Are you having any fun? Burning Man 2025 + How To Clean All The Things
Between storms: Black Rock Desert Migratory Bird Refuge with water… and mosquitoes!
Well, honestly? This Burn was not like the others— check out this post and videos for why we keep going to such a challenging place. 2025 was a very hard burn— the most difficult and destructive in my 23 years of going to Burning Man. And I barely got out of camp to do anything— although I did get to see David Oliver’s Orbs which fortunately had just been secured when the first storm hit… and after the Man burned I made it to the Black Rock French Quarter where I had French toast with seared foie gras with a Stolpman gamay and I helped to prepare fresh sushi…
David Oliver’s Orbs at Burning Man 2025 with the Man peeking in the background
Campmate Moss watches the sunset: the extreme weather did produce epic sunsets
sunset at the Refuge between rainstorms
And yes, while there may be dust everywhere and on everything… lessons are learned. People pull together. People help each other. Communities are formed. Friendships born. Some of the strongest alliances are those made under pressure, under fire.
inside of the van after packing up— usually there’s room to take a nap but not in 2025 coming home
Now that we’ve returned, it’s time to clean all the things… sooner rather than later! But how— literally, not metaphorically!
The answer is: Calgon liquid water softener! I tried this method last year and it works. According to Burners, its “active ingredient, a polycarboxylate, has a high chelating power that helps lift the fine mineral particles from surfaces like tents, clothing, and bikes. It’s effective because it binds to the minerals in the dust, making it easier to rinse away, and is often used in conjunction with white vinegar to further break down the dust and its alkaline properties.”
How Calgon Works on Playa Dust
Methods for Using Calgon
For Laundry: Add a small amount of Calgon and white vinegar to your laundry cycle, along with your regular detergent, to remove the dust from clothing fibers.
For Bikes and Other Items: Use a diluted solution of Calgon, soap, and vinegar to spray and clean bikes, but be mindful of sensitive materials.
Tips for Using Calgon Effectively
Clean Sooner Rather Than Later: For best results, try to clean your gear within a few weeks of returning from the event, as the dust becomes harder to remove over time.
Combine with Vinegar: A 50/50 water and vinegar solution is also effective, particularly for neutralizing the alkaline nature of the dust.
tracing one woman’s Burning Man experiences from 1992-2013 from a depth psychological perspective
part 1: The Shadow Grows
part 2: integrating the Shadow
part 3: Burning Man’s 10 Principles: A Journey Into Community Soul Making & New Economy
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