View Full Version : Frequent washing?
Jason of the Woods
01-20-2008, 23:12
I am trying to keep my pack as light as possible by bringing the bare essentials. Problem being we are leaving in April from the south so we need to be prepared. My question is how often are you able to pop into town and do a load of laundry? Should I pack for two week stints?
You need at least one clean change of socks/underwear a day. I usually can only do laundry once a month or so, so you'll probably need to plan on more.
sorry, that post was sarcastic. Once every week or to is reasonable for laundry, but get used to wearing dirty clothing.
john gault
01-20-2008, 23:30
I am trying to keep my pack as light as possible by bringing the bare essentials. Problem being we are leaving in April from the south so we need to be prepared. My question is how often are you able to pop into town and do a load of laundry? Should I pack for two week stints?
Not 2 weeks' worth of clothes, if I understand correctly. Check out the "Packing Lists" in the Articles section on the main page (http://www.whiteblaze.net/index.php)
River Runner
01-20-2008, 23:32
Since you are posting this in the Ultra Light forum, I imagine you want to know what is the least you might reasonably get by with? And it seems you will be thru hiking as opposed to section hiking?
If so, most thru's take about 3 pairs of socks (one to wear, one to sleep in, one washed out and drying on the pack) and rotate them. And 1-2 changes of underwear, which can also be washed out (in a container away from water sources please).
Other than that, most ultra light hikers just wear the same clothing day after day, and have something clean to sleep in with the most common being base layer pants & top.
When in town, most either wear their rain gear while they launder all their clothing or wear a change of clothes from their bounce box.
take-a-knee
01-21-2008, 00:17
underwear?
Yes, underwear. Underarmor boxer briefs to be exact, two pair, so one can be field laundered in a ziploc bag and the other worn. My little fat legs rub together and these are non negotiable. I would carry two quick dry t-shirts also. These are the only duplicate clothing items besides sox worth the weight. You really need to keep your skin and the clothing next to your skin as clean as you can.
River Runner
01-21-2008, 00:22
underwear?
Okay, for the guys out there that would be briefs (or maybe boxers). I know, some do, some don't. It's all :cool:. ;)
Jason of the Woods
01-21-2008, 09:18
Actually it's boxer briefs.;) I have a bad back so for me to keep it light is the only way! Thanks for the input.
bigcranky
01-29-2008, 14:29
You can wash out your clothes on the trail. Socks and underwear are easy enough, and I often rinse out my hiking shirt and shorts in the evening. You don't need soap, just water. If you want to get fancy, use a 2-gallon zip-loc bag as a washing machine. Add your dirty clothes and a liter of water, shake well, and pour out the water. Repeat several times.
In warm weather, I only carry two pairs of socks. I rinse the used pair and let it dry, mostly, before swapping them out.
You should be able to get into town and do laundry (and take a *shower*) about once a week, more or less.
Jason of the Woods
01-30-2008, 17:09
That's a great and simple idea that I never thought of. Thanks Mr Cranky.
LIhikers
01-31-2008, 11:12
Should I pack for two week stints?
My clothes for a 2 week trip is about the same as for a 2 day trip other than some extra socks. :)
Just don't wash, rinse, or otherwise put your dirty clothing into a body of water on the trail.
Wise Old Owl
02-04-2008, 23:39
sorry, that post was sarcastic. Once every week or to is reasonable for laundry, but get used to wearing dirty clothing.
help me understand something, I travel with three sets of socks. One I wash in a stream and hang on the back of a pack for two days with a spare shoe lace, why would I need a laundry? oh underwear? I wear that thing that only needs to be washed once a week. Then I go commando. Possibly TMI, but inquiring minds want to know.
hammock engineer
02-05-2008, 01:10
Your'll figure it out.
Having said that after I got used to the funk I only carried hiking clothes and sleeping clothes. Torwards the end I only carried 2 pairs of hiking socks. One smartwool and 1 vapor barrier for really cold. I should add though my feet are not as sensitive as they used to be and I like sleeping without socks regaurdless of the temp. Come to think about it I had a second pair of smartwools but never wore them.
