Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > All Miscellaneous questions > Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else
Washing clothes while traveling? Washing clothes while traveling?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
Photo by Giovanni Lamonica, Aralsk, Kazakhstan.

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Giovanni Lamonica,
Aralsk, Kazakhstan.



Like Tree10Likes

Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 19 Nov 2020
SanchoPansa
Guest
  
Posts: n/a
Washing clothes while traveling?
Hi!
I started travelling with my camper van a while back. First it was just here, around England, close to my living spot. But I would like to try doing longer rides. I have a small toilet, kitchen sink and a bathroom sink installed. Access to water is not an issue but you have to stay rational but I always have a problem with disposing of it. There are certain spots where I can pour out the dirty water and refill my tanks. But it is not always the case or rather, I don't know all spots I can do it in. My greatest worry when travelling for a longer time is washing the clothes. I don't have washing machine installed obviously so it is all done by hand. By I don't know water saving methods and it scares me.
How do you deal with washing on the go?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 19 Nov 2020
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,657
Get a plastic bin with a watertight lid. Fill it with hot water and soap. leave your clothes in it while you are driving.

The vibrations and movements of the vehicle will wash your clothes like a machine would.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 19 Nov 2020
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2011
Location: midlands uk
Posts: 224
Just take a shower with your dirty clothes on , and wash yourself + clothes ,
Put clean on and dry washed clothes ... easy !
So many people take far too much when travelling
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 19 Nov 2020
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 272
Quote:
Originally Posted by badou24 View Post
Just take a shower with your dirty clothes on , and wash yourself + clothes ,

Put clean on and dry washed clothes ... easy !

So many people take far too much when travelling
Exactly.. or use sink; then fold and strap on the back of your bike to dry out.

Other trick pull sock inside out, rub baking soda then pull back and put it on; baking soda decomposes sweat they will be fresh even after 3-5 days. Works on underwear too.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 19 Nov 2020
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,104
On bike trips we used to fill the top box with water and use it as a sink for clothes washing. A hole drilled in the bottom beforehand and sealed with a blanking grommet acted as a drain. You had to park someplace where draining the water didn't cause an issue (so not the hotel foyer) but in hot climates it would be gone in 10 mins. Cleans the box out as well.

These days I used a laundrette.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 19 Nov 2020
Grant Johnson's Avatar
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,232
SanchoPansa banned for spamming, (spam link removed) but he got a reaction on this one I didn't expect, so leaving it!
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 19 Nov 2020
brclarke's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Vancouver Island, Canada
Posts: 812
Laundromat once a week for the most part. A few times I've been travelling with no access to such fancy facilities, and it's been a sink scrub and clothesline of the socks/undies/T-shirt until I return to civilization.
__________________
Bruce Clarke - 2020 Yamaha XV250
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 19 Nov 2020
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Colombia,(when not travelling)
Posts: 308
"Eco-friendly" soap and water when at a campsite with water. Scrubba washbag when remote.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 20 Nov 2020
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Esperance, Western Australia
Posts: 92
Washing?
__________________
Hear the challenge, learn the lesson, pay the cost.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 20 Nov 2020
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Esperance, Western Australia
Posts: 92
Washing?
Everyone knows that if you want to conceal something from an Aussie, you hide it in the washing machine.
__________________
Hear the challenge, learn the lesson, pay the cost.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 20 Nov 2020
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Devon, UK
Posts: 794
Shampoo and hotel sinks work well. If you're on an extended trip without hotels you'll either find somewhere to handwash with a little Dr Bronners or just smell for a while. It's not the end of the world.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 20 Nov 2020
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,104
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tomkat View Post
If you're on an extended trip without hotels you'll either find somewhere to handwash with a little Dr Bronners or just smell for a while. It's not the end of the world.
In my experience that approach - particularly the smell for a bit part - doesn't sit well with the other side of the gender divide.

Here's what I mean:



(At least it was our camp, not someone else's !!! although I can't say I ever thought I'd get to the point of posting a picture of an old girlfriend's knickers on an internet forum. At least in my defence I didn't take the picture )
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 20 Nov 2020
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2011
Location: midlands uk
Posts: 224
or..... just ride naked ! + helmet !
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 20 Nov 2020
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Portugal permanent, Sweden during summer
Posts: 464
Campsite
One of the reasons to use camp sites.
Instead of wild camping.
You have washing machine, toilet shower, sink ....
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 21 Nov 2020
Snakeboy's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Back into the hamster wheel again, in Oslo - Norway. Did a 5 year RTW trip/250 k kms, 2014-2019
Posts: 1,479
Quote:
Originally Posted by Erik_G View Post
One of the reasons to use camp sites.
Instead of wild camping.
You have washing machine, toilet shower, sink ....
Once in a while its great to check into a hostel or a well equipped campaite where one can do laundry. Every two weeks or so....
__________________
In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Riding slow = traveling fast (turtle vs rabbit) Wheelie TRAVEL Hints and Tips 8 28 Jul 2018 02:15
Washing me smalls davebetty Morocco 12 7 Dec 2014 00:04
Research: Motives of Overland traveling NejcT Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 16 9 Aug 2014 12:55
washing your clothes el tel TRAVEL Hints and Tips 21 16 Jun 2012 11:26

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 18:44.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top