How I do laundry while traveling (Updated version)

[@MaggiFuchs]

Sorry, I know the video is a little bit quiet again… but this was filmed a while ago, and I promise I am currently trying to learn more about that whole sound thing… 😂 I hope it will get better …one future day! 🙃

[@kaypotter9097]

If your hotel provides a hairdryer/blowdryer, you can carefully use that to finish drying anything that’s still damp after it’s been hanging for a while. :)

[@catoks1]

I discovered your videos recently and I enjoy them so much because you explain your choices clearly. I think your videos are not "Packing 101" (basic information) but "Packing 201," for people who understand the situations you have faced and are ready to refine their methods, as you have done. For travel washing, I have tried the large Ziplock bag method and the Scrubba. Of those two, the Scrubba is sturdier and much better for cleaning, but, oy, the weight. So now, for the purpose of comparison, I have tried washing my clothes with both my Scrubba and the 13L Ultra-sil dry bag. For ordinary dirt, the dry bag is just as good as the Scrubba, and weighs 5oz. less! I use the dry bag as my dirty-clothes bag so I know when it reaches 1/3-1/2 full, it is time to do laundry. For both the Scrubba and the dry bag, it seems important to wash clothes that do *not* have lots of metal buttons, zippers, etc. because I think either bag could easily be punctured by the metal while scrubbing the clothes. So, that affects my choices for travel wardrobe.

[@m31indap]

You have such a delightful way about you. Love your videos.

[@MaggiFuchs]

Thank you for your nice comment, and liking my videos! 🤗

[@arlenealennox3136]

Hand laundry is certainly the key to light travel. I do a little bit every night so it doesn’t pile up to a big job. I take a gallon zip-loc bag instead of a sink stopper because it has other uses. Sometimes I wash my dirty items with myself in the shower. I use the hotel’s shampoo or body wash and carry a slice of laundry soap bar for backup. Hang up on a hanger in the closet (leave door open) and/or get plastic clothes pins with hook on the other end. Obviously, plan your travel wardrobe around items that will dry overnight.

[@alfonsohshk8998]

Better than bringing those hooks, just 2 cheap small and light carabiners that you can use them for other needs. Also small USB fans help to dey clothing, apart from towels

[@GlowingPathWay]

Love the part when you say you kick it with your foot 😂 simplicity

[@janh.4479]

Another great video Maggi! I do most of these things already, but I'm going to try the Sea to Summit Ultra -sil dry bag. Using the soap sheets is SO much easier than the previous soap powder that would make a mess! Love your methods and your explanations. The clothes rack is very cool!!

[@doublepanthers3088]

Terrific tutorial, Maggie. I am planning a week long trip this summer in a 26l bag and this video will help me accomplish my goal of getting more out of less.

[@gr8bkset-524]

I do my laundry before going to bed, then hang them on a line strung in the shower to drip dry 80%. They can dry the next day in the sun or will air dry in a room or with a hair dryer. I use very little detergent (a quarter of your sheet). PreSoaking them eliminates a lot of physical labor and I do one quick rinse. It's just a little sweat and body oil to wash out.

[@carlalimbaugh]

I use a meat marinating bag. It's like a food storage bag only much larger (~3 gallons) and thicker. They come two to a pack at Dollar Tree.

[@trinesandns4947]

The best and most useful video on doing laundry while travelling I've seen so far!

[@MaggiFuchs]

Thank you - happy to hear you liked it! :)

[@susanweatherseed2733]

