Best Camping Soap: 9 Eco-Friendly & Biodegradable Options for Every Camper
- Olga Shavrina
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
Home / All posts / Personal care / Best Camping Soap: 9 Eco-Friendly & Biodegradable Options for Every Camper
When you're camping, one small bottle of soap often ends up doing everything – washing your hands, cleaning your dishes, and sometimes even your clothes. But not every soap is suitable for outdoor use. The right camping soap should be lightweight, effective, and biodegradable, helping you reduce your impact while keeping clean on the trail or at the campsite.
In this guide, I've selected the best biodegradable soaps for camping, from concentrated liquid soaps to compact soap sheets. I also explain what "biodegradable" really means, when you should use camping soap, and how to use it responsibly to protect the places you love to explore.
What to Pay Attention to When Choosing a Biodegradable Soap for Camping
Not all camping soaps are created equal. Before adding one to your backpack, consider these key factors:
Biodegradable formula. Look for plant-based ingredients and avoid unnecessary additives such as phosphates, triclosan, or microplastics whenever possible.
Multi-purpose use. Some camping soaps can be used for your hands, body, dishes, and even laundry. A versatile soap saves space and reduces the number of products you need to pack.
Weight and packability. If you're backpacking, every gram matters. Compact bottles or lightweight soap sheets are easier to carry than large containers.
Leak-proof packaging. A leaking bottle can quickly turn your backpack into a sticky mess. Look for secure caps or transfer liquid soap into a reliable travel container. Consider soap sheets that never leak instead of a liquid soap.
Fragrance. Unscented or lightly scented soaps are often a better choice for camping. Strong fragrances may attract insects or wildlife and can be overwhelming in the outdoors.
The best camping soap is the one that matches your style of camping. A backpacker on a multi-day hike may prioritize weight and compactness, while someone traveling by car may prefer the convenience of a versatile liquid soap that can handle everything from washing dishes to taking a shower.
Keep in mind that "biodegradable" doesn't mean it's safe to use directly in lakes or rivers – it should always be used away from natural water sources.
Biodegradable Camp Soaps: My Top Picks
First of all, there are two main types of soap that are great for camping: liquid soaps and soap sheets (also called paper soap). Some products also come in the form of soap flakes.
Below, you'll find the pros and cons of each type, along with tips on choosing the right one for your needs. I've also included the products I selected and consider the best options.
Liquid Biodegradable Camping Soaps:
Biodegradable Soap Sheets and Flakes for Camping and Travel:
And by the way, you can also use biodegradable hand soap bars and dish soap bars on your camping trip. Just store them in a silicone bag or a leak-proof soap holder. Another great idea to consider is a solid biodegradable shampoo.
Liquid vs. Soap Sheets: Which Is Better?
There isn't a single winner – it depends on how you camp and what you need. Here's a quick comparison:
Weight: Soap sheets are the lightest option and ideal for backpacking, while liquid soap adds a bit more weight.
Versatility: Liquid soap can usually be used for your hands, body, dishes, and even laundry. Soap sheets are often intended for just one or two purposes.
Ease of use: Liquid soap is more convenient for washing dishes or larger items, while soap sheets work best for quick hand washing or personal hygiene.
Risk of leaks: Soap sheets can't spill in your backpack. Liquid soap should be stored in a well-sealed bottle.
Packaging: Soap sheets are often packaged in a small reusable case, while liquid soaps usually come in plastic bottles.
Cost: Soap sheets tend to cost more per use, while concentrated liquid soaps are generally more economical over time.
Best for: Choose soap sheets if you're an ultralight backpacker or want the most compact option. Choose liquid soap if you want one versatile product for all your camping needs.
Overall: If you only want to pack one product, a concentrated biodegradable liquid soap is the most practical choice. If minimizing weight and preventing leaks are your priorities, soap sheets are an excellent alternative.
Author's Note on the Best Camping Soap
I mostly go on short one- or two-day hikes, so I don't usually need to do laundry or wash dishes. I bring sandwiches, vegetables, nuts, and protein bars that don't require much washing – apart from my coffee cup, perhaps. 🙂
Basically, all I need to wash are my hands and face, and brush my teeth. I rarely need to take a shower or wash any dishes.
For these purposes, I decided that soap sheets are the best option for me. I tried SOAP THINS, and they work really well. At only about 2 cents per sheet, they offer an excellent price-to-quality ratio. I've been using them for years!
What I don't like about most liquid soaps is that they come in plastic bottles. My preferred option is Wander Wash, which comes in an aluminum bottle. But if you're going on longer hikes and need one versatile product for washing your hands, body, dishes, and even clothes, a biodegradable liquid soap is the more practical choice.
FAQ About Biodegradable Soap for Camping
What soap can I use when camping?
The best soap for camping is a biodegradable camping soap. It's designed to break down more easily in the environment and is often suitable for multiple uses, such as washing your hands, body, dishes, and even clothes. If you're backpacking, you may also prefer lightweight soap sheets, which are compact, leak-proof, and easy to carry.
Is biodegradable soap safe for aquatic life?
Not necessarily! While biodegradable soaps break down more easily than conventional soaps, they can still harm aquatic ecosystems if used directly in lakes, rivers, or streams. Their ingredients are intended to biodegrade in soil, where microorganisms can break them down, rather than in water.
For this reason, outdoor organizations recommend washing and disposing of soapy water at least 200 feet (60 meters) away from natural water sources.
Can I use biodegradable soap directly in a stream?
No! Even if a soap is labeled biodegradable, you shouldn't use it directly in a stream, lake, or river. Instead, collect water in a container, wash yourself or your dishes at least 200 feet (60 meters) away from the water, and scatter the wastewater over a wide area so it can filter through the soil and biodegrade naturally. This simple practice helps protect fish, aquatic plants, and other wildlife.
Are soap sheets biodegradable?
Many soap sheets are biodegradable, but not all of them. Always check the product description before buying. If you want to minimize your environmental impact, choose biodegradable soap sheets and use them the same way you would use biodegradable liquid soap – away from natural water sources.
What's better for camping: liquid soap or soap sheets?
It depends on your style of camping. Liquid soap is more versatile and can often be used for your hands, body, dishes, and laundry. Soap sheets are lighter, take up almost no space, and can't leak inside your backpack, making them a popular choice for hikers and ultralight backpackers.
Can I use one biodegradable soap for my hands, body, dishes, and clothes?
Yes, many biodegradable camping soaps are designed as all-purpose products. A single bottle can often be used to wash your hands, body, dishes, and even clothes, making it a convenient option for camping and backpacking. Just make sure to check the manufacturer's instructions, as some soaps are intended for personal hygiene only.
Does biodegradable soap work as well as regular soap?
Yes. A good biodegradable soap cleans just as effectively as conventional soap. It removes dirt, grease, sweat, and bacteria in the same way – by lifting oils and microbes from your skin or dishes so they can be rinsed away with water.
The main difference isn't how well it cleans, but what happens after you use it. Biodegradable soaps are formulated with ingredients that break down more readily in the environment, making them a better choice for camping and other outdoor activities. However, they should still be used responsibly and never directly in lakes, rivers, or streams.
Hope it helped! Have a great camping and enjoy being in nature!
#️⃣ Tags: Eco-friendly packaging, Green cleaning, Zero-waste solutions
I had no idea that you can't use biodegradable soap directly in water streams 😱