LOOK AFTER YOURSELF in the Outdoors | Hygiene in the Field.

Camping Hygiene Kit:
Keeping yourself warm and clean is an important during your outdoor adventures.
Here I take a look at the items that will help you to look after yourself in the outdoors. Includes natural resources you can find in the outdoors to help keep yourself clean.
The essential items for your wild camping kit list.
The video and/or the description may contain some affiliate links. This means if you buy one of the products we recommend, we’ll make a small commission which helps us continue to make 100% videos. We never recommend anything we haven’t used or don’t 100% believe in.

[@hunterG60k]

Another good source of "soap" is conkers! Boil some water and pour into a container with the conkers, leave it over night and in the morning the liquid can be used to wash clothes (not sure about skin). You can repeat the process a couple of times with each batch of conkers.

[@wolfenstein6676]

Remove the skins when washing whites, otherwise, just leave them on. English ivy can be used for the same thing, the benefit of this plant is it's available all year round.

[@banksarenotyourfriends]

You can also just wet a leaf from a Horse Chestnut and scrunch it up in your hand, to get a small amount of soap for your hands/face.

[@hunterG60k]

@@banksarenotyourfriends Cool, didn't know that one :)

[@nigelgregory4777]

Good mention of horse chestnut, in the UK it is a garden tree, it was planted in large gardens and parks so it is not found in the wild, only used the leaves so its good to know about the nuts and will play with them next autumn, take care all 👍

[@ehtozedbushcraft4803]

Funny Hygiene story. Years ago out with a number of people. One young lad disappeared into a portapottie for a while. Came out towel drying his face. As this was unusual we asked why and he said he shaved in there. We asked how he shaved and he let us know he used the sink. As there is no sink inside but only a urinal, more questions were asked (turns out he plugged the drain with toilet paper, added water from his canteen and did a cold water shave). Been close to 25 years and I still laugh thinking of this guy shaving out of a urinal used by 30 of his closest friends.

[@yellowboot6629]

Toilet Paper First 😚! 🤣🤣🤣...and the big parashute 🤩☝️

[@baronedipiemonte3990]

Superb ! It's amazing how this topic is oft forgotten/overlooked. For so many reasons it's vital, especially in a survival scenario. Good health/hygiene = good morale = improved survivability. For myself, I carry unscented baby wipes, and hand sanitizer. One hack I learned from my late father, a WW2 veteran, is to shave at night. Your skin and pores have a few hours to recover and you won't get razor/sweat burn once you are back on the move, or working on your camp in the morning. Your pine needle tea for hygiene, and the moss was absolutely golden !

[@najroe]

The shave at night is also good for very cold weather (I live 65 degrees North latitude so -40 or lower is not unknown).

[@fistsmcnasty]

The only person to do a video about this. This was also much more polite than the way he was taught to get clean in the outdoors I think. Great video again!

[@eireannerussell9211]

The lower leg of a nylon stocking is s great soap holder/hanger. With a loop for the wrist it stays close at hand. It also works as a basic wash rag

[@pnyarrow]

Hi Nick. Thanks once again for an on the button video. Stay safe. ATB. Nigel.

[@MarkFidell]

Really brilliant video. It’s very hard to find decent videos on the essentials like this and that was spot on. Thank you.

[@PlayaSinNombre]

Scrub-a-dub-dub, three marines in a tub.

[@vincentrogister5006]

What an underrated topic but so important I had a brother cooki g on an expedition in the north pole, he slept with wet wipes so they wouldn't freeze and could give himself a whole bath in the morning. Some others weren't doing this and developed nasty skin rashes and couldn't work because of them

[@susanp.collins7834]

I have a little flat squeezy bottle that holds 60mls of shampoo. Shampoo is good for hair, face and hands. GOOD shampoo (I use Pantene). Also I make my own toothpaste tabs. I can clean my teeth AND rinse my mouth with half a cup of water. I use the little sponges from the tops of pill bottles to wash myself. I pour a little deoderent into a tiny container and apply a little to my armpits with a fingertip. I always carry Bicarbonate of Soda - thats useful for lots of stuff including repairs with superglue. I individually wrap antibacterial wet wipes.

