How to Clean Dishes CAMPING *step-by-step guide*

[@mistylynn111]

I bring a spray bottle with dish soap and water on it.Spray down the dish scrub than rinse with hot water in a basin. Saves water.

[@aleksandra...]

That's so clever! Thanks for sharing.

[@lindak8664]

That’s genius! Thanks for the idea 👍🏼

[@dovey4703]

I use vinegar~ regular old white vinegar for a quick sanitizing.

[@lizabethma6363]

If you are in a water short area and use a rinse bucket, you can use the rinse water as the wash water next meal. (It's literally water with a bit of soap residue. As you rinsed clean dishes.)

[@Gen--X]

Great thought!

[@jroddy1]

Great Idea to wash your dishes in used dirty dish water. lol

[@donnas2023]

I was a Girl Scout back in the 70’s and this was how we did our dishes. After rinsing them we would put them in a net draw string bag hang fro a branch to air dye. From 2nd. grade til middle school the Girl Scouts gave me the best memories 😍☮️

[@SoundArtMagic]

literally just came back from solo camping today, after watching a bunch of your encouraging videos, and washing dishes was oddly one of the most confusing parts. so glad you made a video on this and thanks Amanda for all the inspiration✨🙏🏽

[@amanda.outside]

You're welcome!! Glad this video was helpful. It's definitely a highly requested topic. Hope you had a great trip!

[@meln5499]

I use a smaller collapsible wash basins now (so convenient and fits in my small kitchen car camping bin), but I started out with two small office recycle bins that I just had and it doubled as a loose storage bin to and from the site. So you don't need a fancy wash basin, just something that will hold water and easy to handle to dump out to get started. I will note, if it is a greasy (stainless - not case iron) pan/pot, wipe it out with a paper towel (keep this for fire starter in a baggie for later - hint), then boil water in it after and giving it a good scrub is easier to cut the grease, disperse the water safely, and then give it a rinse in your basin. We bring extra sponges for those greasy pans, and pack it out in a baggie - reusable sponges are great for this reason. Amanda, you are so right about food prep. In recent years, I started cooking messy things like bacon at home in the oven (just not super crispy so it doesn't burn later) and then reheat it by throwing it in the pan while your eggs cook. Soooo much less grease to deal with on site to clean up and take less fuel and time to cook too.

[@MegLoves007]

I love watching how other people camp and their tips and tricks! I love doing my dishes while camping, I have a very similar system. I use two small dish bins from the dollar store and Dr.broners soap. Sometimes I use two buckets but a lot of the time for rinsing I’ll use my portable shower. The portable shower is something I highly recommend. I have yet to use it to bathe but it makes a great hand washing station and great for rinsing dishes! Thank you for sharing, I am allllll about making camping stress free and having more room for relaxing.

[@DollopussD]

I'm likely to just flush my used water into my camping toilet for later disposal. This is a very helpful video 👍

[@emptynestadventure9979]

This is pretty much the system we use. "Clean vs camping clean." That's my philosophy! I'll sanitize all my stuff thoroughly at home every few trips.

[@TonyHookedonVanlife]

A widely available and surprisingly versatile item - baby wipes. Not just for bathroom duties & personal hygiene between showers, you can use em to clean your dishes too! Yep, just wipe em out & rinse with clean water. Done. Why not? You use them on your body, your face, YOUR BABY, for heck's sake! Hahaha 😂 I do it all the time(I am a full-time vanlifer, living in a 2003 Chrysler Town & Country minivan).

[@flowersafeheart]

Hand soap and dish soap can have different properties so if someone does that method think best would be make your own for dishes with dish soap which for example could have sals suds. And different ones for hands, body, cleaning say from Dr Bronners. They cam be reusable washable cloths instead of constant buying and waste of disposables. It's not the most healthy or thorough thing for hygiene such as face cause leaves soap residue but only barely. But can be super handy. Hands it's bedt to use enough soap, lather very thoroughly 2 Happy Borthdays then rinse from wrists towards fingertips. That is in multiple ways more ideal than hand sanitizer from what I know

[@olivewritesblog]

This was so helpful - thanks! It would be great if you did a video about personal hygiene while camping, too.

