Personal Hygiene on the Trail

Nothing feels better than clean skin after you've been hiking all day. You know the sticky, salty, sweat-dripping-down-your-back feeling? Here's the skinny on personal hygiene when you're hiking or packing. 

• Most State campgrounds have shower facilities that you can use for a fee. The water is usually warm; be sure to bring some quarters, your favorite soap and a microfibre quick-dry towel with you.
• Take a trail shower using biodegradable soap, such as Mountain Girl Soap, a jug of water and a washcloth. Pay special attention to your face, hands, underarms, private bits and feet.  Oh, and be sure you are 200 feet away from a water source.
• Take a sponge bath with UNSCENTED (unless you want to be a skeeter magnet) moist towelettes or wipes. Again be sure to focus on those important areas. And pack the wipes out with you. A better option is to wet a reusable microfiber towel with a few drops of liquid soap and water. Afterward, hang the towel from your pack to dry and rinse out at the next water spigot/drain you come to. 
• Jump in a lake or stream. Just skip the soap all together so you don't harm the aquatic life. The cold water is a bit of a shock but will rid you of some sweat and dirt. 

Mountain Girl Soap is completely biodegradable - it doesn't have any phosphates or detergents that cause problems with our environment. It washes off clean and leaves your skin moisturized. 

One final consideration is for the scent. Anything food related or sweet smelling is sure to attract the attention of animals. All of Mountain Girl Soaps are scented with pure plant essential oils leaving you smelling like the nature that surrounds you. 

Happy Trails,