rei travel laundry soap

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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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

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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The 11 Best Travel Laundry Bags of 2024

These laundry bags keep your suitcase clean and organized even on long trips.

In This Article

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Clothing has to stand up to so much on the road — wine spills, peak-ascending sweat, germ-ridden public spaces, and, for ultralight packers, repetitive wear. That's when having the perfect laundry bag tucked away in your suitcase becomes your closest ally.

To help you find the perfect one to stash, and even wash, your favorite garments, we researched the options across many designs, materials, and price points. Our top pick is the Eagle Creek Pack-it Isolate Clean/Dirty Cube for its antimicrobial treatment, adaptable compartment, and durable, ultra-light material. In addition to this do-it-all bag, our list includes everything from waterproof bags to hanging bags, too.

Best Overall

Eagle creek isolate clean/dirty cube.

Eagle Creek

This versatile laundry cube isolates clean and dirty clothes while keeping water out and odor away.

The floating divider does mean that dirty and clean clothes are not totally separated.

The Pack-it Isolate Clean/Dirty Cube by Eagle Creek easily checks off our wish list for a travel laundry bag. From the antimicrobial treated material that actively fights odors building in your clothes to its ultra-lightweight and durable translucent ripstop polyester fabric so you can see what is packed where, this machine-washable bag is designed to help make packing — and the laundry itself — easier to handle.

Backed by Eagle Creek's lifetime warranty, this water-resistant 7.5-liter cube features grab handles for unpacking quickly and self-repairing zippers for the toughest travel days. Of course, the free-floating internal divider provides as much or as little space as you need to separate reusable worn clothes from the beyond-dirty. Thanks to its thoughtful design with utility and versatility in mind, travelers can keep reaching for the Pack-it Isolate cube year after year.

The Details: Antimicrobial poly ripstop | 1.8 ounces | Zipper

Best Collapsible

Mumi laundry bag.

This collapsible bag folds down to just 5 by 8 inches, making it an easy item to tuck away into your suitcase for later use.

The PVC mesh doesn’t easily disintegrate, so the bag has a large environmental footprint.

Though this is not the greenest option, it is one of the lightest laundry bags available as the ultra-packable bag folds into an even tinier stow bag. Apart from slimming down the amount of space the laundry bag takes up, Mumi also recommends using the small storage bag to stash small additional items when the laundry bag is in use. The straightforward collapsible laundry bag also includes a folding hanger for your convenience. Another added benefit of this small-but-mighty laundry bag is that it is odor- and water-resistant. This highly functional laundry bag is undoubtedly best for those wishing to dedicate the least amount of suitcase space.

The Details: PVC mesh | 1.58 ounces | Zipper

Best Odor-blocking

Stnky wash bag.

The inner mesh bag allows clothes to breathe while the outer layer locks in odors, moisture, and germs.

It’s a bit small.

This double-layered bag is best known for sealing in odors, but it is perfect for those who want to avoid pulling every piece of clothing out of the bag. As a contact-free laundry bag, the inner mesh bag can fall from the inside allowing you to drop the clothes straight from the bag into the washing machine. Additionally, the entire pack can be washed and dried at high temperatures to kill germs and odor-causing bacteria.

The Details: Mesh | 4.2 ounces | Zipper

Best Machine-washable

Grove co. laundry bag set.

These bags are just the right size for zipping up your delicates so they are ready to toss in the washing machine straight out of your luggage.

The mesh bags are not meant to block odor, so be careful where you pack them.

Made by a Certified B Corporation , this set of bags for delicates is one of the most affordable and packable options. Designed for an easy transfer as you unpack, these mesh delicate bags will allow your laundry to breathe until it is time to hit the washing machine. The Grove Co. set is also dryer-safe and was created to help maintain the shape of your delicate laundry. Unlike some mesh laundry bags, this duo of medium and large zippered bags can go directly from the washing machine into the dryer to continue protecting your delicates throughout the entire cycle.

The Details: Mesh | Zipper

Best Large-capacity

Homest travel laundry bag.

The bag itself is machine washable and durable.

Because it’s large, you may not want to stuff it full before repacking in your suitcase.

This laundry bag two-pack is made of thick nylon with ripstop stitching, so you can really stuff the bag with all of your dirty items. While it may become too thick for a carry-on or small checked bag, this is the perfect laundry bag for longterm stays or even camping trips. The simple drawstring closure allows you to fill the bag and bring to your hotel's laundry or stick in the back of your vehicle without the risk of losing any items along the way. Plus, the bag is so lightweight and compact on its own that you can pop it right into your luggage and fill as needed.

The Details: Nylon | 0.44 pounds | Drawstring

Cotopaxi Travel Cube Bundle

Made with lightweight materials and breathable mesh, this cube bundle includes an array of sizes ranging from 2 to 10 liters.

Because the sides of these bags are mesh, odors can spread from dirty clothes to clean clothes.

Fashioned by employees with the creative agency to choose their own colorful patterns, the Cotopaxi travel cube bundle includes 2-, 3- and 10-liter repurposed nylon and mesh-sided bags. Though the nylon front and back of the bags are helpful in blocking odor transfer, the bags of dirty clothes should be separated from clean clothes in a backpack or suitcase to prevent odors from settling into the fibers of clean clothes. These bags are well-made for those looking to stave off mold and bacteria growth on dirty clothes. Because this set packs down so well when empty, you can easily take all of them along or just the bag you know you will need for your trip.

The Details: Recycled nylon and mesh | 1 ounce per 2-liter capacity | Zipper

Best Water-resistant

Helly hansen scout wash bag.

Helly Hansen

This affordable option will protect its contents from getting wet even in the worst of weather.

This bag is not designed to fold flat or compress, meaning it will need to fit into a suitcase at its existing size.

Made with water-resistant, TPU-treated polyester, this modular bag is designed to prevent any kind of leak from seeping in — or out. This Norwegian-designed bag was created with harsh weather in mind and can easily fit into any existing system of packing cubes. Its mesh pocket is handy for tucking underwear, buffs, tank tops, or any other small, light layer of clothing away. Otherwise, roll up your layers and neatly stack them in this small wash bag until you get home. The handle is perfect for hanging the bag on your doorknob until you are ready to tackle the latest adventure's laundry.

The Details: Polyester, TPU | 7.05 ounces | Zipper

Best Organization

Modoker travel duffel bag.

With a designated place for everything, this bag provides the ultimate organization and surprising opportunities for stashing laundry.

This carry-on bag is primarily designed to stash clean clothes and gear so there are no odor-blocking features.

While this bag is an easy carry-on choice for any traveler looking for specialized organization options, this highly compartmentalized duffel can also easily hold laundry in its hidden pockets. Though soiled clothes can certainly be stuffed into the primary compartment, dirty clothes can also be stored in the hanging garment section as well as the shoe pocket on the left side of the bag. Keep in mind that this 45-liter bag is made of nylon, so it should easily pack even your largest pieces of dirty clothing.

The Details: Nylon | 2.53 pounds | Zipper

Best Durable

Patagonia black hole mlc cube.

Patagonia uses environmentally friendly recycled materials and supports living wages with a Fair Trade supply chain.

This compartmentalized bag does not completely fold flat.

