Dr Bronner's Magic Soaps

[ULWalkingPhil]

Having good Hygiene is something i take seriously on my hikes.
By the time I carry some form of soap, tooth paste etc, weight soon adds up.

In my endeavors to save weight. Ive been looking into a better system, in particular in a organic matter.

An eBook i recently purchased, "The ultimate hikers gear guide" by Andrew Skurka, has some great tips on saving weight. One tip in particular was using gear that covers more than one use. Andrew uses Dr Bronner's Peppermint liquid soap for body wash, washing pots and as a toothpaste, in a small container weighing less than 10grams in total, this lasts him a week.

I ordered a bottle of the Peppermint and Lavender liquid soap a few days ago, today the bottles turned up in the post, I just tried the peppermint soap as a toothpaste and its very refreshing, Andrew in his book mentions to use 2 drops, however at least 4 drops emerged onto my tooth brush, i did not want to waste it, so i thought ill try this, taste is fine, but i did get a huge lather of soap as i brushed my teeth. You could say i washed my mouth out with soap. I placed a few drops onto my hands, it did not lather up as much as i expected but my hands do smell nice.

Reading the active ingredients, its got Hemp oil, this could be an issue at airport security. Ive got a few hikes coming up whereby ill be flying to and plan to take the liquid soap with me. The hemp oil concerns me.

[DanielS]

I would be very very surprised if you had a problem with hemp oil in airport security. It contains virtually zero THC (the 'active' ingredient in marijuana). I'm sure people go through airports with hemp oil and hemp clothing all the time.

I might try this Dr Bronners stuff. I have used the Sea-to-summit 'Wildnerness wash' which is also billed as a do-all soap. I'm not sure I'd use it for toothpaste though!

[ULWalkingPhil]

I would be very very surprised if you had a problem with hemp oil in airport security. It contains virtually zero THC (the 'active' ingredient in marijuana). I'm sure people go through airports with hemp oil and hemp clothing all the time.

I might try this Dr Bronners stuff. I have used the Sea-to-summit 'Wildnerness wash' which is also billed as a do-all soap. I'm not sure I'd use it for toothpaste though!

Till today that's what I've been using on my hikes.
Dr Bronner's leaves a very refreshing feel to your mouth that lasts and it's a lot easier to wash toothbrush after using Dr Bronner's.

[Wingnut]

I used the peppermint Castile liquid soap, great for everything but a bit harsh on the hair after awhile...been using Dr Bronners for years.

[Franco]

I have been to the US and back with some of that soap, probably about 50g or so going in, without any problem.
In the US in particular many hikers use it and often they have to fly to get to the trail head.
However I have found a couple of curious cases about this :
http://www.cannabisculture.com/articles/1641.html
and
"Punk rocker Don Bolles, who spent three days in jail in Newport Beach, Calif., in 2007 after his Dr. Bronner's soap tested positive for GHB. The charges were dropped when lab tests found no drugs
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/200 ... kits_N.htm
I happen to know that Don Bolles was actualy bailed out by the makers of Dr Bronners...

BTW, I use baking soda as a "toothpaste" but this soap for body/hair and clothes as well as occasionaly pots . (mostly I re-hydrate in a bag)

Just remembered..
Flying back I had some leftover and a new 118 ml bottle with me .
I saw some recently on sale here at a store were they sell organic products. Can't remember the price

[Drifting]

I used to use Dr Bronners in the US- I loved it.

[tasadam]

I don't worry about hygiene in the bush too much. Obviously I wash my hands pretty well when dealing with food, but that's about as far as I go.
I look on it as a chance to connect with the true male in me.

I have used fresh breath drops on a toothbrush for longer walks, of course there's no lather, it just makes the brushing process more familiar.

[Kinsayder]

Thanks for the review, Phillip. I'll have to find some of those soaps. I really love spending days in the mountains but I've always been a big one for cleanliness.

[MartyGwynne]

I may have to find some of the good dr's soap.
I currently use a piece of Sards Wonder Soap as body wash and or clothes wash, it seems to do the trick for me and is very cheap.

[north-north-west]

I don't worry about hygiene in the bush too much. Obviously I wash my hands pretty well when dealing with food, but that's about as far as I go.
I look on it as a chance to connect with the true male in me.

+1
(Except for the inner male bit.)
(Although I could do with an inner male bit at the moment . . . )

[Strider]

(Although I could do with an inner male bit at the moment . . . )

Wow. Talk about a novel way to search for a mate!

[north-north-west]

I was musing, not advertising!

[Nuts]

Shudder...
Phil, There are quiet a few au companies making multipurpose liquid soap, probably no need to look far from home for a similar product (without the hemp) we use one in bulk for kitchen, bath, laundry as well as walks. Not sure about teeth but bicarbonate is ok, probably the basis of bronners?