How to Do Laundry Backpacking: 7 Tips You Need to Know!

Anyone who’s done any long-term travel will know just how important having a laundry plan is.

I’ll admit, I’m not someone who’s ever been outdoorsy enough to hike and camp, needing to do laundry in a river or creek.

But, during my solo travels, I’ve learned how to do laundry in various places like hotel sinks and laundromats.

Over the years, I’ve had some disastrous results in countries, and plenty of hilarious attempts at figuring out how to work machines in foreign languages.

I guess you could say I’ve become a bit of a pro at doing laundry while traveling.

So sit back, grab a pen, and take notes, because I’m about to tell you everything you need to know to do laundry backpacking.

Benefits of Doing Laundry While Traveling

Travel Convenience

Washing your clothes during travel lets you easily re-wear your favorite clothes during long-haul trips.

Not to mention, it also saves you time and money, since laundromats and hotel laundry services can add up quickly!

Eco-Friendly

Being mindful of the environment while traveling is essential, and doing laundry during your trip can contribute to that.

You should also use a detergent that is eco-friendly to reduce your environmental impact while washing clothes.

Some popular eco-friendly options include:

• Earth Breeze
• Ecoroots
• Dropps
• Pur Home
• Cleancult
• Blueland
• Tru Earth
• Biokleen

Less Luggage

Being able to do laundry on the go enables you to pack lighter, leading to several benefits.

With fewer clothes, you’ll have a lighter load to carry around, reducing the physical strain of hauling luggage throughout your journey.

Packing less clothing might also save you from baggage fees when flying.

Plus, with more space available in your suitcase, you also create room for souvenirs or additional items that you may gain during your trip.

Best Travel Laundry Soap

While traveling, it’s important to make sure you’ve got a laundry detergent that’s easy to travel with.

My go to are Tide’s detergent packets. I’ve used them for the last six months of non-stop solo travel across Europe and Asia.

I love how easy they are to pack, and that they can sit in my carry-on without really counting as a liquid I have to pull out at security.

Plus, the packets make measuring the liquid a breeze!

Choosing the Right Laundry Bag

Drawstring Closure

A drawstring closure is a popular choice for a laundry bag as it allows easy access to your clothes while providing a secure closure.

It also means that your dirty laundry stays contained and separated from your clean clothes.

Waterproof Material

Use a waterproof laundry bag on beach vacations to separate wet clothes from other items.

Opt for a laundry bag made with waterproof material, like ripstop nylon, to protect your clothes from moisture and prevent odors.

Durable Nylon

To make sure your bag can withstand the rigors of travel and resist wear and tear, choose one made from a durable fabric like nylon.

Mesh Pocket

Mesh pockets also allow your clothes to breathe, reducing the potential for odors and mildew to develop.

Best Travel Laundry Bags

UniLiGis Washable Travel Laundry Bag

These laundry bags are a great investment for travelers in need of durable and spacious solutions for their dirty clothes.

Pros

• Large capacity, holding up to 3 loads of laundry
• Square base design for easier stacking and storage
• 2 handles and locking closure for secure transportation

Cons

• Might be too large for small trips
• No separate compartments for organization
• Heavy-duty material may not be suitable for delicate clothing

2 Pcs JHX Dirty Laundry Bag

A must-have travel accessory for those in need of a lightweight, durable, and odorless laundry bag.

Pros

• Convenient handle and hook design
• Compact size when folded, larger capacity when unfolded
• High-density 210D nylon material, machine washable

Cons

• May not fit large volumes of laundry
• Limited color options: Black & Grey
• No additional compartments inside

Miamica Foldable Travel Laundry Bag

This Miamica Foldable Travel Laundry Bag is a must-have for those who need a stylish yet functional solution to separate dirty clothes while traveling.

Pros

• Compact and lightweight design
• Expandable with a drawstring closure
• Durable and water-resistant material

Cons

• Might be small for larger families
• Limited design selection
• No compartments for separating types of clothes

Urban Villa Laundry Bag

Urban Villa Laundry Bags are a reliable and convenient solution for your travel laundry needs.

