clothesline in hostels?

My wife and I always take a room for two and can string a clothesline without trouble.

If you will be in a room with bunks, you will have to ask how to do it. You can ask at the desk when you check in. Some hostels I have been in have lines strung on the roof.

Many hostels have washing facilities now. Totally worth it if you are willing to get a few wears out of your clothes before washing.

There is nothing nastier than the smell of moldy carpets because of the previous backpackers who drip dried.

You can dry clothes on the edge of your bed. Make sure, if it's made of metal, to put something over it before you put your clothes on, because they might pick up rust.

should i even bother bringing a clothesline if i am only going to stay in hostels? do they allow you to just wash your clothes in the sink and hang them wherever? seems kind of chaotic with all those people.

i got to thinking, if the hostel offers laundry facilities, would they still permit you to use a clothesline? should i even bother?

hostel dwelling peeps please comment!

I've stayed at dozens of hostels and the only time we've ever used a clothesline or washed our clothes at the hostel is when we've had a private room. I've never seen anyone using them in the dorms - usually the beds are so close together that you don't have the space. There's really only enough room to hang your towel off the side of your bed to dry. About half of the hostels I've stayed at have washing machines/dryers - we've used these a few times, but we usually stay in a mix of hostel dorms and private rooms, depending on what's cheapest. We try to do laundry whenever we have a private room.

You can usually find a place to stretch a clothesline. Make sure it's out of the way and your clothes aren't dripping wet. Many hostels have an outside clothesline too, ask.

Don't leave a desirable/valuable article of clothing unattended. Petty theft is always an issue in hostels. I wouldn't worry about underwear or socks.

I just made sure when booking my hostels that most of them had laundry available. Often the ones that don't are very close to a public laundromat. A lot don't allow drip-drying your clothes in the rooms either. I didn't bring a clothesline, and I didn't miss it - just use the drier, and make sure you bring clothes that won't shrink!

Don't bring one and see how you get on. You can always buy something once you are on the road at the Euro shops

I carried a twisty clothesline and those inflatable hangers in early days and all I can remember is how much space they too up more than the actual usefulness.

yes, i agree. i'm not going to bring a clothesline and i'm not going to worry about it. most of the hostels i am staying at have laundry facilities.

Hi Lisa,
...Jenufa (London, above) has the best idea, we think. That particular practice would apply to a lot of (unnecessary) baggage we tend to lug around.
Take it home with you or dispose of it there, but don't take it with you on the outward bound leg of your trip.
... bon voyage! P