[@kirkleadbetter1093]

Great content as always. I've always been stuck on the way my grandmother showed me; wash water can be whatever temp, rinse water should be hot enough that you can barely stand it. That's overkill for "camping clean" though I agree.

[@RenM908]

Ahh yes your grandma was like my troop master. Im not american but our version of boy scouts taught me hot for wash and really hot for rinse, and cold for the sanitize bucket (we used a capful of bleach but I think now they may be using bleach alternatives). I only ever use this if I car camping or very short hike and camp set up where I dont mind making more elaborate and tasty meals. Otherwise I just use those dehydrated meals in the backcountry as it's just easier.

[@pdub6453]

We love the expression “Camp Clean!”

[@kriskabin]

For just 1 or 2 people: *Eat out of your prep pan or pot, NO PLATES. *Eat everything & then have a small silicone spatula to REALLY "clean your plate." (Yes, just lick the thing off... it's camping not a state dinner FGS.) * Get your small spray bottle with mostly water & a little vinegar to wet the pot, spoon & spatula clean with a reusable bandana. (Anotherwords, do dishes in seconds, not for hours...) EASY! LESS IS MORE! Happy Travels & Camping to ALL.🏕️ Oh,...Water is heavy & damn precious, especially out in the desert, so the above method is the best way to save h2o, time & space in your rig.

[@mvblitzyo]

Thanks you two for posting so many different camping videos , often times I forget to comment . but I always like your videos ! thank you two so much for great tips and what a beautiful scenery there in Arizona. Joe from California

[@amanda.outside]

Thank you for watching!

[@michaelpowell7120]

16 Qt. metal pot/w lid holds cleaning/gear. Heat the water and wash face, hands, feet and dishes (change water if u can). That warm water in the morning makes me feel "pretty" and good!

[@RhondaMendel]

I learned to do camp dishes from my mother-in-law in the Sierra Nevadas shortly after my marriage. Her method was almost identical to yours & thats what I've done for 35 years. I love the foldable water tubs - I've never tried those!

[@joycemoses2411]

Thank you for the information! I agree, planning at home before the outing saves time and dishes. After cleaning all food particles off the dishes as you suggested, I like to take a soapy sponge and clean each dish. I place the soapy dish/utensil in an empty designated, collapsible bucket. Then, I add boiling water for the rinse into the bucket. I don't completely cover the dishes or fill the bucket, but I place enough boiling water into the container so that I can move the dishes around before taking the dishes out to dry.

[@amanda.outside]

This is a great idea! It seems like a great way to wash when there's not a lot of water. Thanks for sharing!

[@joycemoses2411]

@@amanda.outside Thank you Amanda! I think it saves water, too.

[@TupeloHoney6104]

I tried baking soda as a cleanser and used carbonated water to get some fizz in my pots and pans. Worked okay. I was not afraid to toss the excess water because baking soda and water are not harmful to the environment. I love your sinks. Great idea. I'll use my jetboil to heat up some water next time.

[@loriheiney5711]

I always use the sun to warm up my dish water and it's helpful if u cook dinner before the sun goes down then your not running into issues

[@DarinMcGrew]

I wish I had this video to share years ago. This is essentially the way I've washed camping dishes for decades, and there have been times where I've wanted to share this technique with new campers. Many new campers default to using the one communal water source the way they'd use a kitchen sink at home, but that causes problems for larger groups.

[@chuck2588]

Great tutorial...exactly what I was looking for!

[@SimonDedman]

Per your final comments, this for me is the big benefit to bringing food in round deli containers. They come in 3 standard sizes (8, 16, 32oz) so you can size to your needs before you leave, thus not taking up more space than you need, they're reasonably indestructible (certainly they won't tear etc), they all stack together when empty, and - IMO most crucially, the big advantage over ziplocs - you can bung em all in the dishwasher when you're home. I think something that can get missed in camping prep/hacks is that if you're front or backloading a load of work, while it makes your life easier when you're camping, it means you have loads to do before/after/both. IMO anything that can reduce that is worthwhile! Cheers.

