Biodegradable Soap in the Outdoors

By Kari Moe-Hoffman, HBC Manager

Many of us enjoy spending our summer weekends camping. Being dirty and in the outdoors gives some of us satisfaction; however, close quarters in the tent and threats from loved ones may require us to freshen up, or be thrown out to the mosquitoes. Whether you are roughing it on a canoe trip in the Boundary Waters or car camping at Uncle Ed's lake cabin for the annual family reunion, you should be aware of what kind of pollutants you might be adding to our groundwater when washing.

Choose biodegradable soaps. These soaps do more than just keep you, your dishes and clothes clean; they treat the environment kindly. They contain no toxic chemicals or synthetics. Enzymes, bacteria and other living organisms are able to digest these natural soaps into benign compounds. In other words, by choosing biodegradable soaps, Mother Nature is able to turn your soap residue into something inert and harmless.

Avoid using products that contain any synthetic chemicals such as triclosan, a chemical antibacterial found in many liquid soaps and other personal care products. Triclosan kills beneficial microorganisms in the environment. The EPA considers it a pesticide, giving it high scores as a risk to both human health and the environment. Look for it on labels of products that claim to be "antibacterial." See the Health and Body Care department at the Wedge for a complete list of synthetics common in personal care products.

Even biodegradable soaps can damage fresh water supplies. As the number of people enjoying the outdoors continues to rise, the quantity of detergents that enter our waterways increases. It takes time for Mother Nature to fully break down these substances, so use soap sparingly. Maybe plain water will be enough to wash the dirt away, or try Aroma Essence Towelettes by Desert Essence for use without water. These contain essential oils, which are antiseptic as well. Always wash 200 feet away from any lake, stream, or other water source. The ground is a natural filter for suds. Dump your soapy water into the ground, not the water source. Also, do not bring your bar of soap directly into the lake or stream. Use a solar shower or some other type of container to carry water away from the water source to wash.

The Wedge carries several options of environmentally friendly soap. Try Dr. Bronner's babymild unscented liquid or bar soap, which contains no synthetics of any kind; or use tea tree for extra antiseptic action against cuts, scrapes and bites. These soaps are three times more concentrated than most other liquid soaps, so dilute! The recommended dilution is 1/4 oz. or one squirt in a gallon of water. Refill your Gentle Soap container from our refill station of Restore products. Gentle Soap is a concentrated liquid soap that rapidly "bio-degrades." Other clean choices for bars are Bryn Mawr's Unscented, Kiss My Face's Pure Olive Oil, or Tom's of Maine Unscented Moisturizing bar.

When venturing into the great outdoors, choose your soap wisely. Biodegradable soaps have less impact on the environment. Avoid synthetic chemicals such as triclosan, which disrupts the environment. By using safe soaps sensibly, we will keep our water sources clean. The Wedge has many options to keep you and the lakes sparkling all summer.