Laundry

Yes, except in our experience, Spain. Your hotel or B&B can direct you to one. Drop off and pick up laundry shops are also fairly common and a good way to maximize your time for a modest outlay of Euros. I take detergent/fabric softner two in one fabric sheets (available at Target and the like). Spill proof, size of a envelope and very packable. Toss in washer then transfer with wet laundry to dryer. Several brands available. Useless (or close to it) for washing stuff out in the sink:(

Generally, yes. They may work a little differently. For example, instead of putting your coins directly into the machine, in some places you note the number your machine and put your coins in the corresponding slot on a board that covers all the machines. Some sell detergent, others may not. There are variations in different countries, you could get more specific info by asking about a country or city on one of the regional boards here. They're easy to find in big cities, not necessarily in small towns. We like taking a laundry break once in awhile, figuring out the machines, people-watching from the Laundromat or a nearby café, maybe getting into a conversation with a fellow-washer. Others swear by nightly washing in the hotel basin, which does cost less and lets you pack less clothing.

Terry, YES, they absolutely do have Laundromats in Europe but these vary to some extent in each country. They're often not as prevalent or easy to find in some cities, but your hotel staff will be able to provide information. As the others have said, these are often totally automated. You'll place your clothes in the machine of choice and choose the wash temperature and type of wash (ie: permanent press, etc.). You'll then put coins in a large central control panel that looks like something off the Space Shuttle. I've found that some of the newer machines automatically add detergent and sometimes fabric softener, so you may not have a choice in that. In other cases you can buy detergent from a vending machine, or you can buy a small package of soap at the local supermarket. There are usually two bins on the top of the machine, one for detergent and one for fabric softener. The Dryer is handled the same way. Place your clothes in the machine, choose the drying temperature and then put coins in the control panel. The Dryers tend to only run for about 10 minutes for each coin, but that seems to dry reasonably well. Some hotels provide "service wash", especially where there aren't any laundromats. You'll leave your laundry at the front desk and it will be returned later that day or the next morning all washed, dried and folded. I've heard that some service wash firms are now refusing to wash underwear for "hygiene" reasons, but I haven't encountered that yet. I always pack along a small laundry kit, so I can sink wash underwear if necessary, so that's not a problem. Which countries are you visiting? Laundromats in Italy are called Lavanderia and in France they're Laverie. BTW, I'm assuming you mean "Kamloops" in your Profile? Happy travels!

When I was in Venice my hotel couldn't help me so I googled launderettes in Venice and found one a relatively short distance away. Took laundry in, was washed and dried for me and I explored an off the beaten track part of Venice
And some great coffee and pastries right next door!

There are enough laundromats to use, but they're not an everyday sight. Once in Schlesswig, Germany, I asked about a self-service laundry and was told I was "in luck" because there is ONE in Schlesswig (emphasis added). A big percentage of the one's I've visited also provide a drop-off laundry service. Ask what they charge; it's normally a lot less than a hotel, and will buy you more time to see sights. Hotels' (at least bigger hotels) laundry service competes directly with the laundromats, so don't assume (especially in Italy) that your hotel will give you good information. A lot of times their response will be something like, "We can do it for you." Smaller hotels that don't offer the service are much more likely to help. I think you do best searching online for locations or asking at a TI.

One of the good things about staying in a hostel is that they almost always have laundry facilities(hotels & B and B's usually don't.

It's really sick but I have to say some of our favorite travel experiences have been in the local laundry mat where we have absolutely no idea what we're doing. We've met some really wonderful people and we actually look forward to laundry days. Go, experience the confusion and feel like a rock star when you actually end up with clean, dry clothes.

The alternative to a washing machine is the Helpline's fascination with sink washing. Try this at home: Wear clothes for seven evers. Wash the heck out of them in the sink. Rinse the heck out of them in the sink. Hang them over the shower rod to dry. Rinse them again in the sink. Look at the water and see if you'd have the gumption to brush you teeth in the crap. Run them through the washer and dryer and toss them back in the sink. Drink the water. A couple of smell tests along the way would have been illuminating. Sink washing is a stop gap for spaghetti and gravey accidents.

I agree with Ed. I don't get the idea that because you are on vacation you must wash your clothes in the sink. I am also of the opinion that I don't want to spend my precious time sitting in the Laundromat. Ask your hotelier or Google where the nearest full service Laundromat is located. Drop your clothes off in the morning, spend your day sightseeing, and pick up your freshly laundered and nicely folded clothes in the afternoon. Easy!