[@jamespayette7574]

Amanda….your videos are always so spot on and helpful. Look forward to each one. Have you taught Nick this valuable lesson?

[@amanda.outside]

Thank you James! I really appreciate the support! Nick is a dish cleaning pro 😁

[@jamespayette7574]

@@amanda.outside of course he’s a pro….look who is teacher is.

[@erikamallet8027]

i needed this, its always a struggle for me those damn dishes

[@alwhiting7986]

Can you use gray water to douse camp fires?

[@Icutmetal]

Do you really think a fire cares what water is being dumped on it?

[@kristymoore7052]

I’m a backpacker and camper. In both I was trying the ultralight, etc., on both fronts and bought the sea to summit tub. Sent it back. I’m still figuring it out, but if I’m camping, I want certain items to make my experience enjoyable. I found a collapsible pot that works well for a wash tub, food pot and also serves as warmer for prepared food and love it.

[@lesliealvarez6958]

My boyfriend and I love camping but if you don’t want to spend money and have a regular bucket laying around. I recommend drilling a hole to create your own DIY drainer. That’s what we did and it works as a charm and has been multifunctional.

[@kristavthatsme3178]

I use this very system but instead of paying an arm and a leg for those collapsible sinks I just use 2 plastic basins I purchased from the dollar store. They are cheaper and just as effective! As a side note, these $1 basins also work great as a wash basins when you don't have a shower system available. They hold lots of water and are perfect for taking a bird bath!! 😀 I purchased 4 in different colors. Two gray for the dishes, and 2 (1 blue and 1 red) for me and my wife to wash up with. 😀

[@jayrussell99]

Arm and leg the damn sink she is using is 10$ at walmart dumb a.sss

[@TylerWangsgard]

My wife and I were camping on Forest Service land next to Grand Teton NP and we had a 6 gallon gray water jug that needed to be emptied. We drove by a pit toilet that the FS employees were finishing up cleaning and I asked if I could dump it into the pit toilet. They actually really liked the idea and said the extra liquid would really help things. So that’s one option for disposing of gray water in smaller quantities.

[@Liz-fv6jh]

Yea definitely good ideal to dump into a toilet. Just make sure not paper products on the water. 👌🏽

[@simco75248]

Finally! So great. Thanks. It’s so important to pay attention to the gray water regs. I try to get away with one sink and it usually works out okay. The two sink deal is probably best, I guess, but you still have to keep both sinks clean in the long run.

[@michellelee6598]

Do you have any tips for your Stasher bags? Especially how to get they to fully dry before packing them away.

[@andrewvickers4487]

Thanks so much for covering all the bases, even with such a simple task it really helps to see it done 'properly' for newbies like me! 👍

[@debs7411]

I just got a collapsible bin, which I'll try out tomorrow. I use the same basic method with a cook pot for washing and a bucket for rinsing.

[@danstafford5977]

I have the exact dishpan as you... I have a rechargeable spin brush it's a slam dunk... also I have a rechargeable bottle brush for drinking cups.

[@DLM440]

Your videos brighten my day 💛 you should come to Ireland!

[@amanda.outside]

I would love to come to Ireland one day!! It looks so beautiful there.

[@DLM440]

@@amanda.outside it is. We have some great scenery, loads to do and great friendly people (if I do say so myself 😂😂) The west coast is referred to as the wild Atlantic Way. There are some stunning places to visit. Also Glendalough in County Wicklow is popular for hiking. There is no pollution in the air so at night you get to start gaze surrounded by deer. It’s breathtaking. Wicklow is referred to as the garden of Ireland. Ireland is so small but full of folklore and steeped in history.

[@jerryloftis9510]

Extremely professional enjoy your video

[@kennethwilson8633]

Washing dishes in just hot water and soap is what I do at home too. If you want to sanitize something without using bleach vinegar or vodka and water will replace bleach. Have fun camping and stay safe.

