Ever since I can remember, camping, we've brought Dr. Bronner's pepperment soap. I'm not sure why - I guess I love the refreshing feeling of the peppermint to wash the grime off in camp (not in the lake, obviously). But I've noticed it really doesn't do a great job for washing dishes, there's always an oily film left over no matter how well we wash. I wonder what other folks use that is easy on the environment but does a good job for dishes?

I've heard that some folks just use a little Dawn and dump the grey water far from water or camp.

Mad_Angler: "I've heard that some folks just use a little Dawn and dump the grey water far from water or camp. "

+1

scotttimm: "Ever since I can remember, camping, we've brought Dr. Bronner's pepperment soap. I'm not sure why - I guess I love the refreshing feeling of the peppermint to wash the grime off in camp (not in the lake, obviously). But I've noticed it really doesn't do a great job for washing dishes, there's always an oily film left over no matter how well we wash. I wonder what other folks use that is easy on the environment but does a good job for dishes?"

We've used Dr Bronner's peppermint soap for over 40 years of paddling adventures and 10 years of backpacking before that. Smells great, and we use it for our bodies as well as our dishes & pots. Our cooking, however, is generally hot water (oatmeal, coffee, tea, etc) and rehydrating/heating meals we've dried at home, so we generally don't have the oily film issue.

And if you're going crazy in a tent on a rain/wind day, the Dawn label isn't nearly as interesting as the Dr Bronner's label!

TZ

scotttimm: "Ever since I can remember, camping, we've brought Dr. Bronner's pepperment soap. I'm not sure why - I guess I love the refreshing feeling of the peppermint to wash the grime off in camp (not in the lake, obviously). But I've noticed it really doesn't do a great job for washing dishes, there's always an oily film left over no matter how well we wash. I wonder what other folks use that is easy on the environment but does a good job for dishes?"

Dr Bronner's for the body.

Wilderness Wash or Campsuds for dishes, done away from camp...

AmarilloJim: "

Mad_Angler: "I've heard that some folks just use a little Dawn and dump the grey water far from water or camp. "

+1"

+2

Maybe Im in the minority but I don't use any. Just a little bit of sand or dirt to scrub my pot and wipe the grime off me. But I don't make big elaborate meals out their either. As a soloist usually its just a one pot meal.

Campsuds or Wilderness Wash for me also. Sea to Summit has little leaves that weigh next to nothing. I purchased them and used them but I prefer the liquid (cost-wise). I only bring a couple oz. I think it's Wilderness Wash that has a Citronella formula, it really does help with mosquitos.

I don't do my dishes until I get home. just a rinse. My oatmeal bowl and a spork are the only things that get any food on them. My trips are usually 5 days and solo so I just rinse myself in the lake (no soap) and use a baby wipe type thing for the nooks and crannies

First off, it eludes me why anyone would want a soap that smells like anything a bear might be interested in like peppermint, but I know Dr B has been a trusted brand for many for a long time.

Secondly, I just read my bottle of Dawn and was impressed that they say it has no phosphates - that is great. It also has biodegradable surfactants, whatever they are. They also fully embrace on the bottle and advertising that they are the choice of oil contaminated baby duck scrubbers. Madison Avenue could never have contrived a better pitch than a photo of baby ducks getting a life saving scrub with Dawn. I’m probably being overly cynical here, but with tens of millions of gallons of crude oil flopping about, I doubt the scrubbers first concern is biodegradable surfactants. I also wouldn’t be surprised if the Dawn guys don’t instantly ship a few 55 gallon barrels to every oil spill they hear about.

I use Dawn at home and I don’t know chemically how it compares to biodegradable soaps designed for wilderness camping, but so far I’m inclined to stick with a wilderness developed soap like Wilderness Wash from Sea to Summit - a company built around the wilderness. More expensive? An $7.95 bottle last me about 6 - 8 trips (REI rebate not included). The BWCA is already about the cheapest vacation out there. Wilderness Wash or Camp Suds isn’t going to break anyone’s budget.

And if it helps, keep your Dr. B bottle and just fill it up with Wilderness Wash. Then you have better reading on rainy days.

I only have a spoon, so I just sanitize it.

Wilderness Wash

I like the Dr. Bronners Tea Tree or Eucalyptus flavor- though I use the peppermint as well. Hang the eucalyptus scent with your food or you'll be overrun by koala bears.

