It's a shame to say it, but the reality is that there aren't really any soaps that are "good" for washing in a lake, even those that are biodegradable.
Soaps (surfactants 🫧) are particularly effective in preventing the dissolution of oxygen in water, which causes a whole host of problems for the aquatic fauna that depend on them 🐟.
So what do I do when I go camping?
We still have a few tips to share for your next canoe camping trip!
🌿 Use cleansing products only when necessary (yes, we use a super simple shampoo and leave the conditioner at home).
🌿 If you must use a product, use as little as possible!
🌿 Use products with natural, gentler and biodegradable ingredients and that contain as few ingredients as possible.
Now that I have the right products, how do I use them?
Preferably, one does not wash oneself or anything else directly in a watercourse! Instead, one:
1️⃣ Use a container filled with water and place yourself about 60 meters from the nearest watercourse.
2️⃣ Wash what needs to be washed. 💦
3️⃣ Filters residues like food that end up in our used water.
4️⃣ Dig a hole about 6 inches deep to put the soapy water in or spread the soapy water on the ground.
With biodegradable soaps, soil bacteria will take care of biodegrading all traces of soap!
Source: https://lnt.org/fr/where-is-my-neighbor-going-with-their-dishwater/
Any sets to start this off with?
We're finishing this off with two camping sets! They're perfect for starting your eco-friendly adventures with the smallest possible impact!