[@bevrleygreen3900]

How do you clean your cast iron pan and Dutch oven

[@tdmakeupartistry889]

This is what I was going to ask. I have a trip this weekend and would really like to know.

[@joybird30]

Yes! I have the same question. I got a cast iron griddle and it's so hard to clean!

[@amanda.outside]

I'm planning to make another video on this! Good to know there's interest. Stay tuned 😁

[@richardleesaner4382]

Wow thank you I would do this because it's easier for me to watch my dishes I guess it's thank you for your post

[@Liz-fv6jh]

I just filled up an old mini squeeze bottle with my regular biodegradable dish soap. I have a quick drying towel designated for drying dishes. Folds into a tiny bag. Used an osprey water bladder. This ones great Bc you just squeeze the mouth piece and water comes out versus having to manually suck the water out. Used it both for rinsing dishes and for rinsing hands. Fill a Nalgene bottle with dish washing water. And also purchased a collapsible dish “sink”. A lot of my dishes are multi use . For example a pit that doubles as a bowl or use my eating utensil for stirring or flipping. I dont use a cast iron skillet for multi day trips Bc they’re a pain to wash. I just use a non stick camp pan or pot. On lazy trips I’ll roast hotdogs over a fire for hotdogs or chop up after and add to eggs or beans. Canned foods, or dehydrated foods that you only need to boil water and add to container. I’m sure your meals are way tastier than mine but if it’s gonna be a big deal to wash dishes I’ll choose simple meals over that issue. Having a drying mat would be a good addition for my system. I could use the towel as the wash rag and it doesn’t take much space.

[@jeffmast2068]

Always great content. You have been my go to when I am prepping for a camping trip. Thanks for going over the basics.

[@amanda.outside]

I love to hear that Jeff! Thank you for commenting 😁

[@allisonhadland7148]

Great tips! Thanks for this! The grey water disposal is always confusing for me. I probably just need to do a little research 😀

[@amanda.outside]

You're welcome!! The grey water will have a food scent and can attract local wildlife, so you want to make sure you’re not leaving any food rewards for animals or attracting animals to your camp when you dispose of it. You might be able to call a local ranger station and see what they recommend for the area you're camping.

[@ovidiurada]

Great Video! I was skeptic about buying that fold-able sink, but if you use it, it must be great.

[@stage3motorsports]

Thanks for sharing these great tips Amanda!

[@Oldsparkey]

It's always interesting to see how others like to camp. Washing dishes is not at the top of my list of things I like to do. When backpacking I like to keep the weight down and extra items only add weight. My cooking is the Freezer Bag Method and washing the dishes comes down to licking the spoon and putting the used freezer bag in the trash bag. The Old Timer had a good system. When cooking with a Pot (Cup ) cook your oatmeal in the morning , eat it and then boil water for Coffee or tea in the same pot. Now drink from that Pot ( Cup ). A little left over oatmeal in the coffee or tea doesn't hurt anything.The hot water cleans the pot , makes the beverage and is consumed instead of being wasted. When done pack the Pot ( Cup ) away. Do the same with the rest of your meals. Back home , wash the Pot ( Cup ) and set aside. Believe it or not ... It Works.

[@AnthonyTrombley]

4:35 - I assume you're supposed to put your food bits in your garbage bag and not on the ground at camp, right?

[@kirstipickens7741]

So thankful for this video! I definitely am going to get some of those items to make washing the dishes a little easier! We are actually going camping for our wedding anniversary this weekend! Perfect timing!

[@barbara-holley]

ATK's number 1 recommended sponge is the "O-Cedar Multi-Use Scrunge Scrub Sponge ". It's the most durable and best working sponge according to their scientific testing. I hope this helps someone!

[@TonyHookedonVanlife]

A really handy & VERY inexpensive item is a plastic spray bottle from the Dollar Store filled with 50:50 water & white vinegar. It will both clean AND disinfect pretty much anything, from your dishes to your body to your reading glasses!