I didn't want to wash socks and air dry them, they kept freezing and not thowing out until the next town. When I had wet socks I would usually wear them dry the next day. I tried air drying things on the pack in hot weather, but it never seemed to turn out right.
It's easier to ditch things than pick things up. So start with what you think you need, then get rid of what you don't use later.
Mid day swimming or clothes soaking breaks were money in the heat. I was usually able to wear my clothes dry in an hour. Washing off at the end of the day helps too. I washed clothes and myself in the stream. I don't think it matters as long as it's flowing. I wouldn't do that in Springs though. Before everyone jumps on me for washing my clothes in the streams, I don't use soap and don't see the difference between that and swimming or the foot soaking everyone talks about.
Don't be suprised if you get a verbal boot to the face for washing your dirty laundry where people get drinking water.
help me understand something, I travel with three sets of socks. One I wash in a stream and hang on the back of a pack for two days with a spare shoe lace, why would I need a laundry? oh underwear? I wear that thing that only needs to be washed once a week. Then I go commando. Possibly TMI, but inquiring minds want to know.
hammock engineer
02-05-2008, 17:17
Don't be suprised if you get a verbal boot to the face for washing your dirty laundry where people get drinking water.
If they do that ask them if they soak their feet in the stream. Feet are way nastier than any clothes.
My feet smell like roses.
Don't be suprised if you get a verbal boot to the face for washing your dirty laundry where people get drinking water.
Just curious, y'all. Do you see those moose (meese?) upstream of the crossing? Do you think everything goes in to that thing, or does it come back out, too? And when you soak your feet, do you go upstream or downstream?
wrongway_08
02-05-2008, 18:18
I hate being dirty but while hiking, the crud becomes your friend.........without it the trip feels kinda wrong.
I tried the keeping everything clean and tidy........ you'll get over that also.
Its time to clean socks when the stand on their own.
Its time to clean underwear when it would feel beter to chafe yourself without them instead of wear them.
Best bet is to go swimming in them and call it a day. Dont worry about soap, just let the heavy stuff wash off.
Jason of the Woods
02-08-2008, 13:08
Great advice. I'm already down to nothing on our practice trips so it's becoming more conceivable.
Wise Old Owl
02-10-2008, 20:29
Don't be suprised if you get a verbal boot to the face for washing your dirty laundry where people get drinking water.
Wow Scott, whats up with that? - I didn't mention soap and you should boil or treat you water before you drink it. Come on you know better. I have found dead Deer upstream in my source and still drank it after I treated it. You never went skinny dipping did you? :confused:
Jason of the Woods
02-11-2008, 14:15
The truth of it is that water in most running streams cleans itself after about five feet. To add to that we use Dr Bronner's which is an organic soap. Even with that I wouldn't be silly enough to do laundry at any of the marked water sources. Now the streams on the other hand should be open game. Like you said there are a lot of things in there that are worse.
In 04 I went a month and a half without laundry or a shower.
What? what!
Appalachian Tater
02-11-2008, 14:27
The truth of it is that water in most running streams cleans itself after about five feet. Huh? How?
To add to that we use Dr Bronner's which is an organic soap. Still ain't good for living things in the stream. No soap in streams.
Even with that I wouldn't be silly enough to do laundry at any of the marked water sources. Now the streams on the other hand should be open game. Like you said there are a lot of things in there that are worse.
There are things worse but you still don't want to pollute streams.
Never wash your laundry in a natural water source. Uterly innapropriate. We learned a harsh leason since the days of beating your clothes with a rock (see silent spring). Just be dirty, Your SUPPOSED to be a hiker after all. Quitcherbellyachin' Get DRRTY
Huh? How?
Still ain't good for living things in the stream. No soap in streams.
I'm guessing he means it gets diluted pretty quickly in the stream.
Totally agree with you on the soap though.
Jason of the Woods
02-11-2008, 17:12
Ha, I knew that I'd pull a few of you out with that one. No worries. We'll do laundry in town. As for going for 40some days with now bathing, man that's just gross. I'm betting that you are single.....
I am now, why??? Actualy I hiked with "Trash Barrel Carol" For three years or so, including the trip in question. Trail women can't withstand the stink of a real man. woodsmoke and sweat.
