>>100114Don't use any soap, even "biodegradable," in water sources. Haul your water back to camp in a container (or even just pour from your water bottle), and wash your hands or dishes or whatever a couple hundred feet from the water source and, ideally, a bit away from where you'll sleep and prepare food (but if I'm in a small group for one night I might wash closer to camp). Even "biodegradable" or "natural" soap is not good for local streams, and if you have poo in your hands, remember that people will drink that water at some point.
For short trips I just use hand sanitizer. I have never gotten sick off my own poo hands (although hand sanitizer is not nearly as effective as soap and water at removing fecal matter). If you really want to wash, take something like a 4oz bottle of Dr. Bronners, or even just a sliver of soap in a plastic baggie.
