Camping and backpacking can be an exhilarating journey filled with exploration, discovery, and… laundry dilemmas, whether you are camping for a weekend or backpacking across Europe, dealing with dirty clothes while away can quickly become an unanticipated obstacle before and after. But with proper preparation and the appropriate approach, you can master camp laundry and ensure your backpack or camper smells like a fresh meadow instead of a locker room.
I think our worst laundry is after backpacking in the wilderness. At the end of the trip, our tent and everything always smell like dirty socks and stale campfire smoke. You know what I’m talking about, or when you are camping with kids and don’t have laundry readily available. There’s a family story about a family reunion in 1989 about dirty laundry and what we now call the “panty tree”. I’ll let you wrap your head around that one. So here are some ways to freshen it up for any outdoor adventure.
The Packing Predicament
Before departing on any outdoor adventure, your best defense against laundry issues should be strategic packing. Less laundry means more time spent experiencing your destination. So opt for versatile yet clothing that dries quickly, like synthetics or activewear. Also, bring along essentials like travel-sized detergent, portable laundry lines, and stain remover pens, as being prepared can allow you to do quick laundry on the go. I like pants that unzip into shorts, moisture-wicking bras and underwear, and two tops.
The Sink Solution
When time and resources are at a premium, any sink becomes your new go-to for washing a few items by hand. If you’re camping, having a portable sink that you can fill with water is ideal. Fill your sink with warm water and add a few drops of detergent before giving each garment a good scrub with your hand, before rinsing thoroughly and hanging up to dry. Use paracord, tree limbs, or a tent line for drying. I actually have a portable line for car camping. In an emergency, use a towel to roll your clothes in to absorb the extra moisture for faster results. I discourage doing laundry directly in a natural body of water unless you have environmentally friendly soap that will not hurt animals.
Use Your Local Laundromat
My biggest hack is that after camping, just head to the laundromat. When traveling over long distances with limited clothing or spending lots of time outdoors, finding a laundromat can be invaluable. Sometimes, just getting home can make you tired, and who wants to do laundry? I’ve learned to go home, take a shower, and a nap, and then go do all of my laundry at once. It also allows you the opportunity to dry clean your bag and other equipment. They just put in a new laundromat twenty minutes from my house, so now I don’t have to drive thirty minutes.
Reap the Benefits of Convenient Amenities
When it comes to managing laundry on the road, make use of the amenities provided by your accommodations. I went camping for the first time at a KOA last year. Having laundry facilities in a campground was fantastic. It also made me consider not doing dispersed camping anymore, but only for a minute. It was very helpful because I did two back-to-back trips and did not go home first. Many campgrounds, like KOAs or ones with hosts, feature on-site laundry services or self-service machines for guests staying there. RV parks often feature facilities specifically geared toward travelers’ laundry needs, allowing you to easily wash clothes after your day of adventure. Utilizing these convenient amenities saves you time from doing Google searches and more time enjoying what your surroundings have to offer.
Pack Smart: The Rule of Three
Have you heard about the “Rule of Three” for clothing packing? Pack three items per category (shirts, socks, and underwear), one to wear now, one to wash, and the other one is your backup plan. Following this tip can be very helpful when trying to figure out where to get your stuff washed. If I’m backpacking, I usually will have only one extra pair of pants, and that’s for sleeping. And if you want to cut the bulk of your luggage, scarves or layering pieces can add variety without adding bulk.
Conclusion
Doing your laundry while experiencing the great outdoors doesn’t need to be a tiresome chore if you do it smartly. With some preparation and creativity, you can keep your clothing clean without taking away from your outdoor time. From sink washes, laundromat trips, or using campground amenities, being flexible is important when adapting your plan accordingly. Try some of these tricks and never look at your suitcase with worry again. Because after all, a fresh traveler makes for a happy traveller.
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