How you properly and sustainably go to the toilet in the forest

👉 The key facts from this guide

How do you go to the toilet in the forest?

Where do you do your big business?

And how do you do that in harmony with nature?

Are you allowed to use toilet paper? Or even wet wipes?

An unpleasant topic and today I am talking about it.

I will answer the most important questions and give you tips.

Preparing for Your "Business"

Bushcrafters and survivalists are nature lovers. We strive to leave the wilderness as we found it.

Therefore, we must make as little dirt and garbage as possible.

If you just need to pee, simply go into the woods. You don't need to take any further measures.

But what if you need to do your "big business"?

I'll tell you a trick: do it like the animals. It's the easiest and cleanest way for nature.

Dig a small hole where your "pile" and the rest can go. Lift the soil so you can cover the hole later.

Cats, dogs, and other animals do that too.

Afterward, you bury everything and no one sees or smells that you were there.

Here are a few tips:

• Dig the hole deep enough so that everything really disappears - but it doesn't have to be 30 cm deep. Often 5 to 10 cm is enough.
• Go at least 50 meters away from water, hiking trails, and campsites to go to the toilet.
• Watch out for poisonous plants, ant hills, and beehives.
• Choose level ground when urinating.
• Place a stick upright where you dug the hole.

The latrine for multiple people

If you are not traveling alone, a "space" must be created for bathroom breaks.

The best way to achieve this is with a long-term use latrine.

If I conduct a wilderness camp, then my forest toilet for the participants usually looks like the one in the picture.

However, the latrine is not really suitable for "number one" business. Ideally, the latrine should remain as dry as possible, as this reduces the formation of odors.

That's how it works:

• Dig a rectangular hole that is approximately 2 meters by 1 meter in size.
• On the long sides of the hole, build a shield made of willow wicker or branches (privacy screen). A tarpaulin is also possible here.
• On the left or right side, there is soil to cover the "pile".
• Optional: Stretch a safety cord on the left and right sides.

Here is a graphic showing the construction of the latrine:

What you use to "wipe"

We use toilet paper or moist toilet paper at home in Germany.

But please refrain from using moist toilet paper or wet wipes in the forest. Both of them decompose poorly and slowly because they are not made of paper, but of sturdy nonwoven fabric.

Even toilet paper is not ideal, but still better than those solid wet wipes.

The best way to clean your buttocks is to use natural materials, such as:

• Large leaves (multi-layered are more tear-resistant)
• Water (but do not pour it back into the stream or lake!)
• Snow, if it's winter (I know, it will be freezing on the buttocks)

And if you have nothing at your disposal, then your hands have to believe in it. Yes, that sounds disgusting at first. Then clean your hands in the grass and with soil.

If you use leaves, make sure they are non-toxic, non-stinging, or non-burning plant leaves. Stinging nettle leaves are therefore not suitable.

I recommend large leaves from maple or beech trees.

How to handle other hygiene products?

Bushcraft and survival is not just for men. There are also women who enjoy going into the wilderness. And everyone needs more or less certain hygiene items.

Well, these products don't belong in nature:

• Tampons
• Pads
• Wet wipes
• Moist towelettes
• Tissues
• Diapers for children

All products are incredibly difficult to break down naturally and sometimes only decompose over several decades.

Imagine if everyone threw their hygiene products into nature. The forest would be full of garbage.

So, always take a small bag with you and collect your waste there. You will surely find the next trash can and then dispose of everything there.

Summary

Going to the toilet in the wilderness is not difficult. Personal hygiene and environmental protection can be reconciled.

Do it like the animals: dig a small hole.

Use as little toilet paper as possible and avoid all other types of supposed paper.

Or use 100% biodegradable wipes if possible.

Here is my recommendation:

If you use hygiene products, take them with you. Use small bags that can be securely closed.

P. S.

Did you know that wet wipes and moist toilet paper should not be flushed down the toilet? They clog the sewer system. Always throw them in the trash! Because wet wipes are not paper, but tear-resistant fleece.

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How did you like the tips on the topic?

Do you have any other ideas for "cleaning up"?

Write your opinion in the comments!