When we think about heading into the wilderness, we often picture the big things: breathtaking views, miles of trail ahead, or the gear we’ve carefully packed. But there’s one element of outdoor life that doesn’t get talked about nearly enough: hygiene in the great outdoors. Staying clean isn’t just about comfort - it’s about health, respect for the environment, and ensuring that wild spaces remain unspoiled for everyone who follows.

Why Wilderness Hygiene Matters

Multi-day adventures come with plenty of challenges - sweat, dirt, and, let’s face it, bodily needs. Without proper hygiene practices, things can quickly become uncomfortable. More importantly, poor hygiene in the outdoors can harm fragile ecosystems. That’s where the Leave No Trace principles come in.

Leave No Trace is about more than picking up litter. It’s about making conscious choices to reduce our impact on nature. By practising sustainable hygiene - like using reusable products, biodegradable washes, and proper waste disposal methods - we protect ecosystems, model responsible behaviour, and help preserve outdoor spaces for future generations.

The Kula Cloth: A Game-Changer for Wilderness Hygiene

One standout innovation is the Kula Cloth Antimicrobial Pee Cloth. Designed for anyone who pees while they squat, the Kula Cloth is a reusable alternative to toilet paper that helps minimise waste while promoting cleanliness.

Our latest design is the work of Tilly Butters, a Welsh illustrator, designer, and mural artist from North Wales, whose creative flair has previously been featured by Stance and V12 Outdoors. Her bold, playful patterns bring a fresh, artistic touch to this practical piece of kit.

Lightweight, reusable, and discreet, the Kula Cloth snaps onto your pack, dries quickly, and keeps your hands clean thanks to its waterproof backing. Whether you’re hiking, backpacking, kayaking, or spelunking, it offers a practical and eco-friendly solution that makes peeing outdoors hassle-free.

“The new and limited edition design is inspired by our love of thru-hiking, featuring charming characters taking a break on a log beside a classic UL tent, enjoying tasty trail snacks, with a playful nod to the trail angels and the little moments of magic they bring.” - Jim De’Ath

Here’s why it’s become a favourite among our ambassadors and community:

• Hygienic: Its antimicrobial fabric reduces odour and keeps things fresh between washes.

• Thoughtfully designed: One side is soft and comfortable, the other more absorbent for effective cleaning.

• Lightweight & compact: Packs down small, clips to your pack, and dries quickly.

• Leave No Trace friendly: Eliminates the need to pack in (and out) toilet paper.

Our ambassador Becky (Girl Outdoors) puts it perfectly:

“My Kula Cloth promotes hygiene in the field with its antimicrobial material, plus it supports the principles of Leave No Trace. It means I don’t have to pack in and out unnecessary toilet paper when rocking the ultralight Kula Cloth!”

Nicola (Nicola Navigates) another of our ambassadors, highlights how it fits into her broader hygiene system:

“I have a little ditty hygiene bag for period care when I’m multi-day hiking, containing tiny soap leaves and wilderness wipes. I use a menstrual cup so I don’t have used period products to pack out, but it means keeping hands clean is essential - filtered water you can squeeze through is a game changer!”

We caught up with Leanne (Blooming Wild Adventures) to hear what she had to say about her well-travelled Kula Cloth:

"So this Kula cloth has been to Ecuador, Galapagos, Tanzania, Morocco, Peru, Oman and umpteen adventures around Scotland!"

The Kula Cloth is a small swap that makes a big difference - for your comfort and the environment.

Other Wilderness Hygiene Essentials

The Kula Cloth isn’t the only way to keep clean and sustainable outdoors. A few other items we recommend:

• Biodegradable soaps: Products like Sea to Summit Wilderness Wash pull triple duty - perfect for personal hygiene, dishwashing, and even gear care.

• Multi-purpose toiletries: Brands like Intrepid Explorer make hair and body washes designed for outdoor use, helping you streamline your kit and reduce plastic waste.

• Smart water filters: Some filters let you squeeze clean water through for washing hands or rinsing gear - invaluable when hygiene is a priority.

• Backpacking trowels: Lightweight trowels make it easy to dig a proper cat hole, helping you dispose of waste responsibly and follow Leave No Trace principles.

Clean Trails, Happy Trails

Wilderness hygiene might not be glamorous, but it’s essential to safe, comfortable, and sustainable outdoor adventures. By choosing products like the Kula Cloth and biodegradable washes - and by practising Leave No Trace - we can all do our part to keep wild places clean and thriving.

Because when we look after nature, nature looks after us. 🌿