Bathroom Etiquette in the Great Outdoors

A major bonus of living in North America is the ability to enjoy the great outdoors! Whether you canoe, kayak, climb or drive, there’s one pretty important subject to consider: bathroom etiquette.

When you’re organizing a trip and checking your essential items off the packing list it’s time to plan how you’ll manage to stay fresh while on the go. Thanks to Cottonelle’s Flushable Wipes providing a freshness boost anywhere, anytime, managing your human waste just got incredibly easier. Preserving wilderness is crucial and according to Leave No Trace, a charitable organization providing education to help people care for the outdoors, “proper disposal of human waste is important to avoid pollution of water sources, avoid the negative implications of someone else finding it, minimize the possibility of spreading disease and maximize the rate of decomposition.”

How to Poop in the Woods

So, while you're planning your next camping trip it’s time to brush up on your toilet lingo. First up: cat holes. Never heard of them? Cat holes are the most widely accepted method of waste disposal. Here’s how:

1. Select an inconspicuous location at least 60 meters (200 feet or about 70 steps) from water, trails and your campsite where other people will be unlikely to walk or camp.

2. With a small shovel or garden trowel, dig a hole between 15 and 20 cm deep (6-8 inches) and 10 to 15 cm (4-6 inches) in diameter.

3. Proceed with handling your business! Use white, unscented, toilet paper like Cottonelle® Ultra Clean Toilet Paper paired with FreshCare® Flushable Wipes for the freshest clean so you can focus on enjoying the great outdoors!

4. After use the cat hole should be filled back in with soil and disguised with natural materials. If your camping trip will remain in the area for more than one night, or if you’re part of a large group, cat hole sites should be located as far apart as possible

5. Grab one of the hand sanitizer bottles you’ve stocked up on over the years and clean your hands thoroughly.

Bring a Portable Camping Toilet with Wipes

If digging a hole doesn’t jive with your summer plans, know that you have options! Bringing your own toilet might be for you. Portable camping toilets provide convenient and comfortable alternatives to the traditional cat holes. New models use water and provide a flush function similar to your home toilet. Wastewater can be disposed of at the RV or campsite’s Sanitary Dump Station.

Why are Cottonelle® Flushable Wipes Perfect for Camping or Hiking?

Cottonelle® FreshCare® Flushable Wipes are conveniently available in 14 count packs so you can add them to your rucksack to take your freshness boost on the go. Infused with the gentle cleansing power of water. They’re made with plant-based fibers and break down like toilet paper*, so they won’t clog your pipes at home or your camping toilet out and about. Use these wipes for an intimate clean that helps you feel like the best version of you, which as we know is not always easy while camping! In fact, once a few of your tent mates get their hands on these you may find that you need to upgrade to the 42-count pack.

After all, sharing is caring so go ahead and share your Downtherecare™! Here are some coupons for flushable wipes to get you started.

*Begins to break up as fast as Cottonelle Ultra Clean and has same break up after 30 minutes