If you’re going on vacation and you’ll be away for more than a week or two, you’ll need to wash your clothes at some point. While you should be able to locate a laundrette or other washing facilities anywhere in the world, you can’t guarantee the detergent will be good quality.
The good news is that you can bring detergent on your travels—the tricky bit is deciding which option suits you. Read on to learn everything you need to know.
What Is the Best Laundry Detergent for Travel?
A fantastic detergent type to use when traveling is laundry sheets. If you’ve not heard of laundry sheets, they’re strips of concentrated detergent with very little water content. They’re typically thin, compact, and often have fewer harmful chemicals in their formula than regular liquid detergent. Laundry sheets are a great option for home as well as while you’re on the road—here’s why:
Why Choose Laundry Sheets for Travel?
Space-Saving
Laundry sheets are usually compact—both the sheets themselves and their packaging. That means no wasted luggage real estate, and you’ll have more space for other essentials.
This is a huge benefit when traveling. You’re already limited in the weight and size of the luggage you can take, so the last thing you want is to sacrifice your favorite shoes for a big bottle of detergent.
Proper Cleaning
Your detergent could be the most compact and sustainable option out there, but it's entirely pointless if it’s ineffective at cleaning your clothes. Thankfully, any laundry sheets worth their salt will ensure your clothes emerge from the machine looking and smelling fresh.
They might be in a different format than traditional liquid options, but rest assured, all the important cleaning ingredients are still there.
Drainage System Considerations
When you travel to different places, you need to be mindful of how the sewerage and plumbing systems might differ from back home. If you’re bringing your own detergent, you want to ensure it’s compatible regardless of the drainage system.
Well-designed laundry sheets should be free from chemicals that could damage drainage systems and be compatible with septic tanks. Traditional liquid detergent isn’t always free of these chemicals, making laundry sheets a good alternative.
Dissolvable
Like harmful chemicals, traditional liquid detergent can cause clogging and sediment in certain sewerage systems. If your accommodation uses a septic tank, clogging can cause real problems for the people who maintain it—both physical problems such as leaks, as well as financial ones.
Laundry sheets tend to be dissolvable, which means using them reduces the possibility of clogging.
Kinder to the Planet
While we’ve touched on the impact of chemicals in waste systems, there’s a larger conversation about laundry sheets vs. some traditional detergents in terms of minimizing environmental impact.
Some detergents contain bleach, which can contaminate the surrounding soil and water and cause air pollution in the areas where it’s released. While we should always be conscious of our carbon footprint, it’s even more important when traveling because most of us will use emissions to get to wherever we’re taking our vacation. It might only be a small change, but choosing bleach-free laundry sheets can make a difference to the planet.
The Best Laundry Sheets for Travel: What to Look for
Travel-Friendly Packaging
Laundry sheets are a much better option for travel because they save space with compact packaging. However, there’s another benefit to the packaging of laundry sheets when it comes to travel: no liquid.
We all know about the strict cabin luggage rule that restricts the amount of liquids you can bring through security in an airport and onto a plane. If you’re only traveling with cabin luggage but still want to take detergent, you’ll run into problems carrying a large detergent bottle. Laundry sheets completely remove that issue, and you can easily swim through security, providing your other liquids fit the rule.
Versatility
As with many travel tips, we recommend looking for the most convenient product for your on-the-go laundry. One of the best things about laundry sheets is their versatility.
For example, when you’re away from home, chances are you won’t have enough laundry to do a full wash load. Some other detergents, such as capsules, make it hard to reduce how much you use. However, laundry sheets can easily be split into smaller strips.
Furthermore, most laundry sheets can be used in both hot and cold laundry settings—so even if you’re in a location with limited hot water, you’ll still be able to clean your clothes.
Compatibility With Different Fabrics
When you go on vacation, you’ll likely have a wide variety of fabrics to wash, from wool sweaters to swimsuits to cotton trousers. While it might be easy to split your wash loads by fabric at home, when you’re out and about traveling, that’s just not feasible.
Freddie laundry sheets are compatible with a variety of fabrics, including wool, cotton, and silk, making them a versatile choice for your laundry. However, always follow the care instructions on your garments to ensure the best results.
Tackling Laundry While Traveling: Our Tips
Pack Quick-Dry Clothing
Packing quick-dry clothing is an easy travel hack. Swimsuits and trunks, as well as polyester, wool, and nylon clothes, tend to be quick-drying by nature. So, it’s best to consider what your favorite dress or shirt is made from before you bundle it in your luggage—if you’re heading to a warm climate, your clothes will dry quickly in the sun.
Bring a Portable Clothesline
Rather than relying on tumble dryers, bring a portable clothesline with you on vacation, especially if you’re going to a hot country—being able to hang up your clothes to dry is a game-changer. Besides, what could be better than fresh, air-dried clothes in a tropical climate?
Sink Stopper for Hand Washing
You might think that a plug would be standard in sinks across the world, but that’s simply not the case. And, if you’re planning on hand-washing while you’re on vacation, not having a plug can throw a spanner in the works.
By bringing along your own sink stopper, you’re guaranteed to be able to hand-wash your clothes no matter where you are and what the sink situation is.
Consider a Spot-Cleaner
You can easily snap up a spot cleaner to remedy any small stains without doing an entire wash. This underrated travel hack means you can tackle those inevitable pasta sauce splashes on the go. Simply ensure your chosen spot cleaner is small enough to adhere to luggage regulations, especially if you’re only traveling with a cabin bag.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Best Way to Wash Clothes While Traveling?
The best way to wash clothes while traveling is to pack a detergent suitable for cabin luggage, such as laundry sheets. Laundry sheets offer the versatility, convenience, and cleaning power you need to keep your clothing fresh while traveling.
Are Laundry Detergent Sheets Good for Travel?
Laundry sheets are a brilliant choice for travel because they’re compact, lightweight, and don’t count towards the liquid restrictions in airport security. Furthermore, they’re versatile and can be used on many fabric types.
How To Bring Laundry Detergent on Vacation?
If you’d like to bring laundry detergent on vacation, the best option is to use laundry sheets. Laundry sheets are thin strips of concentrated detergent that dissolve in water. That means less waste, no big, bulky bottles, and fewer harmful chemicals while working just as well as liquid detergent.
Final Thoughts
Taking detergent on vacation with you can make your trip much easier. Whether hand-washing a small amount in the hotel sink or washing a full load of clothes for longer-term travel, having your own detergent will make for a better experience.
That being said, some detergent types are not as compatible with traveling as others. The best option for travel detergent is laundry sheets. Freddie laundry sheets offer a convenient
and mess-free alternative to traditional detergents—so you can say goodbye to laundry woes while traveling and simply enjoy your trip.