[@arwenrosalie3031]

Leave dry dishes on the towel In direct sunlight for sanitation. You can wash cutting boards and everything else by lunch time the uv rays would most likely have killed bacteria left on the dishes.

[@oldgranny410]

I use two small storage totes with lids. I use them to pack stuff in and all dirty dishes go into it until I am ready to wash up and the lid seals tight on it.

[@brandtdaniels]

I actually have one of those collapsible bins. I would use the method where I rinse under the dripping water like you showed. It’s good to feel validated 😂

[@Alwaysawarewolf]

After you clean and dried, you layes them on the public outdoor table 😯

[@kenamay]

Looks like a good way to go. Thanks

[@1bornsurvivor]

I enjoyed the video. I wouldn't put my clean silverware and dishes down on that dirty picnic table. That is why I carry two hand towels or two kitchen towels in my "Cooking Kit". Bath towels are too big for that job.

[@Kathy_Is_Blessed]

Perfect! Thank you💙

[@lovegodlovefreedom2535]

I would use the rinse water to rinse the wash bucket after disposing the grey

[@HikeOregon]

I take paper plates and bowls so that way the only thing I have to wash is my coffee cup and silverware. If I use pots and pans I just wipe them out with paper towels.

[@DonnaBrooks]

What's the highest temp of water that those collapsible wash pans can handle? Are they made of silicone? If they are made of plastic, will they leach chemicals into the contents when exposed to heat, as other plastics do (which is why you should microwave foods in plastic or drink liquids out of plastic bottles that have been in a hot car or in the sun)?

[@cmanofthewoodscentralus3217]

Like your system, but would do a couple things different. Guess I would use a colored string or piece of yarn to seperate uses of the tubs so not to confuse them of their uses. Secondly guess if you are going to keep your sausage container why not put your food scrapings in it to take home and dispose of them as well. Have found out the hard way earlier in years what that little bit of soap does to a person when dishes are not rinsed well. Just saying my take on this to help prevent a bad camping experience. Thanks for Sharing as look forward to more of your Great Videos. Stay Safe.

[@braaappp9950]

All you have to do is carry two spray bottles, one with soap and water and the other with just water. Then you take your dirty dishes and spray with soap spray, wipe of with paper towel, then spray some water then wipe off with paper towel. Boom done.

[@maaax573]

Do you use the same paper towel after spray of soap and after spray of water or do you use a new towel for each step?

[@theresabassemier9901]

Another great video, Amanda!

[@TonyHookedonVanlife]

Dr. Brauner's soaps are biodegradable and can be used to clean your hair, your body, your dishes, your vehicle... lol and just pour it on a tree or bush or "cast it" across a grassy area, with no worries!

[@brandonsunadventure]

Thank you for the great tips!! As a solo SUV camping, I do bring lots of water to wash my utensils 👍👍

[@joybird30]

I wait till I get home to wash some things too! I like the two sinks idea

[@amanda.outside]

Yea the sinks are awesome! They make cleaning so much easier! 😁

[@robaldridge6505]

love portable sinks, I have a different brand that is a rectangle, they work great.. you can hang clean dishes in a mesh bag to dry in the sun...

[@amanda.outside]

Yea the portable sinks have been the best! They really make cleaning so much easier and faster.

[@aboutfeddy]

So helpful, I was waiting for this video so much 😀

[@unpavedexplorer338]

Very interesting video. Those sinks/buckets you have are nice.

[@zagnit]

This is my least favorite part of my trips; thanks for the advice, looking forward to trying this!

[@paulcam8870]

That’s a lot of trouble doing dishes this way. I have 2 spray bottles.. one with water and dish soap and one with just clean water. First I wipe everything with a paper towel… this gets off all food residue. Then spray dishes on all sides.. scrub with a dish cloth or sponge. Next spray with the clean water, taking care to get rid of all the soap. Dry with a tea towel 😊

[@kays749]

I never thought to use two sinks. Great idea, and those collapsible ones don't take up lots of room.

