How to Wash Dishes While Camping

When going camping, many people worry about what they'll have to do when it comes time to clean up. One of the most common worries is whether or not there will be a designated area where you can wash your dishes. This article breaks down the process of washing dishes while camping and helps you achieve this goal with ease with 3 Easy Steps.

Get Rid Of The Excess Food.

You’ll want to get rid of excess food by scraping it off the side of your plate and into a trash bag or containers if you plan on eating it later. If you need to dispose of your food, look for a trash can on site to prevent wildlife from entering your campsite at night trying to look for your food. This considers safety for yourself and others around you.

Bucket & Soap

While camping, you will inevitably have to do your dishes. If you have access to a sink, it's best to run them under the faucet and let them air dry. Otherwise, you'll need use a couple of buckets to wash your dishes. You can start by filling up one bucket with warm water from your kettle, place your dishes in there and start cleaning. If possible, prevent using soap that contains phosphates but if you really have to, it is important to use soap only when necessary. Taking a Leave No Trace approach, there are sometimes times when soap may not be necessary at all. If you are going with the Leave No Trace philosophy, look for biodegradable options. Consider that even seemingly environmentally friendly soaps take a long time to completely disappear.

Dispose

Strain the gray water into a single pot using a bandana or a plastic bag with straining holes cut in it to capture food residue. Then, dump the food residue into the trash that you're planning to pack out. Get rid of the gray water by digging a sump hole that's far away, about 200 feet, from your campsite. Dig a small hole that is about 6-8-inch-deep and dump the straining water into it. You may also place it around multiple directions, spray it, or flush if you have access to water. Be sure to do this especially if you know bears roam the area. 

Why You Should Wash Dishes While Camping

It's a lot easier to clean dishes in a camping spot than to carry it with you to your next camping spot or your home. By that time, the food may already be spoiled and now you have a bigger problem. Knotty Pine Campground makes it effortless when it comes to the cleanliness of your campsite. We have fresh water and wildlife safe trash bins for your convenience. 

Extra Tips On Where To Store Your Dishes

To make the most of your camping experience, you should prepare for it in advance. You need to bring a lot of camping supplies and things to keep the campsite clean. One thing that is often forgotten are dishes. When you're finished with dinner and cleaning up, you need somewhere to store all those dishes until morning. One option is to place them in your cooler. Be sure that they are dry to prevent mildew within your dishes if you are placing them into your cooler. The extra moisture may cause bacteria to grow onto your dishes and they’ll need to be washed again for your next use. 

Knotty Pine Campground For Your Next Destination

Book your next camping trip with Knotty Pine Camp. We’re located along the banks of the Provo River and the campsite is blessed with an amazing view and scenery, complete with well-maintained amenities. The river offers premier, blue-ribbon trout fishing. Rainbow and brown trout reach record lengths in the river, with a typical fish running 18 inches or larger. As a result, the pristine waters of the Provo River provide exceptional fishing, recreation, and outdoor adventure! Groves of maples and hundred-year-old junipers surround the park.