Made with 100 percent post-consumer recycled polyester ripstop and a post-industrial recycled TPU-film laminate, this 12-liter bag is large enough to hold most of your dirty clothes within the primary compartment under the roll-top closure. There is, however, a secondary compartment that features a zipper closure. While the mesh compartments of the more traditional 10-liter Black Hole Cube are great, the higher level of compartmentalization in the Black Hole MLC Cube is appreciated for those who want to pack away a worn shirt that might need to be used again. Apart from its dual-compartment versatility, you can feel good about buying Patagonia's recycled materials. Not only are they reused, but the TPU-treated polyester ripstop is built to resist punctures, fraying, and anything else you might encounter.

The Details: Recycled polyester ripstop | 6.9 ounces | Roll-top and zipper

Best Compression

Tripped travel gear the carry-on set.

Tripped Travel Gear

The different shapes and sizes can accommodate a variety of clothing such as sweaters, shoes, and stacks of T-shirts.

Not all clothes will fit into the cubes or can be compressed.

The Carry-on Set is great for those hoping to maximize the limited space inside a carry-on with a pack of seven tough bags. Made with ripstop polyurethane fabric and reinforced zippers, this compression set can multitask as a neat place to stash your dirty clothes — especially if those clothes include caked-on grime that needs to be contained beyond the included toggle-cord laundry bag. Polyurethane is designed to keep moisture out, which is great for your clean clothes and even better for keeping dirty clothes separated. While you won't likely have to worry about the bags themselves ripping thanks to the material, the compression zippers are also double-stitched to make them as strong as can be. Larger, bulkier clothing such as heavy winter coats or very chunky sweaters might not be well suited to be stashed away in these bags for laundry to be completed later. Instead, these bags are better suited to lighter layers that can easily fit into the cubes without over-filling them.

The Details: Ripstop polyurethane fabric | 14.4 ounces | Zipper

Best Utility

Scrubba portable wash bag.

The water-tight seal is perfect for containing soiled clothes while the flexible built-in washboard adds unparalleled utility.

You will need to pack laundry detergent to wash on the go.

While this laundry bag and portable washing machine might bring backpacking to mind, the ultra-light bag that packs down to a pocket-size square can be handy indoors, too. Designed with convenience and the environment in mind, Scrubba bags cut down on the amount of water needed to wash a few essential items at a time and without any electricity — helping you clean your clothes while you travel . The roll-top and buckle closure with an air valve ensures no dirty water sloshes out of the bag while you work the clothing against the washboard with full contact. The transparent window on the side of the bag also allows you to see any section of clothing that might need a bit of extra scrubbing. While the bag can simply serve to hold your dirty clothes apart from clean items until you get home, it is nice to know you can tackle a stain before it sets or reuse a soiled garment before you get home. To wash clothes using this laundry bag, you’ll need detergent; however, Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Liquidless Eco Sheets can be used for hand-washing clothing.

The Details: Polyether, TPU | 5.3 ounces | Roll-top with buckle and air valve

Tips for Buying Laundry Bags

Prioritize material.

Each type of material presents an advantage. Polyester and nylon are both lightweight synthetic fibers that are designed to endure wear and tear. Polyester will repel water while nylon will absorb water. Neither are breathable, but natural fibers such as cotton are. Pay attention to what material best suits your needs and style of travel.

Consider the bag’s features

Those who travel with delicate garments will likely want a breathable, protective bag that can fold or hang. Others who travel under intense weather conditions should look for a durable, waterproof option. Adventure enthusiasts will likely want a laundry bag that allows clothing to breathe and prevents bacterial growth between adrenaline-pumping activities. You'll also want a bag that has a secure closure that's easy to use and won't break even if you fully stuff the bag with dirty items.

Check for return policies and warranties

After investing in an excellent travel laundry bag, the last thing you want is to buy another one due to a defect or a short return period. Check the company policies to ensure you can get a refund should you need to exchange the laundry bag for a different option that better suits you. It is always worth noting the warranty as well as learning about free replacements and the corresponding time frame of availability.

Travel laundry bags are about so much more than containing dirty clothes while on the go or having clothes ready for washing machine drop-off. While the idea of protecting your clean clothes from germs and grime worn clothes might have collected, a separate laundry bag can also help prevent suitcases from developing an odor. Of course, laundry bags also help bring a certain level of organization to the suitcase, making it easier to see what clothing you have left to work with.

There are two ways to wash a travel laundry bag, but the method depends on the material the laundry bag is made of. Some synthetic fibers can withstand the heat of a hot cycle in the washing machine. Others might have to be washed on a cool cycle.

Some travel laundry bags are made from materials that are too delicate for the washing machine altogether. In this case, use a gentle detergent and cool water to soak and wash the bag in the sink. A solution made with mild soap and cool water can also be used to spot-clean laundry bags as needed too.

Look for specific directions when buying a laundry bag. Don't forget to double-check its tag before washing it too.

Similar to the methods of washing travel laundry bags, not all can handle the heat of a dryer. Some bags are designed to be used in a dryer, but far more must air dry. Again, consider this when buying a laundry bag and remember to properly care for whichever one you choose.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Molly Harris is a travel writer and gear fiend. She has four years of experience testing travel gear, and adventure equipment and searching for the most functional, travel-friendly accessories available. For this article, she used research and her own experience to curate the perfect list of laundry bags for travelers.

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6 Products for Washing Clothes While Traveling

By Bailey Berg

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 featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail 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 .

Olivia Morelli

Caitlin Morton

Stacey Lastoe

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 .

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How to Wash Clothes Without a Washer While Traveling Using a Dry Bag and Dish Detergent

When it comes to luggage and travel, less is more. The dry bag laundry method is the epitome of this “traveler minimalism” and it makes for the perfect travel laundry kit.  Keeping a dry bag for laundry allows you to wash anytime, meaning you can travel more with fewer sets of clothes but still have fresh clothes anywhere. Having fewer sets of clothes means smaller bags, an easier time moving from place to place, less money spent on checked bags, and more money to spend on food wine and adventures.  

Note: This article contains affiliate links

Unfortunately for most travelers, the question of how to wash clothes while traveling is a difficult question…but one with plenty of very simple solutions, and we’ll give them all to you here. From deciding the best travel laundry detergent or soap (to improvise) to sharing the best travel laundry bag options that are less “improvised” (like the Scrubba and Laundreez ), we’ll give you all of the best travel clothes wash method and tools for travelers who want to stay light, and a couple extra, more luxurious options that will make life easier.

To make sure you’re fully equipped to handle laundry on the road, without packing too much, we’ll review the solutions and costs for doing your laundry while traveling in Europe, Asia, and South America, and then share my preferred method of doing my laundry while traveling using a dry bag for washing clothes (Jump to “ How to wash your clothes without a washer in 10 Minutes Using a Dry Bag “)

How to Wash Clothes without a Washer While Traveling

If you’re wondering how to wash clothes without a washer while you’re traveling, you’re not alone. Don’t worry! Once you’re learn our preferred option for laundry while traveling, you’ll be able to travel indefinitely out of a single bag as single week’s worth of clothes will last indefinitely. 

