If you take good care of your pee cloth, I promise it'll take good care of you.
Hello, dearest Kula friends, pee cloth aficionados, and those of you who are pee-cloth curious but also kind of grossed out by the whole idea.
All of you are welcome here.
Today we're talking about one of the hottest topics in the world of reusable pee cloths:
How do you actually clean your pee cloth?
This is probably the number one question we receive because, let's be honest, the idea of using a reusable cloth after peeing is a little eyebrow-raising at first.
The good news? It's incredibly simple.
Once you understand how a pee cloth works—and how to care for it—you'll probably discover it's much easier (and honestly more hygienic) than you imagined.
Watch: How to Clean Your Kula Cloth
Is a Pee Cloth Odor-Proof?
No. And honestly, that would be an impossible claim for anyone to make.
A Kula Cloth is simply used to pat dry after peeing. While there isn't a tremendous amount of urine on the cloth, there is still some. If you hold your nose directly against your Kula Cloth after using it—which, by the way, I do not recommend—you'll probably smell a faint hint of urine.
That's completely normal.
Kula Cloth is treated with antimicrobial silver ions that help make the fabric odor-resistant, meaning additional bacteria isn't growing in the fabric and creating odors—as long as you're washing it regularly and not letting it sit in the bottom of your backpack for weeks after a trip.
But odor-resistant does not mean odor-proof. Your pee still smells like...well...pee.
Fortunately, most people never notice any odor because most people also aren't sniffing their Kula Cloth. I'd recommend keeping it that way.
Why Does Pee Sometimes Smell Stronger?
If you do happen to notice an odor, it doesn't mean your Kula Cloth isn't working.
Urine odor varies depending on things like your hydration level, what you've eaten that day (hello, asparagus), and your own individual body chemistry.
In other words, you're just a human being who pees.
Later in this article I'll share a few simple tips for minimizing lingering odors if they bother you.
Do I Need to Wash My Pee Cloth After Every Use?
No. That said, if washing it after every use makes you happy, absolutely go for it.
Most people simply use their Kula Cloth throughout the day and then wash it in the evening—either while backpacking or once they get home.
If that initially sounds a little gross, I'd invite you to think about the alternative. If you don't pat dry after peeing, those little droplets don't magically disappear. They soak into the crotch of your underwear, where they stay pressed against your body for the rest of your hike.
Would you rather have those droplets sitting against your skin all day, potentially contributing to chafing, irritation, and that unmistakable swampy feeling...
...or transfer them to a dedicated hygiene cloth that hangs on the outside of your backpack until it's time to wash it?
The choice is entirely yours. I just find that framing helps put the "gross factor" into perspective.
At the end of the day, your body is simply doing exactly what it's designed to do. There is nothing gross about that.
How to Wash Your Kula Cloth at Home
Cleaning your Kula Cloth at home couldn't be easier. You can either wash it in the washing machine or wash it by hand in the sink.
Option 1: Washing Machine
If you're using a standard washer and dryer, there are just a couple of things to remember.
First, snap the strap closed before putting your Kula Cloth into the washing machine. If the strap is left open, washing machine agitators have occasionally been known to snag it.
Second, try not to wash it with a pile of Velcro gear. The stitching around the edge of your Kula Cloth can get nibbled on by hungry Velcro, and nobody wants their favorite pee cloth coming out of the wash looking like it got into a bar fight. If you're worried about it, simply place it inside a mesh delicates bag.
Otherwise, toss it in with your normal laundry using your regular detergent. Personally, I like Molly's Suds because it's a little gentler, but any standard laundry detergent works just fine.
And no—you absolutely do not need to wash an entire load of laundry just because you're washing one Kula Cloth.
Option 2: Washing It in the Sink
No washing machine? No problem.
- Wet your Kula Cloth in the sink.
- Add a tiny amount of soap to the black, dimpled absorbent side. My personal favorite is Wild Batch All-in-One Cleansing Powder, although Dr. Bronner's soap works beautifully too.
- Work the soap into the fabric with your hands until it's nice and sudsy.
- Rinse thoroughly under running water until all the soap bubbles disappear.
- Wring it out well and hang it to dry.
That's it. No special disinfectants. No complicated routine. Just wash, rinse, wring, and dry.
What If I'm Backpacking?
If you're hiking, backpacking, camping, or recreating somewhere without a sink or washing machine, don't worry. Cleaning your Kula Cloth outside is just as easy.
The number one rule is this: never wash your Kula Cloth directly in a lake, stream, river, or any natural water source.
Instead, use clean water from your water bottle and wash your Kula Cloth at least 200 feet (about 70 large steps) away from natural water. Choose a durable surface like gravel, rock, or bare dirt rather than fragile vegetation or alpine meadows.
Trail Washing
All you really need is your Kula Cloth, clean filtered water, and soap (optional).
