Festival season is calling, and whether you’re camping out at Glasto or dancing through a day fest, one thing’s for sure: staying fresh can be a real challenge.
No showers, questionable loos and long, sweaty days in the sun? Not exactly the recipe for feeling fabulous. So, if you want to know how to keep clean at a festival, then don’t worry, we’ve got your back (and your armpits).
From clever hacks to must-have products, this guide is packed with festival hygiene tips to help you smell great, feel clean, and stay confident all weekend long.
Hygiene Essentials at a Festival
When it comes to keeping clean at a festival, it’s all about preparation. You won’t have access to your usual shower setup, but with the right gear, you can still feel fresh as a daisy.
Tips for Staying Clean Without Showers
Whilst showers at a festival do (sometimes) exist, you often have to fork out for them or queue your morning away waiting for your turn. So, let’s just pretend that they’re not a thing and do without. Here's how to stay clean without a running water source:
Dry shampoo is your best friend for reviving roots and soaking up grease.
Body wipes are the holy grail of festival cleaning. Look for biodegradable options for the environment’s sake!
Antibacterial hand gel is non-negotiable. Keep it clipped to your bag for easy access.
Deodorant—preferably long-lasting or clinical-strength—is a must-have for long, sweaty days.
The Ultimate Festival Checklist
Whatever your festival agenda, make staying clean at the top. Here’s our festival checklist:
Baby wipes or body wipes
Mini deodorant
Dry shampoo
Leave-in conditioner
SPF (face + body)
Toothbrush + mini toothpaste
Microfibre towel
Hairbrush or comb
Perfume or body mist
Painkillers and plasters (trust us)
Beauty Picks: Products to Keep You Fresh
Looking good and smelling great at a festival is totally doable with the right products. Here’s what to pack for maximum freshness with minimum effort.
Perfumes and Cologne
Let’s talk festival perfume. While you might not want to bring your expensive glass bottle, that doesn’t mean skipping your signature scent.
Festival perfume options like mists, mini sprays, rollerballs and even solid perfumes are perfect for on-the-go freshness. Try something with light, citrusy or floral notes that won’t overwhelm you in the summer sun.
Looking for a new scent? Get inspired.
Dry Shampoo and Leave-In Conditioner
If you’re sleeping on a blow-up, roll mat or maybe just the tent floor (no judgement), chances are, you're not going to wake up with flawless locks.
First step, brush through the chaos. Then add some dry shampoo to keep your roots from looking oily. Finally, add a leave-in conditioner to help detangle, smooth and refresh your hair between braids or buns.
Body Wipes for a Dry Shower
At the top of your essentials checklist should be body wipes - these are basically the equivalent of festival showers. Choose extra-large wipes that are scented (but not overpowering) and designed for sensitive skin (just in case).
Deodorant and Antiperspirant
With endless dancing and walking around the festival area, sweating is bound to happen, but your deodorant can make sure no one notices. A good festival deodorant should last all day. Bonus points if it’s a mini size that fits in your bumbag for a spritz on the go.
Bonus Tips for Keeping Clean
Freshness isn’t just about what you pack, it’s also about how you prep and what you wear.
Extra Underwear and Socks
Pack more than you think you’ll need. Changing your underwear and socks daily (or even twice a day) is a simple way to feel instantly fresher.
Staying Hydrated
It might not seem obvious, but staying hydrated helps your body regulate sweat and keeps your skin healthier (so hopefully clearer!). Fill up your water bottle often and keep sipping throughout the day.
Clean Clothes
Save a clean outfit for the last day—you’ll thank yourself. One of the best festive hygiene tips we can give you is to choose breathable, light fabrics that won’t trap sweat. Make sure to avoid anything too tight or synthetic, as this can make you feel sweaty and icky.
Can You Take Perfume to a Festival?
Short answer: absolutely! But there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing your festival perfume.
How to Pack Perfume for a Festival
Avoid full-sized bottles. They’re bulky, fragile and easy to lose. Instead, decant your favourite scent into an atomiser or grab a travel-size version to save space and stress. Better yet try a hair and body mist to hit two birds with one stone.
Travel-Sized Perfumes
Mini sprays and rollerballs are perfect for festivals—they fit in your bag, and they’re discreet enough for quick top-ups between acts.
Discover our mini-sized perfumes here
Solid Perfumes
Looking for a leak-proof option? Solid perfumes are a smart, spill-free way to smell amazing all day. Plus, they’re usually small enough to slide into your pocket or mini bag without a second thought.
Feeling Fabulous All Festival Long
Even if you’re running on two hours of sleep and covered in glitter, you can feel fresh at a festival. With the right essentials, a bit of pre-planning and a few clever swaps, you’ll be feeling cool, clean and confident from the first beat drop to the final encore.
Ready to refresh your festival packing checklist? Explore our festival beauty essentials and fragrances to shop everything from mini perfumes to skin-soothing body mists—your Sunday self will thank you.
