Proper technique to wash laundry in hotel sink?

3/7/2017 9:38:00 AM

One of the many challenges for the touring motorcyclist is laundry. Yes, I can take a day out of the tour and wash things, but it’s a day lost, so if at all possible it’s better to handwash things the day after they’re used. The few things I’ve learned over the years while living out of a motorbike include

  • Bring a travel plug, cheaper hotels and hostels often don’t have sink plugs.

  • Carry some hand-washing laundry detergent with you. When in the US, I’ve had success with Dr. Bronner’s soap, and the labels make interesting (if bizarre) reading material when you’re rained into your tent.

  • Don’t use excessive detergent, just enough to raise a lather. Work the laundry in the sink, one garment at a time, for a minute or two. Soak for a minute. Repeat. You can directly apply soap to stained areas and rub the fabric against itself between your knuckles.

  • Rinsing is important. Work the fabric as if washing, and change the water frequently. Continue until no lather is produced.

  • Warm water helps for both washing and rinsing. Hot just hurts your hands.

  • Wring dry. If you have a dry(ish) towel, lay it flat and put the garment inside, then roll it up into a long thin sausage, take one end in each hand and twist forcefully into a helix (counter-rotate the two ends around the long axis of the towel), to drive the water out the garment and into the towel. Two damp things dry quicker than one really wet one.

  • If you have a motorcycle and a bungee net, you can dry things really quickly by bungee-netting them over your top box or luggage. Make sure they are well attached if you do (string tied through them can help here). Failing that, a piece of string strung across a hotel room or balcony is a big help. Man-made fabrics dry very much quicker than natural ones. Unblended cotton is very slow. Denim is glacial; it also weighs a ton when wet and breaks your washing line. Leave your jeans at home.

  • Do not drip water on other people’s nice floors.

Credit:stackoverflow.com‘

About me

Hello,My name is Aparna Patel,I’m a Travel Blogger and Photographer who travel the world full-time with my hubby.I like to share my travel experience.

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