing the dirty clothes.  Change when I get out.

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"Sure as I know anything, I know this - they will try again...They'll swing back to the belief that they can make people... better. And I do not hold to that. So no more runnin'. I aim to misbehave."
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PostIcon Posted on: Feb. 07 2013, 7:43 pm Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE

(ryangrayson @ Feb. 07 2013, 11:53 am)
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Hmm, sand is a good idea. I will try that on my next trip. How do you use the sand exactly? Do you put it in a baggie to agitate the clothes with sand? Or do you rub the clothes down with it? Is that a dumb question? hah

I put some sand in the wet clothing and then wring the clothes, then rinse. After I wring out the clothing as best I can, I usually air dry on a line of parachute cord and then bring it to bed with my so that my body heat will dry it out by morning.

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PostIcon Posted on: Feb. 07 2013, 7:45 pm Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE
I like to wash socks and underoos ever three or four days in clean water. Otherwise a good dunk is about all it needs if it's long wearing. :)

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PostIcon Posted on: Feb. 07 2013, 8:32 pm Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE

(Tigger @ Feb. 07 2013, 7:43 pm)
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(ryangrayson @ Feb. 07 2013, 11:53 am)
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Hmm, sand is a good idea. I will try that on my next trip. How do you use the sand exactly? Do you put it in a baggie to agitate the clothes with sand? Or do you rub the clothes down with it? Is that a dumb question? hah

I put some sand in the wet clothing and then wring the clothes, then rinse. After I wring out the clothing as best I can, I usually air dry on a line of parachute cord and then bring it to bed with my so that my body heat will dry it out by morning.


The caveat is that Tigger is searing white-hot awesome even in his sleep, which is what makes this work.  Post his method on your blog at your own risk.    :;):
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PostIcon Posted on: Feb. 08 2013, 1:22 am Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE
What is this laundry of which you speak?

If it doesn't stand up on its own after the trip, you didn't work hard enough.

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All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking.
     Friedrich Nietzsche
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PostIcon Posted on: Feb. 11 2013, 10:39 pm Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE
On a multi-week trip I'll take a two gallon baggie and use Campsuds to wash my clothes.  I try and empty the sudsy water and rinse water far away from the water source.  If it is just a week long trip I'll take two shirts and change out mid-week.  I have also just dove in the water with my clothes on and rinsed that way also.  Depends on how hot the days are.
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PostIcon Posted on: Feb. 11 2013, 11:24 pm Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE
We usually have a bear vault with us so IF we feel the need to wash things, we have a handy vessel.
I think we've done that twice...........on long, stinky trips.

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LordTemplar Search for posts by this member.
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PostIcon Posted on: Feb. 12 2013, 7:56 am Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE
If I am in field for 6 months or more (archaeology), I wash with Dr. Bonner's Castille soap.  It is extremely mild.  I put my underclothes and socks in a bag, about a 30 gallon, fill the bag with soap and water and blow the bag up.  Then shake the bag like crazy.  Ring the clothes out and you can let them dry the way they are or rinse them the same way but without soap.

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PostIcon Posted on: Feb. 12 2013, 11:17 am Skip to the previous post in this topic.  Ignore posts   QUOTE
Socks - Carry 2 pair Smartwools so rinse them out well (no soap ever) every other day. Hang them over hiking poles stood up - handles inside.

2 pair underarmor wicking briefs...rinsed once a week - or swum in

2 hiking shirts - when needed - not often

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