How To Wash Dishes When Camping

Heading out into the backcountry doesn’t mean you have to eat off dirty plates. Knowing how to wash dishes when camping is a fundamental skill that keeps your site clean, protects wildlife, and makes your trip more enjoyable. Let’s get into the simple, effective methods for keeping your camp kitchen tidy.

The core principle of washing dishes outdoors is different from at home. You can’t just let the suds run into the dirt. Your goal is to minimize environmental impact, conserve water, and prevent attracting animals to your camp. It’s easier than you think once you know the system.

Why Proper Camp Dishwashing Matters

It’s not just about having a clean mug for your morning coffee. Doing it wrong can cause real problems.

Protects Wildlife: Food scraps and soap residues can make animals sick. It also teaches them to associate campsites with food, leading to dangerous behavior.
Preserves the Environment: Soaps and food particles can pollute nearby water sources and harm aquatic life, even if they’re labeled “biodegradable.”
Keeps Pests Away: A clean camp is far less likely to attract bugs, rodents, and larger critters looking for an easy meal.
Follows Leave No Trace: Proper dishwashing is a key part of the Leave No Trace ethic, ensuring the wilderness stays pristine for others.

The Essential Gear You’ll Need

You don’t need much. In fact, a simple setup is best. Here’s what I always pack:

Three Collapsible Basins or Buckets: This is the gold-standard system. You’ll use them for washing, rinsing, and sanitizing.
Biodegradable Camp Soap: Look for soap that’s phosphate- and perfume-free. Remember, “biodegradable” doesn’t mean you can dump it anywhere.
Scrub Brush or Sponge: A small brush with stiff bristles works great. Pack it in a zip-top bag so it doesn’t get everything else wet.
Quick-Dry Camp Towel: Microfiber towels are perfect for drying or for straining food particles out of waste water.
Strainer or Mesh Bag: A small strainer or even a bandana works to catch food scraps.
Extra Water Containers: You’ll need more water than you think just for cleaning.

A Note on Water Heating

Warm water cuts grease much better than cold. You can heat a small pot of water on your camp stove right after cooking. It doesn’t need to be boiling—just comfortably hot. This makes the whole process faster and more effective.

The Step-by-Step Dishwashing Method

Follow these steps in order for a clean, eco-friendly result every time.

Step 1: Scrape and Prep

Before you add any water, scrape every bit of food waste off your plates, pots, and utensils. Use a rubber spatula or a dedicated camp scraper. Put all these scraps into your trash bag to be packed out. This is the most important step for keeping your wash water clean.

Step 2: Set Up Your Three-Basin System

Fill your three basins with a few liters of water each. Use warm water if possible.

Basin 1 (Wash): Add a few drops of camp soap. A little goes a long way.
Basin 2 (Rinse): Plain, clean water for rinsing off soap suds.
Basin 3 (Sanitize): For this basin, add a capful of unscented bleach or a commercial camp sanitizer. This step is crucial for killing germs, especially if you’re out for more than a couple days.

Step 3: Wash, Rinse, and Sanitize

Scrub each item thoroughly in the soapy Wash basin.
Dip it into the Rinse basin to remove all soap residue.
Finally, let it soak for a minute in the Sanitize basin.

Work from cleanest items (cups, utensils) to dirtiest (greasy pots) to keep your wash water useful longer.

Step 4: Dry and Store

Let your dishes air dry completely on a clean rack or towel. Don’t wipe them with a towel that might have germs on it. Once dry, store them in a clean bin or bag. This prevents contamination before your next meal.

Disposing of Waste Water (The Gray Water)

This is where most campers go wrong. You can’t just toss your soapy water into the bushes.

Strain It First: Pour your used wash water through a strainer, bandana, or towel into another container to catch any tiny food particles. Pack these particles out with your trash.
Disperse It Widely: Carry the strained gray water at least 200 feet (about 70 adult steps) away from any campsite, trail, or water source like a lake or stream. Scatter it broadly over a wide area of soil where it can filter naturally.
Check Campground Rules: In established campgrounds, there’s often a designated gray water drain. Always use it if available.

Alternative Methods for Backpacking

When you’re carrying everything on your back, the three-basin system is too heavy. Here are lightweight approaches.

The “Dirty Bag” Method

Pack a dedicated stuff sack or zip-top bag. After scraping your pot, add a splash of water and a drop of soap, seal it, and shake it vigorously. Give it a good scrub with your fingers or a small brush. Rinse with a small amount of clean water, and dispose of the gray water properly.

Natural Cleaning Agents

In a pinch, you can use clean sand, snow, or pine needles as a mild abrasive to scrub out a pot. It’s not as effective as soap, but it’s better than nothing and has zero impact. Always follow with a hot water rinse if you can.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

I’ve seen these errors many times, and I’ve probably made a few myself early on.

Using Too Much Soap: You only need a few drops. Excess soap makes rinsing hard and is worse for the environment.
Washing Near Water Sources: Never wash dishes directly in a lake, river, or stream. Always carry water well away from the shore.
Skipping the Sanitizing Step: In the woods, getting sick from dirty dishes can ruin your trip. Don’t skip the bleach rinse.
Leaving Food Scraps Behind: Burrying food scraps is not a reliable method. Animals will dig them up. You must pack out all food waste.

Tips for Making It Easier

A few small habits can streamline your camp kitchen cleanup.

Clean As You Go: Wash a few items right after each meal instead of facing a huge pile at the end of the day.
Use a Spray Bottle: A small spray bottle with rinse water can help conserve water during the rinsing stage.
Pre-Cook Meals: Repackage meals into boil-in-bag pouches or use freezer-bag cooking to minimize dirty pots.
Eat Directly from the Pot: For solo trips, cooking and eating from the same pot means you only have one item to clean.

FAQ: Your Camp Dishwashing Questions Answered

What if I don’t have three basins?

You can use large zip-top bags, stuff sacks, or even clean plastic bags. The key is having separate containers for each stage to avoid re-contaminating your clean dishes.

Is biodegradable soap safe to use in rivers?

No. Even biodegradable soap needs soil to properly break down. It can still harm fish and plants in water. Always wash and dispose of water at least 200 feet from any water source.

How do I wash dishes when camping in winter?

The process is the same, but it’s much harder. Heat water more frequently to keep it from freezing in your basins. Dry dishes immediately to prevent ice from forming on them. Hand sanitizer is less effective in the cold, so the bleach sanitize step is even more important.

Can I just use baby wipes?

While handy for a quick wipe, baby wipes don’t sanitize and they create trash you have to pack out. They’re a temporary fix, not a replacement for proper washing, especially for greasy dishes.

Final Thoughts on Keeping a Clean Camp

Mastering how to wash dishes when camping is a simple but vital part of responsible outdoor recreation. It keeps you healthy, protects the wildlife we all go out to see, and ensures the next camper finds a beautiful site. With a little practice, this system becomes a quick and easy part of your daily routine, leaving you more time to relax and enjoy the view. Just remember the golden rules: scrape everything, pack out your scraps, and always dispose of water far from natural sources.