How To Wash Clothes While Traveling as A Family

Traveling as a family can be a fun and exciting adventure, but it can also be a challenge to keep your clothes clean and fresh while traveling around or backpacking. Especially if you are traveling for longer periods or if you want to travel light, having a supply of clean clothes can become challenging. But luckily, there are good ways of washing smaller items like socks, t-shirts and underwear on the go. Whether you’re on a long-term trip or just need to do some laundry in between destinations, here’s a few options to consider for how you can wash clothes while traveling.

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The simple solution to washing clothes on the go

One option for washing your clothes while traveling is to use a Scrubba wash bag. It’s a portable, lightweight and easy-to-use solution for washing your clothes on the go.

Here’s how to use a Scrubba wash bag:

1. Fill the bag with clothes: Start by filling the Scrubba wash bag with your clothes, making sure not to overfill it. The bag has a fill line that indicates the maximum amount of clothes that can be washed at once.
2. Add water and detergent: Once the bag is filled with clothes, add water and a small amount of laundry detergent. The bag has a transparent window that allows you to see the water level and ensure that the clothes are fully submerged.
3. Press out the air and seal the bag: Once the water and detergent are added, press out the air and seal the bag. The bag has a valve that allows you to release the air and create a vacuum seal.
4. Scrub: Once the bag is sealed, you can start scrubbing the clothes against the internal washboard. Scrub for around 3 minutes or until the clothes are clean.
5. Rinse: After scrubbing, release the air from the bag, open it up, and pour out the soapy water. Refill the bag with clean water and rinse the clothes by rubbing them against the internal washboard for 30 seconds.
6. Hang to dry: Once rinsed, you can hang your clothes to dry or use a portable clothesline to dry them.

In addition to the Scrubba wash bag, there are other options to consider when washing clothes while traveling. Some hostels and guesthouses offer laundry facilities, while others have hand-washing stations or even washing machines.

Washing clothes by hand while on the go

If you don’t have access to laundry facilities or a Scrubba wash bag, you can still wash your clothes by hand using a sink, basin, a bowl or even a bathtub. Just remember to bring a small bag of powdered detergent, and you can easily get a bit of washing done.

Here’s how to hand-wash your clothes:

1. Fill the sink or basin with water: Fill a sink or basin with water, making sure the water is warm but not hot.
2. Add detergent: Add a small amount of laundry detergent to the water and stir to create suds.
3. Add clothes: Add your clothes to the sink or basin, making sure they are fully submerged in the water.
4. Scrub: Gently scrub the clothes against the sink or basin, focusing on any stains or areas that need extra attention.
5. Rinse: Once the clothes are clean, drain the soapy water and refill the sink or basin with clean water. Rinse the clothes thoroughly by agitating them in the clean water.
6. Hang to dry: After rinsing, wring out the excess water from your clothes and hang them to dry.

Final words

In conclusion, there are several options for washing your clothes while traveling as a family. Whether you choose a Scrubba wash bag, laundry facilities, or hand-washing in a sink/basin or bath tub, keeping your clothes clean and fresh is possible while on the go.
Happy travels!