travel sink laundry detergent

Best Travel Laundry Detergent for Washing Clothes on the Go

Packing Tips , TOILETRIES

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Doing laundry while traveling is a great way to keep all of your clothes nice and fresh, and while this sounds easy to do, it’s still wise to create the best travel laundry kit, so this task isn’t messy or cumbersome. See these top reader recommendations to know what detergent to bring!

Travel Size Laundry Detergent

Table of contents.

TFG readers definitely know travel, and when it comes to washing clothes, they have some great things to suggest. 

Our readers share their tips, tricks, and products for keeping clothes fresh and clean. Check out these picks for the best travel laundry soap !

Best Travel Detergent

Tide Laundry Detergent Travel Packets

Tide Travel Size Laundry Detergent Packets

Tide travel size laundry detergent packets come in convenient one-load sizes. You can slip them into your luggage without taking up too much space. 

Readers sing the praises of Tide and say it’s excellent for washing clothes on the go. Other TFGs who struggle with where to buy travel size laundry detergent suggest simply pouring larger bottles of this soap into smaller containers. One reader says, “I put Tide into one of my shampoo 3-1-1 bottles.” 

Decanting your detergent into travel size bottles is an awesome and easy travel hack.

SinkSuds Travel Laundry Detergent Liquid Soap

SinkSuds Travel Laundry Detergent Packets

The SinkSuds travel size laundry detergent packets are 0.25 fluid ounces, so it’s TSA friendly and super convenient to add to your toiletries bag . 

If you’re just washing a couple of items in a sink or tub, all you need to do is pour one packet into the water and let everything soak, then rinse and hang dry. It’s effective yet gentle, so you can wash swimwear and delicates as well as any regular clothing. 

One reader says, “Very handy for traveling. I can use one packet to wash a couple of items in my hotel room sink. Packs very easily. If you have to wash items in the sink, but don’t have access to detergent, I recommend these.” 

Find out how to do laundry while traveling with three easy options.

SOAK Scentless Travel Laundry Detergent

SOAK Unscented Travel Laundry Detergent

This no-rinse laundry detergent is another fantastic option for hand washing clothes while traveling because it’s SO convenient. With SOAK, all you need to do is… well, soak your clothes! 

There’s no rinsing necessary, so just ring them out, let them dry, and you’re good to go. And your clothes will feel super fresh and smell great. Because SOAK comes in larger bottles, you’d just have to pour some into a travel size bottle to take it with you. 

One reader says, “I love this product because you don’t have to rinse it out! For dirty stinky stuff, I take it into the shower first to rinse off dust and grime but then soak it in the sink for 15 minutes, and no need to rinse it out again. I roll my clothes in a microfiber travel towel and squeeze them out and then hang dry.” You can also pick up SOAK in handy travel size laundry detergent packets . 

Best Travel Laundry Detergent Sheets

Lazy Coconuts Fragrance Free Laundry Detergent Strips

Lazy Coconuts Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent Strips 

The Lazy Coconuts eco-friendly detergent strips make for the easiest handwashing experience while traveling. Just add to a sink full of water (or a washing machine if available) and you’re good to go! Each package has 48 strips that equate to 48 loads, which is an incredible value for the price. 

They weigh virtually nothing and take up very little space, so these are perfect for travel. And they’re made all the better by the fact that they’re carbon negative, cruelty-free , and produce zero waste! 

One user shares, “Great for travel! We went hiking , ziplining, and whitewater rafting in Colorado. Washed laundry in the hotel washer using these sheets. The laundry came out smelling clean and fresh. No heavy detergent smell.”

If your accommodation doesn’t have a dryer, take a look at these portable travel clothes lines that are all very packable!

Finzy Laundry Soap Sheets

FINZY Travel Laundry Soap Sheets

Washing on the go has never been easier than with these FINZY travel detergent sheets . This package contains 32 loads, and you can take what you need along with you on your trip. 

These detergent sheets clean your clothes quickly and efficiently, and what’s really cool is you can use them to wash your hands as well!

One traveler raves, “These literally saved me from overpacking for a three-week trip to Italy because I knew these handy, lightweight sheets were packed in my suitcase taking up no room. A true lifesaver for travel!” 

Breezeo Laundry Detergent Strips

Breezeo Travel Detergent Sheets

Breezeo laundry detergent strips have come highly recommended in the TFG Community. They’re super easy to pack and use, and they dissolve completely in both hot and cold water.

One reader reports, “Breezeo is my solution. They work great in my opinion, and leave absolutely no mess or possibility of a mess. I guarantee they can ‘fit’ in any compact luggage and adheres to TSA guidelines. I travel with them everywhere. I use one sheet for smaller loads (or hand washing) and two sheets for larger loads or more heavily soiled clothes. Economical too.”

Here are the best ways to clean dirty packing cubes .

Earth Breeze Fresh Scent Laundry Detergent Sheets

Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Sheets

Earth Breeze detergent sheets are another fantastic and eco-friendly option for travel. These sheets are major space savers, while also offering a deep clean, so they come highly rated by travelers. They’re perfect for sensitive skin, too. 

They have both “fresh scent” and unscented travel laundry detergent options for you to choose from. Use anything from half a sheet to two sheets depending on your load, and you’ll have fresh and clean clothing for the rest of your trip!  

One user says, “I purchased these laundry sheets for a two-week trip and it was the best purchase ever! Not only is it good for the environment but it fits easily in a suitcase. I was amazed that the sheet just dissolves in the water! No bulky plastic bottles to carry! I would use this again!! I might even use it at home!”

WashEZE 3-in-1 Laundry Detergent Sheets

WashEZE Laundry Sheets

WashEZE 3-in-1 laundry sheets are great. They provide detergent, softener, and static control all in one handy little soap sheet. Travelers say that these are super easy and effective when handwashing. If you have access to a washer and dryer, you can use the same sheet in both machines to get all the great benefits. 

One reader shares, “I was finishing a three-week tour of the Outer Hebrides Islands, in the United Kingdom , so there was a was a lot of mud on my trip. I used WashEZE detergent sheets and they did a GREAT job for hand washing or machine washing. Hint: cut the sheets into quarters and strips to make it easy when you’re on the road. I found a half sheet was fine for the smaller washers that are in most homes in the UK, and about half of a quarter panel was plenty to hand wash a shirt in the sink.”

Tru Earth Hypoallergenic Laundry Detergent Sheets

TruEarth Natural Laundry Detergent Sheets

TruEarth laundry sheets are ultra-gentle and suitable for sensitive skin, yet are praised for their effectiveness and stain-removing capabilities! These little strips both restore colors and brighten whites with a powerful formula that’s hypoallergenic, vegan, and paraben-free!

You can use a whole strip or half a strip depending on the size of your laundry load, and they work equally well in both washing machines and sinks. Plus, users say that a little goes a long way, so you’ll likely only need a few sheets for your entire trip.

One traveler says, “I travel a lot and these are a game changer! No more worries about an unexpected liquid mess in my suitcase! These worked great on my cruise. They dissolve so easily. I would highly recommend them for everyday use but especially for travel.” 

Travelon Laundry Soap Toiletry Sheets

Travelon Laundry Soap Sheets

Travelon soap sheets were made specifically for travel, as they’re super compact and come in a lightweight container, and is small enough to throw in any bag. Travelers say these are amazing for hand-washing in the sink or tub and always get the job done. 

One happy user reports, “This came in handy during my two-week vacation to Europe ! I was making lots of different stops to places with different types of weather, so packing was going to be difficult. Rather than overpack, I brought layers, and with these laundry soap sheets were able to wash clothes in the sink so that I had the right clothes for each climate.” 

Find out how to handle your dirty clothes when you’re traveling.

Best Travel Laundry Soap Bar

Fels Naptha Laundry Soap Bar

Fels Naptha Travel Soap Bars

The Fels Naptha soap bar is a great alternative for laundry detergent while traveling, and is noted by the TFG Community to be incredibly effective! This soap is said to have amazing stain removal capabilities and is ideal for super active trips where your clothes will need a deeper wash. 