Here are your options for laundry on the road:

• Let your hostel or hotel do it: Usually charged by the lb/kg and expensive
• Let a third party do your laundry (Southeast Asia and South America): Much cheaper but requires waiting 24-48 hours and I have had my nice undies stolen
• Do it yourself at a laundromat (Europe): Your cheapest option in Europe. Requires a few hours of time, but is efficient
• Do it yourself in your bathroom – In the Sink : Free, but in hostels can be inconsiderate of shared bathrooms.
• Do it yourself in your bathroom in laundry bag or dry bag: Free, easiest, and simplest as soaking (not agitation) works and no sink is required. Can be done nearly anywhere. This is why a drybag is always part of my travel laundry kit

1. Let your hostel or hotel do your laundry

Letting your hostel or hotel do your laundry is nearly always an option.  Plan on paying by the kilogram and receiving your laundry back in ~24 hours

• In Southeast Asia and South America, laundry in a hostel usually costs $2-$5 per kilogram
• In Europe, laundry in a hostel usually costs $5-$10 per kilogram

2. Let a third party do your laundry (Southeast Asia and South America)

The third party services that normally do your hostel’s laundry Southeast Asia and South America are very happy to your laundry as well.  Just walk up the street from your hostel, look for a sign saying “laundry” or “lavadero” and walk right in.  Costs will be slightly cheaper than at your hostel and you will receive it back much more quickly.  So plan on $2-$5 a load in Southeast Asia and South America

3. Wash your clothes at a laundromat (Europe)

Throughout Europe there are great, easy to use and very clean self-service laundromats. All of the laundromats I’ve seen are completely automated and always in walking distance of my hostel.  Price averages 7 to 10 Euros to wash and dry 5kg of clothes including detergent and softender, so if you have a lot of laundry this is a great option

4. Wash your clothes in your bathroom: In the Sink

This is my least favorite option, as you occupy the bathroom if you’re in a shared bathroom situation, preventing others from using the facilities.  Also…that sink is seriously pretty disgusting, and you’ll probably find Paleolithic Zombie bacteria on that thing.  But, sometimes you’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do.  To get your clothes (kinda) clean this way, be sure to bring a universal sink stopper on your journey.  I highly recommend going with the following option though, as it is easier, less time consuming, more sanitary, and doesn’t keep the bathroom occupied if you’re staying in a hostel.

5. Wash your clothes using a dry bag or portable laundry bag and your travel laundry kit

When I have a small amount of clothes to wash or will be leaving a place within 24 hours, this performing my own dry bag laundry is the option I go for.  All it takes is bringing a dry bag, like the many drybags sold at REI , or the many other drybags sold on amazon . From there, a good travel laundry soap or detergent makes a quick and easy laundry option that can be done anywhere. 

Alternatively, you could get a specially made laundry bag that is made specifically for a travel laundry kit. The best travel laundry bag options I’ve tested are the Landreez and the Scrubba .

These portable laundry bags have special features that make the travel clothes wash process much simpler.

The “ Laundreez ” has a special side cap allowing you easily drain the bag while squeezing water out of the clothes, and then refilling without removing your clothes from the bag.

For the Laundreez, simply fill with water, add detergent, add clothes, soak, drain, fill to rinse, drain, and it’s done. This video gives a quick snapshot to show how easy the drain spout makes the process.

On the other hand, the Scrubba has soft raised dots on the inside of the bag that gently “scrub” your clothes clean.

Of these two options, the Scrubba is my favorite as the raised dots help with the cleaning process, but both options are decent.

In the end, I recommend using a normal dry bag because of its versatility.

The dry bags can be used as a day bag for routine travel and a place to hide electronics when your adventures take you on the water. From there, steal a little dish soap from the kitchen and you’re ready to go.  By the way, dish soap is an underrated detergent that is cheap, available everywhere, only requires a little bit, and pulls stains out of anything.

The Travel Clothes Wash Procress

(Continue scrolling for step by step instructions)

The “Dry Bag Laundry” caters to lazy, procrastinating travelers (like me)

An upside to using this, “laundry in a dry bag” method is that you don’t actually have to wash anything…you can just let the clothes soak.  You simply fill up the bag with clothes and soapy water, swish around the clothes in the the bag once (5 seconds of effort total) and set the bag aside to soak for anywhere from 15 minutes to a day. 

After that soak period, rinse by pouring out the water and refilling with clear water until clean – usually 2 to 3 rinses total gets everything squeaky clean.  This method has cleaned everything from oil stains to European bar smoke out of my favorite garments, all quickly, conveniently, and cheaply.  Read on for step by step instructions for how to wash your clothes without a washer.

Additionally, you can wash as many or as few items as you’d like, while with normal laundry you have to wait for “an entire load” of laundry to be efficient.  If you realize you’ve procrastinate and are on your last pair of socks and undies, you can quickly do those two items and wait a few hours for them to dry…if you’ve brought travel friendly goods.  This is one more reason I love traveling with wool clothing , as it dries much more quickly than you’d expect.

How to wash your clothes without a washer in 10 Minutes Using a Dry Bag and Dish Detergent

Step 1: find a dry bag or portable laundry bag .

Get a dry bag or specially designed travel laundry bag like the Landreze or the Scrubba.  (My personal preference is the dry bag)

These options on Amazon are cheap, leak proof, and will work for the task. As I said before, I recommend dry bags over “ portable laundry bags ” because most dry bags (like the ones below) can double as a day pack during wet adventures ..

Step 2: Find the best travel laundry soap available: Dish Soap

You may initially think “what is the best travel laundry soap I can use to wash my clothes?” Though your head is in the right place, the best travel laundry detergent may be – regular dish soap (yes, dish washing soap). Any will do, but aim for one with a decent scent or no scent at all.

Dish washing detergent works well because it’s concentrated, meaning we don’t need much, easy to find, so any hostel kitchen has it or you can buy a bottle for $1, and its great at breaking down oils, dirt and pulling out stains.

The single warning here is to rinse thoroughly. For some materials, dark colors that are rinsed well may fade when exposed to the sun if they haven’t been rinsed well. This happened with the inside of my travel pants – my Outlier Slim Dungarees – (as the cuff was folded and the inside was exposed to the sun) but the outer material didn’t noticeably fade

Step 3: Dilute 1 spoon of dish soap in water

Add one tablespoon of dish soap to a glass of water, stir to mix the water and soap, then pour into the dry bag

Step 4: Add clothes, water, soap

Add your clothes to fill the bag 1/2 to 3/4 of the way full, but make sure the bag can still be closed

Add enough water to cover clothes plus ~1 inch

Step 5: Mix and Let Soak

Agitate with hands 15-30 seconds to ensure all of the clothes are covered with and soak up the soapy water

Let the clothes sit in the water and dry bag for 15 minutes at least…don’t feel bad if a day or two goes by, especially if the clothes are very dirty

Step 6: Drain dirty water, refill with clean water, agitate, repeat

Rinse (~2-3 times) by pouring out the water, refilling with clean water, agitating with hands, and pouring out the water again. Repeat the process until the water is clear

Step 7: Remove clothes from bag and squeeze out excess water

Squeeze water out of clothes by hand.  Avoid twisting or wringing out the clothes as this will stretch and damage the clothes

Lay out clothes to dry, ideally on a flat surface

Step 8: Wear the clothes, look stylish, and get them dirty again…and repeat

Wear again until dirty

Travel Clothes Wash FAQ

Can you wash clothes with soap.

Yes, virtually any soap (shampoo, hand soap, dish soap) will work to get clothes clean , just beware of washing delicate items, dark colored items, or delicate wool items with harsher soaps like dish detergent. Beyond this, as long as you rinse thoroughly you won’t have many major problems

What is the Best Travel Laundry soap?

The best travel laundry soap is liquid dish soap, as it is easily accessible, available everywhere, cheap, and pulls stains, oils, and sweat out very well.

