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Washing dishes while camping

Reusable dishware is a more environmentally-friendly and cheaper option when you’re enjoying the great outdoors, but many people these days turn to disposable plates, utensils and cups simply because they aren’t sure how to wash their reusable dishes while camping. Here are some useful tips and tricks for your next camping trip.

Choosing the Right Washing up Liquid

Whether you’re at a campground or in the middle of the woods by yourself, it’s important to use an eco-friendly dish liquid like Pril’s Pro Nature. Like all of Pril’s dish liquids Pril’s Pro Nature is biodegradable and based on renewable raw materials.

Heating, Washing, Rinsing and Drying

The best way to heat up your dishwater is by placing the water in the pan, skillet or pot you used to cook in after the food has been served. This gives the water a chance to heat while you eat and also keeps any food on the side or bottom of the pan from sticking. Once you’re done eating, pour the hot water into one of the buckets with some washing up liquid. Cold water works well for the second bucket, which can be used to rinse off your dishes once they are washed.

Tools Needs for Washing Dishes While Camping

The first thing you need to consider is what tools you need with you. You’ll need an eco-friendly dish liquid, two buckets or large bowls, and kitchen towels. You will also need a washing up brush, sponge or dish cloth to wash up your dirty dishes.

Additionally, you could bring rubber gloves, a dish rack, strainer and tongs with you, as these items will facilitate the washing up process further.

Washing Dishes While Camping: Step by Step

Ready to wash your dishes while camping? Here’s what you need to know.

  1. Remove leftover food from dishes
  2. Heat up water on camp stove or over campfire
  3. Gather two washing up bowls (one with hot water, one with cold water)
  4. Pour the washing up liquid into hot water bowl, we recommend using a biodegradable dish liquid like Pril’s Pro Nature
  5. Wash the dishes in hot water, then rinse them in cold water afterwards
  6. Dry dishes using a washing up rack or dish towel
  7. Scatter used water far away from camp side

Getting Rid of Used Water

For safety reasons, wait until the water has cooled slightly before attempting to get rid of it. If you’re at a campground, you’ll likely have access to a grey water disposal area or sink for the dishwater. If there is no proper disposal area, strain the liquid, placing the food particles in your campfire to burn. The dirty dish water should be dispersed at least 200 feet away from where you’re camping, any trails or sources of water to ensure the small food particles in the water are not attracting animals to the camp side.

Going camping? Save money by using reusable dishware. Washing dishes isn’t as hard as you might think. Just follow these steps to do it right.

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