By Nikki Phipps
If you’re a nature girl like me then you probably enjoy going camping or hiking along those secluded wooded trails. However, there’s nothing quite as bad as going into the great outdoors unprepared. While the guys, for the most part, do not care much about their looks or anything else for that matter, the gals are, especially when it comes to hygiene. Whether it’s a spur of the moment thing or a well-planned trip, things happen. For instance, if you are out in the woods during your time of the month, not having a bathroom or running water can be horrifying to say the least. However, there’s no need to worry about this or other hygiene issues as long as you’re fully prepared ahead of time.
When the bushes are your bathroom, you are often left to make do with whatever is on hand. This isn’t usually a concern for the guys, but for us it can be a big deal. So what is a girl to do? First, bring along a daypack with all your female essentials in it, keeping everything you need inside plastic Ziploc bags. These can be sealed easily and are waterproof. Plastic bags are also great for storing food so animals cannot smell it. Also, bring along some brown paper lunch bags to conceal the contents and throw away once you find a suitable trash bin. Otherwise, throw it into the campfire each night. Make sure you pack plenty of toilet paper, and don’t forget the Wet Wipes. These will be a blessing, especially if you’re menstruating. It’s true what they say about wildlife being attracted by the smell of females on their period, so cleanliness is very important. Relieve yourself away from campsites. Go off trail and at least 200 feet from any water source, including springs and streams. Ladies are encouraged to either drip-dry, but of course, this isn’t always an option; therefore, you’ll need to carry out the toilet paper in your brown lunch bag or bury it where it is. Always carry a lightweight plastic backpacker’s trowel for this purpose. Dig a hole at least 4-6 inches deep. After using the bathroom, cover it up with the soil you removed. Keep your trowel as clean as possible, wiping it off after each use.
Carry a bandana and a small bottle of soap to give yourself an occasional sponge bath. This reduces chafing, odors, and bacteria. Give yourself an extra fifteen minutes in the tent for quick wash-ups. Make a point to carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer in your pocket and use it frequently. This cuts down on the chances of spreading germs. No one wants to get sick out in the middle of nowhere. Pack a small bottle of alcohol and some cotton balls too. Not only will this be useful for first aid, but you can soak the cotton balls with the alcohol and give yourself a rub down each night. You may be surprised at just how much dirt will come off this way. Whenever you can, dip your feet in a creek. Carry a small container of body lotion and use it on your feet at night after cleaning. If you camp near water, wash out your socks and hang them out to dry overnight, and always pack extras just in case. Sleep in something other than what you hiked in, and hang those hiking clothes to air out overnight whenever possible. In fact, rinse them out with water when you can. If you’re not near water, make sure to pack some bottled water for cleaning as well as for drinking.
Cosmetics and perfumes attract animals; therefore, you may want so leave these items at home. However, you will want to carry small-sized, unscented antiperspirant. No one wants to stink or sweat too much. Maintain dental hygiene by including dental floss and travel-sized toothbrush and toothpaste in your pack. A small bottle of mouthwash wouldn’t hurt either. Don’t rinse your mouth out near your tent. Dispose of it well away from your sleeping area and do the same for any dishwater. Trash, as well as food and any aromatic items, needs to be hung away from your sleeping area. The aromas can be attractive to bears and other wildlife. Bring a heavy-duty trash bag with you as well; in fact, bring more than one. It has many potential purposes such as water protection, ground cover, or sleeping bag protector. You can also fashion a poncho from it in the event of unexpected rain.
Being prepared ahead of time and packing all of your essentials, including extras for the unexpected, will make your outdoor experience much more eventful and hygiene will no longer be a worrisome issue.