[@forrestphoenix318]

"4 Troop ZULU Company RMC" made a video about hygiene in the field, and their morning routine. I thought they were spectacular in showing the military version of camping and found it super useful. This video is the same, knowing what you military guys do in the field is great to learn from because it's literally "battle tested" lol. As an example I would have never thought of cleaning myself keeping my clothes on to retain the heat, no camping person is gonna tell you that.

[@JohnAlot]

Just watched that video. That's EXACTLY how I keep clean in the field. Thanks for the recommendation.

[@toastbrot63]

Yeah, such an important point! I didn't think about this before 😅

[@Dantick09]

Pierce a hole in the middle of the bar of soap and pass a loop of paracord though and hang it to dry from your pack.when there is too little soap left put in a small mesh bag instead

[@hammerhound168]

Wood ash can be used to brush your teeth. Also used as a dry shampoo for your hair. A smoke bath from your fire will neutralize body odor. Of course, none of these will keep you warm and comfy on a cold night in a sack.

[@billyaitken1713]

🤔morning shave in a 58pattern mug, it's a bit like bivvying under a poncho..... once you no longer have to, the temptation is always there to go a bit more luxurious & grand. Inappropriate layering & getting clothes sweaty is a great point......you don't see RMC / PARA wearing the merino / thermals when they're hard on the march. Airing off & elevating your feet is great after a hard slog & it's good to factor it into your self admin. 😎👍 Bruise-up those pine needles with the hilt of your survival knife👍

[@philotown]

Another very informative and really useful video young feller. Our MO said, "Never wash your feet with soap lads, as you will wash off the natural oils and they will blister more easily and they will also get smellier". I found that to be absolutely correct and have only washed my feet with water for 50 odd years now and they never get smelly. The leaves of the birch tree will lather up with a little bit of water and the suds are anti-bacterial. So many uses for that tree. And a biggie for me - A couple of big handfuls of soft moss makes a really good effective bum wipe. 😊

[@reaverman]

I have two cloths, one for above the waste, and the other below😊

[@Squirrel200]

Nice leg! 😳 you need some sun ! 🙄 😂😆😂😆😂 great video ! Hugs

[@Mohdock]

For many years I have just used a bog standard microfibre cloth (40cmx40cm). Wash with it, rinse it out, wring it out and dry off.

[@Rogar0]

Yep, Fairy Nuff! 👍🙃

[@Tom_Bee_]

Great info. A much under discussed topic brought out into the light. Not sexy, like an axe, or a lump of steak, but the more you know...

[@andycoombes161]

I'm an Matelot and still have a pair of pussers woolen socks 31 years after leaving.... They are still going strong as well. Obviously not worn all the time but pretty impressive. Maybe a record. I'm wearing them as I type this:)

[@Vonfluff]

Belting video. Going to share with with my cadets.

[@marksadventures3889]

A small nail clipper is very useful for many tasks. Cutting lines of monofilament for fishing- dressing hooks etc Cutting the pine needles right down, cooking use and another set for personal admin. Don't mix them. I may set 3 lines ready baited around a body of water. That's for long journeys. Now my tour bike is ready it's time to fix my mtb - it's my packhorse and carries all I need. On foot I might travel up to 30 miles on a good day - by bike it's more like 60 to 80 miles. If you're into shtf stuff you should have an mtb rat bike and packed to go.

[@Ocxlocxl]

well, I couldnt resist.... I went to amazon and bought some pine tar soap.....I am so easily influenced - I nearly bought a camo waterproof bag, but then perhaps I will write to santa instead.

[@canadafree2087]

I did a test with the name brand freezer bags at home, those with that plastic tab and the ones with a double lock seal. Dropped in the tub with the same water content sent the plastic tab flying off making the bag useless. The non-tab bag from the same company landed into the tub without opening.

[@edpikestone6800]

Good tip about pine needle tea.

[@BlesamaSoul]

I loved the boot bag! A clean pair of socks...most people will never know the joy because they have never been utterly soaked overnight, exhuasted from days in the field and distance tabbing. I can remember being in Germany sat in a hay barn post overnight 15 miles of rain and ice, having cleaned myself up and just placed a pair of clean socks on...... truly wonderful feeling, small things in life matter, I was ready for another day! Great video, most preppers and bushcraft types won't show how to clean yourself up properly, it'll be more like carry on camping.

