Yes... I Still Wash My Clothes in the Sink

Hey, Johannes from GearUpYourLife here…

Today I want to talk about a topic I get so many questions about — not just from you guys, but honestly in every travel community I’m in as well:

How do you actually wash your clothes while traveling?

The simplest answer would obviously be:
“Just use a washing machine.”

And trust me — if your Airbnb or hotel has one, it’s a complete game changer.
But here’s the reality:
In almost three years of full-time travel, I haven’t had a single washing machine in a hotel or hostel, and maybe 3–5 Airbnbs total where one was available.

So yeah… relying on laundry rooms or appliances is not a strategy.

That’s why I wanted to finally explain how I wash my clothes on the road, step by step.
Not because my way is the “perfect” way you can definitely wash faster with something like a Scrubba bag
but I’m pretty confident that 90% of travelers can use this method anywhere, and it will works 100%.

Alright, let’s get into it.How I Actually Wash My Clothes While Traveling

Before we start, here’s the good news:
You really don’t need much to wash clothes on the road.
Just a few small items that fit into any bag.

The two absolute essentials are:

1.A sink stopper — I use the Mr. Siga/Mr. Riga one for around $5.
Most hotel and Airbnb sinks don’t seal properly, so this tiny disc is what makes the whole process possible.

2. Laundry detergent sheets — my personal favorite is Soak (no rinse) because it’s gentle, dissolves instantly, and you never have to deal with leaking liquids.
But honestly, there are plenty of good options.

And if you want to make things a bit easier, I’d also recommend:

• a packable clothesline

• a few carabiners or clips

• or foldable travel hangers

• a simple microfiber towel

…none of these are required, but they make drying way more convenient.

Now let’s get into the actual washing process:

Whenever I arrive in a hotel or Airbnb, the first thing I do is clean the sink.

Seriously — don’t skip this part.
I always run hot water through it for a few minutes to wash away any old soap, dirt, hair, or whatever mystery substances people leave behind.
A clean sink makes a huge difference, especially if you’re washing lighter clothes.

Step 1 — Fill the sink
Place your sink stopper, let the hot water run, and dissolve one laundry sheet inside until it’s completely mixed.

Step 2 — Add your clothes
I usually wash T-shirts, socks, underwear, gym clothes — basically anything that doesn’t need a long cycle.
The trick is to not overload the sink.
Do it in small batches so everything can actually move around.

Step 3 — The “kneading” part
This is where the magic happens.
Think of it almost like kneading dough:
press down, lift, squeeze, rotate — over and over.
You want the detergent to get into the fibers and push out sweat, deodorant, sunscreen, and whatever you picked up during the day.

Do this for 3–5 minutes, then let everything soak for another 10 minutes.

If the clothes were really sweaty, I repeat the kneading one more time.

Step 4 — Rinse
Drain the sink, run fresh cold water, and gently squeeze the clothes until the water runs clear.
Don’t twist or wring too hard — that damages the fabric and makes things dry slower.

Step 5 — The Microfiber Towel Trick (Game-Changer)

Before you hang anything up, grab a microfiber towel — literally any cheap one works.

Lay the towel flat, place your damp clothes on top, and roll it up like a burrito.
Then press or kneel on it for 20–30 seconds.

This pulls out so much extra water that your clothes go from “soaking” to “just lightly damp,” which makes the drying time twice as fast.

I do this with almost every wash.

Step 6 — Set up your drying station

Now you just need a place to hang everything.

Here are your three best options:

1. A packable clothesline
The easiest method. Just stretch it across the shower or bathroom and clip the clothes in place.

2. Carabiners or small clips
Perfect for heavier items like gym shirts, swimwear, or shorts.
You can clip them onto towel racks, shower handles, doorknobs — whatever works.

3. Foldable travel hangers
My personal favorite for T-shirts.
They keep the fabric shape and let air circulate so things dry faster.

I usually run the clothesline through the shower itself — it keeps everything in one place and avoids dripping all over the floor.
If you’re traveling with a partner, set up a second line between door hinges or window handles.

Step 7 — Leave it overnight

After the microfiber towel trick and proper hanging, most shirts, socks, and underwear are completely dry by morning.

If something is still a little damp (especially thicker fabrics), I hang it near a window or fan — 20 minutes and it’s ready.

So I hope this breakdown was detailed enough — and if you want to go even deeper (like when hand-washing actually makes sense, when you should just go to a laundromat instead, and the little mistakes most travelers make), then check out the full guide on my website:

👉 How to Wash While Traveling
(it’s completely free and super practical)

Safe travels,
Johannes

PS:
If you haven’t seen it yet, there’s a brand-new video on the channel:
“20 Carry-On Gadgets That Are Actually Worth Every Penny (2026)”
Perfect if you want to make your next stay feel a lot more comfortable and organized.

👉 Watch it here: These 12 Gadgets Make Any Airbnb Feel Like Home