Those little fragrance packets are called sachets, and I like them but often find them too strong after awhile. I buy tiny 'gauze ' bags at Dollarama and fill them with cedar chips and/or lavender buds that I buy in 1large bag at a store or better yet, at a lavender farm:) Also very good in fridges is to put pickling salt or large grains in a paper towel/napkin, tie it up with an old wire tie or bread bag tie and leave it in the fridge or in your suitcase to eliminate orders and dampness. I keep those packets in vitamins etc to use as well especially if I pack vitamins or other things in plastic bags in case there is any dampness at all. Haven't figured out as good, safe way to dry woollen socks fast which can take up to 2 days even in Italy ( but not in the summer on the E coast-minutes!) sometimes I wear a 'liner' sock-thin merino and wash those but not the outer one ( as often) if I wear 2 layers. Do not wear socks that you think ' might be bone dry' but aren't -they will ruin your feet. My mother used to tell us to place the item on your cheek to see if it was still damp or not as the face is so sensitive and detects tiny amounts of dampness. If in doubt, put them in a stuff sack until later. On a tour that we went on, many hung out their socks to dry all over lol There are dryer sheets for scent instead of buying another plastic container with not necessary beads-I have been using the laundry soap sheets with and without scent for a few years now, and the dryer sheets sometimes. Often I just use others' old c commercial ones if I use machines. Best to watch out about how much perfumed stuff is used due to allergies. Soak is a great liquid soap-swish & squeeze several times, soak 15 minutes, squeeze as dry as possible, hang to dry or flat.on a towel. For bar soap, I use good old Sunlight bar laundry soap-for body, hair and clothing! Smells Clean and Fresh :-) Thanks for all of the great ideas Maggie 😊

[@maradall]

@susanweatherseed2733 I'm thinking you must be another Aussie? ...with your reference to Sunlight soap. 😃 (Though I've never heard of "Soak"... I too aim to minimise those strong perfumes used in many laundry products, and I like your suggestions!

[@stephenhilton9262]

Used a cheap dry bag for over a year , friend gave me a scrubba bag to try . Wow oh wow huge difference, those little nipple things do work

[@maradall]

Some very useful ideas here! I'm a dedicated self-laundry traveller - I can't tolerate the highly scented laundry detergent that most laundry services use (at least in Asia and South America) - but the weight of my stuff does add up a bit. I have a Scrubba bag - in fact, I have 2, because my original one had a faulty valve, and the company replaced the bag. I glued the faulty valve back in, but it doesn't really matter because I tend to only use that bag for rinsing. I also carry a couple of large plastic garbage bags, the stand-up ones, which are great for rinsing and/or for using to put your washed clothes on while you fill up the Scrubba. You are right, the valve doesn't do very much, and I think the only advantage the Scrubba bag has over a dry bag is that it is more robust and will last longer, with all that massaging of clothes - which of course adds to its weight. From now, I will keep the Scrubba bags to use for van travel & camping (where it will be perfect, especially in places where you have to leave it on the ground), and get a dry bag for travel with a backpack. I also have a small peg hanger, the type used in Asia - it's light (mostly plastic) but probably a bit more bulky than that cap organiser. The cap organiser looks quite useful - but a bit too expensive, for Australia. Maybe a piece of cord and some stainless steel pegs would be a cheap, compact & lightweight option, for travel with a backpack.

[@cosmopoliteancie]

After doing the laundry I takes a towel and pats/hugs away excess water on the washed garment. Then it dries faster

[@tangotangoh]

I always wear wash and wear on a daily basis especially in India. Powdered detergent in small packages is easily available in Grocer stores locally.

[@shelleybergen1232]

Thank you, Maggi! I am an experienced traveler but for the first time we are planning a trip longer than one month, and for those i would just wash socks and underwear in the sink. But now we are planning a 3-month Europe trip using Eurail. I was wondering how I would take care of our laundry for such a long trip, and you just solved my problem! I have already found your velcro clothesline on Amazon, and we have many dry bags that we use for travel and canoe trips. This is brilliant!!

[@MaggiFuchs]

Hope you re having a fantastic 2024 and enjoy your trip to Europe! 🤗

[@wellardsmith3629]

I hear you about trying to wash in the sink... the water always sloshes out onto the floor and over me. I'm going to get one of those bags. I'm sold.

[@peggywoods4327]

Well, I liked my scrubba and also used it as a dirty clothes hamper in my tent. My friends used it too. But whatever bag you choose, it's the soap sheets that are the game changer! Mine had a nice subtle scent, but I will try the dots out. I am going to switch to soap sheets at home once my other detergent is gone as they make sense in several ways. Happy travels to all!

[@grandefromage4607]

I think a dark coloured dry bag in the sun would help give you a warm wash, and I don't think you need a whole sheet for such a small wash :) Love your videos!

