What are your tips/tricks for hygiene in the field?

Ask A Biologist Monday 1/16/23

Answers from Biologists:

  • Bring a tiny hand sanitizer for the inevitable gas stop. Those pumps are gross.

  • Wet wipes to freshen up and clean hands before eating.

  • I carry baby wipes in every field bag and truck.

  • Travel sized deodorant, bandana for sweat, and always an extra pair of socks.

  • After not being prepared too many times, I now bring my backpacking poop kit with me just in case.

  • I love my Kula cloth. It’s nice to have a piece of gear dedicated to keeping a vagina clean and problem free.

  • Fresh socks and underwear in your field bag.

  • Pee rag.

  • Summer’s Eve makes a pH balances wet wipe that comes in individual packages. Better than a baby wipe.

  • Period underwear is also good for butt sweat or leaks on long day trips.

  • Hand sanitizer and old washcloth to scrub off salamander slime.

  • Soap sheets and extra water for grimy hands.

  • Invest in muck boots or some similar kind of footwear.

  • Wet wipes. Make sure you bring bags though so you can dispose of them when back in town.

  • Fresh shoes for the drive back.

  • Menstrual cups.

  • Wet wipes. They really help if you spend multiple days in the field.

  • Bar shampoo in case you find a water source and have a chance to wash up.

  • Baby powder. Helps with the sweaty bits and greasy hair.

  • A poop bag with bags and wipes to carry out. The urge can hit anywhere, anytime.

  • Baby wipes and a life straw water bottle.

  • Always have a hair brush, tooth brush, face cloth, and deodorant.

  • Wool felted bar of soap and micro fiber towel. Great for washing hands.

  • Always bring extra socks.

  • A hankie instead of tissues. Less chapped nose and no tissue pulp hiding on laundry day.

  • Rinse field cloths in the shower so your hotel room doesn’t stink by the end of the stint.

  • Invest in leather gloves and Technu wipes for poison ivy contact.

  • I always keep toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and deodorant in my backpack.

  • Swedish dishcloth for body cloth/wipe/towel. Portable and so quick dry.

  • Toothpaste tabs. Portable, lightweight. There are fluoride or hydroxyapatite versions.

  • Kula cloth for those who squat to pee.

  • Cleaning wipes.

  • I alternate shirts if possible. Air dry them inside out in the sun.

  • Cowgirl bath: bucket, bar soap, rag and towel. Basically a rag wipe down in the comfort of your tent.

  • Never wear shoes inside your tent.

  • Keeping my hair tied into a bun under a hat. Keeps it free from dust/twigs/bugs/webs.

  • Always extra socks. And liner socks to go with thicker cold weather socks.

  • Showering as soon as I’m done for the day. Prime time to do a good tick check.

  • Pouch with every type of charging cable.

  • If staying in a hotel and tick country, keep your field gear in the tub overnight. Easy to spot them.

  • Nail brush. The undersides of your nails can get gross fast.

  • Hand sanitizer is great but doesn’t remove dirt. Bring wet wipes or a wash cloth.

  • Wool: anti-microbial and insulating against heat and cold.

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