You can take only a piece of this laundry bar if you don’t need a lot, and because it’s solid, you can pack it in a carry-on bag with no TSA concerns. One reader shares, “I use Fels Naptha for travel washing. It’s very good for removing stains and particularly adept at removing sweat from clothing—ideal for workout, hiking, biking clothing.”

Ethique Eco-Friendly Laundry Bar

Ethique Eco-Friendly Laundry Stain Stick

This laundry stick from Ethique is a standout option for not just washing clothes of all colors and fibers, but also works as dish soap and hand soap! It has so many incredible capabilities! 

It’s sustainably made with natural ingredients, smells deliciously of lavender, peppermint, and coconut, and comes in waste-free packaging! 

One reader shares, “I bought this for a 19-day trip and absolutely love it! It cleans beautifully and smells great and lasts forever. It’s small and I still have half a bar left!” 

Sea to Summit Pocket Soap

Sea to Summit Wilderness Wash Pocket Soap

The Sea to Summit travel laundry soap sheets come in a handy case filled with 50 leaves that travelers adore. These are especially useful for outdoor excursions such as hiking and camping because it can be used for many different purposes besides laundry, such as hand washing, body washing, and dishwashing. All you have to do is add water! 

One of our readers says, “I like Sea to Summit. They say one sheet per sink load is enough. If I’m washing a couple of things, I add about three. They clean very well and come in a tiny handy dispenser.”

Sard Wonder Soap with Eucalyptus

SARD Wonder Travel Laundry Soap Bar

SARD’s Wonder soap is excellent for removing stains and works well for those trips when your clothes might get a little messy.  When traveling, you can simply bring a piece of this soap with you and lather up your clothes for a thorough clean. 

One reader shares, “I use a small chunk of Sard soap. It’s not a detergent sheet, but it’s still good for sink washing.” 

Zote Laundry Soap Bar

Zote Pink Travel Laundry Soap

Many of our readers love to bring this Zote Pink soap bar with them on their travels because it’s gentle and easy to pack. Users love this because it can be used on any normal clothing, as well as delicates, swimwear , and even things like makeup brushes. 

One TFG reader says, “I really like Zote solid laundry soap bars. I cut a sliver off of the bar and keep it in a bag just in case I need it. it has a little bit of lemongrass or citronella scent, which makes everything smell fresh (even if it’s really not!!).” 

Chek out the best travel containers , where to get them, and how to use them!

Top Accessory Readers Use in Their Travel Laundry Kits

Scrubba Portable Wash Bag

Scrubba Bag

Th e Scrubba portable washing bag i s a revolutionary travel item that our readers rave about. It’s essentially the world’s smallest washing machine that you can bring with you absolutely anywhere! 

Whether you’re camping in the wilderness or staying in a hotel in a fun city, the Scrubba washing bag will seriously come in handy. It’s so easy to use too—just add clothes with some detergent into the Scrubba, close it securely, press down and deflate, rub the bag with clothes inside, and then rinse the clothes, and hang dry.

A traveler shares their experience, “This is one of the best items I’ve ever purchased for travel. Taking this meant that we could bring carry on bags instead of having to check our suitcases and just wash a few things halfway through our trip. using this just twice has more than paid for itself in baggage fees. It’s very easy to use and really got our clothes clean, despite mud, sweat, and sand. Pairing this with a travel clothesline and travel detergent means I can always pack light!”

Here is a step by step guide on how to hand wash your clothes while traveling! 

Travel Laundry Detergent Comparison Chart

[wpsm_comparison_table id=”404″ class=”center-table-align”]

What do you think is the best travel size laundry detergent ? Share with us in the comments!

For more tips on travel laundry and clothes care, please read:

• How to Pack Dirty Laundry While Traveling
• What Is the Best Travel Steamer? See Our Top Picks!
• How to do Laundry while Traveling – 3 Options!

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54 comments.

new products to try

Also like Clean People Ultra Concentrated Laundry Detergent Strips. They come in both scented and unscented. For stains, I bring along a small slice of Basin’s Fabric Stain Remover Soap.

Thank you for this helpful post. Before reading it, I didn’t even know that laundry strips were a thing. But I got some Lazy Coconut strips for a recent trip to France. They were awesome, and helped me with sink laundry so I could pack light and travel with just a backpack and carryon.

This is incredibly helpful! With so many to choose from and never using them before I’ve had a hard time deciding. Thank you so much!

I used the Ethique laundry bar to wash clothing in the hotel room sink on our 3-week Scandinavia trip in August. It worked great!

I use “eco-friendly” Kind brand unscented laundry sheets. You can easily tear off a piece for smaller washes. For stains, I slice off a piece of The Soap Works Stain-Remover Laundry Bar (from a Canadian company) and pack it in a small plastic bag.

I love my powder (citrus for easy rinse out) Forever New . Carry in a small zip lock bag and use for sink wash out. roll in towel, squeeze and hang to dry.

I travel with the Scrubba washing bag and, typically, use the hotel shower gel or shampoo. The Earth laundry papers are good too.

Thanks for sharing so many helpful options! I’m looking forward to trying some of the eco laundry strips on my next trip as they seem very compact and easy to adjust based on the amount of items I need to wash.

These Travelon Laundry Soap Sheets were a game changer on our last few trips to Italy. So portable, not a liquid and get the job done!

Thank you for all of the travel laundry suggestions! Going to Ireland and Germany in 2013 and these items will rally help!!

We are FINALLY leaving for London THIS WEEK!! I purchased Breezeo. I am looking forward to trying it. I have been a follower for years and enjoy your travel content and recommendations.

We are leaving for London THIS WEEK!!!! I purchased Breezeo. Excited to try it. Love the travel content and recommendations. Been following for years.

Thank you for your info on laundry detergent sheets. I didn’t even know that they were a thing until I logged into TFL. I have a medical condition that results in the need to do laundry often. You have made me feel confident that I can now travel again without worrying about laundry.

I have used Tide sheets and they worked wonderfully! So thin to pack and weigh next to nothing – they are a must fir any trip longer than a weekend!

I usually just used shampoos provided by the hotel to do laundry. But eh pods or the sheets would dona better job. Thanks for sharing so many options for us.

I always take the Travelon Detergent sheets. Work great!

I used the Travelon laundry sheets on our family trip to the Betheelands in June and they worked great! We all traveled with carryons only!

Netherlands not Betheelands!!

For years I used the hotel shampoo to wash my clothes but on my last trip I switched to TruEarth laundry sheets. They were a game changer I cut several full size load sheet into fourths, just the right size for a sink wash. And they are eco friendly for a win win.

For the way I travel, I like to bring powdered soap, it’s lighter weight and less messy than liquid. I usually just bring some of the Charlies laundry soap powder I use at home. I’m sensitive to fragrances so it works great for me.

After reading this post, for Australian readers, I found an Australian brand Strip Clean that makes detergent strips that are free from phosphorus, parabens and harsh chemicals. Took them on our recent trip to The Red Centre in Australia. Great product

I often travel with Dr. Bronner’s for washing, but I use Soak at home–& I’m eager to try sheets! So many options for my next trip.

Thank you for all the wonderful research… it makes packing so much easier!

I just ordered Lazy Coconuts detergent strips for our trip to Italy. Love that they are fragrance free and super compact. Thanks for all of the helpful options. I’ve used Sink Suds too and love them also.

This was super helpful! Wish I had seen this sooner!

I love using Soak for my knitting projects! I never thought about it for travel. I will definitely try this fall when in Switzerland

I was shopping the Breezio strips last weekend and realized I already own a Fels Naptha bar that I can carve some off to take to the UK in a couple of weeks. Glad I kept reading! Thanks for all the hints! They’re spot on!

I’m bringing the Sink Suds on a cruise soon, they seem like the perfect way to wash some of my unmentionables mid-trip! 🙂

Love the laundry sheets; a small bit is usually ample for travel sink laundry.

The Fels-Naptha idea is brilliant! I always spill something on myself that needs a little extra cleaning power. Since I use this at home, it is always on hand to pack.

My travel buddy brought the Earth Breeze laundry sheets on our trip to Italy and I loved them so much I use them at home now too!