[@GR8RIXGIRL]

Fantastic tips as always and your sunny personality is much appreciated.

[@mikeschumacher]

Quick-drying clothes are great, and I usually pair them with performance wool base layer T-shirts. Performance wool is lightweight, dries pretty quick, is relatively good at temperature control, and you can often get away with wearing them for a couple of days before they really get questionably smelly. The only problem is that it can get quite expensive. If you go with wool shirts, change your deodorant to something without aluminum; I found the aluminum stains the armpit areas.

[@ribotadesajambre7061]

Excellent idea w dry bag. Effective and water saving !!!! Kudos I just bought a cheap small version at idea , I wonder if it will work. Originally purchased dry bag as a tool when kayaking.

[@Ducayneau]

I've learnt a lot from you. I wish I'd learnt sooner to stop bringing cotton everything when travelling. They're so heavy and take so long to dry!

[@jennykimball4457]

Very helpful - thanks! One "pro" of the jean shorts (or jeans)...you can wear them many times between washes, so I agree with you; they are worth bringing.

[@MaggiFuchs]

Glad that I am not the only one. 🥰 Plus, they go with everything and they always look nice…

[@applescruff1679]

Saaame! I love travelling in jeans. All friends are confused, that I'm not a leggins or sweatpants person ^^ It's good that these don't need to be washed so often, it even increases their lifetime.

[@yeruna6466]

Thank you for the video. I've recently bought waterproof foldable bucket and it works fine for me as a laundry bucket, a shopper tote bag, and foot spa. When it folds it is so small and light. Have a nice trip.🥰

[@MaggiFuchs]

I LOVE the foot spa idea… 😊

[@gigigk5472]

We have Daiso Japanese dollar store in USA I find lot off good idea for laundry.

[@maureenmulligan5882]

Hello. I added my hint to the older video but thought it might be to add it here as well. I also like to take an inflatable coat hanger with me. Again, it does not take up much room but I find my t-shirts and shirts dry more quickly as the back and front are not touching and the air is circulating through the middle. Korjo is the brand here in Australia. I actually use this all the time at home for delicate handwashing. I too usually roll my washing in a towel if a spare is available.

[@lucyjanecruz]

If you have a mesh bag, you can put your wet clothes into that. Go outside if practical, or into the shower if you can't get outside, and spin the mesh bag around as hard as you can. This will get rid of a whole bunch of the water and the clothes will dry much faster.

[@MaggiFuchs]

Awesome idea… I often travel with a mesh laundry bag with a zipper for my dirty clothes, so I will definitely try this. Thanks for sharing. 🤗

[@AnneMB955]

Thank you for the laundry sheets idea. Will use this on our UK trip in only 4 weeks. Love that they lie flat in my carry on bag. 👋🏻 🇦🇺

[@petrisss2047]

Thank you for the video. you are offering very good advice! :)

[@yvonnemcnaughton455]

I never heard of a "dry bag". Wonderful!

[@MK-lh3xd]

Most hotels in India have buckets in the bathroom, which you can use instead of dry bag. Soak your clothes for 30 minutes with detergent, then scrub them by hand or a brush in the tub or bath floor, then rinse a couple of times with fresh water. Then squeeze the water, and hang them to dry. If your room has a balcony, you can set up your drying rack there for faster drying. Hotels typically don't allow clotheslines that make clothes visible in the balcony from the outside for aesthetic reasons. Edit: Now a days you also get little electric mini washers that you can put in the bucket. This little gadget moves the water around, and comes with an auto off feature which turns it off after 5 minutes. This may be more useful for students in hostels than travellers.

[@MaggiFuchs]

Thanks for your comment. That’s very clever to have buckets in the hotel room. Wish some European hotels with those tiny designer sinks would do that too… 😅

[@JuliaRaffo1]

I am traveling to different hospitals and my ability to get to a laundromat is limited with the amount I am working. I'm going to wash my scrubs this way! I like your method! I may have to add a dry bag to my collection as well.