For soaps to take with you, Dr. Bronner’s unscented soap is the best, as it is highly concentrated and multi-purpose. It can also be used as a body wash or facial cleanser if diluted. I generally carry a small bottle of Dr. Bronner’s soap at the start of my trips and it lasts a while.

What is the Best Travel Laundry detergent? (That isn’t dish soap)

Any powdered laundry detergent that you can pickup at a mini-mart is the best travel laundry detergent – as it is cheap, readily available, and keeps your bags lighter making your travels easier. Throughout Asia, South America, and even Europe, it is possible to buy a small bag of laundry detergent for under $1 USD. I’ll purchase this bag, and pour enough detergent for a few washes into a zip-loc bag and leave the rest at a hostel as a donation…for a “future me” to wash with.

What is the best travel laundry bag?

The best best travel laundry bag is a normal dry bag, between 10L and 20L in size. This bag can serve as an actual laundry bag, storing your dirty clothes, and serving as the holder for the travel clothes wash process.

Is washing clothes with dish soap ok?

Yes, just be careful washing delicate laundry items (ready the label) and rinse dark clothes thoroughly, as residual dish soap in the clothes can cause slight fading in the sunlight. If you’re very worried, take a small amount of powdered laundry detergent in a zip-loc bag and refill it with powdered detergent from mini-marts along the way.

A Note on choosing the right clothes for travel…for easier washing

The process of washing clothes by hand while traveling can become much harder or easier, depending on how “travel friendly” the clothing.

How much water materials hold (cotton is the worst), how long the materials resist grime and stains, and how quickly they dry (again, cotton is the worst) affect how quickly you can wash your clothes and how quickly they’ll dry.

Make the most of your travels, and reduce your wash time and time between washes by packing travel friendly clothes. These “best of” lists of the travel shirts, pants, and even shoes, that have been my favorites and best performing during my adventures.

• The 7 Best Men’s Shorts for Travel
• Travel Pants for Every Type of Travel: 27 Options for Adventuring Hard and Looking Good
• My Favorite Shirts for Minimalist Travel
• Wool Socks: A Travel Essential

Tips for Washing Clothes while Traveling

• For heavily stained clothes, get an old toothbrush and scrub dish detergent into the stain and allow the garment to sit for 10 minutes, then wash as usual.
• Depending on the type of stain you’re trying to get out, washing in cold water or soaking in hot water may be appropriate. Google the stain type to confirm

So now that you know how to wash your clothes without a washer while backpacking….here are a few great options travel laundry bags and dry bag laundry options on Amazon.

See dry bags available at REI.com

Other great travel gear and clothing content.

• 7 Great Men’s Travel Pants
• The 5 Best Men’s Travel Shorts
• The Perfect Carry on Packing List

See why wool is worth the price in my experiment of wearing a shirt for one week straight — the ultimate odor fighting garment material

About the author.

Carlos is a nomad, slow traveler, and writer dedicated to helping others live abroad and travel better by using his 7+ years of experience living abroad and background as a management consultant and financial advisor to help other nomad and expats plot better paths for an international lifestyle. Click here to learn more about Carlos's story.

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Monday 26th of August 2019

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Everything You Need to Do Laundry While Traveling, According to Globe-trotters

Expert travelers know that one way to avoid overpacking , especially on longer trips, is washing your clothes while you’re away. Doing laundry mid-trip lets you get more wear out of your outfits, while still packing light. And “a lighter suitcase helps you avoid extra airline fees — and leaves more room for souvenirs during your trip,” according to Judy Perl, president of the Judy Perl Worldwide Travel agency.

Hotel laundry services, however, can be prohibitively expensive, and likely won’t even be an option if you’re camping , backpacking , or staying in hostels or Airbnbs. But with the help of a few handy items, Perl and the three other frequent travelers we spoke with say that it can be just as easy to wash your clothes on your own, allowing you to pack light and save money. As Stephanie Flor, the founder of Around the World Beauty , says, “When you do your own laundry, you’re in control.” Below, our experts recommend their favorite detergents , garment steamers , laundry bags , and more to stash in your carry-on so you can do a load (or two) on your next trip.

An odor-fighting detergent

Flor told us, “When doing my own laundry, I always bring my own detergent because the last thing I want to do is run around looking for a laundry place at midnight.” Most of our experts agreed, offering up a number of different options depending on what you may need to wash. No matter the detergent you choose, Perl notes that “small travel packets of detergent are wonderful because you can stash them in your suitcase without taking up too much space, and you can easily wash your smaller items in the hotel sink [or] bathtub .” For something that cleans well and can tackle odors on any garment, Flor loves these travel-size pouches of Defunkify powder, a detergent specifically designed for laundering sweaty activewear . She adds that Defunkify is made from plant-based, ecofriendly ingredients that won’t pollute local water systems. “In many parts of the world you have to take into consideration what you’re putting into the water-filter system,” she explains. “It’s all about traveling consciously.”

A detergent for delicates

For hand-washing delicates like underwear or bathing suits that need extra attention, travel writer Beth Sandland uses Soak detergent in convenient single-use packets. There’s no need to rinse or scrub, she says, so you won’t risk tearing or pulling your garments. “Just put a teaspoonful in a sink of water and soak,” Sandland explains.

A mess-free detergent

While the above liquid and powder detergents are fairly spill-proof, if you’re very wary of messes, try these soap sheets recommended by Perl. The solid sheets dissolve in water so, as she says, there’s “no risk of them spilling in your bag on trips where your bag is getting tossed or jostled around more frequently.” Plus, the tiny pack of 50 biodegradable sheets will take up minimal room in your luggage . Whichever detergent you use, Perl stresses the importance of bringing a sink stopper in case your hotel’s or other home-away-from-home’s bathroom doesn’t have one (or it isn’t working).

A detergent dupe

Although it’s meant for hair, Sandland calls this shampoo bar her “secret weapon” for washing clothes away from home. “I used it to wash a hand-wash-only dress in the shower in Indonesia, and discovered it works really well for freshening up clothes,” she says. “It only takes a few minutes, smells lovely, and is totally plastic-free.”

A washing add-in

Even if you’re fastidious about separating your dark- and light-colored clothes at home, it’s not always feasible to wash two separate loads while traveling. If you’re planning to do laundry while on the road and don’t want to restrict yourself to a monochrome wardrobe, Perl says these dye-trapping sheets are a “must” because they “prevent dyes from bleeding so you can still wash light and dark colors together.” Simply toss one in the sink or bathtub while you’re washing your clothes to avoid staining whites and other light-colored fabrics.

A mini-steamer

Nail artist and frequent traveler Julie Kandalec , the creator of blog Julie Off Duty , told us she always packs this mini-steamer to give clothes a quick refresh after unpacking. Traveling with the steamer allows her to “bring thinner fabrics that would normally wrinkle like crazy,” she adds. Kandalec says that this one is “compact and super simple to use,” and that it “heats up in 30 seconds and is very, very efficient — even on hard-to-steam fabrics like linen.” Flor also brings a steamer with her on work-related trips when she can’t look rumpled, and Perl says that, in a pinch, you can use your “shower time as an opportunity to de-wrinkle your clothes” by simply hanging wrinkled garments in the bathroom while you shower and letting the hot steam do its work.