If you don't want to carry soap, that's perfectly okay. Simply rinse your Kula Cloth with water, work the fabric thoroughly with your hands, wring it out, and hang it to dry.
If you do use soap, I love Wild Batch All-in-One Cleansing Powder because it can't leak inside my backpack, smells wonderful, and can also be used for washing your body, dishes, and trail laundry. A tiny bottle of Dr. Bronner's or a small slice of Kula Clean also work beautifully.
Wet your Kula Cloth. Add a little soap. Then really work the soap into the fabric.
(And no—not "agitate" as in annoy your Kula Cloth. Agitate as in scrub it well.)
Rinse thoroughly until all the soap bubbles disappear. Wring it out well. Done.
Drying Your Kula Cloth
If it's warm and sunny, simply hang it around camp to dry. Just make sure it's high enough that curious deer or mountain goats don't decide it's the most fascinating thing they've ever seen.
If you're camping somewhere damp, here's one of my favorite backpacking tricks.
Take your freshly washed, slightly damp Kula Cloth and tuck it inside your long underwear before bed—either against your thigh or your stomach. By morning, your body heat will usually have dried it completely.
It sounds weird. It works beautifully.
Can I Use It While It's Damp?
Absolutely. A damp Kula Cloth still works perfectly well. It simply feels a little more like a wet wipe.
If rinsing it more frequently makes you happier or more comfortable, go for it. Do whatever feels best for your body.
Can I Go More Than One Day Between Washes?
Yes. How often you wash your Kula Cloth is entirely personal.
During the early testing phase of Kula Cloth, I intentionally used one for four straight days on a backpacking trip without washing it because I wanted to see how the fabric held up. By day four, I was definitely ready to wash it. But it never felt particularly gross.
These days I use my Kula almost every morning on my neighborhood hikes and usually toss it in the wash every few days. Everyone develops their own routine.
Don't Forget Your Underwear
The exact same washing technique works beautifully for your underwear.
If I'm backpacking for one night, I usually don't bring an extra pair. If I'm heading out for two nights or longer, I like bringing a second pair and rotating between them.
I wash them exactly the same way I wash my Kula Cloth, paying special attention to the crotch of the underwear before rinsing thoroughly and hanging them to dry.
The goal is simple. We want to keep our underwear as clean as possible so sneaky fecal coliform bacteria doesn't find its way toward the urethra, where it can contribute to urinary tract infections. Keeping underwear clean and dry can also help reduce irritation, chafing, and other hygiene-related discomfort.
The cleaner and drier you can keep your nether regions, the happier you're likely to be on the trail.
And that's really the whole point. A clean Kula Cloth helps you stay comfortable, helps you feel confident using it over and over again, and makes backcountry hygiene one less thing you have to think about while you're outside enjoying the adventure.
A Few Things to Avoid
- Don't wash your Kula Cloth directly in lakes, rivers, or streams.
- Don't leave it sitting damp in your backpack for days after your trip.
- Close the snap before putting it in the washing machine.
- Avoid washing it with lots of Velcro if possible.
- If you're worried about odors, try washing with a little white vinegar or your favorite gentle soap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wash my Kula Cloth with my regular laundry?
Absolutely. Just close the snap first, and avoid washing it with a pile of Velcro gear if possible.
Can I use my Kula Cloth while it's still wet?
Yes! It'll simply feel more like a wet wipe.
How often should I wash my Kula Cloth?
Whenever feels right for you. Some people wash it daily, others every few days.
Can I wash it with only water?
Yes. Soap is optional, especially while backpacking.
Can I wash it in a river or lake?
No. Always use water from your bottle and wash at least 200 feet from natural water sources.
How long does it take to dry?
Usually just a few hours in warm weather. In damp climates, sleeping with it tucked inside your clothing overnight is one of my favorite tricks.
Oh — hello! I'm a pika. I live way up high, where the air is thin and the wildflowers are small and brave, just like you. All summer I gather little bits of joy to keep me warm through winter… and I saved this one for you: you're doing better than you think. Rest when you need to. The mountain isn't going anywhere — and you belong exactly as you are! Scootch in; there's room for two. 🌿
zip the tent back up ↩If you take good care of your pee cloth, I promise it'll take good care of you.
Here's the honest truth of why I care so much about something as small as a square of fabric: taking care of yourself outside shouldn't be a source of stress, shame, or a reason to stay home. When you know how to handle the ordinary, human parts of being a body in the wild, the whole world opens up a little wider.
That's what I hope your Kula gives you — not just a clean way to pat dry, but the confidence to go anywhere, on any day, exactly as you are.
Thank you for being here, for caring for your gear, and for taking up space outside. It means more to me than you know.
Love,
Anastasia
Founder, Kula Cloth®
0 comments