Thanks for sharing other readers’ comments and reviews of these products. Very helpful! I use The Laundress wash and stain bar when traveling. It comes as a palm sized bar of soap, but I cut it in 1/4 pieces so it’s more compact and takes up less room.

Great article will be traveling to Italy for the first time in October and this group has been a great help fora first time traveler. Than you

I love that you’ve included some eco-friendly options. I have a trip coming up and plan to try out the laundry sheets.

I love using Soak, but now I’m excited to try out some of these other options. I especially like the idea of the solid detergents, that don’t have to take up room in my quart bag!

I brought a pack of Breezo detergent sheets on a work trip to Europe and I became everyone’s best friend! The sheet of strips made for easy sharing with my fellow travelers and they were very thankful (especially when the learned of the price for the hotel laundry service!). Bonus – my luggage smelled great from the pack itself!

I love detergent sheets, and use rhem at home as well! Grove Collective has great ones that travel perfectly, for machines. For sinks, I like the Travelon ones.

I’ve been looking for this info and of course you’ve got it. Thanks!!

Great options! Way better than my usual M.O. (using shower gel or shampoo in a pinch, lol!). I think I will try a couple at home before my next trip. Thanks TFG!

I love these tips!

I always look forward to these posts!! Either a method I didn’t know I was looking for or a reminder about a diy for an upcoming trip, thank you for helping me build a travel arsenal of info!

After reading this post I went with the Breezeo laundry sheets. Not only were they easy to pact and took up NO space, they had a fresh scent that permeated my suitcase!

I’m beginning to plan a lifelong dream of going to the UK and I know I’m going to need to use some of these suggestions for washing my clothes.

Funny, I have never brought laundry soap on my trips. I usually just use my bar soap. 🤔

I had no idea that there were so many choices either. I would love to have some samples of some of these options to try at home before our next travel date.

Thanks for all of the different choices! I had no idea there was such a thing as washer sheets, what a great invention! Timely for a trip to Europe this Fall.

We actually bought the Scrubba bag this year for our trip to Europe & it worked amazingly well! Saved us a ton of money & time from having to find somewhere to do our laundry. Thanks for the recommendation on travel laundry soap!

Wow I didn’t know there are so many laundry soap options❣️ I am going to France for a month traveling with a carryon luggage and personal item only backpack. I have been following Travel Fashion Girl website since 2016. I love all the helpful information and the links to items shared for purchase❣️

I subscribed to the Earth Breeze laundry sheets over a year ago – no more big plastic jugs!! Stuffed several into a ziploc for 3 weeks in Ireland and tore some in half or used a whole sheet, depending on how much I sink washed at various stops. Next trip: 2 weeks in Spain in Feb – already committed my brain to using the 10 piece Essential wardrobe!!

This was a great article that introduced me to a lot of options for sink washing that I was not aware of. I’ve used Woolite packets and Travelon sheets for years, but I’m going to give SOAK a try. The rinsing is always the worst part of hand washing, so I’m intrigued by the idea of no rinse needed. I’m going to try it at home first just to see how it works. Thanks for all the information you’ve shared through the years. It’s been so helpful when packing for a trip!

Great options. I wish more were unscented.

Oh my gosh, too many choices. I had no idea there were this many to choose from

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Best Laundry Detergents for Travel (Top 6 Picks)

Travel author

Hi there! My name is Joe, and I am a travel writer and blogger with a passion for discovering new places and sharing my experiences with others. From city breaks to epic road trips, I am always on the lookout for my next adventure

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Traveling is an adventure that opens our minds to new cultures, experiences, and memories.

However, the dirty laundry that comes with it can sometimes be a hassle to deal with.

Whether you’re backpacking through the wilderness, taking a long flight, or staying in a hotel with limited laundry options, having a reliable travel detergent for odor elimination is essential.

Read on to find the perfect travel laundry detergent that will keep your clothes fresh and clean no matter where your adventures take you.

Table of Contents

Best Laundry Detergents for Travel

Best Eco-friendly

LAZY COCONUTS

Best Overall

Best For Tough Stains

Though the three products mentioned above undoubtedly excel with their exceptional features, we recognize that everyone has distinct requirements.  

Because of this diversity in taste, we’ve gone above and beyond to review alternative detergent choices below.

Additionally, remember to factor in the importance of travel insurance for an extra layer of security for your valued possessions.

1. Best Overall: Tide 

• Unit Count:  10.6 Ounce
• Item Form:  Liquid
• Scent:  Clean Breeze

The Tide 1-Load Travel Packets are a lifesaver for travelers who want to keep their clothes fresh and clean throughout their journey. Each packet contains 10.6 ounces of concentrated detergent, ensuring you have enough to clean a single load of laundry. The small size of these packets makes them travel-friendly, taking up minimal space in your luggage or backpack.

Despite their small size, they pack a punch. The Tide formula is known for its ability to effortlessly remove tough stains, dirt, and odors, ensuring that your clothes come out clean and fresh.

Furthermore, their lightweight and spill-proof packaging makes them easy to pack into your suitcase or carry-on bag.

• The inclusion of Febreze in the pods helps to eliminate odors
• Compatible with high-efficiency (HE) washing machines
• Contains Sport Odor Defense
• Limited fragrance options
• Not suitable for handwashing or certain delicate fabrics

2. Best Eco-friendly: LAZY COCONUTS

• Unit Count:  48.0 Count
• Item Form:  Sheet
• Scent:  Fragrance-free

If you’re looking to make an eco-conscious choice without compromising on cleanliness, LAZY COCONUTS is the way to go. Talk about going above and beyond to minimize their carbon footprint! Not only that, but they are also cruelty-free, vegan, and biodegradable. It’s like having a guilt-free laundry experience every time!

This sulfate-free detergent sheet is specially formulated to be gentle on sensitive skin, making it perfect for those with allergies or babies. The detergent dissolves completely and fast, leaving no residue on your clothing. 

Each pack contains 48 sheets, ensuring an ample supply for multiple laundry loads. The fragrance-free formulation is ideal for those who prefer a scent-free experience, and the sheets are also free from dyes and parabens. Rest assured that your dirty laundry will be clean and fresh without harsh chemicals or irritating fragrances.

• Eco-friendly
• Works great in all water temps
• No residue on the clothing
• Limited fragrance options for those seeking a specific fragrance

3. Best for Removing Tough Stains: CLEACE Laundry Detergent

• Unit Count:  31.0 Count
• Scent:  Blueberry

With CLEACE, doing laundry while traveling has never been easier. Featuring a refreshing Blueberry scent, CLEACE Laundry Detergent brings a new level of freshness to your laundry routine. The detergent sheets are free of irritating ingredients, making them safe for even the most sensitive skin types.

The pre-cut and pre-measured sheets eliminate the need for measuring cups or messy spills. Each sheet is designed to last for up to 60 loads; for smaller loads, you can even use half a sheet for a thorough clean. 

They slowly dissolve in water, and with the nano-technology, this detergent goes beyond surface-level cleaning. The advanced technology enables deep cleaning, eliminating tough stains and leaving your clothes fresh and revitalized. They are even graded A and safe for washing underwear, ensuring a gentle and comfortable experience.

• No measuring required
• Blueberry scent adds a pleasant aroma
• Environmentally friendly
• Everyone may not prefer the blueberry scent

4. Best for Odor Elimination: OxiClean Odor Blasters Odor & Stain Remover Powder

• Unit Count:  80.0 Ounce
• Item Form:  Powder
• Scent:  Citrus

Traveling can be an exciting adventure, but dealing with dirty laundry and unpleasant odors can put a damper on your experience. Fortunately, OxiClean Odor Blasters Odor & Stain Remover Powder has the solution. This incredible travel detergent is designed to tackle tough odors and stains, making it the perfect companion for your journeys.

Its powerful active detergents are specially formulated to neutralize even the most stubborn smells, leaving garments smelling fresh and appearing clean. Plus, its unique combination of ingredients ensures that no residue is left behind on fabrics, providing long-lasting cleanliness. 

Its exceptional qualities make it perfect for maintaining delightful-smelling clothes throughout the day!

