Disinfection of dishes

Environmentally-Friendly Dish Disinfection While Hiking

When you're out in the wilderness, maintaining cleanliness in meal preparation and cleanup is crucial,

but so is protecting the environment. Traditional cleaning methods often involve harsh chemicals that can harm natural habitats. However, alternatives like hydrogen peroxide and vinegar can be effective and environmentally friendly. Here’s a guide to using these substances safely and effectively while adhering to Leave No Trace principles.

The wilderness requires a careful balance between human activity and nature preservation. Using eco-friendly disinfectants ensures that your impact on the environment is minimized, protecting water sources and wildlife from harmful chemicals commonly found in traditional disinfectants like bleach.

Here's a concise comparison of hydrogen peroxide and vinegar for disinfecting dishes in the wilderness:

Disinfectant	Dilution in water	Pros	Cons
Hydrogen Peroxide	1:32 hydrogen peroxide to water (1)	Dual-purpose (disinfectant and antiseptic) Environmentally friendly (breaks down into water and oxygen) Effective antibacterial and antiviral properties Efficient to carry	Less stable, decomposes over time and with light exposure Can irritate skin, eyes, and mucous membranes
Vinegar	1:1 vinegar to water (1)	Natural and safe, with antibacterial properties Available and multipurpose (cooking and cleaning) Leaves no harmful residue	Less effective against some pathogens Strong odor that may linger on dishes Requires more bulk to carry supply needed
Bleach	Strong 1:10 bleach  to water (2) Less potent 1:47 bleach to water (3)	Extremely effective at killing a broad range of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi Quickly disinfects surfaces, making it a reliable option for ensuring cleanliness. Efficient to carry	Harmful to aquatic life and can contaminate water sources if not handled and disposed of properly. Can corrode metals and damage fabrics, and it's hazardous to skin and respiratory systems if used improperly. Requires careful handling and proper disposal, as it should not be released into the environment.

Sources:

1. Recommendations for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
2. Bleach Dilution Calculator GEG Calculators
3. Bleach Dilution Ratio Chart for Disinfecting Clorox bleach website

My choice?

For me, I go with Hydrongen Peroxide.  It doubles as a first aid antibacterial cleanse, is price-friendly, uses much less volume/bulk, and in small batches is widely considered environmentally safe so you can dump it out over a small ground area.

Vinegar is okay, but with a 1:1 ratio that means carrying a lot of it with you.  For a 2-gallon disinfection bin, you'll need 1 gallon of vinegar--that will call for leaving behind some other gear.

I'm not saying "don't use bleach" -- but if you do, and you want to stick to LNT principles (which I think yoiu should), then you're carting that stuff out until you can get to a safe disposal location.

Best Practices for Wilderness Dishwashing

When using any disinfectant in the wilderness, follow these best practices to uphold Leave No Trace principles:

• Use small quantities of disinfectant to minimize environmental impact.
• Wash dishes at least 200 feet away from natural water sources.
• Strain and pack out food particles to avoid attracting wildlife.
• Scatter used water over a wide area to allow the soil to filter it naturally.

Conclusion

Choosing the right disinfectant for wilderness trips involves balancing effectiveness, safety, and environmental impact. Hydrogen peroxide and vinegar both offer benefits over traditional chemicals like bleach, making them excellent choices for eco-conscious hikers.

Remember, whatever product you choose, the key is to use it responsibly to ensure that the natural beauty and integrity of the wilderness remain unspoiled for future explorers.