[@williamirelan9332]

Marino is of course the best option but when stuck with polyester I use lysol ( dettol in the UK ) disinfectant concentrate in the wash and it kills the bacteria that causes odor. I have psoriasis and can't use chemical deodorant but with the lysol I stay fresh. Lysol makes a laundry sanitizer but it is scented and I don't want a scented product. Pine tar soap is excellent and recommended by MD for people with psoriasis or sensitive skin.

[@seasoldier3902]

Splendid presentation as usual Nick. Having a "bird bath" at the end of the day and in the morning helps to keep the morale high. When out on the AT other hikers, even the former military personnel, did not wash at the end of the day's yomp. Old habits die hard and had to set the example! Crushing Horse Chestnut leaves with water. That makes a soapy lather! Mountainwarehouse has a range of thin microfibre towels that are very thin but absorbent. The sizes range from flannel to bath towel size and are very cheap. If the CinC Nag Home allows me shore leave hope to see you again for a bimble!

[@RawIpharadisi]

Love your demonstrations of non-strip cleaning, Nick! Here in the Land Down Under, we use Acacia Longifolia leaves which are very high in saponins. Crush them and rub them in the hands with a little water and you get a nice lather. It also provides masking of human scent, ideal for being un-trackable. I love the flavour of pine needle tea ~ we can use Monterary Pine (Pinus Radiatus) in Australia ~ it's a catch 22 for me 'to boil or not to boil?'. Boiling the pine needles is essential for extracting the shikimic acid (neutralises spk proteins) and yet if you want the more delicate constituents, like vit. C, then you don't boil ~ hehe maybe the best practice is to frequently alternate methods to receive both :)

[@RawIpharadisi]

​@@hiddenvalleybushcraft5683 oh that's fabulous, indeed there is sooo much to explore! Hopefully, this current worldly madness is overthrown and we can travel freely once again! Once the new year arrives, after months of prior planning, I will be going dark and into the remote wilderness for an indefinite period of time. The wilderness is my sanctuary and a balm to my soul. I know you get it! I am going to miss seeing your face and hearing your pearls of wisdom splashed perfectly with good humour! Thank you for the gift of all your wonderful content and authentic presence here! I hope we cross paths one day! Carpe Diem, Nick! Go further! Sleep Wild! 🤗

[@Ricc131]

Told ya this was one to do 😊 good work Nick 👍

[@Katherine-zi6mw]

3yrs in Bwangwelu Swamps with ash and salt for toothpaste, lost a couple of teeth but hey ho... wouldn’t have missed it for the world. Nor the other 30 years in remote locations... not one tummy bug or sickness due to lack of hygiene. Only malaria 😳.

[@paulfranks195]

Good advice thank you. If ever proof was needed how important this topic is, try lasting four days with no personal admin. Very quickly the appetite disappears because all and any food tastes disgusting.

[@kokopelau6954]

For brushing your teeth and leaving your breath smelling fresh, try good old "Baking Soda!" It's been used for over 100 years and tastes better than charcoal and doesn't harm you're tooth enamel.

[@glenncocup3915]

A very useful and useful video.

[@PurifiedShino]

Always wondered how to number 2 without toilet roll.

[@davekelly9657]

Great info. Thanks 👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@renza481]

Tip: if you have marinowool hang it out in the wind, next to the fire or when it's warm out hang it with some clips and 550 cord to your pack. While walking it will dry in the sun.

[@fredetricko5555]

Haha drying the wool👌👌

[@JohnAlot]

I prefer to strip to the waist using a small washcloth "flannel" to soap, and a large towel to dry; then reversing the nudity for the nether regions in the winter. I've never had to do it in temperatures lower than 30F or -1C. it's better than a up of coffee to wake one up!! I remember my hair freezing after a wash in my teenage years. Now I'm smart enough to put a cap on before that happens.

[@DisabledPrepper]

Finally a proper outdoors video with lots of information! Thank you so very much for this! Really enjoyed it! Warm regards, disabled prepper.

[@FidoHouse]

Neat ways and things to try! Thanks.

[@neilwarnock1449]

Great video on an underrated topic. Couple of tips from my service days down-under; a small shaving brush (even with the handle cut down) will use a mere fraction of hot water compared to heating in a canteen cup then splashing all over one’s face. The other tip I have is that I always (and I mean always - as I carried it with my field message notebook) had a nail file!!! A badly torn nail is far more debilitating than most people imagine and can easily become septic. One of the most appreciated bits of kit I’d routinely carry.