[@lidiawest8615]

Some wonderful tips! Thank you so much ❤

[@jooky5]

Highly recommend to reconsider the scrubba. I also use it as a clothes compression bag

[@MaggiFuchs]

For me, dry bags are good enough because the Scrubba is just too expensive. I prefer dry bags, which are cheaper, more lightweight and I can use them for many other things as well. :) But if the Scrubba works for you, that‘s great! :)

[@jooky5]

@@MaggiFuchs scrubba is expensive. However, for folks who check bags, the scrubba pays for itself the first time you don’t check a bag 😁

[@MaggiFuchs]

@@jooky5 I agree, but a dry bag will amortize much faster. 😉 For me, the Scrubba is a useless piece of travel gear, but if it works for you, that‘s great. I think it‘s great that we all have options to choose what works for us.

[@jooky5]

@@MaggiFuchs fair enough!

[@AndreaDawn1978]

This is soooo helpful!!! I’m an over packer, I’m trying this! Thank you so much!!!

[@MaggiFuchs]

Glad you liked it! Once you get used to it, washing on the road is easy. :)

[@cathw898]

Love my sea to summit line. Family are always impressed when I get it out and it takes up hardly any space. Washing on the road makes it so much easier to travel light / hand luggage only.

[@tdot5847]

I love your videos, as always you have so many great tips! Love from Toronto

[@MaggiFuchs]

Thank you! So happy that you like it. 🤗 Sending love back from Spain! ☀️

[@laura_and_shanman]

LOVE this!!!

[@Martina-io2zy]

Hello Magi, I just have returned from week's holiday. I tried out my new Scubba mini this week and I am disappointed, a cheaper dry bag will do the same job with more options to use it. So again, You have good tip for me with your current video (same with Osprey Arcane, which is the best bag).

[@MaggiFuchs]

Hi Martina and fellow Arcane-Lover 🤗! Hearing that makes me glad I never invested the money to buy a Scrubba. :) Hope you had an awesome trip!

[@erem5697]

As always, I really like your videos because they are very sincere and give confidence because you are a practical person with a lot of experience. I decided to buy a bag of Matador soap thanks to one of your videos and I am very happy. Thank you. I have not bought the scrubba bag because I think the plastic balls are going to mistreat my clothes. Especially the wool clothes and my delicate blouses. I'm waiting to see if they release another version with soft "waves" like those of a laundry room instead of the "balls". I usually wash by hand in the sink with a soft soap. Sometimes I would like to use detergent but I am worried about mistreating my hands. That's why I'd like another dry bag.

[@MaggiFuchs]

Hi Ere! Happy to hear that you like my videos and that you are enjoying the Matador case as much as I do. :) I am not traveling with delicate blouses, but it could really be that those silicone dots of the Scrubba would be to harsh and cause some issues with my merino wool clothes. 🤔 Another reason why I prefer my „boring plain old“ drybag solution - thanks for that! :)

[@vandaneves2381]

Thanks Maggi! Useful as allways. Thanks from Portugal.

[@MaggiFuchs]

Thanks Vanda! Greetings from Spain. So excited to go to Portugal soon, we will be there in September! :)

[@vandaneves2381]

@@MaggiFuchs OMG!

[@erictheshark9045]

Great tips! 👍🏼👍🏻👍🏼👍🏻👍🏼

[@cujimmy1366]

I use dental floss for a clothes line,lso useful for a sewing thread.

[@MP-pj2ve]

Hi Maggi, thanks for your video's!!! I'm a novice... I want to travel more. I was going to buy the 8L dry bag (over the 4L) sea to summit with the window for travel washing. You use the 13L. Why did you choose that size? Is it lighter w/o the window?

[@MaggiFuchs]

I found this size works quite well for me doing laundry. I believe 8l or 4l would be too small for me to really do laundry in it. The version I have (UltraSil) is one of the lightest ones they have.

[@MP-pj2ve]

thanks Maggi ;)

[@starbase218]

Just came back from a trip in Costa Rica, where I used the Sea To Summit laundry leaves. I think they are good for single items like underwear, that I washed most every day. In most cases I could easily hang the underwear on a rail of my hostel bed to dry. And it doesn't actually drip. But T-shirts and shorts will drip, and I'd have to use way more leaves for those. Sometimes I actually used liquid hand soap as well for things like a T-shirt. But it's not ideal obviously. So these larger wash leaves are a good shout. One question though, about drying the items in a towel. I have a super thin Matador towel. I thought it was great because it's super light and small, but I don't think it would work very well for absorbing the water from my laundry if I sat on it. What kind of towel do you use? Also I'm wondering: where do you sit on it? I'm assuming it's not on the bed, as I'd think the bed would get damp.