• Eliminates tough odors and stains
• Safe for colors and whites
• Easy to use, just add to water or detergent
• Some may find the scent overpowering
• Requires time and effort to mix and apply

5. Best for Swimwear: Fashion Care Splash Swimsuit wash

• Unit Count:  9.46 Fl Oz
• Item Volume:  60 Milliliters

The Fashion Care Splash Swimsuit wash is the ultimate savior for your beloved swimwear. It is your must-have companion for all your beach-bound adventures.

Say goodbye to faded colors and saggy elastic with this specially formulated cleaner. This powerful detergent effortlessly neutralizes and eradicates the harmful effects of chlorine, salt, and those pesky suntan lotions and oils that threaten to ruin your swimwear’s pristine beauty.

Diving deeper into its magic, our Splash Swimsuit wash acts as a shield against the dangers lurking in chlorinated waters. By sabotaging chlorine’s deteriorating powers, this detergent effectively prolongs the life of your swimwear, ensuring it stays as vibrant and fitting as the day you first wore it.

• Convenient and easy to use
• Suitable for all types of swimwear fabrics
• Effectively cleans swimsuits without damaging the fabric
• Not be sufficient for frequent or larger loads of swimsuits

6. Best for Delicates: Cashmere, Wool & Delicates Shampoo Detergent 

• Unit Count:  16.0 Fl Oz

Whether on the go or at home, this versatile detergent is suitable for hand washing and machine use, providing convenience and flexibility wherever you are. No matter the washing method, you can trust that your delicate fabrics will be treated with the utmost care, preserving their softness and longevity.

This detergent is made with a non-toxic and biodegradable formula. Not only is it gentle on your clothes but also on the environment. It contains no harsh chemicals or allergens, making it suitable for even the most sensitive skin.

A little goes a long way; this detergent has a highly concentrated formula, allowing you to use small amounts and still achieve exceptional results. Each bottle provides an impressive 42 loads, ensuring long-lasting usage and excellent value for your money.

• It lasts for multiple washes
• Maintain the softness, shape, and color of delicate fabrics
• Formulated with gentle ingredients that minimize the risk of damage or shrinking
• Pricier compared to regular detergents

Laundry Detergents for Travel-Buyer’s Guide

When selecting a laundry detergent for travel, you must consider several important things.

These factors can ensure that you choose a detergent that meets your specific needs while traveling.

Here are some things to consider when buying a laundry detergent for travel:

Portability and Packaging

One of the most crucial factors to consider when selecting a laundry detergent for travel is its portability and packaging.

Look for a detergent that comes in compact and lightweight packaging, ideally in a small bottle or individual packets.

This will make it easier to pack and carry in your luggage without taking up too much space or adding unnecessary weight.

Concentration and Efficiency

Travel often involves limited access to laundry facilities, so choosing a highly concentrated and efficient detergent is essential.

Concentrated detergents require a smaller amount per load, allowing you to carry a smaller quantity while achieving effective cleaning results.

Additionally, efficient detergents are formulated to work well in various water conditions, including hard water, which is common in many travel destinations.

Let’s find out

• Do Hotels Have Washers and Dryers?

Versatility and Suitability

Consider the versatility and suitability of the laundry detergent for different types of fabrics and garments.

A good travel detergent should be suitable for handwashing and machine washing, providing flexibility depending on the available facilities.

Furthermore, it should be gentle enough to use on various clothing materials, including delicates and synthetic fabrics, to prevent damage or fading.

Environmental Considerations

As responsible travelers, it’s essential to consider the environmental impact of the laundry detergent you choose.

Look for biodegradable and phosphate-free detergents, as these are less harmful to the environment.

Plus, some brands offer eco-friendly options that use natural ingredients and sustainable packaging, which can be preferable for environmentally conscious travelers.

Take a look

• 4 Best Portable Travel Bidets

Scent and Allergies

Consider your personal preferences and any potential allergies when selecting a laundry detergent for travel.

Some detergents have fragrances that can leave a pleasant scent on your clothes, while others are fragrance-free.

If you have sensitive skin or allergies, opt for a hypoallergenic detergent free from dyes and perfumes to minimize the risk of skin irritation or allergic reactions.

Final Thoughts

Finding the best laundry detergent for travel is essential for maintaining clean and fresh clothes while on the go. We have explored six top-rated options and compared their features, effectiveness, and convenience. Each detergent has unique advantages, catering to different travel needs and preferences.

Remember to refer to our comprehensive buyer’s guide, which provides valuable insights and tips for selecting the ideal laundry detergent for your travel needs.

Affiliate Disclaimer

As an affiliate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. We get commissions for purchases made through links on this website from Amazon and other third parties.

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Best Travel Laundry Soap in 2023

Need to find travel laundry detergent? Then you’re definitely in the right place because this guide features all the top options for travel laundry soap.

At A Glance: Best Travel Laundry Soap

• Most Portable Travel Laundry Detergent Breezeo Laundry Detergent Sheets Jump To Review
• Best Travel Laundry Detergent For Camping Sea to Summit Wilderness Wash Jump To Review
• Best Value For Money Finzy Laundry Soap Sheets Jump To Review
• Best Laundry Soap Bar The Laundress Wash And Stain Bar Jump To Review

Not everyone has the luxury of using hotel laundry services and if you usually do your own laundry while traveling, you’ll find plenty of useful options right here. Biodegradable soap, laundry detergent travel packs, and even detergent strips are all included in this review. Read on to see the top options for travel laundry soap and find the best solution for you!

Top Product Overview

Top products, breezeo laundry detergent sheets.

The Breezeo Laundry Detergent Sheets  are an amazing solution for travel laundry soap. They’re literally strips of detergent, so they’re incredibly compact and portable. One strip equals one load of laundry, and one tiny box holds 48 strips!

It’s worth noting that you can use multiple strips at once, and it’s actually recommended to use two strips for medium-large loads, or just clothes that are very dirty.

The detergent strips work best when used in a washing machine, so they’re certainly not the perfect option for hand washing dirty clothes. However, they will dissolve completely in hot or cold water, so you could try to use them in the sink and see how well they perform when used for handwashing.

Also, it’s worth noting that the detergent strips are just the best value for money you will find. It’s a little less than $10 for a box of 48 strips, which comes down to just some 20 cents per load.

• Great value for money
• Lightweight and portable
• Plant-based composition
• Clumping issues

Product Information

• Weight: 3.52 oz
• Laundry Loads: 48

Sea to Summit Wilderness Wash

If you’re looking for travel laundry detergent that’s great for camping, the Sea to Summit wash is one of the best options. It’s a thick and concentrated formula that’s both paraben-free and biodegradable. The laundry soap is very gentle on your hands and you can get away without using any gloves when doing laundry.

It also has a fresh citrusy smell, and it helps keep the bugs away from you outdoors. It’s easily one of the best travel laundry detergents, but it’s also one of the priciest.

The 3-ounce bottle has limited availability and it sometimes costs more than the 8-ounce bottle, which makes no sense. It’s better to just buy the bigger bottle and transfer the soap to a smaller container so you’re not paying $1 per load.

• Great for camping
• Repels bugs
• Biodegradable and paraben-free
• Not the most portable option
• Weight: 8.5 oz
• Laundry Loads: /

Finzy Laundry Soap Sheets

The Finzy Laundry Soap sheets are perfect if you’re looking for value for money. A pack of these includes 32 detergent sheets, which is enough to do 32 loads of laundry. And the box costs only some $9, so the total cost per load is just a little under $0.3.

Also, it’s important to note that one sheet is enough to do a classic load of laundry that you would be doing at home. If you’re washing a smaller load or just a couple of items, you can cut the detergent sheets into halves and even quarters.

They’re suitable for both washing machines and hand washing, but it’s worth noting that you won’t need an entire sheet to hand wash some laundry in the sink. A quarter of a sheet should be enough, just make sure to let it dissolve entirely before you add any laundry to the sink.

Additionally, you should know that these detergent sheets are phosphate-free and biodegradable, so they’re completely safe for use outdoors.

• Suitable for machine and hand washing
• Can be cut into pieces for smaller loads
• Very strong scent
• Weight: 3.2 oz
• Laundry Loads: 32

The Laundress Wash And Stain Bar

The Laundress Wash and Stain Bar is an interesting solution for travel laundry detergent. It’s a soap bar that functions as a magic eraser – it’s made to easily remove spots and stains from clothes, carpets, and upholstery.

