Minimalist Travel Tips - How To Do Sink Laundry While Traveling

[@ericholmes4152]

2gal. Zip lock bag, easy to store - don’t need to worry if sink is clean or stopping up. You add clothes, water, soap and zip part way, blow in air, zip rest of way, then roll/shake - drain - add rinse water and homemade softener sheets, repeat, drain, squeeze

[@enriquediaz7547]

I’ve Started to carry the leaves in its own ziplock style (pill bags) to ensure their dryness.

[@visionswell]

That is a great call. I’ve got a bunch of those bags so I’m going to start doing the same. Thank you!

[@RegEdmunds]

I backpack, and I camp, and like you, I try to take minimal clothing with me, but I use a different procedure. I always try to wash my clothes at the end of the day and use a sink if one is available, and use the soap and I also squeeze. When done, I put all the wet clothing into a cheap nylon stuff sack and pull the draw string tight, if I'm in the mood I might do a bit more bit squeezing. If I feel my clothing is properly 'dirty,' I sometimes lay the nylon bag on my Tyvek ground sheet and then tread-it with bare feet, like treading grapes. I'll then hang the bag on a tree, or fence and leave it overnight to stew! In the morning, I swish all the 'dirty' water'/dampness out, (it only takes few minutes) and will then secure the clothing to the back of my rucksack, using a simple 12" plastic grip, a bit like a large comb that I affix some items too, its secures on the back of my rucksack and I then hike. I secure the larger items, e.g. a shirt, or a pair of trousers with elasticated shock cord on the top of my rucksack and If the weather is fine, my clothes tend to be dry by the evening.

[@visionswell]

That’s a really awesome strategy when you’re out hiking! That’s super smart. Thank you for the contribution.

[@jaskodaniel]

Nice explanation Zack. I usually apply a taut-line hitch on either one or both ends of the rope. This type of knot makes it easy to adjust the tension of the rope, and in most cases, you can substitute the carabiner with it.

[@visionswell]

Thank you for the tip! On the carabiner I have an arbor knot, so a similar concept. I think I just like keeping the carabiner as a spare just in case. Every bit of space counts, though, so I’ll keep that in mind! Thank you so much.

[@lesleymcneill1403]

I’ve used a plastic bag inside the sink if I don’t have a plug. I don’t always carry plastic bags, but i did seem to pick up bags as I was travelling so always had one.

[@vanilla_vanancie]

I had ordinary laundry sheets with me, 2 months trip around south of Europe, it worked out great. I wish I knew about the hooks, paracord and carabiners before the trip

[@dominicschaeffer909]

Be sure to wash the sox or underwear before your pants so that all your laundry smells like dirty sox and underwear.

[@visionswell]

Thank you for your kind and intelligent feedback!

[@danakolpin1289]

Can you use that laundry soap with Merino Wool Clothes?

[@visionswell]

Yes! Absolutely. Just be gentle with the fibers and use cold water.

[@anneliesevoelker2502]

You could stop at a car wash, wash clothes and take a shower if it's warm.

[@visionswell]

I’ll try not to forget the undercoat.

[@budget_nomad]

Those laundry sheets are useless, tried all of them

[@visionswell]

I really like the sea to summit and kind laundry ones. They’ve both worked well for me. What others have you tried?