Traveling enthusiasts say it over and over, do laundry when you travel. Keeping your suitcase small and light means traveling with less clothes and not necessarily traveling for less days. How can those two ideas exist simultaneously? Laundry! I have done laundry in some way, shape or form at almost every destination.
I love doing laundry at hotels. I have found that it is a little luxury addition to your trip. If you’ve never done it before, it’s really easy! Look in the hotel room closet and usually you’ll find a triplicate form and a laundry bag. Take a count of each clothing category, 3 shirts, 5 pairs of socks etc. of your dirty clothes. Then total your items and place them in the bag. Call housekeeping or the front desk, whatever is instructed on the form, and depending on the time the laundry order is submitted by you, you could have your clothes back the same or next day.
Hotel Laundry:
Pro: Same day service, folded or hung clothes to your preference—similar to dry cleaning, no wasted time doing your own laundry on your vacation.
Con: The cost. Depending on the hotel and the location, each item thrown into that laundry bag can really add up. Also, if you have any reservations about strangers touching your clothing, this might not be the best option for you.
For a more economical option, laundromats are also very convenient. Concierges, taxis, Uber drivers and anyone who knows the city better than you do can direct you to a local laundromat. Not really the talkative type,—lookup the best laundromat locations on Google and Yelp! After you find the best spot, it’s like doing laundry back at your place!
Laundromat:
Pro: Economical. This option can save you some money if you need to get loads of laundry done. This is a great option for families.
Con: Lugging your laundry around town, buying laundry detergent and supplies and waiting for your laundry to be done, which can sometimes feel like forever especially if your on vacation.
Pro Tip:
Always look for a laundromat that is safe and in a safe area, and well lit.
For an even cheaper option the hotel sink (or the tub if your room has one) can become your new best friend! A bar of detergent soap or liquid travel packs can be great for sink washing any soiled items. It’s a great way to clean a few items that need a refresh. Just follow the directions on the package and wet your clothing item, apply the soap and manually wash!
Sink Laundry:
Pro: Very economical for a few items.
Con: You can usually fit only one item in the sink at a time, the process tends to be messy and a little wet, you’ll also have to wait for your clothes to dry so make sure you do this at least two days before you need to leave town and pack up.
I also urge you to consider if your clothes are actually dirty. You can definitely wear any garment a few times without offending anyone with a smell. Depending on the climate and the use of the garment you might not have to wash it at all! Going for a run in 90 degree heat, well then I’d suggest a wash for your workout gear. Going for an evening stroll in 40 degree weather, you probably don’t have to wash that sweater! For everything in between, use your best judgement.
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