This works even with oil-based stains, so you can easily get out makeup, pit stains, and even cooking grease out of your clothes. It’s also perfect for those moments when you just need to get a stain out, plus it doubles as a classic laundry soap.

Also, it’s entirely biodegradable because it’s made from plant-based ingredients, so it’s perfectly safe for your hands and eco-friendly. The only downside is that it’s a soap bar, so it’s not quite as convenient as liquid soap and you’ll need to find better packaging for it. But other than that, it’s certainly one of the best laundry soaps for travel you can get your hands on.

• Plant-based ingredients
• Great for spot treatment
• Soap bars can be clunky
• Only for hand washing
• Weight: 2 oz

washEZE Laundry Sheets

The WashEZE laundry sheets are a good option if you’re looking for something ultra-compact and portable. They’re 3-in-1 laundry sheets that include detergent, softener, and static control, plus they’re phosphate-free.

The laundry sheets are compatible with all kinds of washing machines, plus they’re suitable for handwashing. If you’re using the sheet for handwashing, just let it dissolve in the water entirely, before you add your laundry to it.

What makes these so great for travel is that there won’t be any soap accidents in your suitcase, which could happen with classic laundry soap. It’s worth noting that the box includes 20 detergent sheets for some $15, so it comes down to about $0.75 per load. That’s not too bad, considering that the strips also include fabric softener and that they’re suitable for larger loads.

• Suitable for washers and handwashing
• Includes detergent and fabric softener
• Not the best for heavily soiled clothes
• Weight: 3 oz
• Laundry Loads: 20

Tide Sport Travel Sink Packets

The Tide travel sink packets are worth considering if you prefer using liquid detergent. These are tiny (0.17 fl oz) packs of liquid laundry detergent that take up practically no space in your luggage. They’re extremely portable and excellent for those of you who are used to hand-washing your clothes when traveling.

They’re called sink packets because the amount of detergent is just enough to wash a sink full of dirty clothes, or just a laundry bag. That means that one packet should be enough to hand wash a small load of laundry, but keep in mind that you’d normally use a lot more liquid laundry detergent when washing clothes in a machine.

The downside is that these are quite pricey. It’s a little more than $1 per packet (and load), which definitely isn’t budget-friendly. On the other hand, it is Tide detergent, so at least you can be certain that it’s going to perform well and actually clean your clothes, instead of just making them smell nice.

• Quality detergent
• Great for washing clothes in a sink
• Small and portable
• One of the priciest options
• Weight: 2.08 oz
• Laundry Loads: 3

Lazy Coconuts Eco Laundry Detergent Strips

The Lazy Coconuts Eco detergent strips are an excellent option if you want a sustainable solution for doing laundry while traveling. These are eco-friendly laundry strips in recycled packaging, and they’re suitable for hand washing and machine washing.

One strip is enough for a daily wash of a small-medium load, but you’ll need two strips for a bigger load or heavily soiled clothes. When using the strips for hand washing, you should add the strip to the water and let it dissolve before adding the clothes. Also, it’s best to let heavily soiled clothes soak for a while, to ensure you can wash them properly.

It’s also worth noting that the strips are free of plastics, paraben, and phosphates, plus they’re vegan and hypoallergenic. They’re safe for your hands and the environment, which makes them suitable for use outdoors as well.

• Good value for money
• Not great for very dirty/greasy clothes
• Weight: 4.7 oz

What To Look For

Machine or hand washing.

Do you plan to wash clothes in the washer or by hand? Depending on what you usually do, you should choose the appropriate travel laundry soap.

Pods and soap sheets are the most portable option for machine washing, while plastic packets of soap are more suitable for handwashing. Laundry strips can also work for hand washing, but it’s best to cut them into smaller strips since they are made for larger loads. That way you don’t waste anything, and you get more use out of a single strip.

It’s also easier to pack laundry detergent when it’s in the form of strips because it takes up much less space in your luggage.

Indoor or Outdoor use?

Are you washing the clothes indoors, or are you doing it outdoors?

If it’s the latter and you’re going to be dumping that water outside, you should look into biodegradable soaps. They’re safe for the environment and don’t have any toxic chemicals, so you can safely dump the water anywhere, without having to look for chemical dump tanks.

They’re also a lot easier on your hands, and you don’t have to wear gloves when doing laundry. This is especially convenient for using laundry bags or doing laundry at campsites.

If you’re washing the laundry at home, you don’t have to look at the chemical composition as much. Plus you have more options at your disposal, especially if you have access to a washer.

Best Travel Laundry Soap: Our Top Picks

Not sure what kind of travel laundry soap you should get? Go with one of our top three picks, depending on how you usually do laundry while traveling.

Sea to Summit wash is one of the best travel laundry detergent options if you prefer liquid soap. It’s biodegradable and paraben-free, so it’s a great option for camping. The citrus-scented wash is also quite versatile, since it’s suitable for clothes, dishes, and even as a hair/body wash! Also, it’s available in several packaging sizes, but the largest one is the best value for money.

• Super thick concentrated formula with the fresh scent of Citronella
• Biodegradable and Paraben-free

If you just want a cheap solution, go with the Finzy portable detergent sheets . They’re by far the best value for money out of the bunch since the total cost comes down to less than $0.3 per load. They’re also biodegradable and phosphate-free, plus you can use them for either hand washing or machine washing.

If you mostly wash clothes by hand when traveling or camping, pick up the Laundress Wash & Stain Bar . It’s a stain remover soap bar that works for both getting out stains and just classic laundry washing, and it’s excellent value for money. It’s also allergen-free, made from plant-based ingredients, and biodegradable, so it’s safe for both your hands and the environment.

Head over to Amazon to see the prices and packaging options of all the travel laundry soaps featured in this review. And check out our related posts for ideas on other items that might make doing laundry while traveling a bit easier!

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Home > Guide To The Best Travel Products > Best Travel Laundry Detergent For Your Next Trip

Best Travel Laundry Detergent For Your Next Trip

Not all detergents work well for handwashing; in that case, you need to find one that doesn’t leave a residue, smells delicious, and is easy to travel with.

Handily, we’ve reviewed some of the best for you. By knowing what to buy beforehand, you won’t have the hassle of looking around in your location and trying to find where to purchase travel laundry detergent!

Skip Ahead To My Advice Here!

Best Travel Laundry Detergent Reviews

Travel Laundry Detergent Packets . Find several brands of small packets and try which one suits you here.

1. Breezeo Laundry Detergent Strips

If you want to save space in your suitcase, detergent strips and an excellent sink laundry detergent option are a great way to go. Breezeo strips are high quality and great for anyone on a budget. This pack has enough for 48 loads of washing, which is undoubtedly more than enough for a regular trip, with just one strip required for one lot of laundry.

The steps contain a concentrated detergent that dissolves when added to either hot or cold water. The detergent also dissolves completely, so you don’t have to worry about granite bits of undissolved detergent sticking to your clothing – there’s nothing worse! You can either use them in a bowl, e.g., handwashing, or you can use them in a machine.

2. FINZY Laundry Detergent Sheets

This detergent product comes in a pack of either one sheet, five, or ten; however, the price is not as budget-worthy as the first product we discussed. Despite that, this is a high-quality option and one of the best travel wash detergent choices that will certainly clean your clothes thoroughly and leave them smelling fresh.

These sheets are dissolvable in either hot or cold water, and you literally just put them into the bowl or the machine with your washing, and they will clean your clothes without any residue left over. They will also leave a rather pleasant scent, which some detergents don’t do! The sheets come in a pack that needs to be cut open, so you can be sure that they’re ultra-fresh at the time of use. This is, therefore, one of the best travel detergents for handwashing products.

3. WashEZE Laundry Sheets

This particular travel laundry detergent comes in a box of either 30 or 40 sheets, which will certainly last you for a long time during your travels . These sheets are also a 3-in-1 product, so they clean your clothes and soften and act as a stain remover.

