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#186180 - 07/17/14 01:47 PM If you have to use dish soap...
4evrplan Offline
member

Registered: 01/16/13
Posts: 913
Loc: Nacogdoches, TX, USA
What kind of dish soap is appropriate in the backcountry? On a day hike, I tried to get by without using soap at all, just water, but when I made tuna salad (with olive oil instead of mayonnaise), I couldn't get the bowl clean. It was just too oily.
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The journey is more important than the destination.

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#186183 - 07/17/14 02:36 PM Re: If you have to use dish soap... [Re: 4evrplan]
Rick_D Offline
member

Registered: 01/06/02
Posts: 2939
Loc: NorCal
I carry Campsuds which, at least in soft mountain water, does a pretty good job cutting grease, while being odorless. Am a bit of a stickler for clean dishes and utensils, at least in an "outdoor-clean" sense, and especially hate greasy stuff. Switched to a metal bowl from plastic because the plastic one only comes truly clean in a dishwasher, which I stubbornly decline to tote.

Cheers,


Edited by Rick_D (07/17/14 02:37 PM)
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#186184 - 07/17/14 02:40 PM Re: If you have to use dish soap... [Re: Rick_D]
PEARL DRUMS Offline
member

Registered: 09/18/13
Posts: 42
Loc: Central Michigan
I switched to metal for the same reasons. I would make up some type of dehydrated chili or pasta meal and get that nasty orange grease that just swirls around. This may sound crazy. But I wonder how Simple Green would work? It wont hurt you or mother earth, that I know.

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#186185 - 07/17/14 03:34 PM Re: If you have to use dish soap... [Re: Rick_D]
4evrplan Offline
member

Registered: 01/16/13
Posts: 913
Loc: Nacogdoches, TX, USA
I'm sure the dishwasher has at least as many uses on the trail as a car door.
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The journey is more important than the destination.

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#186186 - 07/17/14 06:04 PM Re: If you have to use dish soap... [Re: 4evrplan]
Rick_D Offline
member

Registered: 01/06/02
Posts: 2939
Loc: NorCal
Admittedly that's a fine car door, but a dishwasher will poach trout, so there's that. Hmmmm.

Cheers,
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--Rick

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#186187 - 07/17/14 08:35 PM Re: If you have to use dish soap... [Re: Rick_D]
Glenn Roberts Online   content
Moderator

Registered: 12/23/08
Posts: 2208
Loc: Southwest Ohio
Tote? I'd make her walk.

(And yes, that's meant as word play - but I'd enjoy the equal-time, "men are scum" rejoinders! smile )

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#186192 - 07/18/14 06:15 AM Re: If you have to use dish soap... [Re: Glenn Roberts]
Gershon Offline
member

Registered: 07/08/11
Posts: 1110
Loc: Colorado
What if he loses the key and gets locked inside?
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http://48statehike.blogspot.com/

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#186193 - 07/18/14 06:46 AM Re: If you have to use dish soap... [Re: Gershon]
Gershon Offline
member

Registered: 07/08/11
Posts: 1110
Loc: Colorado
On the tuna salad, I'd bring a paper cup and after I was done, I'd burn it or pack it out. It would probably be lighter than the camp suds. For a short trip, I used to bring dirty dishes home for my wife to wash. Then she left me.
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#186195 - 07/18/14 01:22 PM Re: If you have to use dish soap... [Re: Gershon]
Rick_D Offline
member

Registered: 01/06/02
Posts: 2939
Loc: NorCal
Originally Posted By Gershon
What if he loses the key and gets locked inside?

Heh! The new 11th essential: always carry the remote in case you lose your key.

Cheers,
_________________________
--Rick

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#186203 - 07/19/14 12:25 AM Re: If you have to use dish soap... [Re: 4evrplan]
ndwoods Offline
member

Registered: 01/26/02
Posts: 572
Loc: Santa Cruz CA, Sierra Hiker
Since soap is so gross to drink in the backcountry...try using Tuna packed in water and not oil...:)
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#186205 - 07/19/14 12:46 AM Re: If you have to use dish soap... [Re: ndwoods]
OregonMouse Online   content
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
If you must use soap of any kind, please remember that it is deadly to aquatic life--even the "biodegradable" camp stuff. Please dispose of it at least 200 feet from any water source, including seasonal sources.

Boiling water in the offending pan will get rid of most or all of the grease. A small piece of paper towel used first will help.
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May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

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#186233 - 07/22/14 09:37 AM Re: If you have to use dish soap... [Re: OregonMouse]
Dryer Offline

Moderator

Registered: 12/05/02
Posts: 3591
Loc: Texas
If you need dish detergent (not soap....there is a difference) use un-scented Dawn. It's used to clean critters that wander into oil spills. It's pretty inert stuff but ANY surfectant in wild water can break down mucus layers in aquatic life and cause all sorts of problems. I usually don't cook but when I do I'll use boil-in-bags that get hauled back out. No cleaning/detergent needed. A drop of Bronners or Dawn for my hands IF really needed. 200ft. from water is a good distance for camp washing.


Edited by Dryer (07/22/14 09:37 AM)
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#186272 - 07/24/14 01:21 PM Re: If you have to use dish soap... [Re: Dryer]
balzaccom Online   content
member

Registered: 04/06/09
Posts: 2232
Loc: Napa, CA
That's what we use as well. And you will be surprised how little you need to clean an oily pot. We have a tiny 3 ox. container that we've not filled up in years...and still has enough for many more trips.
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Check our our website: http://www.backpackthesierra.com/

Or just read a good mystery novel set in the Sierra; https://www.amazon.com/Danger-Falling-Rocks-Paul-Wagner/dp/0984884963

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#186284 - 07/25/14 11:48 AM Re: If you have to use dish soap... [Re: balzaccom]
4evrplan Offline
member

Registered: 01/16/13
Posts: 913
Loc: Nacogdoches, TX, USA
Sounds like you need to get a smaller bottle.
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The journey is more important than the destination.

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#186297 - 07/25/14 10:43 PM Re: If you have to use dish soap... [Re: balzaccom]
Dryer Offline

Moderator

Registered: 12/05/02
Posts: 3591
Loc: Texas
3 oz.? grin I use tiny 1/4 oz. eye drop bottles for Dawn, Bronners, and my water purifying bleach. And make dang sure I know which is which. cool
One drop goes a really long way.
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paul, texas KD5IVP

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