The Scrubba Tactical Wash Bag: A Must Have for Outdoor Adventurers and Travelers Everywhere

A Definite Need

Way back in the day, I recall being out in the hot and sticky for sometimes days on end without a change of clothes. Yes, this is while I was in the Army; it’s not like I was just unclean or anything. After the first three or four days, you really start to become uncomfortable. You can begin to smell so bad that you offend yourself.

The problems don’t end with discomfort; being medically trained, I realized that you can develop some fairly serious and unpleasant health problems by wearing soiled clothing day after day. Fungal infection and contact dermatitis can develop. After a few days, you can develop something called interigo. Have you ever had a rash in skin folds that turns warm, slightly burning, and perhaps a bit yeasty? That was likely intertrigo. It can happen to the best of us in the folds where our thighs meet the trunk of our body. Intertrigo is why commandos often go commando.

The Solution

Fortunately, there is a way to avoid all of this unpleasantness. Keep your clothes (and your body) clean. The best way I’ve found to do that out in the field is by using something called the Scrubba Tactical Wash Bag. And you don’t have to join Special Forces to get your hands on one. Head on over to the Scrubba website to check them out.

This “washing machine in a bag” is impressively small (can be held in the palm of your hand) and lightweight (only 160g, or 5.6 oz). Any outdoorsman or soldier who will be carrying a pack for any amount of time will greatly appreciate this fact. When laid flat, the bag measures 54cm x 32cm, and when rolled for storage, it is approximately 16cm x 6cm x 6cm. Small in size, yet still large enough to wash up to 2 T-shirts, 2 pairs of underwear, and 2 pairs of socks per load.

When you handle this wash bag, you can tell a lot of thought went into the product. It was designed and constructed in consultation with a former SAS team leader. If anyone knows about tactical equipment needed in the bush, it’s those guys. The neutral coyote brown color blends right in with most outdoor environments no matter where in the world you are. It features rugged construction and a built-in transparent window so you can monitor water levels while washing. The seams are all heat welded to prevent leakage, and overall the materials used here are top-notch. At one end of the bag is an extra-large, easy-to-twist valve to control the amount of air inside. It’s easy to turn, even with my meaty mitts. The bottom of the Scrubba features a “grippy” surface that ensures your bag stays in place while you are washing your clothes.

Above is the money shot; this is where all the magic happens. Those raised nubs provide the needed friction to get your clothes clean. It’s basically the same principle as a washboard and is pretty ingenious if you ask me.

Operation

So, how does it work? Glad you asked. It is ultra simple to use, and the process is quite intuitive. If, for some reason, you forget the order of operations, the instructions are printed right there on the outside of the bag. In addition to the bag itself and some dirty clothes, you’re going to need some laundry detergent and water. The exact amount of water you will need will vary depending on the size of the load you are washing but plan on using between a gallon and a half (4-6 liters) to get the job done.

You can use whatever type of detergent you like, but keep in mind it should be an environmentally friendly product. Once it is done doing its job, the soapy detergent and dirty water will be returned to the environment.

Here are the steps to getting clean clothes out in the field:

1. Fill the bag with water, detergent, and clothes. Do not fill past the MAX line indicated on the bag.
2. Remove excess air from the bag and roll down the top at least three to four times and clip it shut.
3. Press down on the bag and rub the clothes against the washboard for about 30 seconds to 3 minutes, depending on how dirty the clothes are.
4. Unclip and unroll the bag, then pour out the dirty water.
5. Rinse the clothes by filling the bag with clean water and agitating the clothes. Repeat the rinse process if necessary.
6. Remove the clothes, wring them out, and hang them to dry.

Other Uses

If you are going to be carrying something with you on your outdoor adventures, it might as well be multifunctional, and the Scrubba Tactical Wash Bag certainly is. When you aren’t washing your clothes with it, you can use it as a dry bag to keep your gear dry. If you need to carry water from point A to point B, it can be used as a bucket.

Even if I’m not out in the field, I’m going to be certain to keep a couple of these in my home for certain. You see, I live in Florida, and one of the few downsides to living in the Sunshine State is that we get pummeled with hurricanes from time to time. When that happens, the power goes out, sometimes for days or maybe even two weeks in bad cases. No power equals no conventional washing machine. It also means no air conditioning. Since it’s about 90° F and 85% humidity, you soak through clothes quickly.

An easy-to-use portable washing device like the Scrubba Tactical Wash bag can be a lifesaver.