One sheet is enough for one lot of laundry, whether washing in a machine or a bowl, and they dissolve entirely with hot or cold water, although they do work better with hot water overall. You can also use these sheets in a dryer to ensure that your clothes remain soft and not like cardboard!

4. Tide Sport Travel Sink Packets

This travel washing powder detergent is a packet that you add to your washing, either hot or cold, and the liquid will wash your clothes and ensure that it remains fresh and soft. The detergent includes Febreze to help keep odors away, allowing your clothes to be wearable.

This detergent is also ideal for removing stains, giving you a long-lasting wardrobe while traveling. The only downside is that this particular option isn’t as compact as sheets or strips, but that may not be a problem if you want the added freshness and stain removal option.

5. LG Laundry Detergent Sheets – Lucky Fiji Power Sheet

Brands we use and trust.

This LG product contains a box of 45 travel laundry detergent sheets, so you will have enough detergent to see you through at least a few weeks of travel . You also get the added extra of the big named brand, as LG makes high-quality washing machines and other electrical equipment.

You pop a sheet into your machine or your bowl of hot water and allow the detergent to do its magic. These sheets are the equivalent of 100 ounces of detergent in a regular liquid form, so you can be sure that your clothes will be clean. The sheets are also infused with lemon and lavender, keeping your clothes smelling delicious. You also don’t have to worry about stains, as the detergent contains a plant-based stain remover.

6. Sea to Summit Trek And Travel Liquid Soap

This isn’t a detergent per se, but a travel laundry soap, which could easily be used to quickly wash your clothes while on the go. The product is small enough to be taken as cabin luggage and is also biodegradable and free of added nasties. The bottle is strong, and the lid isn’t going to leak while in your bag.

This particular soap has a green tea fragrance that is light and isn’t overpowering. Of course, you can also use this like a bar of regular soap, so you get two products in one.

7. BerryPLUS Soap Berry Eco-Friendly Natural Laundry Detergent

This is an excellent option for anyone who is eco-aware, as we all should be, as a biodegradable travel clothes wash. Not only does it clean your clothes well, but it’s also eco-friendly and doesn’t contain any added chemicals or other extras.

This natural travel laundry detergent is a packet you do your laundry, made from soapberries. That means your clothes are super-clean and smell delicious at the same time. This detergent is OK to be used with regular washing machines; however, it could also be used in a bowl with hot water for soaking and hand washing.

8. Scrubba Wash Bag

This isn’t a detergent but an entire laundry system, giving your clothes a cleaning experience that will eradicate dirt and stains. Because of the product’s space-saving and effectiveness, it is one of the best travel laundry kit products you can buy .

This is a portable washing machine in a bag, so you add your clothes and the detergent and squash it all together. It’s like the old-fashioned mangle or scrub board, getting rid of dirt easily.

After washing, the bag doubles as a drying bag, making it the ideal option for travel and camping breaks. It weighs just 5oz, so it’s not going to take up space or weight in your case, and you don’t have to think about finding a bowl or a plug for the sink to wash your clothes.

Laundry Travel Tips

Now you know which detergents are best to use, what else do you need to know about washing your clothes on the go? Washing your clothes certainly saves on space because you don’t have to worry about taking a million and one outfits , but it can be a drag on your time if you don’t know how to do it correctly.

Here are a few tips you can bear in mind:

• Try and use free laundry services wherever possible; sometimes, these come at an added cost, so this is something to bear in mind in your planning.
• Search for local laundrettes or laundromats. Again, you’ll pay for these, but they’ll typically be cheaper than hotel laundry services. Make sure you have some change for using these types of laundrette services.
• Try and pack as many synthetic fabrics as possible, as these ordinarily dry faster than natural fabrics, saving you time on drying.
• It’s best to do your washing in the bathtub if your hotel has one, but the sink is just as valuable.
• Pack a travel sink stopper (plug), as many hotels don’t have these!
• Also, pack a travel washing line you can tie up in the bathroom or on the balcony and a few pegs in a small bag.
• A dedicated laundry bag is a good idea, as this will keep your dirty clothes, which need washing, away from your clean clothes while traveling around before you can get to do your laundry.
• When washing, only use a small amount of detergent, as hand washing can mean small pieces of residue stick to your clothes if you use too much.
• Make sure you give your clothes a proper wash by ensuring they’re thoroughly wet first, adding the detergent, allowing it to sud up well, and then kneading it with your hands to ensure everything is clean.
• When rinsing, don’t stop until all soap suds have gone; otherwise, you’ll end up with that residue, and they’ll take forever to dry.
• Wring out all excess water as much as possible before you hang your clothes to dry
• Make use of radiators for drying if your hotel room has one.

We also have a lot of packing and travel product tips, including the following.

• Best Travel Hair Dryer
• Best Compression Socks For Flying
• Travel Cross Body Bag: The Best Cross Body Bags For Travel
• Best Travel Umbrellas To Keep You Dry
• Best Toddler Travel Bed Reviews (aka Travel Crib)
• Best Baby Carrier For Travel Review
• The Best Travel Flat Iron Reviews
• Best Travel Pants For Women
• Best Travel Pants For Men
• The Best Travel Bras
• Best Shoes For Travel
• Ultimate Guide to Buying The Best Travel Wallet
• Ultimate Guide to Buying Packing Cubes
• What to Wear on a Long Haul Flight
• Best Hanging Toiletry Bags
• Best Travel Jewelry Organizers
• Guide To The Best Safari Hats

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Travel Laundry: How to Hand Wash Clothes in a Sink

Posted on Published: December 4, 2020  - Last updated: May 1, 2023

It’s not always possible to access a washer and dryer, laundromat, or hotel “fluff and fold” service, and knowing how to quickly and effectively handwash clothing in a sink can be a vital skill on the road. In this article, I show how I keep my clothing clean during months of long-term traveling with a minimalist travel wardrobe.

These instructions for handwashing clothing go far beyond just a simple refresh: With the right care, your clothes will come out just as clean as if they had been washed in a commercial washer.

• 🧼 Essentials you need to wash clothes in a sink, tips on the best soaps to use in a pinch (hint, shampoo always works better than handsoap ).
• ✋🏻🌊👕 After those basics, follow my step by step guide to washing clothes in a sink .
• 💨🩳 Once clean, you’ll need some hints for quickly drying hand washed clothes .
• Plus, my best tip for packing an easy-to-handwash travel wardrobe .

Laundry: The Worst Part of Minimalist Travel

The one-bag travel style is a minimalist method of travel, but “one bagging” inevitably means having to deal with laundry more frequently. In fact, washing delicates is almost a daily practice when I’m traveling with my plus size capsule travel wardrobe .

Although I love the freedom and spontaneity that traveling with just one bag allows, the unavoidable task of doing laundry while traveling is a hurdle that I have had to learn to navigate. Over months of travel, I’ve practiced and perfected my method for hand washing laundry in a sink.

In this article, I wanted to share some of my best tips for handwashing laundry in a hotel, hostel, or Airbnb.

Pro Tip: Travel with Easy to Clean Fabrics

If you can, create a packing list with your limited access to laundry washing resources in mind. If you plan to travel to places where in-unit washers or laundromats are plentiful, you might not need to alter your packing list by much, but if you are traveling on a budget or in less tourist-centric parts of the world, then laundry facilities or services might be harder to come by.

Planning for easy washing also frees up time for adventuring in your destination city.  When I’m traveling with just a few outfits, it’s hard to justify spending hours at a laundromat just to wash a half-load.

Purchasing and packing travel clothes designed for easy handwashing is one way that I save time and money while ensuring that my clothes can be fresh and clean even during busy travel days.

The following section may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Fabrics that are easy to hand wash and dry:

• tech fabrics labeled as quick-dry,
• stain-resistant fabrics, etc.

Fabrics that are hard to hand wash and dry:

• garments made from cotton,
• poly-cotton blends,
• and any thick knit fabric (wool is an exception)

If you know that you’ll be doing a lot of sink laundry while you travel or backpack, then purchasing easy-to-wash clothes is a worthwhile investment. Good travel clothing literally resists stains ( my favorite travel leggings seem impermeable by either spills or dirt).

