Personal Hygiene While Canoe Camping
In the post below, I (Sarah) am sharing what I do for my personal hygiene while canoe camping. I share what I do during my period and what I do for normal everyday hygiene.
But first, two disclaimers:
- This is a very detailed post about my female hygiene and menstrual cycle while camping. These are my personal experiences and preferences. Everyone is different. Please research and do what works for you.
- This post also contains affiliate links and SNAFU’D Adventures earns a small percentage at no extra cost to you. We never share links to items that we don’t or wouldn’t use ourselves. Thank you for your support!
What do you do when you get your period on a canoe trip?
It’s the first morning and I’m waking up on a sandbar in the Lower Wisconsin River with my period. I was expecting it and was prepared but this is the first time I’ve experienced my full period during the trip. There was one time, in Quetico, I wasn’t prepared and had to use a headband for a day (luckily it was the end of the trip) until we made it back to civilization.
There are many options for periods, pads, tampons, menstrual cups, discs. There’s also reusable pads and underwear. What you use is personal preference, no right or wrong, you use what works for you. I prefer using a cup and have been for over ten years.
So, what did I do when I woke with my period?
I put my cup in after my morning pee and went on about the day. I was crampy and slow moving. Tim knew what was going on and was patient with my sluggishness. Your menstrual cycle can be very personal, but it is important that at least one other person knows what is going on with you. For safety reasons, same as if you hurt your ankle or cut yourself, others should be aware in case something happens.
Depending on the situation, you could put hot water in a bottle and use as a heating pad or take some pain medicine for the cramps. Stretching also helps me. In this situation, we had to get up and get going before the sun got too hot. We’re on a sandbar without shade and temps are in the high 80s/low 90s. I usually just have cramps the first day and they are tolerable. This time I didn’t have to do anything extra. I was just slow moving.
Why do I use a menstrual cup?
I prefer using a cup because there is no waste and its cheaper. I haven’t bought any disposable products for my period in over ten years! I also use washable pads and liners. There’s also the question of what chemicals and fragrances are in the disposable products. If I had to use disposable, I would look for non-scented, organic products. Sometimes you might not have the option and you just have to use what’s available, like a headband.
This is the cup I use. I did try a couple different brands before I found a good fit. Everyone is different. If I have to use disposable products, I would be comfortable trying these tampons, pantyliners, and pads.
What’s it like using a menstrual cup while canoe camping?
With a menstrual cup you put it in and forget about it for the day. Depending on your flow, you empty it once in the morning and once in the evening, about every 12 hours or as needed. I take a squeeze water bottle with and dig a hole, go potty, empty the cup, rinse the cup, put it back in and fill in the hole. I usually burn my toilet paper or pack it out with the rest of our garbage.
Don’t try using something new on a trip. Stick with something you’re comfortable with, I’ve been using a cup for a long time and there was a learning curve.
If I were using disposable items, I would research whether I could burn them or not after use (don’t burn anything with chemicals or fragrences). Otherwise, I would have a separate garbage for them, something leak and smell proof like this item. I was on the river for 7 days and had my period for four of those days. Temps were hot, I would want something to contain the smell.
What did I do with my reusable pads while on the river?
I do wear a reusable pad while on my period (and other times during the month). It is more out of comfort than necessity. It makes me feel cleaner during the day when I have to pee and the toilet paper inaccessible. It also depends on the situation, this trip we did a lot of swimming to cool off so I didn’t wear one while in the canoe.
When I am done with a reusable pad for the day, I rinse it out in the evening, let it dry and stick it with the dirty laundry. I usually pack a couple with for any adventure even if I’m not on my period (except for that one time when I had to use a headband). Personal preference.
Morning & Evening Hygiene Routines
Our daily hygiene routines are simple. We try not to use sunscreen or bug spray. The less you use the less you have to wash off and the less you have to pack and carry with you.
Mornings
In the mornings I like to rinse or wipe my face. I usually use a wipe but once in awhile a washcloth and river water (depending on the river) feels nice. I wipe my face, put in my contacts and take my vitamins before getting out of the tent. After breakfast we brush teeth.
Evenings
After a long day on the water it feels good to rinse off. Easiest way is to go swimming. Tim does this almost every evening. I do this depending on the temperature of the air and water. When we were on the WI River and its 80-90 degrees f out, it was refreshing and relaxing to rinse off. Sometimes I wash with a washcloth or use my hands. No soap just rinsing with the river water (depending on the river).
In Canada, in the fall, it’s a bit chillier and the water is colder, I do not rinse off as often. I do more sponge bath style washing. If we feel the need for soap than we use it as far from the water as we can and use a squeeze bottle or pot of water to rinse with. If you’re washing up sponge bath style, you can heat up the water first.
After dinner we brush teeth.
Clothing
One more thing that helps me stay feeling clean is to have different sets of clothes. One set that I wear during the day in the canoe (these are worn for multiple days), a set for to wear at camp (usually after rinsing off) and a set to sleep in.
That’s it. That’s how I stay clean(ish) while canoe camping. The simpler it is, the easier it is for me. What is your preference for staying clean while canoe camping or any type of camping. Do you have any period horror stories or suggestions?
If you have any questions, please ask in the comments or you can email. Thank you for reading!
