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Doing laundry while traveling is a great way to keep all of your clothes nice and fresh, and while this sounds easy to do, it’s still wise to create the best travel laundry kit, so this task isn’t messy or cumbersome. See these top reader recommendations to know what detergent to bring!
Travel Size Laundry Detergent
Table Of Contents
TFG readers definitely know travel, and when it comes to washing clothes, they have some great things to suggest.
Our readers share their tips, tricks, and products for keeping clothes fresh and clean. Check out these picks for the best travel laundry soap!
Best Travel Detergent
Tide Laundry Detergent Travel Packets
Tide Travel Size Laundry Detergent Packets
Tide travel size laundry detergent packets come in convenient one-load sizes. You can slip them into your luggage without taking up too much space.
Readers sing the praises of Tide and say it’s excellent for washing clothes on the go. Other TFGs who struggle with where to buy travel size laundry detergent suggest simply pouring larger bottles of this soap into smaller containers. One reader says, “I put Tide into one of my shampoo 3-1-1 bottles.”
Decanting your detergent into travel size bottles is an awesome and easy travel hack.
SinkSuds Travel Laundry Detergent Liquid Soap
SinkSuds Travel Laundry Detergent Packets
The SinkSuds travel size laundry detergent packets are 0.25 fluid ounces, so it’s TSA friendly and super convenient to add to your toiletries bag.
If you’re just washing a couple of items in a sink or tub, all you need to do is pour one packet into the water and let everything soak, then rinse and hang dry. It’s effective yet gentle, so you can wash swimwear and delicates as well as any regular clothing.
One reader says, “Very handy for traveling. I can use one packet to wash a couple of items in my hotel room sink. Packs very easily. If you have to wash items in the sink, but don’t have access to detergent, I recommend these.”
Find out how to do laundry while traveling with three easy options.
SOAK Scentless Travel Laundry Detergent
SOAK Unscented Travel Laundry Detergent
This no-rinse laundry detergent is another fantastic option for hand washing clothes while traveling because it’s SO convenient. With SOAK, all you need to do is… well, soak your clothes!
There’s no rinsing necessary, so just ring them out, let them dry, and you’re good to go. And your clothes will feel super fresh and smell great. Because SOAK comes in larger bottles, you’d just have to pour some into a travel size bottle to take it with you.
One reader says, “I love this product because you don’t have to rinse it out! For dirty stinky stuff, I take it into the shower first to rinse off dust and grime but then soak it in the sink for 15 minutes, and no need to rinse it out again. I roll my clothes in a microfiber travel towel and squeeze them out and then hang dry.” You can also pick up SOAK in handy travel size laundry detergent packets.
Best Travel Laundry Detergent Sheets
Lazy Coconuts Fragrance Free Laundry Detergent Strips
Lazy Coconuts Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent Strips
The Lazy Coconuts eco-friendly detergent strips make for the easiest handwashing experience while traveling. Just add to a sink full of water (or a washing machine if available) and you’re good to go! Each package has 48 strips that equate to 48 loads, which is an incredible value for the price.
They weigh virtually nothing and take up very little space, so these are perfect for travel. And they’re made all the better by the fact that they’re carbon negative, cruelty-free, and produce zero waste!
One user shares, “Great for travel! We went hiking, ziplining, and whitewater rafting in Colorado. Washed laundry in the hotel washer using these sheets. The laundry came out smelling clean and fresh. No heavy detergent smell.”
If your accommodation doesn’t have a dryer, take a look at these portable travel clothes lines that are all very packable!
FINZY Travel Laundry Soap Sheets
Washing on the go has never been easier than with these FINZY travel detergent sheets. This package contains 32 loads, and you can take what you need along with you on your trip.
These detergent sheets clean your clothes quickly and efficiently, and what’s really cool is you can use them to wash your hands as well!
One traveler raves, “These literally saved me from overpacking for a three-week trip to Italy because I knew these handy, lightweight sheets were packed in my suitcase taking up no room. A true lifesaver for travel!”
Breezeo Laundry Detergent Strips
Breezeo Travel Detergent Sheets
Breezeo laundry detergent strips have come highly recommended in the TFG Community. They’re super easy to pack and use, and they dissolve completely in both hot and cold water.
One reader reports, “Breezeo is my solution. They work great in my opinion, and leave absolutely no mess or possibility of a mess. I guarantee they can ‘fit’ in any compact luggage and adheres to TSA guidelines. I travel with them everywhere. I use one sheet for smaller loads (or hand washing) and two sheets for larger loads or more heavily soiled clothes. Economical too.”
Here are the best ways to clean dirty packing cubes.
Earth Breeze Fresh Scent Laundry Detergent Sheets
Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Sheets
Earth Breeze detergent sheets are another fantastic and eco-friendly option for travel. These sheets are major space savers, while also offering a deep clean, so they come highly rated by travelers. They’re perfect for sensitive skin, too.
They have both “fresh scent” and unscented travel laundry detergent options for you to choose from. Use anything from half a sheet to two sheets depending on your load, and you’ll have fresh and clean clothing for the rest of your trip!