Camp Suds because it works on everything, including me.

Campsuds for dishes on group trips. I just hot soak food for solos so I just shake water in my Talenti jar and drink the dregs...no soap. Never bother with soap for hair or body unless out for more than 2 weeks. I just swim everyday. Good enough for me.

Read the labels. Choose wisely. Use in a responsible manner so we can continue to enjoy the BW.

Campsuds is one of those smells that instantly brings past camping and canoeing trips to mind, so I always bring a small bottle for laundry, bird baths, dishes etc. . I also carry a second re-purposed Campsuds bottle with a little bit of Dawn for greasier items.

paddlinjoe: "Campsuds is one of those smells that instantly brings past camping and canoeing trips to mind, so I always bring a small bottle for laundry, bird baths, dishes etc. . I also carry a second re-purposed Campsuds bottle with a little bit of Dawn for greasier items. "

We use Bronner's. On solos I just use some gravel and pine needles to scrub any pots I use. My wife uses Bronners on the dishes when we trip together.

I shower every day in the woods. It's just my thing. I use a sun shower, but generally it's still fairly cold water. I love the smell and the refreshing feeling Bronner's provides. It also rinses well. I'm not sure of the long term efficacy of Bronner's on a longer trip, though...after about a week, my armpits smell even after using the stuff liberally and religiously. Not trying to be gross or TMI... but we are talking about the effectiveness of soap after all.

Mike

dschult2: "Maybe Im in the minority but I don't use any. Just a little bit of sand or dirt to scrub my pot and wipe the grime off me. But I don't make big elaborate meals out their either. As a soloist usually its just a one pot meal."

I agree with you. I don't know what people think Dawn or any other soap is doing. Killing all those nasties that were on your...cooked food? Just get the debris off and move on, avoid grease if possible, use sand if not. Sterilize your stuff when you get home, if that makes you feel better

GutRooster: "

dschult2: "Maybe Im in the minority but I don't use any. Just a little bit of sand or dirt to scrub my pot and wipe the grime off me. But I don't make big elaborate meals out their either. As a soloist usually its just a one pot meal."

I agree with you. I don't know what people think Dawn or any other soap is doing. Killing all those nasties that were on your...cooked food? Just get the debris off and move on, avoid grease if possible, use sand if not. Sterilize your stuff when you get home, if that makes you feel better
"

Since this was my original post - we are always at least 6 people, often 9. At least 3 kids. Lots of cooking so eat of out the pouch type meals not an option and one spoon and just lick it thing won't work. We always have at least one night of fish, usually add ghee to instant mashed potatoes, fry up pre-cooked bacon and cook powdered eggs in it, pancakes is a staple...and the kids all take turn doing dishes...so the direction to just wipe it with a little dirt probably won't go over well. I'm not very worried about germs, it's the grease film that gets progressively worse and kinda gross after like day 3. Though I guess we are all sharing dishes and anytime you get a group of 9 people together it's probably good to get things decently clean so as not to pass germs if someone has a cold or something. And yes - we run all the cookware through the dishwasher when we get back because, well, kids are gross.

Scott,
If you can incorporate a pot of boiling water into your clean-up routine you can eliminate the grease issue. Makes the type of soap less critical. If using a fire, put one pot of lake water on to heat while everyone is eating. At wash-up time, divide into washing and rinsing water and turn the kids loose. (Let the water cool a bit.) A folding basin is a good addition. With that number of campers, you probably have the hardware and certainly the manpower to get the dishes cleaned up well.
Dispose of the water well back in the woods. The larger the group, the more important a good system is for efficiency.

As the pandemic is driving me a bit nuts I am getting into some experimentation. I also like to travel very light.
I am going to try and make those paper soap sheets with Castile soap and dissolvable paper. I may try some with grease cutting soap to use with dishes when needed.
I was thinking I would play with them and see what minimally sized pieces I would need to do the job.
It may not work, but it should be interesting.

What I do is wipe boil water then discard water wipe again then turn the pot or pan upside down over high flame for about 30 seconds. We carry no soap for dishes. Worked for over thirty years and 50 plus trips.

with the exception on a longer trip with a kettle bath & clean hands for cooking , no soap boil water in the pan wipe clean with a paper towel-toss in fire.