AT-HITMAN2005
02-11-2008, 18:13
winter- shorts worn(with liner, like a bathing suit), short sleeved shirt worn, 3 pairs of socks-1 pair worn, wore rain gear for laundry time.
summer- shorts worn, shirt worn, 3 pairs of socks-1 pair worn. carried change of shorts and shirt. sent rain gear home, walked in the rain-felt good usually and got a shower. mainly kept the change of clothes for in town to switch for laundry.
you can do laundry about once a week if you really want.
Appalachian Tater
02-11-2008, 18:47
As for going for 40some days with now bathing, man that's just gross.Yes, it is disgusting. I met a NOBOer in Jersey who claimed to have not bathed since he began his hike.
However, that was nothing compared to this one fellow who was intolerable by the time he got to Hot Springs--he had a very peculiar and nausea-inducing body odor. I was unable to stand within several feet of him even breathing through my mouth. He had been bathing in town, just a uniquely disgusting personal odor.
hopefulhiker
02-11-2008, 18:52
I washed clothes and took a shower on average about once every week or so... I never washed clothes in a stream on the trail.. A lot of people get water out of those streams... There are a couple of places where you go a little longer to wash...
scavenger
02-11-2008, 20:13
I washed clothes and took a shower on average about once every week or so... I never washed clothes in a stream on the trail.. A lot of people get water out of those streams... There are a couple of places where you go a little longer to wash...
a nasty diet can do stuff like that sometimes
nitewalker
02-11-2008, 21:17
who in their rite mind would carry soap on a hike.. if i were to wash clothes in a stream or lake it would be without any kind of soap. i would wear my clothes into a lake or stream and call it even...only a dope will launder with soap, steer clear of the river!!
NEVER CLEAN NEAR A POTABLE WATER SOURCE AND IF ONE FINDS THE NEED THEY MUST GO WAY DOWN STREAM , PLEASE!!!!!!!!
hammock engineer
02-11-2008, 21:24
I love this argument.
Question to the people that don't condone washing in the streams. Do you still go swimming or soak your feet? Without the use of soap what is the difference?
Appalachian Tater
02-11-2008, 21:32
what is the difference?
Soap?????
Jason of the Woods
02-12-2008, 00:41
Isn't Dr Bronners biodegradable? I'm not too sure that what comes off of your feet will be quite as easy on our water source.....
Isn't Dr Bronners biodegradable? I'm not too sure that what comes off of your feet will be quite as easy on our water source.....
It's not just about biodegradability. Soap is a plant nutrient, a foaming agent and a surfactant, which is poisonous to some river dwellers. It decreases the oxygen availability and contributes to algae blooms.
One of the standard ways to measure the health of a river or pond is to survey the species of invertebrates that live in the river bed. The lower the number, the greater the stress the ecosystem is under. Adding stuff like soap increases the stress, kills bugs and other life. Don't do it.
It's not just about biodegradability. Soap is a plant nutrient, a foaming agent and a surfactant, which is poisonous to some river dwellers. It decreases the oxygen availability and contributes to algae blooms.
One of the standard ways to measure the health of a river or pond is to survey the species of invertebrates that live in the river bed. The lower the number, the greater the stress the ecosystem is under. Adding stuff like soap increases the stress, kills bugs and other life. Don't do it.
well played sir, much respect.
Jason of the Woods
02-12-2008, 11:10
Once again that was sarcasm. I believe that if you go to the Leave No Trace website it tells you to wash your things 200 feet from the watersource. This is what we will do. I will quit joking now.;)
jersey joe
02-13-2008, 11:22
"Wet Ones" work wonders.
Don't think they make them biodegradeable though.
The LNT rues change once you go from a small stream to a river. It is acceptable to bathe and wash clothing in a large river (without soap), but it is not acceptable to bathe or wash clothing in a stream.
I fill up a water container and go well-away from the water source to bathe. The marking or lack thereof on a water source or in a guidebook does not change the way that you should behave around it.
How are you defining small stream and river. I have a brook here that would be a river in Colorado. OK, maybe just a big stream, but I have always wondered how one defines crick, flowage, seep, etc.