Feeling fresh on a DofE expedition

At Lifeventure, we’ve got first-hand experience of being away from our usual home comforts, and that doesn’t just include the TV! While your normal washing facilities might not be available on your DofE expedition, there are still plenty of ways to keep yourself feeling fresh.

Read on for our DofE-friendly top tips for staying fresh on the move!

1. Choose smart fabrics

A big part of feeling fresh can come down to what materials you choose. Keep an eye out for treatments like Polygiene® which prevent the build-up of bacteria. This means that any fabrics treated with it will stay fresher and odour-free for longer. Polygiene® is featured on Lifeventure’s SoftFibre Travel Towels which plays a big part in how fresh you feel after using them. Unlike a standard household bathroom towel, the Lifeventure SoftFibre towel will dry quickly, is super absorbent and will stay fresher for longer, meaning you’ll feel cleaner.

2. Pack dirty gear separately

While it might sound obvious, it is a simple tip that has a big effect – keeping your dirty laundry separate from the rest of your kit is an easy way to make sure the rest of your clothes don’t become smelly or musty. We recommend taking a spare dry bag to store dirty clothes inside. Lifeventure dry bags are a great option to help you organise your clean and dirty kit, as well as keeping it dry!

3. If you need to, wash it on the go

While on your DofE expedition, you may end up getting dirtier than you think! While it isn’t super convenient, it is possible to wash your clothes on the go if you need to – this is especially useful on a Gold expedition when you are out and about for multiple days and want to reduce weight.

That dry bag we mentioned in the last tip? It can easily double up as your own handy, portable washing machine. Just pop some warm water in and a little bit of detergent (we’d recommend our Lifeventure Fabric Wash Leaves) and scrunch the contents inside around. It might not be the best wash your clothes have ever had, but it sure will get the job done! Simply rinse them and hang them over your backpack while walking for them to dry out, leaving you with fresh, clean clothes.

4. Keep your backpack smelling cotton-fresh

After a little while, the clothes in your backpack can start to smell a bit musty. There is nothing worse than waking up in the morning and getting changed into clothes that leave you feeling smelly or dirty when you put them on before you’ve even done anything! Our advice? Pop a tumble-dryer sheet inside your backpack. Tumble dryer sheets are lightly scented and will keep your bag’s contents smelling as if they’ve been freshly washed.

5. Choose do-it-all toiletries

We understand that both space and weight are at a premium when out on expedition. The last thing you want to be doing is lugging endless heavy bottles with you, especially to end up only using a little out of each one. We recommend choosing a do-it-all wash for hair, face and body such as our Lifeventure All Purpose Soap. You can also decant essential personal products, such as conditioner or moisturiser into smaller, lightweight travel bottles. Another tip is sharing things like toothpaste with your group – and don’t forget the loo roll!

6. Pack a flannel or biodegradable wipes

When you want to freshen up at home, it is super simple to jump in the shower. While on your expedition you won’t have that luxury, but that doesn’t mean you can’t freshen yourself up. A super simple way to quickly feel fresh is to keep a flannel or biodegradable wipes close to hand. A quick body wash can instantly make you feel fresher and cleaner, and then you’re ready to start your day. If you’re using a flannel, you can pair this with our Dry Wash. Unlike other products on the market, our Dry Wash is designed to be used on other parts of the body other than just the hands. This means not only does it smell better, but it also saves even more precious space in your bag.

7. Keep your hands clean

Our last tip might be the easiest of them all! While on your DofE expedition, your hands are going to come into contact with a lot of surfaces and nature. This not only increases the risk of picking up germs or bacteria, but it also means your hands can become dirty incredibly quickly. If your hands are dirty, you’re going to feel dirty, you won’t be able to safely prepare and cook food, and you’re going to spread more dirt to everything you touch. Hand-washing facilities won’t be available, which is why we also recommend packing an anti-bacterial gel, such as our Dry Wash, kept easily accessible within your bag.

For more tips and great deals on DofE Recommended Kit, visit www.lifeventure.com