[@amanda.outside]

I honestly was surprised by how much I loved them. They just make cleaning so much easier and it's great because they stack really nicely!

[@wildearthwoman]

I use 2 collapsible dish pans and a collapsible drying rack and let the dishes air dry. Most times I pour grey water into the pit toilet.

[@sophia-O]

This video was so helpful, thank you Amanda 😊

[@tikoy1955]

Good video

[@nancydanison3164]

Another great video. I love your collapsible dish pans. I just got back from a 40 day road trip, my plastic dish pans were always getting in the way and taking up some much space. I love your all your videos, have helped me for backpacking, road tripping and car camping. Where were you filming this video? Northern Arizona or southern Utah? I live in Phoenix and would love to know but understand if you want to keep your great camping spots a secret. Happy Trails!

[@lalabrooke2250]

Is that camp sink available from anywhere besides Walmart? I refuse to shop there, but need something like this.

[@Icutmetal]

Is your google broken?

[@sunshines9186]

Awesome video great tips

[@stephenjones6902]

Great ideas Amanda

[@lifestidepools]

Another great video!

[@lou-anntedesco2567]

Do you clean your skillet?

[@tracyrupp764]

Awesome system.

[@williamlee7782]

I never use a sink despite having the two collapsible buckets you have too. What I do instead is to wipe all items right after use. I have a spray bottle with white vinegar solution as an extra agent or to finish the clean. Never needed to soak anything or use water. Never deployed my buckets as sinks either so they've just been brought to the campgrounds and never needed.

[@avidwarrior9751]

Those collapsing tubs are easy to open putting them on like a hat. Might be wacky, but it works.

[@A2Z1Two3]

I cycle tour and camp with a tent , this is ‘comfy camping’ with loads of stuff😂

[@nat.in.nature]

Definitely helpful!! Thank you!

[@BlackDogDesigns]

Great tips, thank you for sharing 🌲

[@amanda.outside]

You are so welcome!!

[@jodyk4949]

Great job! Thank you 🙏

[@kevinmoreno391]

Thank you

[@calvinmonroe2408]

Great lessons

[@perryknetter8577]

Great video Thank you

[@seniorripper]

How do you sanitize your water jug after it's been sitting for a while. For example, we haven't used ours since the fall, and I'm afraid to just fill it up with water without cleaning it. Bleach?

[@annh3599]

Thanks!

[@awkward-stranger]

I hesitated watching this cause I hate doing dishes. Now can we talk about that VIEW?💚💚 Let's make a green heart the hiker's heart?

[@jeaniec891]

I put water in my skillet or pan and heat up on stove to sanitize

[@Stefinitaaa]

I do also

[@catonines]

Spray bottle with vinegar and water. It disenfects, wipes away clean with paper towels or your favorite dish scrubber and leaves no vinegar smell 👍

[@Wondering_Fireball]

You didn’t list your water storage tank with a spicket I have most of the gear but I haven’t found your water storage container. It would also come in handy for a Hurricane kit.

[@Liz-fv6jh]

I’ve seen people use an old laundry soap container. Those big ones with a spout. Just use up the soap. Rinse it well and use for a cheap version of a dish washing water container. Or I use a water bladder like a camel back or similar for my dish rinsing container.

[@lesliealvarez6958]

I’m sold on just seeing this video

[@EvieVermont]

Vinegar sanitizes dishes FYI. No need for bleach.

[@kainiebergall2474]

have you ever thought about putting the soap onto the sponge - in that case a single small drop will last the complete washing and save money and the environment

[@justinemjkang7504]

I was wondering how you wash a greasy pot after cooking?

[@Stefinitaaa]

1. Wipe it with paper towels. 2. Add a cup of boiling water and a tiny squirt of Dawn. Stir and Dump. This step is to remove most of the grease, so you aren't washing with a sponge in greasy liquid. 3. Add a 2nd cup of very hot water water, a tiny bit of dish soap and now use a cleaning sponge to clean as usual, 4.rinse and dry