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Laundry dress?

This post is aimed at people whose travel style doesn't allow for doing laundry in the sink. I generally stay in hostels and there is no place to hang laundry. I also tend to go for longer trips, two weeks to a months, so l must do laundry a few times. In the past I would do laundry once a week and pick an outfit to wear while doing laundry that wouldn't get washed. That worked until the dreaded wet-bus-seat incident. I told myself that someone had probably just spilled a drink on the seat, but I really didn't want to re-wear those pants until they had gone through the laundry. I had packed 3 pairs of pants, so I was left with only 2 that were wearable and one hadn't been laundered in some time. I survived this first-world problem, but I want to avoid it in the future.

I think that the solution might be to pack a laundry day dress. It would be lightweight and pack down small. I don't generally like to pack a one-use item, but maybe this would be okay.

Your thoughts and ideas would be appreciated.

Posted by
1293 posts

I think that's genius. I am definitely not a wash in the sink. Even my husband's wool socks took 3 days to hang dry. I also take 2 laundry bags; one that has the dirty clothes and one to carry back the clean clothes. I really enjoyed the people I met at the laundomat's in France, Belgium and the Netherlands on our last trip. So many interesting locals and tourists to chat with! We stayed in Bayeux in a apartment with washing machine, but they are so small and impractical, that I still seek out laundromats.

Posted by
388 posts

Check out the dresses by Unbound Merino. I have purchased their t shirts and hoodie for travel. I can't believe how small they pack down. I ordered 5 t shirts, and when the package came, I thought they must have forgotten to include some because of how small the box was. Nope, they were all in there! I used to wear a different brand of merino wool, but sold all of the items online because they always itched. None of the products I have from Unbound Merino itch. At all. And I have very sensitive skin!

Posted by
368 posts

Love the dress idea. I really enjoy using laundromats in Europe, but deciding what to not wash took way too much head space. I think I'll plan to bring a crinkle sleeveless dress that could double as dress up in a pinch.

Also genius idea from another commenter about having a dirty clothes bag and a clean clothes bag to bring them back from the laundromat in. On occasion I've turned the clothes bag inside out for clean clothes, but this is better!

Posted by
8363 posts

For some lightweight options, the 32 degree brand has come out with a lightweight dress. I always pack one of their very thin long sleeve tops, and they are extremely lightweight.

Another option is a swim suit cover/dress. I bought a Columbia active brand one at Kohls two years ago that is a pretty design, made of a swimsuit fabric, designed like an activewear dress, that washes & dries so fast! You could use it for your purpose, sink wash it that evening, and all of your clothes would be clean.

Posted by
2751 posts

I would recommend a dark colored gauze tank dress. I have several from Gap. They dry quickly, so if you HAD to hand wash them, they would easily dry overnight. It can be dressed up, or serve as a bathing suit coverup.

The “freezer” dress from Columbia is another great option.

For a dirty clothes bag, bring a pillowcase. Throw it in the laundry and carry your clean clothes back in it.

Posted by
122 posts

I've posted this elsewhere, but I have a couple of these dresses from 32 Degrees: https://www.32degrees.com/collections/dresses/products/womens-cool-t-shirt-dress?variant=39423953698905

I take the black one on trips and use it as a nightgown/lounger, but I can wear it out, if needed. I hardly ever wear dresses while traveling, but I like having one with me, just in case. This one weighs next to nothing, and packs down to the size of a small tee shirt. It's also super comfy, as well as very affordable (they're currently $9.99!)

Posted by
183 posts

I always bring at least two nylon grocery bags. They work great for a laundry bag and can go in the laundry and be washed with the clothes. They are also great for shopping.

Posted by
122 posts

@Laurel You're welcome! I'm eyeing a few of the new colors (especially the burgundy one!) I really don't NEED another one, but at that price, how can I resist?