What's the point of Biodegradable Soap?

“They say it polutes too, so why not just bring regular soap?

Does anyone actually use bio soap away from the stream/lake or do ya just jump in and bathe?”

“I only use it for cleaning VERY hard to clean pots”

“The difference is that bio degradable soap is broken down by the bacteria in soil, if used in water any soap is still soap. No soap, bio degradable or not, should be used in water. I never put soap or food scraps in a water body. I have a couple of collapsible water buckets that work very well and scrub any pots with sand away from the water. I hang a liter sunshower from a tree if I want to use soap, and definately swim without soap. Part of LNT - the soap used in the water is gonna stick around long after you leave.”

“Ok I didn't know that.”

“I had a friend tell me not to wash your hair with it cause it leaves it real greasy feeling.”

“I have a confession, I didn't think it was gonna hurt anything so I used to put it in my hair and wash with it then jump in da lake. No one told me it wasn't biodegradable in water. Oh well, guess I'll have to start rethinking the whole bathing thing.

It never made my hair greasy feeling, it was kinda like head and sholders.”

“I haven't packed soap for several years.

I swim, if possible, when "neccessary". If swimming is not available, I'll sponge bathe with my spare tee shirt, which I'll then rinse out.

Quite often, showers - or at least sinks - are available near the trailhead (NFS or SP comfort station) before the trip home.

All my cooking involves boiling water, which also acts as a cookpot and mug sanitizer. After eating (almost always Ramen and whatever, or oatmeal) I swish water around in my mug and scrape the inside with my spoon to pickup the remaining food particles - which I promptly drink.

Occasionally, I'll pre-rinse my mug with boiling water if it looks overly grody.

The spoon always takes a dip in the boiling pot before every meal.”

“One of the best ways I've found to clean my pot is to use a handful of leaves, dirt, sand, twigs, tiny pebbles, etc. and the abraision takes most of the crub out. The biodegradable soap only if that doesn't completely do othe job.”

“I use an ocelo pad and water most of the time to clean dishes. when i do use biodegradable soap i dig a hole away from water to dispose of waste water just like the bottle instructs. i just swim to clean myself or use diaper wipes.”

“same here joy....those baby wipes are versatile and light to pack...
..i use a scotch brite pad (no soap) and hot water for scraping pots if needed.
I carry a tiny bottle of biodegradable/concentrated Dr. Bronners peppermint soap for shampoo, but never really use it because just swimming in that wonderful, clear water seems to be enough most of the time”

“I bet you got plenty of baby wipes ey Joy? LOL”

“walkindude, we buy them by the case. 6 boxes for $11, about 600 plus wipes.”

“Wipes work best for me. Most of my meals are of the 'just add water' verity so I just give the bowl a rinse.”

“For cleaning pots... a free, effective and and lightweight tool is the plastic netting like "sacks" that onions and citrus fruits sometimes come in.”

“I bring bio soap, but tend not to use it very often. If my hands are really dirty, I'll wash them with it before I take out/put in my contacts.”

“Baby wipes!!! Hand sanitizer gel!!! And close cut fingers nails.”