Toiletries and Personal Care – Laundry Supplies for Extended Trips

When you’re embarking on an extended trip, packing wisely becomes even more crucial. One of the most overlooked aspects of long-term travel is laundry. Having the right laundry supplies can save you time, money, and the hassle of trying to find laundry services in unfamiliar places. This ultimate packing guide covers essential laundry supplies for extended trips, along with practical tips and links to helpful resources.

Why Packing Laundry Supplies is Important for Extended Trips

On extended trips, managing your laundry is essential to keep your clothing fresh, clean, and ready to wear. Access to laundry facilities may be limited or costly, and packing enough clothes for the entire trip may not be practical. Bringing your own laundry supplies ensures that you can easily wash and dry your clothes, no matter where you are.

Essential Laundry Supplies to Pack

1. Portable Laundry Detergent

Why It’s Important

Bringing your own laundry detergent ensures that you have a reliable and effective way to clean your clothes, especially if you have sensitive skin or prefer eco-friendly products.

Examples

• Tide Travel Sink Packets: Convenient single-use packets of liquid detergent, perfect for hand-washing clothes in a sink. Available on Amazon.
• EcoNuts Organic Laundry Detergent: Soap nuts that are a natural, eco-friendly alternative to traditional detergents. Find them on EcoNuts.

Tips for Packing

• Travel-Sized Bottles: If you prefer liquid detergent, transfer it into travel-sized, TSA-approved bottles to save space and comply with airline regulations.
• Consider Pods or Sheets: Laundry detergent pods or sheets are compact, mess-free, and easy to pack. Just be sure to check airline restrictions if you plan to carry them on.

2. Stain Remover

Why It’s Important

Traveling often means spills and stains are inevitable. A good stain remover can save your clothes from permanent damage and keep them looking fresh.

Examples

• Shout Wipe & Go Stain Remover Wipes: Individually wrapped wipes that are easy to carry and effective on a variety of stains. Available on Shout.
• OxiClean Max Force Gel Stick: A portable gel stick that targets tough stains and is easy to apply on the go. Find it on OxiClean.

Tips for Packing

• Pack in a Ziplock Bag: To prevent leaks, pack stain removers in a resealable plastic bag.
• Carry in Your Daypack: Keep a stain remover wipe or stick in your daypack for quick spot treatments while you’re out and about.

3. Collapsible Laundry Basket or Bag

Why It’s Important

Keeping dirty clothes organized is key to preventing your luggage from becoming a mess. A collapsible laundry basket or bag allows you to separate clean and dirty clothes easily.

Examples

• Whitmor Collapsible Laundry Hamper: Lightweight and collapsible, this laundry hamper is perfect for travel. Available on Target.
• Miamica Travel Laundry Bag: Compact and easy to pack, this laundry bag expands to hold a full load of laundry. Find it on Miamica.

Tips for Packing

• Choose Lightweight Options: Opt for lightweight and collapsible bags or baskets that don’t take up much space in your luggage.
• Multi-Use Bags: Consider using a laundry bag that can double as a storage bag for dirty shoes or wet swimwear.

4. Clothesline and Clothespins

Why It’s Important

A portable clothesline allows you to air-dry your clothes anywhere, whether in your hotel room, a campsite, or a vacation rental. Clothespins help keep clothes secure, especially in windy conditions.

Examples

• Sea to Summit Lite Line Clothesline: A compact and adjustable clothesline with built-in clips, perfect for travel. Available on REI.
• Home-X Plastic Clothespins: Lightweight, durable clothespins that are easy to pack. Find them on Amazon.

Tips for Packing

• Choose a Compact Clothesline: Opt for a clothesline that is lightweight, compact, and easy to pack. Many travel clotheslines come with built-in clips, eliminating the need for extra clothespins.
• Pack in a Small Pouch: Store the clothesline and clothespins in a small pouch or ziplock bag to keep them organized.

5. Laundry Bag or Compression Sack

Why It’s Important

A laundry bag or compression sack allows you to separate dirty clothes from clean ones in your luggage, keeping everything organized and odor-free.

Examples

• Eagle Creek Pack-It Compression Sac: These sacs reduce the volume of your dirty clothes, making packing easier and more space-efficient. Available on Eagle Creek.
• Scrubba Wash Bag: This bag doubles as a portable washing machine and a laundry bag, making it ideal for travelers who need to do laundry on the go. Find it on Scrubba.

Tips for Packing

• Choose Odor-Resistant Bags: If possible, choose a laundry bag or sack that is odor-resistant to keep unpleasant smells from spreading to your clean clothes.
• Pack a Spare Bag: Bring an extra bag for wet clothes, swimsuits, or shoes to keep them separate from the rest of your belongings.

Related Resource

For more tips on managing laundry while traveling, visit the Nomadic Matt’s Guide to Doing Laundry on the Road.

How to Pack and Organize Your Laundry Supplies

1. Use Packing Cubes

Packing cubes can help you keep your laundry supplies organized and easily accessible. Dedicate one cube to laundry-related items, so you always know where to find them.

2. Label Your Supplies

If you’re using reusable containers or travel-sized bottles, label them clearly to avoid any confusion. This is especially important for liquids that might look similar, like detergent and stain remover.

3. Keep Essentials in Your Carry-On

For longer flights or layovers, keep essential laundry items like stain remover wipes or a small detergent packet in your carry-on bag in case of spills or accidents.

4. Plan Ahead for Laundromats or Laundry Services

Before you leave, research the availability of laundromats or laundry services at your destination. Knowing where and how you’ll be able to do laundry can help you pack more efficiently.

Final Tips for Traveling with Laundry Supplies

1. Choose Multi-Use Products: Opt for multi-use products like detergent sheets or a wash bag that can double as a laundry bag, reducing the amount of gear you need to pack.
2. Stay Organized: Keep your laundry supplies in one dedicated spot in your luggage, so they’re easy to find when you need them.
3. Pack Light and Wash Often: On extended trips, packing light and washing your clothes regularly can make traveling easier and more manageable.

By packing the right laundry supplies and staying organized, you can ensure that your clothes stay clean and fresh throughout your extended trip. Proper planning and preparation will help you manage your laundry needs effectively, allowing you to focus on enjoying your adventures without worrying about dirty clothes.

Related Sites for Further Reading

• Tide Travel Sink Packets
• EcoNuts Organic Laundry Detergent
• Shout Wipe & Go Stain Remover Wipes
• OxiClean Max Force Gel Stick
• Whitmor Collapsible Laundry Hamper
• Miamica Travel Laundry Bag
• Sea to Summit Lite Line Clothesline
• Scrubba Wash Bag
• [Nomadic Matt’s Guide to Doing Laundry on the Road](https://www.nomadicmatt.com