We have always used the standard green campsuds soap. It has been our standard for years but with the move to concentrated soaps in the residential market, I was wondering if anyone has used anything that has good cleaning power, is biodegradable and is more compact.
Troutbreath- if looking for compactness, just re-bottle Campsuds in something smaller. I use a small Nalgene (2oz?) bottle to carry soap. Have never run out on any trip up to 10 days in length.
"The trouble with the world isn't that people know too little, but that they know so much that just ain't so."
Mark Twain
I do the same a Gutmon. I have a small squeeze bottle I refill before each trip with enough campsuds, doctor broners or whatever I have around. No sense bringing more soap then is needed and if it is Dr Broners it is multi purpose.
"When a man is part of his canoe, he is part of all that canoes have ever known."
Sigurd F. Olson
We don't use soap. A little sand or gravel, whatever you can come up with, pine needles maybe, take it off into the woods and work it over really good, a little more water and its good to go.
Less to carry, less to dispose of.
I use the small scrubby pads with the soap already in them.I bring 2 for a trip. Very light and convenient. I keep them in their own plastic bag. I know if I brought dish soap it would be all over my gear.
Dr. Bronner's. Use it for everything from dishes to hair to toothpaste if you're in a pinch. Plus its minty enough to clear your sinuses when the pines are kicking out pollen
"Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after" -Thoreau
I find that Campsuds doesn't cut grease very well. Bronners is a little bit better. Dr Bronners makes a "Sal Suds" that is a little better as a detergent and will biodegrade. Honestly I think plain detergent works the best (not antimicrobial!). As always, away from the water.
the only time that I ever use liquid soap is for coating the bottoms of my pans, makes it easier too clean off scorch marks. Otherwise I take a bar of casteel soap and put it in a canvas coin bag from a bank. That stuff works wonders, and it will lather in any type of water.
I'm with Rich on this one. Sand from the lake and a Scotchbrite pad does a number on crusty fry pans. For a final touch a wedge of lemon removes thinner grease residuals but not necessary. Paper plates on metal camp plates greatly reduces cleanup time and food odor since you just burn them after your meal. No pack weight no toxins.
quote Richwon4: "We don't use soap. A little sand or gravel, whatever you can come up with, pine needles maybe, take it off into the woods and work it over really good, a little more water and its good to go.
Less to carry, less to dispose of. " Another no soap here. Each meal is just a little bit "tastier" than the last. Avoid doing dishes out there like the plague. Bring them home for that. Paper towels and wipes get the worst goo, everyone is encouraged to lick their plates/cups clean!
Wherever there is a channel for water, there is a road for the canoe. -Thoreau
Last trip, we used some soap that came in tiny sheets. One or two into the water, and we could wash our dishes. Worked great. Very compact, lightweight, won't spill. I don't really remember what they were called; got them at a camping store.
I use a very little bottle with dawn - maybe 2 ounce - and never use more than a 1/4 or 1/3. A few drops seems to be enough. Cold rinse and then rinse all with boiling water. Basic BSA method. Never take things out to wash between trips.