An all-in-one washing bag

When she doesn’t have access to a sink or tub, Sandland relies on this innovative washing bag that’s perfect for camping, backpacking, or van-living . Just add water, detergent, and clothing, then give the bag a vigorous rub against a flat surface so that the hundreds of mini nodes inside can scrub away at your dirty gear. When it’s not in use, the washing bag folds down small enough to slip into any pocket of your luggage.

A washing bag for delicates

We’ve previously written about using these mesh bags to protect underwear in the washing machine, and Flor says the same idea applies when you’re hand-washing delicates on the road. To save space, she’ll also pack her undergarments in these bags before putting them in her suitcase.

A laundry bag for dirty clothes

For separating your dirty clothes from clean stuff until you have a chance to wash them, Perl recommends this strong and durable laundry bag from the German brand Reisenthel. She says that the packable mesh sack “fits nicely in a suitcase and is extra functional, with a zipper and a loop to hang it when needed.” Even if you don’t plan on doing laundry during your trip, a bag like this is useful for keeping dirty clothes together so they’re ready to wash once you get home.

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Laundry Soap

What is the easiest type of soap/detergent to take for washing out clothes?

The shampoo that comes in your hotel room, at least for sink washing.

We sell a laundry soap through our store. Its carry on size since its less than 3 oz. and I like it because it doesn't have a fragrance. It lasts me a month on the road. Works great for washing in the sink. Here's the link. https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/travel-wash

I use whatever's around the room. In a hotel, I use the soap, the shampoo, whatever. In an apartment, there's usually laundry soap there for me.

I don't do much sink laundry anymore but have used various hotel soaps and shampoos. When I did a lot, I always liked Dr. Bronner , which I used to get at REI. (always preferred the peppermint myself.)

Like others, I like to use hotel shampoo or shower gel. It's formulated for hair and/or body oil so I figure it can manage my clothes while I'm on vacation. At the end of a trip when I know I am going to have enough of my shampoo to last, I start using my own shampoo for washing clothes.

The bad thing about taking detergent formulated for washing machines is that it is sometimes hard to rinse out. If you take dry detergent you need to go easy on it with your sink washes until you figure out the amount to use.

you can get small packets of Woolite and use each one for several loads. Tide also makes little travel size bottles. Or buy something locally and leave behind what you dont' use.

Forever New travel laundry detergent. Small packets of soap crystals-no worries about spills. You can purchase package of 16 on amazon and have enough for several trips.

My wife takes a Tide stain eraser--pen style. It does a remarkable job. And she takes a few Tide Pods in a zip lock bag if we run up on washing machines in our accommodations.

I like the soap that the laundry service uses. ........... well, I do!

I have perfume and skin allergies. The Rick Steves soap works well for me.

We use the little Woolite packets for washing underwear, and use the leftover hotel shampoo for washing clothes. Both types rinse out easily and leave a very light fragrance.

I use this: http://www.amazon.com/Travelon-Laundry-Soap-Sheets-50-Count/dp/B000Y0CL8K

I take my preferred powdered high efficiency laundry soap with me in premeasured zip close plastic bags along with some dryer sheets in another sandwich size bag and put all of these into the thickest zip close quart size bag I can find. Powder means no issues with going through security. High efficiency means no worries with the majority of the European washers that are of the HE type. Pre measured means I just dump the whole contents of each bag into the washer at a laundromat.

I rarely do in room sink laundry because I find it takes more effort than I want to spend and my clothes end up taking too long to dry and feel soapy. At a laundromat, I throw everything into a single machine and then read my guide book, catch up on emails, and other things I would normally be doing anyway until done.

Or I just use the hotel service and don't worry about it.

Ivory. It 99 and 44/100th percent pure. (If you can remember that you are almost as old as I am.

But seriously, I take along a bar of ivory soap. No 100 ml limit; it's not a liquid. I shower with it, and I wash my clothes with it. I only need one bar for everything.

Since I usually wash out clothes when I shower, I just use shampoo. I like the idea of Ivory soap!

We use a backpack soap that we get at REI. I think it is called CampSuds. It if primarily designed for backpacking when water is limited. It is extremely concentrated - three or four drops in a sink full of water. A 3 oz bottle has lasted through three to four months of travel washing nearly every night.

Target (and I assume other big box retailers) sells small packets of Tide. Perfect size for sink washing. I stick them in a zip lock baggie just in case they get crushed.

For laundromat trips, there will often be product available for purchase in one-wash packets. Some machines automatically dispense detergent (not good if you don't like their chosen product, but easy)

My new preferred way of doing wash is to use the soap leaves that come in little plastic packs of 50 and a two gallon ziploc bag.

I put some water in the zip loc bag and add 2-3 soap leaves per load. (I consider one days worth of clothes a load.) Then I seal the bag and shake. It makes a decent amount of suds. Then I add the clothes, more water--to cover the clothes--seal the bag and shake making sure the clothes are well covered. Then I let them sit for a few minutes.

Empty the water and then add new water one or two times to rinse out the clothes. Shake each time to help remove water.

The other product you could try is Zote soap. It's available at Walmart. The bar weighs about a pound and costs about a $1, Shave off what you need for your trip.

About once every two weeks I hit a laundromat for a full wash especially pants.

Honestly, that is what I do when I hand wash. On this trip, I'm getting lazy and sending out my clothes or hitting a laundromat more often. It's fun to try to figure out how to use them. If you look lost, a local will usually come up and show you how to do it.

Like James, I find that the hotel service's laundry soap is great. To reduce packing weight and if I am really willing to sacrifice my precious vacation time scrubbing my underwear, I go to a shop in whatever town I am in and buy the smallest packet. Europeans do wash their clothes too.

I will give my two cents of what not to take. Tide Pods. They work excellent in US washing machines but that's not the case in Europe for me. In my experience, the pods don't break down well at all and then leave the plasticky residue on your clothes. We switched to a local washing powder and it worked just fine. The residue came out right away when we rewashed back in the US. Strangest thing.

Sewbeachy...sometimes what not to take is as valuable as what TO take!

I just found these very cool eco laundry sheets Dizolve that take up no space in your luggage at all. I was told on another forum that you only need 1/2 a strip for handwashing. I've used in my washing machine at home and supposedly it works in both regular and HE machines. Another liquid product that I used for my delicate scarves and cashmere is Eucalan No Rinse Wool Wash . The no-rinse aspect is particularly attractive for sink hand washing. I hate fragrances in laundry (bought the latter after forgetting and using Woolite on a favorite sweater only to be repulsed by the strong fragrance) and both of these products are available in unscented versions.

I knew that on my current trip I would be using coin laundries in addition to doing some hand washing. I also can't tolerate laundry detergent with heavy odors. So I use the following:

They're are also available with a light scent.

They take up very little room.

Washeze and Woolite - Both works great!

I generally use the hotel's shampoo. I also carry a Tide stick in case of stains.

I recently read a book of a person who moved to Europe and was washing their clothes in SALT for a month before realizing it! Confirms that it's good to bring something with you or use something known like shampoo at the hotel. : )

This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity.

Matador FlatPak Soap Bar Case vs Ziploc Bag

This Madator FlatPak Soap Bar Case Comparison post may contain affiliate links meaning if you click on a link, we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you. Please read our full policy below , thank you for your support!