[@MaggiFuchs]

I usually use the towels that are provided by the hotel / Airbnb and I usually sit on the end of the bed or if they provide a smaller towel for the floor on the bathroom, I would put it on there and step on it. Someone here mentioned the other day that she travels with a mesh bag that she spins in the shower to get the water out - maybe this would also be an idea for you. 🤗

[@starbase218]

@@MaggiFuchs I saw that, and tried it, but the rpm is way less than that of a washing machine. ;) But I think, between the Sea To Summit clothesline, making use of hostel clotheslines, and hostels that provide towels, hopefully I can manage. :)

[@kristicourtney8099]

Great tips!!

[@MaggiFuchs]

Thanks Kristi! 🤗

[@jackybraun2705]

I had never heard of a dry bag. But then, I haven't travelled for a few years now. Particularly with stained clothes, I would rub soap on the stain and put it to soak in the sink last thing at night, then rinse out in the morning, twist it in the towel to dry as you described, and then hang out to dry until the evening. Plastic clothes hangers are useful for this, you can get collapsible or inflatable ones if your accommodation does not have any. Wooden hangers are a bad idea as they can stain the damp washing. Washing a little at a time and often (daily) takes little time and you can fit it in with your morning wash or shower, rather than save it up and have a big "laundry day" every now and then.

[@MaggiFuchs]

Hi Jacky! Thanks for the tips. :) I only travel with a 30l backpack and a handful of clothes, so the big „laundry day“ is every two to maximum three days. 😅 The dry bags are usually used to keep water away from your things, e.g. when you go kayaking. I just use it the other way around, to keep water inside. :)

[@jackybraun2705]

@@MaggiFuchs Ah yes, I know those dry bags. My kids used to do kayaking. Yours looked very lightweight compared to the oilskin ones you used to get.

[@MaggiFuchs]

@@jackybraun2705 Yes, I opted for the thinnest one I could fine, but they are not that waterproof and have a lower water column. I would definitely not want to submerge my valuables in the water with the drybag that I have, but to wash laundry, it works very well. :)

[@Renske545]

I just bought a dry bag from Flying Tiger for 7€. Haven’t used it yet but it looks decent!

[@MaggiFuchs]

I am sure it will be fine! And even if it was not a 100% waterproof, when you wash with it in a sink, it doesn‘t have to be. It just needs to be waterproof enough to hold some water inside. 😊

[@lynneeie5226]

Thank you, Maggi 💕 We are planning a trip to Cincinnati and my husband was worried about how we would do laundry. I had seen your other video before and said don't worry, I have a plan! And so I ordered a dry bag... buuuut, now watching this one, I may have ordered a very TINY dry bag 😂 But that is ok, I can use it for something. Still, funny!! I do have some very large zip lock bags from our most recent trip WHICH thanks to YOU and Sarah Murdoch, our packing was amazing! However, my mother always sends me home with things, so we still ended up checking bags. Ah well! Some day I will achieve true carry on travel... we are trying again in February and I have a plan to limit gifts we take and things we buy to the size of my underseat bag! My husband said if he has to, he will wear the hoodie we plan to buy for my stepson for his collection on the way home 😂😂 Love the videos, and happy travels in Spain! Best, Lynne

[@MaggiFuchs]

Thanks for your lovely comment Lynne, and I am so happy to hear that you found my videos helpful. I am actually trying to find a smaller drybag, not for laundry though, but I really want one to take my phone etc. to the beach and protect it from the sand. Sorry that I was not specific enough in the last video. I know that my last video about the topic was lacking some information, that’s also a reason why I decided to make a hopefully more “detailed” and “clear” update and I like to think I made some progress during the last year on KZbin when it comes to my content. 😅 I also think minimalist travel is a learning process for the whole family. For example, it took me a long time to stop my grandmother from getting us towels and bedsheets every time we visited her - and we don’t even have an apartment anymore. And wearing the gifts on the way home is a good idea. 😂

[@lynneeie5226]

@@MaggiFuchs Thank you! And yes, it is a learning process, definitely, but a fun one! And good idea re use of the smaller dry bag. I was thinking maybe even snacks for the airplane or day trips. Not sure yet... but happy travels in Spain!

