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In this episode of the Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Podcast, Chris breaks down practical, field-tested ways to stay clean in the woods. From simple DIY soap paper strips to pack-friendly sponge-based products, this talk covers everything you need to know to wash up when you’re off-grid. The episode also features a brief look at traditional soap-making concepts using lye and fat, and closes with a reflection on spiritual cleansing based on 1 John 1:9.
Real-world hygiene challenges when camping
Listener question from Clay: “How do you make soap from nothing in the wild?”
Making lightweight soap paper at home using liquid dish soap and regular paper
Testing and using “Skunky” 60-second shower sponges for bushcraft use
The benefits and downsides of different packaging methods (tins vs. Ziplocs)
Intro to soap-making: hardwood ash (lye) and rendered fat
Modern tools you can bring to reduce risk of infection and illness
The connection between physical cleanliness and spiritual cleansing
Supplies: Regular paper or newspaper, liquid dish soap
Steps:
Cut paper into squares or strips
Lay the paper flat and apply soap
Let it dry completely (air-dry or use a dehydrator)
Store dried sheets in a Ziploc bag
Tips:
Avoid paper towels—they don’t dry well
Ziplocs are better than tins for waterproofing and convenience
Add water when needed to activate soap
Compact sponges infused with soap
Lightweight and mess-free
Biodegradable and disposable
Use: Just add water, scrub, rinse
Ideal for hands, body, and general trail hygiene
Use hardwood ashes to make lye (not explained in detail)
Render animal fat to mix with lye
Caution: Real lye can be dangerous without proper ratios and handling
This method is for long-term wilderness setups, not short trips
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
You can make soap out of ash and fat. You can wash your hands with the best gear. But none of it changes what’s inside. Christ is the only one who can cleanse the heart. Just like hygiene takes work and preparation, so does spiritual cleanliness. Confession brings cleansing. Not because you earned it, but because He promised it.
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