How to Wash Dishes While Camping
Even if you do have a sink in your small camper, most of the time it is too small to do anything but wash your hands or brush your teeth. Use these tips on how to wash dishes while camping.
Washing dishes after each meal is important while camping to avoid attracting bugs or animals to your campsite with the smell of food. You can set up a dish washing station on the picnic table at your site or bring a portable table. If your camper has an outside water sprayer/shower, you can set up your dishwashing station next to it to make use of the water in the camper.
Here are some items that can be useful for your dish washing station:
As an Amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
- Biodegradable dish soap (e.g., Dr. Bronner’s or Campsuds)
- 1-2 Collapsible sinks or wash basins
- Table
- Pot or kettle to heat up water
- Collapsible drying rack
- Quick-dry microfiber towels
- Scrubbing sponge or brush
- Pot Scraper
- Trash bags
How to wash dishes while camping:
- Wash: Heat water on the stove top or fire and fill a basin or sink with the warm water and biodegradable dish soap. You may need to add a little cool water if the water is too hot. Remove as much food as possible with a scraper and dispose of in garbage before adding dishes to wash basin. Scrub dishes thoroughly using a sponge or brush.
- Rinse: Use a second basin with clean, warm water to rinse off any soap residue from the washed dishes. If you don’t have a second basin you can use a spray bottle or refill the washing basin with clean water once you finished washing the dishes.
- Drying: I typically let my dishes air dry, however if you need to dry them faster, a quick dry microfiber towel is the way to go. You can also use a mesh bag to hang your dishes to dry.
Be aware of campground rules for disposing of “gray” water from your dish washing.
Pro tip: I always wipe down the camp stove as a part of clean up. There is nothing worse than opening up a stove that is full of bacon grease. This is also a good time to bring your garbage to the campground disposal site.
Foldable Drying Rack Set - Portable Dinnerware Organizer - Space Saving Dishes and Utensil Kitchen Storage (1, Dark Grey/Bluish-Green (w/o Base Board))
Biodegradable Environmentally Safe All Purpose Cleaner, Camping Hiking Backpacking Travel Camp (8oz)
For Kitchen and Household Cleaning, Planet-Friendly, Dishwasher Safe Soft Scrub, Assorted Colors and Designs
Foldable Portable with Adjustable Legs, Aluminum Folding Table Roll Up Table with Carrying Bag for Outdoor, Beach, Picnic, Backyards, BBQ and Party, Silver
