How to wash clothes while Road tripping Camping or Travelling

Road tripping Recommendations

We travel in a variety of ways and therefore, need flexibility when it comes to everyday chores, like hot to wash clothes while road tripping camping or travelling in general.

Space is always an issue no matter what way you travel.  If your backpacking, weight and size is an issue.  You generally adapt to your chosen method of travel and use products that save you space, weight, time and money.

Being fulltime on the move, we are very mindful of what we have on board or backpack.  Everything  must be multi-purpose and provide a benefit or, out it goes.  We don’t have the luxury of keeping products or one use items, while we fulltime travel.  

Clothes you take make a difference

The very first thing to be mindful of, the clothes you take will make a big difference to your washing (and drying) experience.

It is obvious you avoid clothes that wrinkle or need ironing.  Something that will make life a lot easier on the road is investing in some good quality quick dry travel clothing.  I have used Kathmandu hiking pants, shirts and shorts for years and very happy with them.  They make washing SO much easier while you travel. 

Taking the right clothes, will help you on the road, mean much easier washing and drying times and generally take up less space too.

More space, larger rig option

If I have a quick one off work shirt for hubby or something got muddy on a hike and want it soaking right away, out comes the scrubba.  But our usual clothes washing while in our motorhome, we use a very sophisticated, 20 litre white bucket with lid, that we cut a hole in the lid for a plastic bung in.

We can then put the clothes and water in it and drive with it in the car providing agitation of water and washing the clothes.  If we are stationary, I still use the bucket with a plunger (through the bung) and plunge away to my hearts content.  You can buy a plunger at most hardware stores. If you want to go next level for better results, put collection of holes in the plunger with a drill, to provide better wash.

This also doubles as the dirty wash basket while not in use as the washing machine.

What is the costs for using a self serve laundromat

Laundromats or Laundrettes are readily available all over the world and generally offer both washing and drying facilities.  Most will offer vending machines for washing powder but for cost effective roadtripping, we recommend you take your own.

Laundromats are handy for when you need to wash larger items like sheets and towels. 

The cost of these can vary but a load can vary all over the world, in Australia $4 – $5 a load and the dryers are normally paid in time increments, Europe €4 – €5. 

Travelling Australia

Always carry spare change on you. The mini m&m containers fit AUS$32 in AUS$1 coins perfectly and can be stored in the washing powder container so you don’t forget them!

Caravan Parks generally use a token system. Be mindful of this, if you have washing to do (let’s face it one of the reasons your staying there and not free camping) to ask at reception when registering/booking in.  This will ensure you can get your washing done.

Another thing to keep in mind when in mining areas

in Australia, some of their washing machines are designated ‘work clothes’ machines. 

This is because the clothes that get washed in them are filthy and you do not want to use these machines by mistake. 

They are usually labelled/signed to warn you.

Travel in Europe

While travelling in Europe we found washing services either at a caravan park/sosta/aire was generally around €4.50 a load. 

This is why we use our scrubba as often as possible! 

In France they offer large machines off the side of some service stations or shopping centres, in various load sizes.  Good to use when doing a full sheets, towels wash.

Travel in Asia

Most parts of Asia we have travelled to, will offer very cheap cleaning services by the Kilogram.  You drop off your items (make sure you make a list of what you drop off to ensure that is what you collect) they clean, dry and you collect, sometimes the same day!  We have used various laundries down back lanes of many Asian countries without a problem over the years. 

They always smell amazing when you get them back too!

Scrubba Washbag – Absolute gem!  And an Australian company!

Wherever you travel, this is a game changer.

Yes, this post has affiliate links in it that means we may receive a small benefit if you buy one, at no additional cost to you. But why wouldn’t you – they are fantastic.  The Scrubba portable washing machine will save you money. As a fulltime traveller this is important, it means we can travel longer. Every dollar counts and as our followers know we are very budget minded and happy to share our tips.

We have had a Scrubba Washbag for years and it is one of our most used items while Roadtripping, backpacking and camping.  It has paid for itself over and over again.  

When we were in Europe roadtripping for 5 months last year, we used it wild camping the entire time.

What is a Scrubba washbag? 

