How to wash your clothes while traveling

Traveling for more than a few days can be exhilarating. However, keeping clothes fresh and clean is a problem for many travelers. Washing clothing is particularly important for older

travelers. In addition to collecting food and dirt, clothing can carry germs that can make them sick. To make sure they don’t run out of clean clothing, some travelers overpack. As a result,

they may wind up with big, heavy luggage. This can cause injuries in people over 50. Packing light and doing laundry may be a better solution. “It all sounds like a hassle, but it’s really

not with a little bit of forethought and planning,” says Sheri Howell, vice president of marketing and communications for Medjet, a medical air transport and security service. WASH CLOTHING

IN THE SINK Washing dirty clothing in a hotel sink is a tried-and-true method for keeping clothes clean while traveling. It’s inexpensive, convenient, and easy. All you need is a small

amount of laundry detergent or laundry sheets. Alicia Sokolowski, president and co-CEO of Aspen Clean, a manufacturer of organic laundry detergent, shares how to get your clothes clean in

the sink. First, fill the sink with cold water. “Using cold water prevents shrinking and fabric damage while also saving energy,” she says. Then, add a small amount of detergent, gently

agitate your clothes, and let them soak for 10-15 minutes. Occasionally swirling your clothing can help remove additional dirt, Sokolowski adds. Next, drain the sink and rinse your clothing

with cool water until all the detergent is removed. To dry your clothing, Sokolowski recommends squeezing out excess water without twisting your clothing. Once you have removed as much water

as possible, lay your clothes on a dry towel, roll the towel like a burrito, and press down to absorb more water. Finally, hang your clothes in a well-ventilated area to dry. Portable

washbags such as Scrubba, above, Tilcore, and Dezitrek are another option for laundering clothes while on the go. Courtesy The Scrubba Wash Bag USE A PORTABLE WASHBAG A portable washbag is

travel blogger Amber Haggerty’s go-to method for washing clothes on the go. Washbags have a built-in washboard that can get clothes cleaner than washing clothing in a sink. To use a washbag,

put your clothing in the bag, add water and detergent, and agitate your clothing for a few minutes, Haggerty says. To dry her clothing, Haggerty hangs it near a heat source, such as a sunny

window. Some options for washbags are Scrubba bags, Tilcore, and Dezitrek.