From the Quirky to the Practical: Laundry Hacks on the Road
It’s amazing what lengths people go to avoid doing laundry! I once met a traveler in Italy who wore her T-shirt every which way just to postpone washing it. And in Germany, a guy showed me his unique way of cleaning his jeans in the bathtub! But don’t worry, you don’t have to resort to these extremes to keep your clothes presentable while on the road.
Finding a Clean Solution: Laundromats and Beyond
For a thorough wash, your best bet is a laundromat. In Western Europe, they’re practically on every corner, but they become less common the further east you travel. Expect to spend about an hour and $10-$15 for a typical load of laundry. Some short-term rentals offer laundry facilities, and many hostels have coin-operated washers and dryers or even heated drying rooms.
Navigating the Laundromat: A Step-by-Step Guide
Most laundromats are pretty straightforward, but some are more advanced than others. Look for a sign indicating the “last wash” time and try to stick to it. You might be greeted by an attendant who will “show you the door” at closing time, or the machines could just shut down.
The process is usually similar to what you’d find at home. You can pack a small box of detergent, but most laundromats have dispensers where you can buy soap. The soap compartments on the washers generally have three reservoirs: one for prewash, one for the main wash, and one for fabric softener. Make sure you put the main soap in the correct compartment!
To start washing, you’ll likely have to insert your money into a central unit, enter your machine number, and then deposit your coins. Some machines use tokens instead of coins. Choose your cycle, either at the machine itself or at the central unit.
The washing cycles usually have different temperature and time settings. For example, a common cycle might be 30 degrees Celsius for the prewash, 40 degrees for the main wash, and a total duration of 60 minutes.
Drying Your Clothes: Spin Cycles, Centrifuges, and Dryer Delights
Some washing machines have a built-in spin cycle, while others leave your clothes drenched. If you need to wring out extra water, use a spin-dry machine, which is often called a “centrifuge”.
European dryers often work differently than those in other parts of the world. They don’t vent the water outside; instead, they collect it in a reservoir that needs to be emptied when it’s full. You’ll see an icon light up when it’s time to empty the reservoir.
Most dryers offer short drying cycles in increments of 5 or 10 minutes. You can also choose from different temperature settings: low (cool and slow), medium (warmer and slower), and high (fast and potentially shrinking).
The “Hand Wash” Option: Protecting Your Most Precious Garments
Because laundromat machines can be unpredictable, it’s a good idea to hand wash anything you hold dear.
While You Wait: Make the Most of Laundromat Time
While your clothes are washing and drying, take advantage of the time. Enjoy a picnic, catch up on your journal, or chat with the other customers. Laundromats seem to bring people together. Many even offer Wi-Fi. If you’re feeling extra kind, ask the attendant to transfer your clothes to the dryer, and tip them generously for their help.
Full-Service Convenience: Laundry Done For You
Many laundromats offer a full-service option, where they will wash, fold, and sometimes even iron your clothes. Simply drop off your laundry and pick it up later. This service is more expensive than doing it yourself, but it can save you a lot of time. Your hotel might also offer a laundry service, but it’s usually even more expensive.
Washing in Your Hotel Room: Tips and Tricks
One of my favorite laundry strategies is to wash clothes in the hotel-room sink. If you’re on a tight budget, you might wash all of your laundry this way, or just do a quick wash of socks and underwear between trips to the laundromat.
Keep it simple. Use hotel laundry bags for dirty clothes, wash them with hotel shampoo, and improvise places to hang them. You can pack a self-service laundry kit: a mesh bag for dirty clothes, concentrated liquid detergent, and a stretchable travel clothesline.
To make things easier, pack clothes that look okay wrinkled or don’t wrinkle at all. Test-wash your shirts at home before your trip to see how they react to being washed in the sink.
Most European hotels discourage in-room laundry. Some even have signs, but they are often ignored. Think of it as a way to protect the furniture and floors from any accidental drips.
Hotel Room Laundry Hacks: Overcoming Obstacles
If a hotel tries to discourage you by removing the sink and tub stoppers, bring a universal drain stopper from home or improvise with a sock or a pill bottle lid. You can even wash clothes in a plastic bag!
When washing clothes in your room, wring them out as much as possible to avoid dripping. Account for drying time. Cotton takes much longer to dry than lightweight performance fabrics. Hang clothes over the bathtub, in a closet, or use a travel hanger.
Drying Your Clothes in Your Hotel Room: Wrinkle-Free Strategies
Smooth out your wet clothes, button shirts, and set collars to help them dry wrinkle-free. If your clothes do end up wrinkled, hang them in a steamy bathroom or borrow an iron from the hotel.
In hot climates, you can even wash and wear your shirt damp. It will dry quickly and feel refreshingly cool!
No matter how you choose to tackle laundry on the road, it’s important to find a solution that works for you. Remember to be respectful of your hotel room, and be prepared to improvise. With a little planning and creativity, you can keep your clothes clean and comfortable while exploring the world!
