I鈥檓 far from the only one who can wax poetic about the magic of ($18). (According to Complex, either.) This cooling, luxurious, inexpensive, portable stank killer has been around since the 1940s, and in that time, it has become a staple in almost every outdoor lover鈥檚 pack. Here鈥檚 why.
First, that heavy dose of peppermint smells fresh and is strong enough to mask some really nasty odors. I used Dr. Bronner鈥檚 to mask the next-level stink that bloomed on an extended guiding trip in the early aughts, during which I won a competition for who could last longest without showering.
Secondly, the peppermint castile soap has a pleasant cooling sensation. And while that hard menthol kick is an absolute nightmare if you get Dr. Bronner鈥檚 peppermint soap in your eye, an open wound, or any other鈥ahem鈥攕ensitive part of your body, it feels like an icy cool tonic on an itchy case of boater鈥檚 butt or athlete鈥檚 foot. That cooling effect turns that first shower after emerging from the wilderness into a spa-like experience.
Of course, one of the best ways to cut weight on any trip is to make sure everything you pack can serve at least two purposes. Dr. Bronner鈥檚 can serve more than 18 (it says so right on the label). I鈥檓 partial to using the peppermint version as a toothpaste, a body wash, and, well, an everything-else cleanser. It tastes awful but makes my breath smell as pretty as any dedicated toothpaste, and it cuts through caked-on grease on your camp dishes without using environmentally harmful goop.
It isn鈥檛 hard to find, either. I can trust that it鈥檒l be available in bulk in just about any health-food store or co-op in the country.
Finally, I trust it to not harm me or the environment, as it wasn鈥檛 created from a bunch of gnarly chemicals. I have a six-month-old daughter, and I would opt for the most expensive of baby-safe soaps for her nightly baths. Thankfully, I don鈥檛 have to. Dr. Bronner鈥檚 .