Washing your clothes on tour

[robing]

What are people's thoughts on this? I always find this the biggest chore on tour, particularly getting your stuff dry. It wasn't too bad in Spain where you can dry out clothes quickly in the sun.

I've just come back from a 10 day tour of the Hebrides (which was lovely by the way). So I just took 2 cycling shorts and tops and just aired them each night rather than washed them. And it was fine, I didn't get any saddle sores and they didn't even seem to smell too bad.

I guess you probably couldn't get away with this in a hot climate where you sweat a lot.

 

[itchybeard]

I used to wear cotton, that was a bad idea so synthetic is way better for drying and less smelling. I don't really care about smell, I feel when backpacking or touring I feel this is the time to let loose of the system we place on ourselves at home. Be smelly and dirty. Play and enjoy.

 

[numbnuts]

What no maid how uncivilised

 

[Hill Wimp]

I use the string bag method, tied to my handlebars if stuff hadn't dried overnight. However i have only toured in warm weather or when bad have been able to stay indoors.

 

[Gravity Aided]

I use the quick drying camping shirts, I find they and the cycling shorts dry rather quickly. So many of the moisture wicking fabrics today dry quickly, but as I tour very little anymore, I haven't invested in them as much. The net bag @Hill Wimp mentions is a fine way to get things dry while on the move.

 

[ufkacbln]

Post Restante

Depending on the trip.

Send fresh gear to Post office as "Post Restante" so it waits your arrival. INclude labels and some parcel tape in te box

Unpack fresh gear, put dirty back in the box seal and label...........then send home

Sorted... and cheaper than using a launderette!

 

[steveindenmark]

I take 2 lots of lycra gear. My gear comes in the shower with me and hangs in the bathroom. It is usually dry the following morning. If not I wear the clean gear and by the following morning the first set is always dry.

 

[Speicher]

Wash them in a sink with shampoo, rinse them thoroughly......wring them out as much as possible and then wear multiple layers in the sunshine until they are dry

View attachment 103614

Yes, but who is that handsome bloke wearing your clothes?

 

[snorri]

What are people's thoughts on this? I always find this the biggest chore on tour, particularly getting your stuff dry.

Clothes washing is good!
Visiting the local laundromat/vaskeri/wasserette/waschsalon is all part of the touring experience as it provides an opportunity to interact with the locals as equals rather than as "another tourist".
Apart from getting assistance with translation of the instructions on the machines I have received wisdom on local places of interest, roadcraft, etiquette, routes etc.as my washing tumbles around in these fine establishments.
The only time I've come a little unstuck was when I thought it would be a good idea to pop out and in to the pub next door during the various wash cycles.

 

[22camels]

Not so easy when you're camping. Ok campsites not so bad as they often have facilities, but still a bit challenging because you need to set aside a chunk of time for it, maybe during a rest day. An added complication is I have some clothes which must be hand-washed separately as delicates (merino wool base layers, cycling shorts), I have used a waterproof pannier as a bowl for this purpose. Drying is more of a problem than washing. Even if wild camping you can wash things in rivers/lakes/seas but drying is the problem. Really it depends on the climate. I have often hung things out on the rear rack and they have dried quite well though in cold and damp conditions it takes forever to get anything completely dry that way though that may not be as much of an issue for some things that you can wear damp (e.g. merino base tops). So if you only have a couple of items to dry at a time the rack drying method might be ok but with a bigger wash it would be a pain, unless it's a hot and sunny climate. Merino base tops can be worn for a whole week without smelling much, especially in a cooler climate.

 

[smith4188]

If you're wild camping all the way, take a rubble sack. When you get to water, a little liquid soap turns it into a very portable washing machine. Strap stuff to the back of the bike to dry (should have mentioned: only boot up the portable washing machine in warm weather). Or just put damp cycle shorts on - they'll be dry in seconds.

 

[Gravity Aided]

Merino base tops can be worn for a whole week without smelling much, especially in a cooler climate

I have a couple of Merino wool shirts, and find them comfortable, durable, easy to care for, and indispensable.

 

[Ian H]

I tend to wash just the shorts, socks, and whatever is the base layer. Either dry overnight or on the back of the bike. Even if they don't dry that day, they'll be okay after the second night.

 

[Hill Wimp]

Wash your clothes in the shower when camping, cycling short dry quick and i tend to stick to technical clothing for it's superb drying capabilities.

 

[MichaelW2]

In cool, damp conditions, merino tops can be worn for several days without getting smelly. You can wash them in the sink with a little washing-up liquid (never soap). Lay them on a towel and pat excess water. I usually drape top, resting on towel, over my tent to dry. Don't roll, squeeze hard, hang from line.
Synthetics get washed in the shower, same as me. Roll them in a towel to remove water. I the rain, I put slightly damp shorts at the foot of my sleeping bag and they dry off overnight.
3 shorts are probably a better quantity for rainy conditions.
Quick-dry towels are essential for efficient drying of clothes and towel.