Cotton blend knits, in contrast, can be difficult to wash clean and slow to dry. Both wool and modern poly-blend tech-fabrics easily wash clean with basic soap and dry within hours – even in humid environments.

Laundry Essentials for Hand Washing

Plenty of travel bloggers recommend buying laundry detergent in your destination country, however, it can be difficult to find good options. Typically, the package sizes that detergent is sold in are not traveler-friendly- after all, who wants to carry a bottle of laundry detergent from lodging to lodging as you travel?

Below are some common essentials to pack for travel laundry, with my thoughts added based on my own experience.

Laundry sheets

Finally, a solution to the travel laundry detergent problem: Laundry detergent sheets are lightweight, dissolvable sheets of laundry soap. They can easily be torn or cut to size for either a full load in a commercial laundromat washer or just a sink basin of delicate fabrics.

You can even make your own detergent sheets using my DIY tutorial.

💡  Hint: Avoid an overpowering odor in your luggage by purchasing unscented detergent for your travels. Both Fels Naptha Bar Soap and unscented powder detergents are a good way to carry laundry soap without concentrated scents permeating your suitcase.

Laundry Bar

Laundry washing sheets are, for now, a special order product. An easier-to-find alternative for washing clothes on the road is a laundry-detergent bar.

25 years ago, it wasn’t uncommon for laundry detergent to be sold in bar form . To use, people would use a cheese grater to grate only as much as they needed at a time. Although laundry soap bars are a bit harder to find these days, Fels Naptha Laundry Bar is one brand still available in many grocery stores and hardware stores.

PRO TIP: Before you head out on your trip, carefully cut the bar into chunks with a sharp kitchen knife and take only what you need. When you’re ready to do laundry while traveling, grate, shave, or rub off the amount you need to wash your clothing in a sink or washing machine

Clothesline

Even though I travel light, a travel clothesline always comes with me.

When your packing list is limited, getting clothing dry quickly is every bit as important as the washing process itself!

Travelon’s Twisted Elastic Clothesline (pictured above) requires no clothespins. I just insert fabric between the twisted lines. Tension holds wet clothing items in place.

With multiple methods to affix the clothesline to surfaces indoors or out (including two good suction cups) this clothesline has been far more helpful than I expected it to be.

(or) String or Twine

As much as I love my travel clothesline, it doesn’t work for every situation. Sometimes a longer span or lack of places to attach the ends leaves me in need of another way to hang dry clothes. Enter: the humble length of cotton twine .

I recommend travelers cut a 10-15ft section of basic cotton twine and pack it away somewhere out of the way (I keep mine under the lining of my suitcase ). I’ve never taken an extended trip where I didn’t end up using my length of twine to solve some problem on the road.

Using a Hotel Clothesline

Many hotels, especially seaside resorts, offer a clothesline in the bathroom. However, many people dry bathing suits and towels on sinks, bathtubs, and shower heads anyway- unaware that a retractable clothesline is hidden in plain sight.

If you see this dome of chrome mounted on a wall in your hotel room’s bathroom, twist the knob and pull. It should pull straight out and attach to an anchor on the opposing wall. Once anchored, twist the knob again to tighten. (Tightening it will allow the clothesline to support the weight of wet clothing instead of pulling more length from the reel and drooping)

Many travelers carry a portable clothing washing bag called a Scrubba . This waterproof sack (which can also serve as a stuff sack to keep dry items dry) can be filled with clothing, water, and detergent and used as an agitator to wash clothing.

Personally, after a brief test, I returned my Scrubba, although I could see where it could be helpful for many travelers. For me, keeping my packing list as minimal as possible helps me travel with more freedom – and I’m happy to exchange doing laundry by hand in the sink for that freedom.

The Best and Worst Soaps to Use for Hand Washing Laundry

Plenty of travelers set out with good laundry-intentions, and then end up handwashing undergarments in a sink with the most convenient soap- hand soap. Unfortunately, hand soap is the worst soap you can use to hand wash laundry in the sink. Here’s why:

worst choice: hand soap

Hand soap is formulated to remove dirt and leave hands not too dry. Because of this, it doesn’t do a good job of removing body oils from dirty clothing. In fact, hand soap can deposit residue on clothing that leaves it dirtier, less breathable, and covered with a thin layer of crud that will attract and capture oil and odors.

Ok in a pinch: shampoo

In a pinch, shampoo made for human hair works much better to hand wash laundry than hand soap. Shampoo, which is designed to break down oils and not leave a residue, works differently from hand soap.

Although shampoo doesn’t produce the deep clean that detergents intended for laundry do, it’s perfectly okay to use shampoo to refresh clothing between laundry cycles.

okay: Dr. Bronner’s Castile soap

Plenty of backpackers and international travelers use Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap to wash laundry (plus hair, dishes, teeth, and just about anything else!) on the road. In fact, the unscented baby soap version linked above is what I’ve used to do laundry in the sink of my hotels and Airbnbs for much of my travels.

The main drawback of using Dr. Bronner’s Castile soap is the additional weight that liquid soap adds to luggage. While the soap is effective, the high water content means that travelers carry less product with more weight than a dry version of laundry soap.

Best: detergent, bar of laundry soap, or laundry sheets

As discussed above ( click here to review ), there are many forms of dry detergent available for travelers and backpackers to use while doing travel laundry. Bar soap is ultra-compact, and even powder detergent can be simple to pack and carry in small amounts.

How to Wash Laundry in the Sink: Step-by-Step

Now that we have discussed the best way to pack for and plan for doing laundry while traveling, here’s a simple step-by-step guide to washing laundry in a hotel, hostel, or Airbnb sink basin while traveling.

Total Time 15 minutes

1. Fill the sink halfway full with warm water.

Although modern detergents in commercial washers now work equally well in cold water, you should use warm or hot water for doing laundry in the sink. The heat of the water can help compensate for the limited agitation of handwashing compared to a washing machine.

2. Add soap or detergent and stir

Add the detergent to the hot water before adding your clothing. Mixing the soap into the water before adding clothing helps to get the soap distributed across the surface of the fabric. If you are using bar soap shavings or powdered detergent, agitate the water to combine and dissolve.

3. Add clothing to the sink

Now, add clothing but don’t overfill. To get the best results, you’ll need enough room to slosh and squeeze fabrics without overflowing the sink. A partially filled sink also allows more room for water to move – essential for cleaning.

4. Let clothing soak in the sink for 5 to 10 minutes

Some of the cleaning action of good detergent is passive – that means you don’t need to actively be agitating during the entire process of hand washing. A brief soak can give the detergent a chance to break down oils. Taking a quick break in the middle of your sink laundry can actually result in cleaner clothing.

5. Squeeze and Agitate

Now agitate: squeeze your hands into the basin of soapy clothing and begin squeezing, releasing, squeezing, and releasing. Rub one fabric surface against another fabric surface, then shift slightly and repeat. This re-creates some of the agitation that a machine washer would apply to clothing during a wash cycle.

Don’t wring or handle your clothing too roughly, but ensure that water is moving in and out of the fabrics – taking with it dirt and oils.

Drain the sink and squeeze excess water out of the clothing.

7. Squeeze and agitate for 1 to 2 minutes in clean water

Repeat the washing cycle, this time with clean water (that should turn a bit murky as the detergent is removed from the clothing). Drain the sink again and squeeze excess water out of the fabric.

8. Continue rinsing

You may need to refill and drain the sink several times before the soap is fully removed. When stopped up water rinses clear, you’re ready to progress to drying your laundry.

• soap or laundry detergent

Drying Hand Washed Clothing:

Use this method to dry hand washed socks, underwear, and other clothing ultra-fast:.

• Squeeze all of the excess water out of the freshly washed clothing. Avoid wringing – especially with natural fibers like wool.
• Lay each article of clothing flat on a towel and then roll the towel up (with the clothing inside) like you are rolling up a carpet rug.
• Now, take the towel roll and twist it tightly. Untwist, and then twist in the other direction.
• Unroll the towel and you will find that much of the moisture in the clothes transferred to the towel.
• Now, hang the partially dry clothing from a clothesline or repeat the towel-wring with a fresh, dry towel to remove even more moisture.
• After rolling tech fabrics in the absorbent towel twice, many tech fabrics will be ready to wear immediately or within an hour. Most other fabrics will be dry by the following morning.

