You’re probably doing sink laundry wrong. Here’s how to clean your clothes like a pro!

Introduction

Doing your own laundry on the road is one of the easiest ways to save money while traveling. In some countries laundromats are cheap and readily available, in others… not so much. Looking at you Middle East!

We’ve saved so much on our adult gap year by doing sink laundry, bathtub laundry, you name it. If you’ve ever tried washing clothes in a tiny hotel sink only to end up with a sopping wet floor.. you’re not alone. We promise there’s an easier way to actually get those clothes clean.

Here’s our stepwise guide for how to do sink laundry the right way and avoid common mistakes most travelers make.

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How to Wash Clothes While Traveling

1. Fill Your Dry Bag With Water and Detergent

• Only fill your dry bag about halfway so your clothes can move freely
  
• Add enough detergent, following instructions on your package. But NOT too much that it’s hard to rinse it all out.
  
• Pick your water temperature based on the fabric:
  
  • Use cold water for delicate items like merino wool or silk
    
  • Use warm water for sturdier materials like cotton or synthetics

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2. Add Clothes & Seal the Bag Tightly

• Don’t overload the bag, you’ll have more success with a few items at a time. It’s important that the items have space.
  
• Make sure the seal is tight to avoid leaks when shaking. Fold over that dry bag several times!
  

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3. Agitate Like a Human Washing Machine

• Shake the sealed dry bag to simulate a washing machine’s agitation
  
• Let the clothes soak for at least 1 hour (for tough stains, overnight is better)
  
• Optional: Give it another good shake midway through soaking for a boost
  

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4. Rinse Thoroughly

• Drain out the soapy water
  
• Refill with clean water and repeat until the detergent is fully rinsed
  
• Alternatively, rinse items under the tap until they no longer bubble when squeezed
  
• The ‘slippery detergent’ feel will be gone when you’re done.
  

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5. Wring and Roll to Remove Water

• Gently wring out your clothes (be extra careful with delicate fabrics like silk, wool, and lace)
  
• Lay items flat on a towel, roll them up, and press to squeeze out excess water
  
  • This towel trick speeds up air drying significantly. You’ll be surprised just how much water you can towel squeeze out of your clothes
    

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6. Hang Clothes to Air Dry

• Hang your laundry in the sun if possible but turn garments inside out to prevent fading
  
• Fabrics like linen may stiffen while drying, prevent this by hanging in a breezy area
  
• If you’re in a humid climate, indoor drying with airflow may be faster. You’ll need to leave more time for clothes to dry
• Unless the material is quick dry, we like to leave at least 24H for the clothes to dry before they need to be packed
  

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Our Take: The Best Way to Do Sink Laundry While Traveling

Mastering sink laundry has really allowed us to stretch our laundromat tips and our budget. It’s a lot easier than most people think.

Whether you’re backpacking Southeast Asia, on a camping road trip, or just want your favourite item clean, this is one travel habit that’s absolutely worth mastering!

What are your on the go laundry tips? Let us know in the comments or message us on Instagram @katieandbhav!