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Cleaning Clothes in the Backcountry

Cleaning Clothes in the Backcountry

10 Uses for Baking Soda on the Trail

Ryan Grayson August 20, 2016

1. On a long-distance hike, I'll sometimes soak clothes in baking soda to keep them from smelling like a corn chip's foot. You can also simply sprinkle some on dirty clothes, so they don’t stink up your whole backpack. If carrying something to make you smell better seems like unnecessary weight, I understand, but it's useful in other ways:

2. You can mix some baking soda and a little water in the palm of your hand to form a paste and use it as a gritty hand and foot scrub to remove dirt and odors.

3. Relieve the itch of bug bites, bee stings, or Poison Ivy by applying the baking soda paste like a salve onto the affected skin.

4. You can scrub cook pots with that baking soda paste solution, as well. Or just sprinkle some on a damp bandanna and scrub away.

5. The paste can also be used to brush your teeth. It doesn't contain fluoride, but it makes a decent toothpaste if you run out.

6. You can also dissolve a teaspoon in 4 ounces of water to make a mouthwash. Slosh it around in your mouth to get rid of bad breath or relieve canker sore or tooth pain.

7. Dust some under your arms and on your feet to use it as a deodorant. Not a good alternative if you're going on a date, but it helps a little bit on the trail.

8. You can cool a sunburn, windburn, or other minor burns or rashes by saturating a bandanna in a warm water and baking soda solution and gently dabbing it onto the affected area.

9. You can rub dry baking soda on your roots to degrease your hair. Just towel out the excess after 1 to 3 minutes.

10. Relieve a sore throat by gargling a mixture of ½ teaspoon of baking soda and ½ teaspoon of salt with a ½ cup of warm water a few times a day until it’s gone.

I'm sure there are many other uses for baking soda on the trail. If you have any tips to share, please email me at ryan@abackpackerslife.com.

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Thank you! I will get back with you as soon as possible.

A Backpacker's Life by Ryan Grayson is licensed under a
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