A portable washing machine in short.  It has a flexible internal washboard that when agitated cleans your clothes like a machine wash! Rotating clothes quickly is important when you travel as you don’t have your whole wardrobe with you! This is quick easy and keeps you smelling like roses.

How to use a Scrubba washbag

Fill, Roll & Clip, Deflate, Rub, Rinse and Dry. SO easy and effective.

Hygiene

Better still, you know what’s been in it before –  unlike some washing machines we have used before getting our scrubba.  You gotta do what you gotta do, but sheesh, boy am I happy to be washing my underwears, in my own private washing machine!

Save money while you travel

So what if I told you, you DO NOT have to pay the ridiculous washing machine prices in most parts of the world.  In most parts of Europe it was between €4 and €5 per wash! Not hard to see how you will be saving money.

Unless your going to be travelling in most of Asia, which is amazingly cheap and handed back clean, folded and smelling divine – this is a MUST HAVE roadtripping, backpacking travel item.

We have roadtripped Europe for the past two years and only use a washing machine to do sheets.

Light, compact, quick and a gym workout!

Who would have thought you could have a drink, do the washing and get a workout at the same time! But that is exactly the case with a Scrubba Washbag! 

It folds down so compact that it is great in small places, your backpack, campervan and motorhome where space is premium. It is super light so not adding excessive weight to your luggage allowance.

Water when wild camping is reasonably easy to come by, we recommend using liquid washing detergent.  If staying in caravan parks, sostas or Aires (depending which country your in) the price of using their washing machine is expensive.  So you are going to love your Scrubba!

We are always looking at ways to save money when on the road fulltime, we are budget travellers and believe every dollar counts!  We are prepared to invest in the right equipment, that saves us money in the long run.

Wherever you go, Scrubba can go too

We have taken our Scrubba washbag camping, trekking, roadtripping and backpacking.

Great for trekkers where you are best washing your socks after each days hiking.

Fill it up from creeks or rivers when camping.  Filling the Scrubba is easy, as you can see us filling the Scrubba washbag from a stream in Slovenia. 

Everything you take must do more than one thing

Not just a washbag, you can use it as a wet bag if you like outdoor activities.  Days you want to go to to the beach, SUP, canoeing, boating, white water rafting – take your scrubba to keep all your personal items dry.

Water is precious

On the road, water is precious but also, part of your everyday requirements.  Cooking, drinking, washing and showering.  The Scrubba only uses approximately 2 litres of cold water.  

Therefore, you have to learn to conserve it as much as possible.  This method of washing ensures you are using the least amount of water possible while still achieving a great result.  (wait till you see our water saving washing the dishes tips – next level!)

What about when I finish travelling?

Said no-one ever!! Ok, so we all have to work at some point to put funds in the bank account, to go travel again!  When we are home based I still use my Scrubba. For a one off work shirt for hubby or when you only have a couple of items and not worth putting on a load of washing.  Perfect! To top it off, it makes me think of travel when I use it! 

So if you are planning roadtripping, backpacking, camping or Trekking consider this a must have item.

General Tips/Notes: Common sense I guess. But, it has the level markers on the side of the washbag, showing where to fill clothes to and water level – follow them.  When washing for a family of three we would wash every few days so not trying to do large amounts at one time.  As an indication a shirt, shorts, socks and jocks will fit no worries.

Turn inside out for quicker drying time of the actual bag.

Scrubba wash bag uses microbial and hydrolysis resistant polyether TPU, air drying the inside of the bag will help it last longer and make it more hygienic. 

Initially, I was like suck it up, do we really need one. I could not believe how good the pillow/inflation was! And in a classy grey colour too. Anything that protects your gear whether in transit or from weather is a good thing.

Washing Machines are not all created equal

We have bought a camping washing machine when we were stopped for covid19 restrictions, after researching it and asking all the right questions I decided to buy a second hand one. 

The amount of water it used was ridiculous and I couldn’t justify apparent time saved, when only 2.5kg of clothes fit in each wash vs. the amount of water used. 

The one I bought had to attached to pressurised water (not unsual).  I have heard people talk very favourably about the Sphere 2.5kg which I would look at if I revisited this decision.

I am more than happy with my 20ltr bucket and plunger, although they don’t make the plungers out of heavy duty rubber anymore and I have been through a few. 

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You can read more tips and tricks in our Life on the road series