Washing Clothes during Travel: A Step-by-Step Guide
Traveling can be an exciting adventure, but keeping up with laundry chores can sometimes be a challenge. However, there are several options available to help you stay fresh and clean on the road. Here's a guide to washing clothes while traveling, based on various methods and locations.
Laundrettes and Coin-Operated Laundromats
Large towns and cities, campsites, and supermarkets often have laundry facilities in the form of laundrettes or coin-operated laundromats. To find one, simply type phrases like "coin-operated laundromat near me" or "coin-operated laundromat in [town name]" on Google. In Europe, laundrettes are widely available and often located in large towns and cities, campsites, and supermarkets.
In the UK, some campsites use tokens for washing machines, which are obtained from reception. In Europe, public washing machines often require payment at a central unit or card tap system. It's important to select the correct machine (washer, not dryer) when using public washing machines in Europe.
Online Map Searches
To find laundrettes or coin-operated laundromats while traveling internationally, you can use online map searches. Search for keywords like "laundromat," "laundrette," or "self-service laundry" along with the city name. Different countries may use different terms, such as "launderettes" or "laundrettes" in the UK, and "laundromats" in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Travel Forums and Reviews
Check local travel forums or apps such as TripAdvisor, which sometimes list laundromats or laundrettes, including combined café-laundromat venues like The Laundromat Cafe in Reykjavík, Iceland. Many travelers share tips about local laundry options, especially when packing light.
Inquire Locally
Ask your accommodation host (hotel/Airbnb) for nearby laundromats, as they often have information about local laundry options. Remember that availability varies by country and city; for instance, laundromats are common in cities like Tel Aviv (Israel), Burgos (Spain), and Auckland (New Zealand), while rural areas or certain countries might have fewer or no public laundromats.
Other Options
Handwashing or using a caravan washing machine requires finding a place to dry clothes, such as a portable line dryer or draping clothes over the RV. Some campsites in the UK offer laundry services, which can be convenient but may result in lost items, especially delicate ones like fancy underwear.
There are also eco-friendly options like Revolution, which includes eco-friendly washing powder as part of the cost. Revolution is a popular, but expensive, option for washing clothes while on the road and can be found in campsites, car parks, petrol stations, and shopping centers. Wash cycles in public washing machines can take varying amounts of time, with this example taking 45 minutes.
In summary, use online map searches with local terminology, consult travel forums or review sites, and inquire locally to locate self-service laundries worldwide. This approach helps adapt to different naming conventions and regional laundry infrastructure variations. Happy travels!
- To help manage laundry chores while traveling, take advantage of laundrettes and coin-operated laundromats, which can be found in large towns, cities, campsites, and supermarkets. You can search for them online using phrases like "coin-operated laundromat near me" or "laundromat in [town name]".
- In addition to laundrettes, using travel forums, apps, or review sites like TripAdvisor can provide information about local laundry options, including cafeteria-style laundromats like The Laundromat Cafe in Reykjavík, Iceland.