Pros

• Safe and lightweight cotton material
• Great organizer for multiple uses
• Large size with drawstring closure

Cons

• May shrink after washing
• Not suitable for very heavy loads
• Limited color options

Laundry Tips for Backpacking and Long Term Travelers

Washing in Streams and Lakes

If you’re doing laundry on the trail, it’s essential to choose a detergent that is both eco-friendly and effective.

When doing laundry, pick a biodegradable soap that is gentle on the environment and your clothes.

This type of soap easily breaks down and is safe to use near streams and lakes.

Doing Laundry in Hotel Rooms and Airbnbs

As a long-term solo travelers, I’ve done my laundry in plenty of hotel rooms and Airbnbs over the years.

Tide Travel Packets are always my go-to while on the road, because they’re easy to pack, and don’t take up my valuable liquid allowance when I travel with carry-on only.

Using a Travel Clothesline

So I had never heard of these, until last year in Cape Town, when my friend April pulled it out of her bag.

These lightweight, compact lines attach to trees or other structures, allowing your clothes to air dry quickly.

Position the clothesline in a well-ventilated area with direct sunlight, if possible, to speed up the drying process.

Alternative Laundry Solutions While Traveling

Laundromat

If you prefer a more hands-on approach for your laundry, consider using coin-operated laundromats.

While I was living in NYC, I did my laundry at one every week.

It became a bit of a ritual, grabbing a coffee and a good book to enjoy while my laundry was in the machine.

Most facilities have self-service washers and dryers, ideal for travelers who want to handle their laundry on their own.

Oh, also most require you to bring your own detergent, so be sure to pack some in your luggage!

Always have enough coins on hand, as not all laundromats accept card payments or provide change machines.

Paying to Have Your Laundry Done

An alternative to doing the laundry yourself is to pay for a laundry service.

Some places offer full-service laundry where you can drop off and pick up your clean clothes.

This is an excellent choice if you’re short on time or want to focus on other aspects of your trip.

Though it’s more expensive and you risk things not being washed properly.

Always ask about the price and turnaround time before dropping off your clothes to avoid any surprises.

And even though, be ready for surprises.

I dropped off clothes in Sri Lanka with a 24-hour turnaround and showed up to find everything still soaked and wrapped up in newspaper (which stained my whites).

Though being fair, it rained that night while they had all the clothes on the line drying. So it wasn’t really the services fault.

Clothing Items and Materials to Keep an Eye Out For

Wool Clothing

Wool is great for backpacking because it wicks away moisture and resists odors naturally.

Opt for merino wool clothing for lightweight and comfortable attire, great for hiking, outdoor activities, and colder city nights.

Quick-Drying Fabrics

When doing laundry during a backpacking trip, it’s important to pick quick-drying fabrics whenever you can.

Materials like polyester, nylon, and spandex are especially great options because they dry faster than cotton fabrics.

They’re also less likely to wrinkle, making them fantastic for extended trips.

These are some good ones to keep an eye out for:

• Polyester: Durable, moisture-wicking, and dries quickly.

• Nylon: Lightweight, quick-drying, and resists odor.

• Spandex: Flexible, fast-drying, and offers a comfortable fit.

Avoiding Bleach

While bleach is effective for cleaning, it can damage to wool and certain synthetic fabrics commonly used in backpacking gear.

Using bleach on these materials may cause discoloration, weaken fibers, or damage the fabric. Instead of bleach, opt for mild detergents specially made for delicate or outdoor clothing.

Final Thoughts

I hope this helps you create the perfect plan for doing laundry while on your next long-haul trip.

My final piece of advice is truly a life-saver, always keep at least one Tide Pen in your purse.

I can’t begin to tell you how many times over the years these handy little pens have saved the day (not to mention the outfit!).

Every time I travel, I bring at least three of these with me—and now even more, because my European friends always request I bring a few for them!