We’ve talked before about how to do laundry when you are traveling. In this post, I want to focus specifically on doing laundry when you are outdoors backpacking or camping. Being outdoors is no excuse for getting stinky. 

When traveling to cities and towns, you have several easy options for laundry. When you are out in the wild, you have to be a bit more creative. Here are some ways to handle laundry when outdoors (please don't wear the same shirt for three days straight unless it’s our no-stink HercShirt). 

The No-laundry Approach 

The simplest and easiest solution is not to do any laundry while you are traveling. This will require careful planning and packing. 

My strategy is to pack about two pairs of dark-colored pants (dark colors don't show dirt), and then a bunch of tops. Add a sweater or a light jacket plus underwear and socks, and you can have clean-ish clothes to wear each day. 

Another way to avoid laundry is to pack clothes that don't need laundry. Look for clothes made with antimicrobial self-cleaning fabric. They kill odor-causing bacteria, meaning you stay fresh even when you sweat. 

Hercleon has several of these including the HercShirt, Kribi Sport Underwear, and HercSocks. You can pack just one t-shirt or underwear and wear it throughout your trip without having to wash it and it doesn't get stinky.    

Use Camp Facilities 

If you are planning to camp at an established campground, find one with laundry facilities. You may have to camp at an RV park that allows tent or car camping. RV parks typically have more amenities including laundry. 

If you can’t find a campsite with laundry, at least get one with running water and then carry a bucket or portable washer. 

Carry a Portable Washing Machine 

Yes, there are portable washing machines that you can take with you camping. There are both electric and manual ones, most of them suitable for small items like underwear, socks and t-shirts. 

Keep in mind that if you get an electric one, you’ll need to have a power source (e.g. a solar generator) or find a campsite with plug in outlets. You’ll also need water. Additionally, most portable washing machines are only suitable for car or truck camping since they are too large to carry by hand. 

If you want an even more portable option that’s suitable for backpacking, get a foldable wash bag like this one from Scrubba. It easily fits in a backpack, it can handle small items of clothing and it’s fully manual (no electricity required). It’s like handwashing but easier and faster. 

Handwashing With a Foldable Bucket 

When I am camping in the wild (dispersed camping), where facilities are not available, I’ll usually pack a collapsible bucket and eco-friendly detergent. 

I’ll then camp near a water source like a stream or spring. Once I camp, I hand wash dirty laundry and then hang it up on a clothesline that I always carry with me. 

If you opt for this, make sure you pack quick-drying clothes made from fabrics like polyester, nylon or wool. These dry really quickly, even if you hang them inside your tent. By morning, they will be fully dry. 

Find the Nearest Town

My favorite laundry hack when I am doing a cross country drive with lots of camping in between is plot a route that takes me through towns. 

That allows me to do two things: fill up on my supplies of snacks and toiletries, and wash any dirty laundry that has built up. I can easily do a 2-week trip without ever running out of clean clothes, and without having to pack a ton of clothes. 

As a bonus, you can enjoy a hot shower and maybe a soft bed for a night before heading back into the wild. 

You can do the same when backpacking. Even small towns along your route will have a laundromat.