Well, sure, that’s ideal but when you’re on a multi-day hiking trip and you’re midway between water sources at a “dry camp” so that you’re 10 miles from surface water… bucket and minimal water it is.
Or just skip the bath that day.
I found out the hard way that not hitting the face, pits, hands, crotch, and feet daily when backpacking in summer could lead to Bad Things occurring…
I am aware, though the brand I have still has warnings printed on it not to use it in a natural water source; it says to carry a bucket of water 200 feet away from the lake or stream and do your business there, disposing of wastewater in a 6 to 8 inch deep cathole.
I think the bars of household soap that you buy, or at least I buy, which are pure Castile soap or Aleppo soap with no added ingredients, are not too bad for the environment, but the same rules would apply.
I’m not a senior (well, not officially; I’m 64) and I almost never bathe because it’s just too damn tough to haul myself out of a tub. Which is a shame, as we have a nice soaking tub in our master bathroom. If we ever get around to redoing the bathroom, grab bars WILL happen (both for the tub and the separate shower).
Yes, i vacation at lake Winnipesaukee, and it’s been illegal for decades to use soap IN the lake. But it’s use biodegradable soap in a basin and dump it on the ground away from the lake, so soil bacteria can break it down before it gets into the water.
The lake has been much cleaner since that rule went into effect. Especially around little coves that are good for a morning dip.
I still take a morning bath, i just do it without soap. I just rinse off my sweat.