Alternate ways to dry clothes

In addition to the rolling method described above, you can also utilize heat sources to try your laundry.

While clothes hung too close to heaters can be a major fire hazard, there are ways to safely use a heat source to dry clothing – such as using a towel warmer to dry clothing or hanging freshly washed clothing on a folding chair or hanger that is placed 2 to 3 feet away from a heat vent.

A final tip on washing clothes on the road

Although this article has covered best practices on handwashing laundry while traveling, there’s one travel laundry washing practice we haven’t discussed: the shower wash.

When it comes to small everyday essentials that need washed almost daily, simply taking the item into the shower with you when you bathe can be an effective way to do a quick wash of smaller garments like socks and underwear.

Using the pressure from a showerhead – especially if there is a massage setting-  and the shampoo already present in your shower can be an easy, effective way to wash small items of laundry while only adding a minute or two to your daily routine.

How do I hand wash clothes in a hotel using bar soap?

Avoid using bars of hand soap to wash clothing. Bar soap designed for hand washing contains a high level of fats and oils (it binds the soap into bar form and leaves a residue that moisturizes hands). These oils make bar soap ineffective at removing body oils and odors from clothing. Instead, grab the shampoo ! Unlike bar soap made for hands, a hotel’s complimentary shampoo should do a decent job of washing clothing, removing body oils and odors, and washing clean without a residue.

Although this tutorial does recommend detergent bars for frequent travelers, these bars are compacted detergents, not hand soap, that are specially formulated for clothing.

Lynli Roman’s unique approach to travel is informed by decades of experience on the road with a traveling family and, later, years spent as a solo international traveler. When she’s not writing about Seattle from her Pike Place Market apartment, Lynli writes on-location while conducting hands-on research in each destination she covers. Lynli’s writing has been featured by MSN, ABC Money, Buzzfeed, and Huffington Post. She is passionate about sharing information that makes travel more accessible for all bodies.

6 Products for Washing Clothes While Traveling

If you’re going on a long trip, be it a summer in Europe or a cross-country road trip, it can be tempting to bring your whole wardrobe. But between baggage fees and weight restrictions, that’s not always possible or practical. One way to avoid overpacking is to wash your clothes while you travel. That’s often easier said than done: Laundromats can be hard to track down or inconveniently located, laundry services at hotels and on ships can be prohibitively expensive, and if you’re spending time in the backcountry, neither are an option.

Taking matters into your own hands isn't as much of a chore as you might think, though: There are plenty of tools that make doing laundry while traveling cheap and simple (and we're not just talking about Tide to Go pens ), without adding too much extra bulk to your luggage. Below, six on-the-road laundry hacks.

All products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Scrubba Portable Wash Bag

The Scrubba is basically a dry bag with a ribbed interior that functions like a washboard. You put your clothes, some clean water, and detergent in, and rub the garments against the bumps for a few minutes before rinsing everything out. Not counting drying time, the whole process takes about five minutes—and it actually does a good job of cleaning your clothes. It’s fabulous for long-term travelers and for those on days-long camping trips , where packing light is optimal. Plus, it folds down to the size of a deck of cards, so it won’t take up valuable suitcase or backpack real estate.

Nasdom Travel Clothesline

If you’ve ever done laundry in a sink, you’re familiar with the creative exercise in finding enough surfaces to drape your dripping clothes over. This 13-foot clothesline, which comes with built in pins, is easily packable. The hooked ends make it sturdy enough to connect between bed posts, across a balcony, or even from the shower curtain rod to a towel bar in a pinch.

Travelon Laundry Soap Sheets

These laundry soap sheets dissolve in water, so there’s no chance of spillage in your bag (you won't have to worry about the TSA's liquid restrictions either). There are 50 sheets in a box slightly bigger than a raisin container, so you’ll be able to get a lot of mileage out of each pack. Toss one sheet into whatever vessel you’re doing laundry in—a sink, tub, or scrub bag—and it’ll turn into suds. Just be careful to handle the carrying case with dry hands, so you don't accidentally dissolve any of the delicate sheets.

PackTowl Personal Towel

It might not be the most high tech option, but a microfiber towel can dry your sopping wet laundry faster than a clothesline. Start by spreading the towel out on a dry surface. After you wring out as much excess water from your clean clothes as possible, lay a few items on top of the towel. Then tightly roll up the towel with the clothes inside and squeeze. The microfiber fabric will sponge up more of the water (it can actually absorb four times its weight in water). This is a good method for washing heavy garments like jeans or thick sweaters when you need them dry by morning. In addition to its normal functions, this easy-to-pack towel can double as a lightweight blanket on a plane or something to sit on at the beach .

Mudder Silicone Tub Stopper

For some reason, it always seems that when you actually need a plug for your hotel room or rental's sink, there isn’t one to be found. Use this universal drain cover in any sink or tub: It is heavy duty enough that it won’t move as you soak your clothes, reducing water and soap waste, but light enough that you won't mind tossing it in your suitcase on trips when you know you'll want to do laundry.

Urpower Garment Steamer

Sometimes doing laundry while traveling comes out of necessity; but other times, it just feels good to freshen up your outfits. Some fabrics, like linen, love to wrinkle in transit; use this travel steamer to smooth out delicate outfits. It’s fairly portable, clocking in at just over eight inches tall and two inches wide. We think it’s worth the luggage space to make sure your outfit looks smart, especially if you’re traveling for a destination wedding or business trip .

Packing List

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SinkSuds All Fabrics Laundry Detergent Travel Packs, 8-Count

Last updated: March 9, 2023

These laundry detergent travel packs can be used in the sink or a washtub. There is no need to wait for a full load of laundry before washing. These packs are ideal for camping and washing a shirt or two while traveling.

We looked at the top Laundry Detergent Travel Packs and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we've determined the best Laundry Detergent Travel Pack you should buy.

SinkSuds Laundry Detergent, Travel Size Liquid Soap, TSA Compliant, Safe For All Fabrics, 8 Packets (Packaging May Vary)

Product details.

Key Takeaway : You can do laundry in a sink or tub with this detergent.

In our analysis, the SinkSuds SinkSuds All Fabrics Laundry Detergent Travel Packs, 8-Count placed 4th when we looked at the top 8 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below .

From The Manufacturer

WASHING FACE MASK: No more waiting for a full load of laundry to wash your fabric masks. Quickly, safely, and easily wash face masks right from the convenience of your sink, bathtub, or while camping and traveling. PREMEASURED + EASY TO USE: Simply add 1 packet to wash 2-3 garments in a sink, or 3-4 packets for a resort sized stacking washer. Can also be used in sinks, bathtubs, collapsible basins, or washing machines. ALL FABRIC TYPES: SinkSuds is safe enough for all water temperatures and fabrics and will not shrink, stretch, or fade clothing; it’s even gentle enough for use with delicates or baby clothing! TSA COMPLIANT: Meets the 3-1-1 TSA guidelines for carry-ons, and easily fits in your backpack, gym bag, duffel, purse or diaper bag. Perfect for vacation, business trips, cruises, backpacking adventures, international or domestic travel, or any extended hotel stay, etc. INCLUDES: 8 – 0.25 fl oz sink packets of SinkSuds; phosphate free and biodegradable.

Laundry Detergent Travel Pack Rankings

1. S SYNERGETIC Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent Travel Packs, 50-Load

2. ZERO TRACE Biodegradeable Laundry Detergent Travel Packs, 72-Load

3. Woolite Regular & High-Efficiency Laundry Detergent Travel Packs, 30-Count

4. SinkSuds All Fabrics Laundry Detergent Travel Packs, 8-Count

5. Homevative Biodegradable Packaging Laundry Detergent Travel Sheets, 30-Count

6. Sheets Laundry Club Hypoallergenic Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent Travel Sheets, 50-Count

7. Breezeo Plant Based Cruelty Free Laundry Detergent Travel Strips, 48-Count

8. Tide Acti-Lift Phosphate Free Laundry Detergent Travel Packs, 3-Count

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