Matador FlatPak Soap Bar Case

Cost: $13.99 Capacity: 6 fl oz. (0.18 L) Dimensions: 4” x 2.4” x 1.3” (10.2 x 6.1 x 3.3 cm) Weight : 0.4 oz. (11 g) Materials: Cordura nylon; Dry-Through ™ coating Origin: Made in China

Shop Matador Soap Case

Ziploc Freezer Quart Bag

Cost: $0.14 Capacity: 1.0 quart (0.95 liter) Dimensions: 7” x 7.4” (18 x 19 cm) Weight : 0.2 oz. (5 g) Materials: Low Density Polyethylene Origin: Made in USA (maybe)

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The Matador Flat Pak soap case gets a lot of attention on travel channels like this and is one of the most often recommended minimalist soap bags. It’s a lightweight waterproof rolltop case that claims to dry your soap out while it’s sealed inside the bag. It seems like the perfect minimalist travel product.

I’ve been using the Matador Soap Case for over 2 years now. While I think it’s a useful soap container, I ( any many others ) have noticed its ability to dry out a bar of soap seems overstated. It’s also expensive and not as accessible to many people when compared to the classic Ziploc bag.

So, to test its effectiveness I conducted an experiment comparing the drying ability of the Soap Case, compared side-by-side to a Ziploc bag. I also address a few other criticisms I’ve seen, namely the size and functionality, and offer a few alternatives.

Drying vs Zip Lock

For the first experiment I started with two identical bars of soap. I decided to go with Dove Original bar, as it is inexpensive and fairly common in the US. I soaked both bars in a tray of water for about 20 minutes. Then I shook off the excess water and placed one bar in each of the Ziploc and Matador bags without allowing them to dry first. The bags were sealed and left to sit overnight.

Neither soap bar was dry after the first day, but the Ziploc soap was noticeably wetter and squishier than the Matador Soap Case bar. I’ve noticed that some soaps will appear dry even after sitting in a Ziploc overnight. This could indicate a leak, but in most cases the bar of soap tends to absorb the water, causing it to become soft and deteriorate quicker.

Dove isn’t a particularly absorbent soap bar compared to some other brands. But to ensure we’re giving the Matador bag a chance to work its magic, I decided to repeat this process 4 more times. After 5 total cycles of soaking and placing in the bags, both bars were very wet, soggy and squishy. The Matador bar performed slightly better than the Ziploc, but the difference is nowhere as noticeable as you imagine it would be.

Letting the Bar of Soap Dry out for 1 hour

So now I wondered, if the Matador bag doesn’t dry your soap out that much when it’s sealed inside the soap case. What would happen if you allowed the soap bars to dry out before putting them in the bags?

I then repeated this experiment with two new bars of soap. Allowing them to soak for ~20 minutes (a few of these went over), then letting them dry for about an hour before putting them back in the bags. This experiment is also repeated 5 times.

After 5 days, both soap bars were less wet and squishy than the first non-drying experiment, but neither was dry. This may have worked better if I had allowed the bars to dry completely before putting them in the bags instead of timing it for an hour. After the first day it was difficult to tell the difference between the bars. However, after 5 days of moisture accumulation, both bars were noticeably soft.

Again, the Matador bag performed only slightly better here than the Ziploc, however the soap bar is still soft and squishy and nowhere near dry. The difference is more noticeable by feel, the Ziploc bag bar is wetter, and more soap comes off on my hand when I hold it. But as you can see from the photo, it’s difficult to tell these soap bars apart.

Is the Matador Soap Case Big Enough?

Another criticism I’ve seen about the Matador Soap Case is the size. This is an uncommon experience, but I’ve seen it mentioned in comments several times, so I think it’s worth addressing. To test the capacity of the Soap Case, I purchased (in the US) several standard brands of soap. These included Dr. Bronner’s, Kirk’s Castile Soap, Yardley Bath Bar, Dial, Irish Spring, Dove.

Like any dry bag, the Matador Soap Case need to be rolled at least 3 times and clipped to be effective. This greatly reduces the capacity of the bag from what it appears to hold when laid flat. Long story short, every bar easily fit in the Soap Case with 3 complete rolls, the smaller bars (Dove, Dial, Yardley, Irish Spring) fit extremely easily. The Dr. Bronner’s bar was the tightest, and I was barely able to get a complete third roll on the closure. Just for fun, I also tested a Fels-Naptha Laundry Bar, which unsurprisingly is way too long to fit in the Soap Case.

The calculated capacity of the Matador Soap Case (4” x 2.4” x 1.3” ;10.2 x 6.1 x 3.3 cm) is just under 7 fl. Oz. (200 g). However, the largest soap bar I have that fits is a 6.0 oz (177 g) Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap. One downside with this smallish size, is you have to almost completely use up the first bar before starting a second bar. You won’t have this issue with a quart Ziploc, which has over four times the capacity of the Matador Case.

TL;DR – If you buy a non-standard size, or giant hand-made bar of soap, the Matador Soap Case likely isn’t large enough. However almost every standard bar soap brand will easily fit.

Doesn’t Work Well in Shower

The other criticism I see on this bag, is that unlike a standard soap dish, the Matador Soap Case doesn’t work well in the shower. This is a fair criticism as it doesn’t drain like a standard soap dish. This is probably not an issue in hotels but could be an issue in a shared shower situation, especially if the shower doesn’t have a proper shelf.

There is no great solution here outside of just using a soap dish, but likely this issue is more a matter of personal preference. One solution would be to just use the Matador Case as a soap dish, it won’t drain and you will likely have to wash it off, but not a big deal. The second is to try and hang the Soap Case in the shower by attaching a small cord to the loops on the corner. This also isn’t ideal and may not work in every shower.

Alternatives

For anyone who doesn’t like or can’t justify the price of the Matador Soap Case, I have a few alternatives to consider beyond a Ziploc.

The Snowkingdom Travel Soap Case is a fantastic soap dish, it’s extremely leakproof and comes with a little drying mat and a thick silicone band to hold the lid down. It’s heavier, but not horrible at 2.5 oz. (73 g) and is only $6 on Amazon (here it is side by side with Matador Case). Make sure to get the one with the band, as they sell it without for the same price.

A small cloth (muslin) bag also works great, is extremely lightweight (0.1 oz; 4 g), inexpensive, and allows your soap to dry out even more. I find 4”x6” (10.2 x 15.2 cm) to be a great size for most soap bars. The downside is you need to dry your soap bar out before putting it in a cloth bag. It can also be difficult to buy them individually, so you may have to purchase them in bulk.

While the Matador Soap Case may not be the magical self-drying bag some people think it is, I think it’s still a very useful product. If you’re someone who moves hotels every day or stays in hostels a lot then the Matador Soap Case will help dry your soap bar out, reduce water absorption, and help it last longer.

However, it doesn’t work nearly as well as they claim. If you have time to dry your soap bar out before putting it in a bag, then the Matador Soap Case doesn’t perform much better than a cheap Ziploc back. I think the biggest advantage of the Matador Bag is the durability. I’ve had this one for several years, use it all the time, and it still looks almost as good as when I bought it. The price tag may be a little steep for a tiny soap bag, but it will last years, so I think it’s a good investment if you travel a lot.

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Rei in der Tube Mini Bottle/Travel Size 30ml

About this item.

• Ideal for travel and hand wash at home
• for the pretreatment of collars and cuffs
• suitable for foam cleaning
• Made in Germany

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PRODUCT CERTIFICATION (1)

Compact by Design (Amazon-developed Certification) products have reduced water and/or air in the product or packaging for more efficient transportation.

