Everything You Need To Do Laundry While Traveling

When you’re exploring new destinations — whether you’re backpacking through Europe, road-tripping across the U.S., or camping under the stars — the last thing you want is to be weighed down by a heavy bag full of dirty clothes. Laundry may not be the most glamorous part of traveling, but staying fresh and comfortable on the road is essential. Luckily, you don’t need a washer and dryer to keep your clothes clean. Here’s everything you need to know about washing (and drying) your laundry while you’re on the go — without sacrificing space or convenience.

Laundry Detergent

Whether you opt for the sink, a bucket, or a wash bag (more on that below), one item you can’t do laundry without is detergent. Eco-friendly laundry detergent sheets are a great alternative to traditional liquid or powder detergent. These convenient sheets not only last longer than a jug of liquid detergent, but also are incredibly practical for travel. About the size of a dryer sheet, they’re easy to pack in a sealable plastic bag and take up little space in your suitcase or backpack. Plus, you can tear them in half or quarters to adjust the amount you use. One sheet is enough for a full load, meaning a few sheets can last you through multiple washes.

Wash Bag

Say goodbye to the hassle of scrubbing clothes by hand in a bathroom sink. With the Scrubba Wash Bag, you can clean your laundry without ever getting your hands wet. Lightweight, portable, and straightforward to use, the Scrubba is a clever solution for on-the-go washing. Just toss your dirty clothes into the cylinder-shaped dry bag, add water and detergent, and seal it up. As you press the outside of the bag, small knobs inside create a washboard-like effect to scrub away dirt on your clothes. Once you’re done, pour out the used water, add fresh water to rinse, then wring out and hang your clothes to dry. 

Travel Clothesline

Now that you have an armful of dripping wet clothes, you’re probably wondering where to hang them to dry. The solution is a portable travel clothesline. Whether you’re camping in the great outdoors or staying in a cozy Airbnb or a small hotel room, you can easily string it up between two trees, across a balcony, or even between a desk and a bedpost. This retractable portable clothesline is not only compact and lightweight, but also comes with built-in clips to securely hold your clothes in place while they dry. That means no more hunting for hangers or awkwardly draping clothes over furniture.

Microfiber Towel

Drying clothes is much easier when there’s a bit of fresh air or a breeze to help, but in a small, stuffy space without proper air circulation, clothes can stay damp for days — and may even start to develop a musty odor. If you’re unable to hang your clothes outside, a clever trick is to use a microfiber towel to help absorb excess water before you hang them up. Simply lay the towel over your wet clothes and press down to soak up moisture, which will speed up the drying process and reduce that unpleasant damp smell.