Hygiene Edition
We see a ton of amazing new things on our trips, but the one thing we don't see is a shower. Our trip to Utah revolutionized our #meadadventures when we realized that camping the entire time was the best way to maximize our time on the road, but that meant sacrificing the comfort of warm running water. Through trial and stink, we have found what it takes to survive a week (or more) with no showers and still be able to be around other people. I present you with the only 8 items you'll need for a week of road-tripping and car camping....or if you just really hate showering.
1. Make-up removal wipes. Most campsites have sinks that you have to push and hold for water to come out or some have no water at all. This makes being able to wash your face tough, and If you're like me, washing your face makes you feel like a brand new human. These wipes (even for the guys) work perfectly to get rid of all the grime. If you use one before you go to bed and one in the morning when you wake up, you won't even miss the process of standing at a sink splashing water on your face.
2. Dry Shampoo. This is the one item I have to pack in the luggage that we check due to it's large size, but trust me, it's worth it. I'm blessed with thick hair that I wash the night before we leave and don't have to touch until the night before we come home, but I still have to spray this to keep it smelling fresh. Tommy, on the other hand, isn't as lucky. With having dark longer hair, this stuff saves him from being an oily mess. The only downside to this product is that for dark hair, it does leave a white residue that you have to "fluff" out.
3. Travel tissues. These come in handy for the obvious use of blowing your nose. However, you will find random uses for them as the trip goes on, especially if you find yourself at a pit toilet with no toilet paper. If you bring them along, make sure you have some place to keep the used ones...we pack a trash bag to keep in the car for all our trash. There's nothing worse than arriving at a campsite to find a used tissue where your tent is supposed to go, and it's just rude to do that to Mother Nature.
4. Antibacterial wet wipes. I like keeping these for emergency situations only, but they come in handy for the airplane (buckle and arm rests) or a hotel remote.
5. Deodorant. Hopefully this one is pretty self-explanatory, but I do recommend using one without an antiperspirant...those end up clogging pores that you aren't able to fully get clean, and no one has ever died from a sweaty pit.
6. Hand Sanitizer. Many places to camp have restrooms with no running water. This means no place to wash your hands and if you aren't able to wash, the countless others before you weren't either and have touched the same door handles. Obviously it doesn't kill all the germs, but it does give a little peace of mind when you go to eat.
7. Toothbrush/Paste/Floss. I feel the same about brushing my teeth as I do washing my face...something about knocking the sweaters off your teeth makes you feel like a newborn. If you're camping in a place with no sink, make sure you brush and spit away from your tent because the sweet mint smell may lure creatures into camp to investigate. No matter where you spit, dump a little extra water when you're done to dilute the smell, and because no one wants to see your spit pile.
8. Wet Wipes. I saved the best (most crucial) item for last....these will save you from any stinky situation. We use them as a bath before we go to bed and in the morning before we put on our fresh clothes. Usually one pack is enough for two people for a week, but having a backup is nice. I also recommend purchasing a brand with a good seal just to insure they don't dry out by the end of the trip. However, the same thing goes as with the face wipes and tissues: make sure you find a proper place to dispose them without leaving them behind for the next guest to find.
Those are our shower shortcuts, but we are always looking to learn new techniques. If you have shortcuts of your own, share with us in the comments section so we can test them out on our next #meadadventures!