Product Description

With Rei in the tube you can clean your laundry quickly and thoroughly. It is particularly gentle on colors and fibers. Ideal for travel and hand wash at home for the pretreatment of collars and cuffs suitable for foam cleaning Storage and usage instructions: Dissolve about 5 cm of Rei in the tube in 5 liters of water and wash your laundry quickly without soaking. Then rinse thoroughly. For pre-treatment, you can apply the paste directly to the stains before washing. Please pay attention to the care instructions of the textiles and if necessary test the color fastness at an inconspicuous place.

Product details

• Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
• Date First Available ‏ : ‎ October 1, 2017
• Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Fit
• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07GM28MYG
• #1,472 in Liquid Laundry Detergent

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8.2 million laundry packets sold at Family Dollar, Target, Walmart and others recalled

(Gray News) – More than 8 million bags of laundry detergent are being recalled due to faulty packaging.

The outer packaging of Tide Pods, Gain Flings, Ace Pods and Ariel Pods liquid laundry detergent packets can split open near the zipper track, making it easy for children to access and making them vulnerable to potential ingestion.

Ingestion of a large quantity of any surfactant-containing household cleaning products can cause death among individuals with underlying health issues.

The recall involves certain lot codes packaged in flexible film bags that were manufactured between September 2023 and February 2024, according to Proctor & Gamble .

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Officials have received four reports of children accessing the laundry packets, three of which reported ingestion during the time period that the recalled lots were sold, but it is unclear if the packets came from the recalled bags.

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Consumers with recalled bags can submit a photo of the recalled product, showing the lot code, to participate in the recall.

Consumers can contact Procter & Gamble toll-free at 833-347-5764 from Monday through Friday, 9 AM ET to 6 PM ET, Saturday, 9 AM ET to 5:30 PM ET, or online at www.pg.com/bags .

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Home » Europe » Moscow

20 BEST Hostels in Moscow (2024 • Insider Guide!)

Far and away Russia’s largest city, the capital city of Moscow is a backpacker’s dream. By European standards it’s affordable, and by city standards it still feels super exotic.

But there are a ton of hostels in Moscow. Over 110 to be specific, and knowing which hostel to pick can be quite a task. Which is the exact reason we put together this list of the best hostels in Moscow.

We’ve organized this list of the best hostels in Moscow by different travel needs. So whether you wanna party or chill, hook up or wind down, with the help of this guide, you’ll be able to book the hostel that gets you where you wanna be!

Let’s take a look at the 20 best hostels in Moscow…

The 20 Best Youth Hostels in Moscow

What to pack for your moscow hostel, why you should travel to moscow, faq about hostels in moscow, more epic hostels in russia.

Moscow Style | Overall Best Youth Hostel in Moscow

The overall best hostel in Moscow is Moscow Style and you’re about to find out why. Not only does Moscow Style offer guests all the basics like free bed linen and free WiFi but have a late check-out, free breakfast and a guest kitchen too. Team this with kick-ass customer service, super comfy dorm rooms and the fact that it’s located in the heart of the city, you’ll easily see why Moscow Style is the best hostel in Moscow in 2021. To top it off, must-visit landmarks like the Kremlin and Red Square are just a five-minute walk away.

Moscow Style  is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Comrade Hostel

Comrade Hostel is the joint best hostel in Moscow in 2021. Comrade Hostel is a highly recommended hostel in Moscow so if you wanna stay here you’ve gotta book your bed ASAP, especially if you and your travel buddies wanna stay in the same dorm room. Comrade Hostel is in Moscow’s old town known locally as Kitai-Gorod. The Comrade staff are always on hand to give you directions and useful tips on how to make the most of your every moment in Moscow.

Comrade Hostel  is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Vagabond Hostel | Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Moscow

The best hostel for solo travellers in Moscow is the super popular Vagabond Hostel. For solo travellers early seeking a crew to explore the Russian capital city with your first port of call should be Vagabonds. Attracting a varied and interesting crowd Vagabond Hostel is the perfect Moscow backpackers hostel for solo travellers to hang out in. The free breakfast provides a cracking start to the day and you have the use of the guest kitchen too. Why not have a cook-off with your hostel mates?

Vagabond Hostel  is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Godzillas is a top hostel in Moscow and has been for years. For solo travellers keen to connect, Godzillas is a great start; tour operators often use Godzillas as their meeting hostel so there are always plenty wide-eyed and bushy-tailed travellers just like you around the place! The Godzillas team are super welcoming and always happy to help in any way that they can. If you’re a solo traveller keen to meet a wide of a range of people as possible, Godzillas is the place for you.

Godzillas  is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Chekhov House | Best Cheap Hostel in Moscow #1

The best cheap hostel in Moscow is Chekhov House, by far. Although at first glance the pink hues around Chekhov House may have you thinking it’s a women-only hostel, it is a place for everyone. The free breakfast, free WiFi and free luggage storage go a long way in making Chekhov House a great, cheap, youth hostel in Moscow. The Chekhov House team are keen to please and are always happy to help with directions. As a rookie in Russia, you may struggle to read local signage as they use a totally different alphabet!

Chekhov House  is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Good News Hostel | Best Cheap Hostel in Moscow #2

The good news is that Good News Hostel is the best budget hostel in Moscow! Too cheesy?! Anyway, you’ll love Good News Hostel for its bright and spacious dorm rooms and wonderful communal areas. The outdoor deck is the ideal spot to hang out in on a sunny Russian summers day although if you’re heading to Moscow in the winter you need to bring your thermals. Super close to the Komsomolskaya metro station, you can easily connect to all of Moscow’s tourist hotspots from Good News Hostel.

Good News Hostel  is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Jazz House | Best Cheap Hostel in Moscow #3

Light and bright, Jazz House is a simple but ample budget youth hostel in Moscow. You’ll find very little to complain about here. The staff keep Jazz House in great shape and you’ll feel instantly at ease, once you’ve dumped your hefty backpack that is. The Kremlin is 3.5km away but the walk is a great way to experience real Moscow. If that feels like too much hop on the metro at Serpukhovskaya and you’ll be there in minutes. Once you’ve got your head around it the Moscow metro is pretty easy really.

Jazz House  is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.

Want more deetz on why these packs are so  damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!

FriendHouse | Best Hostel for Couples in Moscow

The best hostels for couples in Moscow is FriendHouse. Simple? Yes. Ideal? Yes! With so much to see and do in Moscow , most travellers are looking for a cheap and cheerful place to crash and FriendHouse is perfect. They have reasonably priced private double rooms especially for couples like you. If you and your lover like meeting fellow backpackers all you need to do is head to FriendHouse’s monochrome yet cosy lounge of an evening and get introducing yourselves.

FriendHouse  is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Star Wars Hostel

No, bear with me on this one! Believe it or not, another Star Wars Hostel is the best hostel in Moscow for couples who like a fancier style of accommodation. By name alone you’ll be thinking that it’s Star Wars through and through but, to its credit, Star Wars Hostel has only a subtle homage to the sci-fi series. The private rooms for a couple are cosy, even romantic and cottage like in their decor! Everyone who stays at Star Wars Hostel raves about it. Go on, give it a go!

Star Wars Hostel  is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Fasol Hostel & Bar | Best Party Hostel in Moscow

Fasol Hostel & Bar is, you’ve guessed it, the best party hostel in Moscow. This laid-back, charming and budget-friendly youth hostel is the perfect place to get your party on. To be fair, they don’t party crazy hard here as Moscow is hardly famed for its party scene but if you’re keen on a few beers, or a vodka or two, after a day of exploring Moscow Fasol is the place to stay. Overall, Fasol is a highly recommended hostel in Moscow, so whether you’re a party animal or not you’ll surely be drawn in by the on-point hostel vibes.

