How To Wash Your Clothes While Traveling ✈️, by Kevin Chen on YouTube. 1 min 26 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 26 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Check the care labels first and set aside anything marked dry clean only, plus wool, silk and leather. This sink method is only for clothes with light dirt and no grease or heavy stains.
Plug the sink and fill it about a third full with lukewarm water. Hot water can shrink, fade or warp clothes.
Add a small amount of mild detergent, about a teaspoon or one squirt of travel wash, and swish it through the water until it dissolves.
Put in one or two small items at a time and push them under the water until they are fully soaked.
Knead and squeeze the clothes for 2 to 3 minutes. Give extra attention to collars, cuffs and underarms.
Leave the clothes to soak for 10 to 15 minutes for normal dirt. Skip the soak for thin or delicate items.
Drain the sink and refill it with clean cool water. Rinse each item until the water runs clear and no suds remain.
Press the water out with flat hands instead of wringing the fabric, which stretches and creases it.
Lay the item flat on a dry towel, roll the towel up and press down to pull out more water.
Hang the clothes on a travel line, hanger or chair back, away from radiators and direct sun.
Tips and common mistakes
Wash at night so the clothes have overnight and the next day to dry before you pack.
Use travel wash or a few drops of mild liquid detergent. Bar soap often leaves a chalky residue on dark fabric.
Test the detergent on a hidden corner first if the item is new or brightly coloured.
Roll jeans and thick cotton in a towel before hanging, or they may still be damp a day later.
Questions
Can I use hotel shampoo instead of detergent?
It works in a pinch for a lightly worn shirt, but shampoo can leave residue and does not lift body oils well. Rinse the item thoroughly if you use it.
How long do clothes take to dry in a hotel room?
Thin synthetics and light cotton shirts usually dry in a few hours or overnight. Denim and thick cotton can take a full day or more.
What if the sink has no plug?
Carry a flat rubber sink stopper, which fits most hotel and hostel drains. A folded cloth pressed over the drain will not hold water for long.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
