Laundry while traveling - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**marc873** · 10-04-2007, 06:02 PM

So Tpunks, just curious to see how similar we are in our laundry habits while traveling. I know that I am super cheap, so taking my laundry in the shower is almost a daily ritual.
Whats everyone elses laundry habit?

**freespiritz** · 10-04-2007, 06:06 PM

I feel like I'm a combo of all three options, lol.

I'll wash undies and tank tops in the sink as needed, and every couple of weeks I'll splurge on a proper wash (i'd say about once every three weeks, depending), and for the duration those three-week intervals stuff like pants and jeans starts to get very well-used.

**marc873** · 10-04-2007, 06:18 PM

Ya know Hwei, when on the road long term, eventually using a laundry service is just gonna happen. So I added that poll option! I should of the first time. Oops

**freespiritz** · 10-04-2007, 06:21 PM

I swear I talked to someone who (in China, I think) would just throw out old socks and buy new ones instead of washing them because they were so cheap. Not sure how I feel about that, seems like a waste!

I also love popping up at friend's places and them offering to do laundry for me...although that sometimes leads to items being left behind.

**marc873** · 10-04-2007, 06:51 PM

HAHA, we didn't do your laundry, but oddly enough, we still have one of your bras in our laundry room

**Canadian Bacon** · 10-04-2007, 06:54 PM

You do your laundry in the shower??? so... then you hang dry it after? but where?

I usually just do laundry often. In pamplona I wore my jeans for like, 4 days straight, and uh... you don't want to know the story about my undies. That was naaaasty.

**Esterina** · 10-04-2007, 07:03 PM

I answered sink, but I also did mine in buckets, and the best... in rivers, with bio-degradable soap of course

**freespiritz** · 10-04-2007, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marc873

HAHA, we didn't do your laundry, but oddly enough, we still have one of your bras in our laundry room

But I *did* do laundry at your place! I'll have to use that bra as an excuse for another meetup, just so I can get it back.

And as for hanging stuff up to dry...carry a bungee cord/laundry line? Sometimes I just throw things over the edge of my bed. Or depending where you are...most of the places in Central America had lines available for use since it's normal to hang-dry.

**Elizabeth** · 10-04-2007, 07:07 PM

hostels with free laundry are a major selling point for me. i tried the wash it in the sink thing but it just doesnt get it clean enough for me - maybe as a last ditch effort but i need regular laundry done.

i also tried to find some febreeze to freshen up in between washes but no luck...im also not sure of the effectiveness of febreeze

i didnt think of this until the very last few days of my trip, but if the hostel or nearby laundry service is too much (im looking at you avalon house in dublin, 7 euros pfft!) try to group up laundry with other backpackers and split the bill.

**ajb3000** · 10-04-2007, 07:52 PM

I'm pretty lazy and usually pay someone to do it for me, or occasionally use a washing machine myself. This summer most of the time it cost about $3 to get the babushka chamber maid to wash all my clothes by hand for me, and then I'd get them back neatly ironed and folded, so there wouldn't have been much point in doing it myself.

**joe7f** · 10-04-2007, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marc873

HAHA, we didn't do your laundry, but oddly enough, we still have one of your bras in our laundry room

Okay, wow...um... I'm definitely going to have to step up my next meetup plans :D

--Joey

**marc873** · 10-04-2007, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freespiritz

But I *did* do laundry at your place! .

Wow, I had no idea, that explains a lot

**freespiritz** · 10-04-2007, 08:13 PM

Ahaha yeah I randomly hang up my bras in people's houses. Lingerie trail!

I didn't quite give thought to how kinky that situation could possibly sound...bras...laundry rooms...washing machines...

**aliz** · 10-04-2007, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizz

if the hostel or nearby laundry service is too much (im looking at you avalon house in dublin, 7 euros pfft!) try to group up laundry with other backpackers and split the bill.

hey i stayed there! can't remember if i did my washing there though. don't think i would have for that much! my travel buddy and i shared the washing machines everywhere. and i did a lot of sink-washing in russia because we had our own room and bathroom! luxury.

**lauren313** · 10-05-2007, 02:29 AM

I can't stand sink washing. I can never wring it out enough, so it's absolutely soaking and takes forever to dry. At least washing machines spin your clothes to within an inch of their life. So yeah, I would always use the washing machines. I like to do a wash quite frequently, maybe every week and a half. Except jeans. I wore the same jeans for about two weeks, haha.

**Diorama** · 10-05-2007, 04:47 AM

I am digging the laundry situation over here in SE asia. The locals do it for you (there isn't self service laundromats here) and it's soooooo cheap. About a dollar or so for a load. Hell ya! I hate doing laundry with a passion. Even sink washing sucks but sometimes i gotta do my undies. I never seem to wring it out enough too! he I'll be sad when I get to NZ and I'll have to start doing it again

**simply_angelic** · 10-05-2007, 05:55 AM

^ yeah, I never had to use a real laundromat while I was in Europe. The first time I had it done I was staying at this little old lady's apts that she rents out to backpackers in Lagos & she did it for me for a relatively cheap price (she was a godsend....after a full day of surfing I was completely wiped, coming back to clean laundry was the most magical gift I could have ever been given), then I had it w/ the Pink Palace's laundry service & finally at my aunt & uncle's in Germany

DrGonzo · 10-05-2007, 09:04 AM

Well, I'm a total hippy that hates spending money when its unneccessary, but sometimes, you really need to break down and machine wash them. But generally I do the sink thing or if I'm wearing the same clothes for a week or something I'll just cover myself in patchouli. That tends to cover up the smell of just about anything. :D

**pinknic38** · 10-05-2007, 09:24 AM

you know I can cut corners by skipping meals if I am not hungry or not buying stupid souvenirs that I really don't need, but I can't cut corners on laundry. It takes 45 minutes to machine wash. pop in the ipod, write some post cards, journal, whatever. generally traveling light when backpacking, this is easy since the loads aren't that big. being in the army I have learned to suck it up and not separate unless absolutely necessary, which saves on time and money. clean clothes are a must.

**TheJake** · 10-05-2007, 09:52 AM

See I never ever separate.

That being said, in Brazil I did wash by hand alot since I had a wicked awesome sink with a washboard built into it. Then we dried them outside. Most of the time though I'll do laundry once a week or so at a cleaners, though I did have it done a few times in south america where I handed them my dirties and they handed them back clean and folded. Nothing else in the world has ever made me feel more rich.