Fasol Hostel & Bar  is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Safari Hostel

If Safari Hostel had its own bar it would easily be the best party hostel in Moscow, alas it’s nearly the best hostel in Moscow for a party. To be fair, Safari Hostel is a laugh a minute and all who stay here are game for a drink or two. Good job you can BYOB! The huge guest kitchen and dining room is the perfect place to get the beers following before you hit the town. The Safari team will be more than happy to recommend which pubs you hit up and when!

Safari Hostel  is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Hostel Derevo | Best Hostels for Digital Nomads in Moscow

Hostel Derevo is the best hostel for digital nomads in Moscow for sure! Not only do they have free and unlimited super-fast WiFi but modern spaces to work in. Derevo is the coolest hostel in Moscow for digital nomads and there is something to be said for feeling more productive when working in an inspiring environment. Derevo is, in fact, a co-working hostel, the whole place has been designed for digital nomads like you. Snap up your spot ASAP, they’re about to get even more popular in the rise of the digital nomads in 2021.

Hostel Derevo  is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Netizen Hostel

Netizen is an ideal Moscow backpackers hostel for digital nomads, their bar and cafe is a great place to work from. The Netizen team have created an open and welcoming vibe here but there is a calmness and quietness about the place too. Netizen is a super clean hostel and the room service team work around the clock to keep the hostel in immaculate order. As a highly recommended hostel in Moscow Netizen is great for digital nomads looking for a home from home and an office all rolled into one.

Netizen Hostel  is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Grant’s Hostel | Best Hostel with a Private Room in Moscow

Grant’s Hostel is a top hostel in Moscow if you’re departing by flight as they offer a free airport transfer. So no need to stress about finding a Moscow hostel near the airport. You don’t wanna focus on leaving before you’ve arrived though! You have Grant’s Hostels super spacious dorm rooms and cosy cafe to look forward to; as well as the team’s wonderful hospitality. Grant’s Hostel is a great shout for couples, they have four private double rooms just waiting to be snapped up! Get booking!

Grant’s Hostel  is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

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More of the Best Youth Hostels in Moscow

Sputnik hostel.

Sputnik is the coolest youth hostel in Moscow but also one of the only boutique options available in the city. If you’re more of a flashpacker than a shoestring slumming-it kinda traveller you’ll feel right at home in the modern yet rustic dorms of Sputnik. If you have an eye for design you’ll love Sputniks minimalist style. Flashpackers you’ll be pleased to hear Sputnik’s is on the same street as Prada and all the posh restaurants. Main Moscow attractions like the Kremlin are just a 10-minute walk away.

Sputnik Hostel  is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

3 Penguins Hostel

3 Penguins is a super cute Moscow backpackers hostel with reasonably priced dorm rooms and a homely feel. 3 Penguins have been impressing their guests time and time again and as such has become a highly recommended hostel in Moscow. There’s a kind of grandeur about the private rooms at the 3 Penguins that couples will surely kind romantic if a bit OTT. The staff are super helpful and will always give you a hand when they can.

3 Penguins Hostel  is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Captial Hostel

Captial Hostel is a clean and homely Moscow backpackers youth hostel, located in the heart of the city. A far cry from a party hostel, Captial is ideal for travellers who like to stick to business when they’re on the road; for those who like to get a quiet and calm night’s sleep ready to hit up all the city sights in the morning. Captial Hostel has private dorm rooms and is therefore ideal for groups of mates who are travelling together and need a bit of space away from random dorm mates. It’s ok, we all feel like it sometimes!

Captial Hostel  is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Blagovest Hostel

Blagovest is a top hostel in Moscow, especially if you’re travelling with your crew. They have both open and private dorms available. The private dorms can sleep up to five people and is a great way of pooling the costs of travel. Blagovest Hostel comes highly recommended by all who visit, in part due to their great location but mostly because of their lovely staff. It should also be mentioned that Blagovest has dead comfy orthopaedic mattresses on all their beds. You’ll sleep like a baby!

Blagovest Hostel  is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Kremlin Lights

If you’re having a quick turnaround in Moscow and need to hit up all the sights and landmarks super quickly and easily you need to book a bed at Kremlin Lights. They’re located just 190m from the Kremlin, no other Moscow backpackers hostel is closer. Kremlin Lights is a bright and welcoming hostel that is super clean and as we’ve established, perfectly located. By being in the heart of Moscow the surrounding food outlets can be a little pricey so be sure to cook for yourself in the Kremlin Lights kitchen to save some money.

Kremlin Lights  is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Jedi Hostel

Sci-Fi haters don’t dismiss Jedi Hostel on the name alone. Although there’s a subtle theme Jedi Hostel is a cracking youth hostel in Moscow, regardless of your feelings towards the films! Jedi Hostel is a funky and bright hostel located in the heart of Moscow. From here you can easily access all the tourist hotspots, great bars and some cool restaurants too. Each dorm bed is in capsule style for a little added privacy. Jedi is a super friendly hostel and you’ll defiantly find yourself tempted to extend your stay!

Jedi Hostel  is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.

Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.

Hanging Laundry Bag

Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.

Sea To Summit Micro Towel

Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.

Monopoly Deal

Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.

Grayl Geopress Water Bottle

Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!

Check out our definitive  Hostel Packing list  for our top packing tips!

Moscow is an unforgettable experience, so be sure to book a hostel that sets yourself up for success. With the help of this guide, you’ll be able to pick a hostel that best suits your travel-style, your your time in Russia can be nothing short of awesome.

And, just in case you can’t pick from one of the best hostels in Moscow – go with Moscow Style. It’s location, price and stellar reviews means you’ll have a great time and can worry about one less thing on your Russia trip.

Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Moscow.

What are the best hostels in Moscow, Russia?

Here you go! Our top 3 of the best hostels in Moscow: Moscow Style Vagabond Hostel Chekhov House

What’s the best party hostel in Moscow?

Fasol Hostel & Bar is the perfect place to get your party on. They don’t go wild there, but it’s a sick laid-back hostel with a nice bar to chug a few drinks.

What’s the cheapest hostel in Moscow?

If you’re looking to save some money down in Moscow, book your stay at one of these hostels: Chekhov House Good News Hostel Jazz House

Where can I book a hostel for Moscow?

Most of our favorite hostels are found through Hostelworld. If you’re looking for an epic place to stay in Moscow, start your search there!

What are the best hostels in Moscow for couples?

FriendHouse is an ideal reasonably-priced hostel for couples in Moscow. It has a monochrome yet cosy lounge of an evening.

What are the best hostels in Moscow near the airport?

If you’re departing by flight, there is no need to stress about finding a Moscow hostel near the airport. Grant’s Hostel, our best hostel with private rooms in Moscow, offers a free airport transfer.

Travel Safety Tips for Moscow

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Moscow.

Planning an epic trip all across Russia?

Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!

For more cool hostel guides around Russia, check out:

• Best hostels in Saint Petersburg
• Best hostels in Kiev
• Best hostels in Warsaw
• Best hostels in Tbilisi
• Best hostels in Oslo

Over to you

By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Moscow has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure!

If you think we’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit us up in the comments!

• Check out the best places to stay in Moscow before you arrive.
• Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list .

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Alya and Campbell

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