[@keithsmith5639]

Brilliant video Nick. I wish those microfibre cloths were invented when I was in the army. That was a long time ago , no Internet or mobile phones lol.

[@hammerhound168]

At least we had a big steel pot helmet to bathe in.

[@codedsky]

Charcoal's, as he said, not good for long term use. It grinds away your teeth with long term use. (same goes for commercial charcoal toothpaste, throw it in the bin)

[@artistgigot2044]

Thank you. Lots of great info.

[@matthewvelo]

It's funny how the ultralight hikers I camp with all think I'm old and soft for washing properly each day (old habits). I think that there are some Acacia leaves in Australia that make a decent soap, but I just take a squeeze bottle and small towel. Downside of course is that when you're the only one who's clean, you can smell everyone else!

[@RussBoothey]

Try a cake of soap tied into the foot end of a stocking. The tail can act as a lanyard too. Used for many moons in Australia.

[@najroe]

Yup, here in north sweden too, have one tied to my bag, my "favourite" is toe end from one of wifes nylon pantyhose, dries very fast.

[@margueritemitchell1829]

Hello from British Columbia 🇨🇦 5:54AM..Was traveling with a friend we stopped for the night at the side of the highway heated water and washed before crawling in to downy bags... below freezing. It made such a difference..we were driving not even hiking about☺️ and that hand sanitizer is an accelerant for starting fires

[@vikingbushcraft1911]

Great vid 👏👏 And very necessary - as my partner once said with a roll of the eyes ‘“Bushcrafters - you can smell them before you see them….”

[@earlshaner4441]

Hi from Syracuse NY USA brother and thank you for sharing your thoughts and adventures

[@trevorday7979]

Chalk another one up to the great vid collection Nick. Imperative topic for the field and some great tips. Keep them coming mate. 👍🤝🍻

[@cripplers8]

Always looking forward to your Sunday morning vids here in the US….. Thanks Nick. cheers mate. ~Bob

[@webb618]

Well done! Thanks nick

[@MrDosonhai]

It's liquid soap for me. Much more convenient and you won't lose the soap if your hand slipped.

[@killerkirill1]

As always a valuable video - concise, technical, lively with no nonsense. Thank you!

[@h.bsfaithfulservant4136]

Always a great watch Nick 👍👊

[@primalbiomechanics-willmon6166]

Hey Nick, big fan of your videos and of the craft of the bush, great engaging presentation and awesome wealth of information, were local to Bristol so will have to come to one of your courses soon. I was wondering where I could purchase one of your Hidden Valley Bushcraft Moral patches ive seen on your gear? couldnt find them on your website, they look great. Take care and keep up the great work -Will

[@maryhairy1]

Great info here! Thx

[@oaknhazel541]

Great topic and yes, often overlooked! Staying clean is staying healthy, physically and mentally. I wasn’t aware of not boiling the pine needles… now I know my mistake! Thank you!

[@petezahrbock9931]

Great job.

[@vi0205]

Great Tips! See you next week Nick!

[@mhpupacios]

Excellent advice as always

[@jakubmarcinkowski8688]

Absolutely love your channel :)

[@stephengarrett8076]

Great vid! Brought back some memories washing out of a crusader cup. Like the bringing in of natural soap etc very important if you’re left with minimal to no kit. Nice one.

[@stefanrobinson2920]

Top tips there Nick thankyou.much more detailed than my old ACF version lol.. iv now got the full Crusader kit.so Nicks full bushbath tip is next on my tryout list. Cheers buddie keep these videos comming im learning loads ;-)

[@nigelgregory4777]

Great presentation Nick, I love pine tar soap, get it from tesco, I keep it in a zip lock bag, the green vinyl bowl I don't try to fold, I put it in the bottom of my rucksack and pack into it, it helps to keep it's shape and mykota powder is the best, I also like good quality baby wipes especially around the pits and bits when travelling light, Once again many thanks for making this a really informative video, you'll struggle to find another video like this, 👍👍☕☕❤

[@andrewscrivens9586]

Great vid Nick! Thanks for sharing 👏🤝

[@zeshan144]

Thank you for taking the time and effort to share your knowledge ❤️

[@seanevans874]

I use Dr Bronners peppermint pure Castile soap it can be used for everything, washing body and hair, washing clothes, shaving and even toothpaste. Great for washing dishes as well can even be put on sensitive skin to ease. Fantastic product cut out all the little containers and goes a long way

[@sac7890]

Thanks! I really liked the info on the natural options toward the end.

