How Do You Wash Dishes When Backpacking?

By Anna Duncan

When backpacking, washing dishes is a necessary task. It can be difficult to balance saving weight with the need to keep your dishes clean and bacteria-free, but it is possible. Here are some tips on how to wash dishes when backpacking:

Bring the Right Supplies:

The most important thing you will need for washing dishes while backpacking is biodegradable soap. This type of soap has been specially formulated to clean your dishes without leaving behind any harmful chemicals in the environment. You will also need a bucket or bowl of some sort for collecting water and washing, as well as a scrubbing brush or sponge and a towel for drying.

Choose Your Water Wisely:

When selecting water for washing your dishes, it’s always best to use filtered water if possible. This will help reduce the number of bacteria and other contaminants that could be present in untreated water sources. If filtered water isn’t available, you can still use untreated water, but make sure you boil it first to kill any harmful organisms.

Wash Dishes Thoroughly:

Once you have all your supplies ready, it’s time to start washing! Start by rinsing off any large food particles from the dishes and then add a few drops of biodegradable soap to your bucket or bowl.

Use your scrub brush or sponge to scrub away any remaining food particles and dirt from the surface of the dishes. Make sure you get into all crevices and corners as these are prime spots for bacterial growth.

Rinse & Dry:

Once you have finished scrubbing, rinse off all the soap residue with clean water from your bucket or bowl. Then dry each dish with a towel before storing them away in their proper containers. It’s important to make sure that all dishes are completely dry before storing so that mold and mildew don’t have an opportunity to grow.

Conclusion:

By following these simple steps, you can effectively wash your dishes while backpacking without compromising on hygiene or safety. Make sure you bring along plenty of biodegradable soap as well as a bucket or bowl for collecting water and cleaning supplies such as a scrub brush or sponge and towel for drying.

Choose filtered water if possible, but if not available boiling untreated water before using is recommended. Finally, make sure all dishes are thoroughly washed and rinsed off before drying them completely with a towel before storing away.