Best Hunting Wash: Body Wash and Laundry Options

The best hunting wash depends on what you need to clean. Body wash and shampoo are made for skin and hair; laundry detergents are made for clothing. Compare the intended use, ingredients, fragrance description and package size rather than assuming that every product labeled for hunting does the same job.

A wash can clean skin or clothing, but it cannot guarantee that a person is odorless or undetectable to wildlife. The options below are listing-based comparisons, not hands-on tests. Check the current label and selected size before buying.

Body wash and shampoo

Scent Killer Gold Body Wash and Shampoo

The listing describes a 12-ounce body wash and shampoo with aloe and calls it unscented. Check the ingredients and directions on the current package.

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Body soap and shampoo

Scent-A-Way MAX Body Soap & Shampoo

This 24-ounce listing is another size of the body soap and shampoo product family. The original 12-ounce listing is also retained; compare size and current availability.

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Body wash and shampoo

Code Blue Body Wash & Shampoo

The listing identifies a 12-ounce body wash and shampoo. Review its current ingredients and directions to decide whether it suits your skin.

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Two additional body-wash listings from the original article are No Scent Hair & Body Wash and Elimishield HUNT Hair & Body Wash. Compare the current labels and sizes rather than assuming the formulas are interchangeable.

Laundry detergent

Scent Killer Gold Power Boost Detergent

The listing identifies a 32-ounce detergent for clothing. Follow the garment care label and the detergent's dosage instructions; do not use laundry detergent as body wash.

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Other original laundry links are Scent Killer Autumn Clothing Wash, Scent Killer Clothing Wash and the Atsko U-V-Killer/Sport-Wash combination. They are different products; confirm intended use and current availability before selecting one.

• Intended use: Select a cleanser intended for your body or hair and a separate detergent intended for fabric. Follow both product and garment directions.
• Fragrance wording: “Unscented” and “fragrance-free” do not necessarily mean the same thing. The EPA Safer Choice program explains its verified fragrance-free label; check the actual product label rather than assuming every hunting wash carries it.
• Ingredients and skin: Look at the full ingredient list if you have known sensitivities. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that some unscented products can contain ingredients that mask odors and may irritate dry, sensitive skin.
• Size and use: Compare container size, dosage and included items. A larger bottle is not automatically a better fit for every person or trip.
• Product claims: Marketing terms alone do not prove a product will prevent wildlife from detecting you.

Read the instructions, rinse as directed and discontinue a product if it irritates your skin. If you have persistent irritation or a known skin condition, consult a dermatologist or other qualified clinician. Keep cleaning products away from children and follow storage instructions.

Use clothing detergent only for its labeled purpose, and follow the care instructions for waterproof or specialty fabrics. No wash replaces ordinary hygiene or guarantees the absence of odor. Our guide to wind and deer hunting explains why changing air movement makes scent difficult to predict.

The original article also linked to a washed-cotton cap; it is apparel, not a wash product.

No. Choose a product labeled for the intended use. A detergent for clothing should not be used on skin or hair.

Not necessarily. Some products labeled unscented can use ingredients to mask odors. Read the label and ingredients, especially if you have a known sensitivity.

No product can guarantee that wildlife will not detect a person. Cleaning can remove dirt and some odors, while wind and other factors vary.

Check the garment maker's care instructions and the detergent label first. Specialty fabrics and coatings may have different cleaning requirements.