[@darriendastar3941]

Again. Superbly informative. Thank you.

[@WoodyAndy]

Some great advice there that's often overlooked. Atb, Andy

[@stuffthings3481]

Crackin vid as always 🥰

[@je710817]

Thank you good topic ! We did the same routine in the army ..lesson learn for life👍🏾

[@tubefreakmuva]

I always get alot from your posts! Cheers

[@jimmysqueezyronin5623]

Excellent vid 👍

[@stevents1130]

Great video as always, often overlooked area, always important to look after your kit. Especially your personal kit. To help maintain positive physical and mental health 👏👏👍

[@brucematys6064]

Another excellent video Nick. This is the best video I have ever seen on this topic. Hygiene is often over looked but extremely important when discussing bushcraft scenarios. Cheers Nick and keep these excellent videos coming! 🍻🇨🇦

[@kakarikiIck]

Great information and tips as usual. Thank You very much for making these videos!

[@knucker4931]

A Giraffe pool AND sea to summit bowl. Have you been looking through my kit!?

[@scotty5717]

Enjoyed this one with the humour.. 'don't be washing ya bum THEN your face'

[@5115BOBBY]

Thanks very much. That was quite simply excellent and to point. No bull just great and informative.

[@ryanc822003]

Love your videos Nick one of the best informational bushcraft on KZbin and no BS along the way. Keep up the good work 👌 so glad you didn’t go for the “wet and dry routine” don’t think I could take those flash backs 😂

[@paulc7783]

Great video again Nick! Good personal admin is half the battle out there. I still remember the mess tin washes and shaves from back in the day. Sends a shudder through me 😄

[@earlshaner4441]

Tin foil shiny side up pad and sleeping bag with extra blankets and warm hat for the head and hand warmers to heat up the sleeping bag

[@ScoOutDoors]

Another brilliant informative video thanks very much for sharing this Nick 💪👍🏕🔥🥩

[@toastbrot63]

Great video! Thanks for sharing your knowledge again! It's so important to stay clean and more healthy because of that! Most people forget that point 😅

[@teresamalinowska7110]

Very interesting and informative 👍

[@mikel6517]

From the 1980’s it was a cotton towel, bar of soap, soap dish, shave stick and brush and the routine you were taught then came biodegradable liquid soap from camping shops, micro fibre towels and the best of all shave oil and wet wipes biodegradable

[@mikel6517]

@@hiddenvalleybushcraft5683 yes I used the Somerset one what a difference once out of training

[@drewtownsend6858]

Another great video I really enjoy and learn alot from all your videos thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge

[@sheraliawan7859]

Practical advices, wonderful presentation and full of positivity. Respect and love ❤ for you sir.

[@redred333]

awesome

[@stevej7875]

Wow, just another excellent indepth and unique tutorial on the basics of hygiene & cleanliness which we thought we knew but didn't. Top video again Nick...👍🏕

[@hildegardkhelfa5358]

Very informative and great video. Thank you again for all your effort. I am outdoors since my youth but one can always learn more and do better. Have a wonderful Sunday :-)

[@leslieharding8560]

A Merry Christmas to you and your family 🎄🎄🎄🎄 Have really enjoyed learning so much about camping and bushcraft, and your teaching style has made it easier and enjoyable to put into practice. Looking forward to more 'stuff' in the New Year, Many Thanks 👍👍

[@ahuman5456]

Thanks for another great video fella ... FWIW: Horse Chestnut (leaves and conkers) are rich in saponins as well 😉

[@clarencespady9009]

Great Stuff, as always. Here in the States we have similar plant species of plants that fill the void of a lack of soap. I often carry multiple containers of "hand sanitizer" as it is also a flame extender CB

[@freddyoutdoors]

Great tips and super content as per

[@freddyoutdoors]

@@hiddenvalleybushcraft5683 always good to keep learning new skills

[@russeljohn3471]

Another interesting and informative video from HVB. 😊👍