Staying clean and going to the toilet in remote areas isn’t always easy! At Paddy Pallin, we stock an extensive range of camp toiletries and camping bathroom products to help make your outdoor adventures more comfortable and environmentally friendly. From portable showers to biodegradable soaps, lightweight toiletry bags to toilet trowels, Paddy Pallin has you covered.

 

FAQs

 

How do I create the perfect camping bathroom?

Make sure you have all the essentials… and any other equipment that makes bathing and using the toilet a breeze! Whether you’re on a hike or camping for a full week, there are plenty of camp bathroom accessories that will make your camping bathroom better than ever.

 

 

Are portable camp showers worth it?

Portable camping showers are a great way to get clean when you need it most. If you’re camping in an area without showers or running water, or if you don’t fancy a dip in a river or a lake, a camp shower is ideal. They can be affordable and compact, so you can still carry one comfortably if you’re hiking in and out of the location!

 

 

What is the best portable shower for camping?

The best camping shower depends on the type of camping you plan to do, as well as your personal preferences. If you’re hiking, you should be going for the most compact option available. However, if you’re setting up camp for a week or so and have additional space to use, opt for a bigger shower for camping.

 

 

How do I keep clean while camping but protect the environment?

 

You don’t need lots of water to stay clean when remote camping. A damp cloth removes most grime from a day's hiking. Use quick-drying microfibre towels that are easy to rinse clean. You can also use wet wipes, but always carry out any waste with you. After all, even biodegradable wet wipes take months to break down.

A portable camping shower is the next level, and comes in a range of options. There are showers with hanging bags and nozzles, as well as more advanced pump-pressure camp showers. Combining these showers with a biodegradable soap will ensure the environment is protected at all times — just keep the dirty water away from streams and water sources.

 

How do I wash my clothing while remote camping?

 

If you need to wash your clothes while camping or hiking, there are a few ways to do it. You can use a dry bag or folding wash bucket to do your laundry. Choose something that has enough space to slosh your clothing around and get it properly clean. Biodegradable soaps and washes can harm fish and water life, so never wash your clothing in a stream or lake. 

 

Which brands of camping showers and folding wash buckets does Paddy Pallin sell? 

 

We carry portable camping showers, shower adaptors and folding wash buckets for all your outdoor activities from brands such as Nemo, Katadyn and Sea To Summit.

 

How do I safely carry shampoo and conditioner for hiking and travel?

 

You can buy packaged mini shampoos and conditioners, or even combination products. You can also find soap leaves for a compact and lightweight wash. Sea To Summit makes great biodegradable soaps and washes. Otherwise, pack your favourite products into handy, durable containers from brands like Human Gear, Nalgene and Coghlans. Make sure you read any instructions about what products can and can’t be used in them. Visit Paddy Pallin to find storage containers for shampoo, conditioner and other toiletry essentials.

 

 

Does Paddy Pallin stock environmentally friendly soaps and washes? 

 

We sure do! We carry Sea To Summit’s range of biodegradable soaps and washes for bathing, washing and cleaning.

 

What is the best way to carry my toiletries?

 

Toiletries get wet and sometimes they’re spiky. You want to carry them in a lightweight but strong bag that protects what’s inside from each other and everything in your travel bag. A dry bag is a great option. But if you want to find things more easily or separate them, use a lightweight toiletry bag instead. Look for leak proof ways to store liquids, such as shampoo and sunscreen, and only carry what you need for your trip. Some liquid products work best inside squeezy tubes and containers, while others pour easily out of tough storage bottles. Use caps on toothbrushes and spiky items for protection. Paddy Pallin supplies a range of options for storing and carrying your toiletry items for your next adventure.

 

 

Does Paddy Pallin stock lightweight toiletry bags?

 

Yes, we do! At Paddy Pallin you can find lightweight toiletry bags and rolls from brands such as Sea To Summit. A lightweight toilet bag will allow you to carry all of your essentials while helping to keep your pack as light as possible.

 

How do I go to the toilet in remote areas but still protect the environment?

 

Always pee or poop at least 100 metres from any water sources. Use a trowel, stick or heel of your boot to dig a poop cathole at least 15 cm deep and wide. Cover the hole with plenty of soil to help break down waste and toilet paper. A little water helps the process if you can spare it. At night-time or where the environment is fragile, you can also use a pee bottle. Clean your hands afterwards with water or hand sanitiser. Leave as little waste in the bush as possible. Use as little toilet paper as you can. We don’t recommend burning used toilet paper as there is a high risk of starting a bushfire. Wet wipes are a convenient alternative to toilet paper, but they aren’t environmentally friendly. Never bury wet wipes as they don’t decompose. Even biodegradable wet wipes take months to break down. Follow Leave No Trace principles and pack out used toilet paper and wet wipes with you. And if you’re going to the toilet in a remote national park, pack out your poop as well. Check out brands like Metolius, Sea To Summit, Helinox and Coghlan's at Paddy Pallin for remote camping toilet and backcountry waste disposal products. For more information on how to pee and poop in the bush, check out this detailed guide from Trailspace. 

 

What products help women and people who can’t squat to pee in the bush?

 

Sometimes you need to pee while standing, maybe at a festival or in the snow or it’s not private enough to drop your trousers. Try using a female urination device (FUD) or pee funnel. These are designed to slip into the fly of your trousers so you can pee while standing. They are made of plastic or silicon, so are hygienic and easy to shake dry, wipe off or rinse after use. It takes time to get used to using a pee funnel, so practice at home before peeing at a festival or in the bush. It’s not always practical to carry lots of toilet paper on a long hike. Wet wipes are convenient but not environmentally friendly. Packing out waste costs space and weight in your backpack. Drip-drying or shaking after peeing isn’t a practical or hygienic option. A pee rag or pee cloth is a great alternative to toilet paper that is environmentally friendly, easy to use and lightweight. This is a reusable cloth that helps you stay fresh and dry. You can use a scrap of fabric, but manufactured options have antimicrobial treatments, absorbent materials, waterproof backing fabrics and hanging loops. After use, hang your pee rag to dry on your backpack, where sunlight helps kill bacteria. To wash, use clean water or add a little biodegradable soap. Check out this guide to using a pee rag from Leave No Trace. Check out brands like Kula Cloth, GoGirl and Whiz at Paddy Pallin for camping toilets and on-the-go pee products. For more information on how to pee and manage feminine hygiene in the bush, read this guide from Trailspace. 

 

How do I protect myself from ticks and mosquitoes?

 

DEET is considered the best chemical insect repellent against a wide range of biting insects, ticks, fleas and leeches. Brands such as Bushman and RID use DEET as an insect repellent. The percentage concentration of DEET in a product relates to how long it will last, not how effective it is. Some insect repellents, like RID, also help keep flies away. Chemical insect repellents work best when applied directly to clothing. You can buy clothing treated with an insect repellent at Paddy Pallin, such as our Sea To Summit and Equip head nets and Royal Robbins clothing. You can also apply a wash-in permethrin insect repellent treatment for your clothing. You can buy insect repellents, wash-in insect repellent treatments and insect-repellent treated clothing at Paddy Pallin. We also stock mosquito nets for your bed with and without permethrin insect repellent treatment.