[@MaggiFuchs]

@@lynneeie5226 True… snacks could also work… that would also help with the smell. :)

[@lynneeie5226]

@@Courtney-vx3bw So kind of you! Thank you for the tips!

[@jackybraun2705]

If you are in the States, Lynne, there should be no problem finding a washing machine. Most hotels have them and any holiday let will certainly have one. You can check this online before you go. If you pack some of those sheets which prevent colours running you can just pop all the washing in at once, yours and his, to fill the machine up enough to make it worth running a machine wash. You may need a lot of quarters to operate though. Washing powder may be provided but there, too, you can get washing powder in sheet form, just in case, which shouldn't take up much room in your luggage. (They are called Magic Leaves here in Europe)

[@willow5932]

Good video. What size Dry Bag do you use ?

[@MaggiFuchs]

I think it‘s the 14l?! I am not sure right now, but it should be in the description. ☺️

[@eves8072]

Beautiful and very informative video 💗 thanks

[@Irys1997]

Do those detergent sheets work with merino wool? Or do you have recommendations for ones that specifically do?

[@MaggiFuchs]

There are a few brands available that work for Merino wool. I am not sure about brands from other countries - but they do exist. Here in Austria/Germany we have one called Bluu that works for all kinds of fabrics.

[@dcss4856]

Please, what is the model of your dry bag and how many liters is it?

[@MaggiFuchs]

I linked it in the description! :)

[@tjalvarez24]

Can you use bleach when washing socks in dry bag to wash socks and kill any fungus? Or will scrubba or sink be better? Thanks!

[@MaggiFuchs]

I honestly don‘t know. I don‘t have white socks (or any light clothes) so I don‘t have too much experience with bleach. What I try to do though with my socks and underwear is to wash them at the highest temperature I can get and that seems to work well. At least I had no problems in the past… 😅

[@amandant]

See you in the next video 😆😆

[@MaggiFuchs]

Hmmmm… now that you pointed it out.. since I don’t get to see any of you, maybe I should change it to “and you see me in the next video” … 🤔🙃😂

[@ra.m.5101]

Ich mag deine Tipps total, sie sind immer nützlich und hilfreich :) Ist dieser Drybag wirklich wasserdicht? Ich möchte meinen Laptop auf Reisen gerne in einen packen, da ich meinem Regenschutz für den Rucksack nicht so wirklich vertraue 🙈

[@MaggiFuchs]

Meiner ist extrem dünn (Ultra Sil Nano) und gilt als wasserdicht, solange er nicht in Wasser eingetaucht wird (dann wird wohl der Druck zu groß bzw. die Wassersäule zu niedrig). Ich denke, dass es für das bisschen Wasser, das in deinen Rucksack eindringen würde, reichen sollte. Es gibt aber auch dickere Modelle, die haben dann eine größere Wassersäule. Beim Weitwandern sind wir auch öfter richtig eingeregnet worden, da hatte ich noch keinen Drybag sondern meine Elektronik immer in einen Einkaufssack fest eingewickelt, (die „dickeren“ Plastiksäcke ausm Supermarkt, die es bei uns in Ö gab, bevor alles auf Papier umgestellt wurde) - das hat auch immer gereicht.

[@fabi3253]

♥️

[@MaggiFuchs]

♥️♥️

[@llwil2003]

Sadly laundromats seems to have the detergent that is included with the wash water. You have no choice to use theirs! Highly perfumed!

[@matrices3987]

The scents in any soap smell like toxic waste to me. It's amazing to me people add these noxious chemicals to their clothes and skin...

[@MaggiFuchs]

I guess tastes are different. I presonally enjoy it when my clothes “smell fresh” every once in a while. But thankfully, nowadays there are options for everyone. ♥️