How Do You Clean Utensils When Backpacking?

By Anna Duncan

Backpacking can be a great way to really get away from it all, but when you’re out in the wild, washing your dishes can be a bit of a challenge. Luckily, there are some simple tips and tricks that you can use to help make sure your utensils stay clean and hygienic on your next backpacking trip.

Use Biodegradable Soaps and Detergents

The first step in cleaning your utensils when backpacking is to make sure you have the right cleaning supplies. When you’re out in the wilderness, it’s important to use biodegradable soaps and detergents that won’t harm the environment. These products are specially formulated not to leave any harmful residues behind.

Bring Along a Collapsible Basin

Having a collapsible basin is also essential for washing your utensils when backpacking. This will allow you to easily collect water from nearby streams or rivers without having to worry about carrying heavy water containers. Once you have filled up the basin, adding some of your biodegradable soap will help create suds that will help break down food particles and dirt.

Scrubbing Utensils with Natural Materials

Once you have some suds going, it’s time to start scrubbing your utensils with natural materials like stiff-bristled brushes or even pine needles. This will help remove any stubborn dirt or grime that is still stuck on your utensils after using soap and water.

Rinsing Utensils with Hot Water

Once you have scrubbed all of the dirt away, it’s time to rinse off your utensils with hot water. Hot water will help kill off any residual bacteria that may still be lingering on the surface of your utensils.

Drying Utensils Thoroughly

Finally, make sure that you dry off all of your utensils thoroughly after washing them. Leaving them wet for too long can cause them to get rusty so make sure they are completely dry before packing them away.


Conclusion:

Cleaning utensils while backpacking may seem like a daunting task but with these simple tips, it doesn’t have to be! By using biodegradable soaps and detergents, bringing along a collapsible basin for collecting water, scrubbing with natural materials such as pine needles, rinsing with hot water and drying thoroughly after washing – keeping your utensils clean while backpacking is easy!