Whether you're scaling mountains, sipping drinks on a luxury cruise ship, or anything in between, one thing stays the same: your laundry piles up. Keep your clothes fresh with these simple steps.
Choose a Method
There are several ways you can launder your clothes during trips. Which one you choose depends on how much money you want to spend as well as how much time and energy you want to put in.
- Wash by hand in a sink or tub. This works best for less bulky items like underwear, socks, shirts, and so on. Add your dirty laundry to hot water and soap and knead the clothing so the soapy water gets pushed through the fabric. If your clothing is especially dirty, let it soak for a few minutes then rinse to get the soap out. This method will save you money, but takes more time and effort on your part.
- Send your dirty laundry out to be cleaned. Generally the most expensive method, this can save you a ton of time if you'd rather be sightseeing than scrubbing. The staff at your hostel or hotel may be able to provide you with recommendations on where to send your laundry.
- Find nearby laundry facilities. Often times a staff person at your accommodations can recommend a few places for you to check out, there may even be facilities there that you can use. While this allows you to clean more clothing than the hand wash method, it will cost more and take more time since you have to wait at the facility for your clothes to go through the wash and dry cycles.
If you have anything that needs air drying, squeeze excess water out then use a towel to absorb more of the moisture before you hang it up. If you can, try and hang it in the bathroom so that the dripping water doesn't ruin the room's floor and lead to you being charged damage fees.
Bring the Right Supplies
Whichever method you choose, make sure to bring along the related supplies. Packets of laundry soap pack well and may not be easy to find so bring your own. Some other items to bring include a clothesline for air drying, a plastic bag to keep your dirty clothing in, a small drain stopper if you choose to hand wash items, and a small lint roller.
Think About Your Clothing Choices
Before throwing something into your bag, double-check labels for fabric care instructions. Don't pack things that are difficult to wash, such as items that have special washing instructions. Also, pick clothing that air dries quickly and doesn't hold onto moisture. If your clothing is wrinkled, you can steam it by hanging it in the bathroom while you shower.
No matter where you go, you'll need to keep your clothes clean. Think about the method, supplies, and clothing you're bringing to streamline the process. What do you usually do to keep your laundry clean during trips? Let us know in the discussion below.
Images from m01229, slgc, sharadaprasad.
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