Ozark River Manufacturing logo

Sales & Support

How to Stay Clean While Camping

Ozark River Manufacturing swirl logo

By Ozark River Manufacturing

March 1, 2024

How to Stay Clean When Camping

A camping trip is the ultimate adventure for many people. Over 50 million Americans went camping in 2021, and 94% of campers plan to do the same amount or more camping in 2024. One of the best things about camping is that you can choose your adventure. You can rough it in the wild, explore the country in a recreational vehicle (RV) or enjoy the luxuries of glamourous camping — otherwise known as glamping.

Although you’re getting in touch with nature, personal hygiene can be challenging when camping. No matter how casual your trip, you always want to feel fresh and avoid infection. Luckily, you can stay clean while camping with some planning and one or two pieces of essential equipment.

The Unique Challenge of Staying Clean in the Great Outdoors

One germ can turn into 8 million within 24 hours, so if you’re on an outdoor adventure, you can imagine how many germs you collect. Of course, at home, you can wash your hands or shower whenever you want, but one of the most significant challenges when camping is access to hot and cold running water. You’re surrounded by earth, mud and plants as well. In short, you get dirty faster and for longer without proper planning.

Tips for Staying Clean While Camping

One of the joys of camping is unplugging from the modern world, despite what that means for your personal hygiene. Whether you’re camping or glamping, the following tips can help you stay clean:

  • Stock up on hand sanitizer, wet wipes and biodegradable soap: These items are handy if you plan to go hiking, as you can pack them in your backpack whenever you leave the RV and keep yourself clean until you return.
  • Get a microfiber towel: If you can wipe your hands and face on the road, you may want to dry them. A quick-dry microfiber towel is lightweight and dries quickly — ideal for any camping trip.
  • Pack enough clothing: Packing light is typical for campers, but you want to ensure you have enough clean clothes for your trip. Your luggage might take up more space in the RV, but the luxury of wearing clean clothes every day is well worth the effort.
  • Master the rub down: Even splashing water on your face and body can make a big difference to your camping experience. Pack a flannel and baby wipes to rub down your hands, face and hair if you can access running water.
  • Use dry shampoo: Washing your hair can be one of the biggest challenges. Dry shampoo is light to carry, and you don’t need water to use it. Many options come in powder form, so you must rub some into your roots and brush out the excess.
  • Pack running water: Wherever you enjoy your RV or glamping experience, you can take running water with portable sinks that provide hot and cold water. All you need is an outlet to take your clean water with you.

How to Avoid Injuries and Infections in the Wild

Being in the great outdoors comes with risk, and you should always be prepared for the occasional camping or hiking injury. Injuries to the skin are the most common, from sunburn and campfire accidents to poisonous plants or cuts and scrapes. Untreated, these minor incidents can become significant infections, so be sure to pack basic medical supplies. However, avoiding injuries is best. The following tips can help you stay injury-free on your adventures:

  • Wear protective clothing: The proper clothing and eyewear provide ultraviolet (UV) protection outdoors. Apply sunscreen on your exposed skin every few hours. You can avoid cuts and sprains to your feet and ankles with closed and supportive footwear.
  • Be aware of the wildlife: Encountering animals is often enjoyable, but insects can be a real pain. Pack insect repellant and cover up your skin as much as possible.
  • Focus on fire safety: Maintain your campfires correctly, including keeping a fire extinguisher nearby. Always practice caution around open flames, and never leave a fire unattended.
  • Brush up on your poisonous plant knowledge: Avoid interacting with plants you don’t know, and learn how to identify common camping culprits like poison oak and ivy.
  • Wash your hands: Good personal hygiene is the best way to avoid infection. Wash your hands well whenever you can, and wash and cover any cuts as soon as they happen. If you experience a burn or laceration, running water helps relieve pain and flushes out potentially harmful bacteria.

Explore Portable Camping Sink Options

With so many reasons to have running water available on your camping trip, a portable RV sink might be your solution. These self-contained sink options come in various forms, but they’re all designed for versatility and adaptability, making them ideal for camping trips and many other applications. When you’re looking specifically for camping or glamping, consider the following alternatives:

  • Outdoor washing tables: This rudimentary option is better for cooking than personal hygiene. However, if you’re a serious camper, it can double up as both. They consist of a folding table and a sink with a faucet, which you connect to a water container. They also give you extra space for preparing food outdoors.
  • Gravity sinks: A gravity sink is a water tank you can open and close. When you open the faucet, gravity pushes the water out, so you don’t need pumps or electricity. They’re an excellent option for storing drinking water and washing your hands, although they don’t provide hot water.
  • Foot pump sinks: If camping somewhere without electricity, a foot pump sink lets you wash your hands simply by pressing a trigger with your foot.
  • Portable sinks: portable sink is the ultimate choice if you like to camp with the safety and luxury of hot and cold running water. These sinks look and feel like bathroom sinks, complete with fresh and waste water tanks. Many options are electric and come with soap dispensers and cabinets for storage. No matter where you’re exploring, having the best camping sink for your application is critical.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Portable Sink for Camping

A portable sink can transform your camping experience, and selecting the right option depends on several factors. Consider the following to choose the best portable sink for your unique camping experience:

  • Space and weight constraints: If you’re setting out into the great outdoors with a backpack and a tent, you might need a more lightweight option than a portable sink. However, glampers and RV campers have the space to take a more luxurious route. Portable sinks come in many sizes, so your choice fits your space. Many campers invest in these sinks as they use them every time they hit the road.
  • Washing system: While you can wash your hands at any portable sink, consider the other benefits some models offer, like liquid soap dispensers, towel racks and hot water. To fully understand the significance of easy-access soap, check out How Does Soap Work?
  • Material: Your portable sink can fit seamlessly with your camping aesthetic. You can choose from plastic, stainless steel and various composites.
  • Maintenance: Check the maintenance requirements for any portable sinks and choose the most hassle-free option so you can spend more time enjoying the outdoors.

In addition to meeting your personal requirements, you should also look for reputable providers when purchasing a portable sink for camping. As you invest, you want to work with a supplier that manufactures to the highest quality standards. After-sale support is also critical, and your provider should offer trained technical support staff to ensure your portable sink is always functional when needed.

Elevate Your Outdoor Adventures With Ozark River Manufacturing

Portable sinks elevate your camping experience, keeping you and your family clean, safe and happy. Whether you have an RV or enjoy a luxury camping experience, a properly tested and validated portable sink is an investment you can rely on every time.

Ozark River is listed as a provider with the National Sanitation Foundation, and we’ve been committed to providing quality, self-contained hot and cold water sinks to various industries since 2006. Our mission is to promote healthy hand-washing anywhere, even in the wild. Browse our collection of portable sinks and be prepared for your next camping trip today!

Ozark River Manufacturing logo

Ozark River Manufacturing

Ozark River Manufacturing designs and delivers top-quality, NSF-certified portable sinks. Since 2006, our inventive and bold team has ensured health compliance with quick-connect tanks and instant hot water. With over 55 models, we provide solutions for every need, backed by exceptional customer support and timely delivery. Healthy people matter, and we make a positive impact every day.

Recent Articles

Thank You