One user says, “I purchased these laundry sheets for a two-week trip and it was the best purchase ever! Not only is it good for the environment but it fits easily in a suitcase. I was amazed that the sheet just dissolves in the water! No bulky plastic bottles to carry! I would use this again!! I might even use it at home!”
WashEZE 3-in-1 Laundry Detergent Sheets
WashEZE Laundry Sheets
WashEZE 3-in-1 laundry sheets are great. They provide detergent, softener, and static control all in one handy little soap sheet. Travelers say that these are super easy and effective when handwashing. If you have access to a washer and dryer, you can use the same sheet in both machines to get all the great benefits.
One reader shares, “I was finishing a three-week tour of the Outer Hebrides Islands, in the United Kingdom, so there was a was a lot of mud on my trip. I used WashEZE detergent sheets and they did a GREAT job for hand washing or machine washing. Hint: cut the sheets into quarters and strips to make it easy when you’re on the road. I found a half sheet was fine for the smaller washers that are in most homes in the UK, and about half of a quarter panel was plenty to hand wash a shirt in the sink.”
Tru Earth Hypoallergenic Laundry Detergent Sheets
TruEarth Natural Laundry Detergent Sheets
TruEarth laundry sheets are ultra-gentle and suitable for sensitive skin, yet are praised for their effectiveness and stain-removing capabilities! These little strips both restore colors and brighten whites with a powerful formula that’s hypoallergenic, vegan, and paraben-free!
You can use a whole strip or half a strip depending on the size of your laundry load, and they work equally well in both washing machines and sinks. Plus, users say that a little goes a long way, so you’ll likely only need a few sheets for your entire trip.
One traveler says, “I travel a lot and these are a game changer! No more worries about an unexpected liquid mess in my suitcase! These worked great on my cruise. They dissolve so easily. I would highly recommend them for everyday use but especially for travel.”
Travelon Laundry Soap Toiletry Sheets
Travelon Laundry Soap Sheets
Travelon soap sheets were made specifically for travel, as they’re super compact and come in a lightweight container, and is small enough to throw in any bag. Travelers say these are amazing for hand-washing in the sink or tub and always get the job done.
One happy user reports, “This came in handy during my two-week vacation to Europe! I was making lots of different stops to places with different types of weather, so packing was going to be difficult. Rather than overpack, I brought layers, and with these laundry soap sheets were able to wash clothes in the sink so that I had the right clothes for each climate.”
Find out how to handle your dirty clothes when you’re traveling.
Best Travel Laundry Soap Bar
Fels Naptha Travel Soap Bars
The Fels Naptha soap bar is a great alternative for laundry detergent while traveling, and is noted by the TFG Community to be incredibly effective! This soap is said to have amazing stain removal capabilities and is ideal for super active trips where your clothes will need a deeper wash.
You can take only a piece of this laundry bar if you don’t need a lot, and because it’s solid, you can pack it in a carry-on bag with no TSA concerns. One reader shares, “I use Fels Naptha for travel washing. It’s very good for removing stains and particularly adept at removing sweat from clothing—ideal for workout, hiking, biking clothing.”
Ethique Eco-Friendly Laundry Bar
Ethique Eco-Friendly Laundry Stain Stick
This laundry stick from Ethique is a standout option for not just washing clothes of all colors and fibers, but also works as dish soap and hand soap! It has so many incredible capabilities!
It’s sustainably made with natural ingredients, smells deliciously of lavender, peppermint, and coconut, and comes in waste-free packaging!
One reader shares, “I bought this for a 19-day trip and absolutely love it! It cleans beautifully and smells great and lasts forever. It’s small and I still have half a bar left!”
Sea to Summit Wilderness Wash Pocket Soap
The Sea to Summit travel laundry soap sheets come in a handy case filled with 50 leaves that travelers adore. These are especially useful for outdoor excursions such as hiking and camping because it can be used for many different purposes besides laundry, such as hand washing, body washing, and dishwashing. All you have to do is add water!
One of our readers says, “I like Sea to Summit. They say one sheet per sink load is enough. If I’m washing a couple of things, I add about three. They clean very well and come in a tiny handy dispenser.”
Sard Wonder Soap with Eucalyptus
SARD Wonder Travel Laundry Soap Bar
SARD’s Wonder soap is excellent for removing stains and works well for those trips when your clothes might get a little messy. When traveling, you can simply bring a piece of this soap with you and lather up your clothes for a thorough clean.
One reader shares, “I use a small chunk of Sard soap. It’s not a detergent sheet, but it’s still good for sink washing.”
Zote Pink Travel Laundry Soap
Many of our readers love to bring this Zote Pink soap bar with them on their travels because it’s gentle and easy to pack. Users love this because it can be used on any normal clothing, as well as delicates, swimwear, and even things like makeup brushes.
One TFG reader says, “I really like Zote solid laundry soap bars. I cut a sliver off of the bar and keep it in a bag just in case I need it. it has a little bit of lemongrass or citronella scent, which makes everything smell fresh (even if it’s really not!!).”
Chek out the best travel containers, where to get them, and how to use them!
Top Accessory Readers Use in Their Travel Laundry Kits
Scrubba Bag
The Scrubba portable washing bag is a revolutionary travel item that our readers rave about. It’s essentially the world’s smallest washing machine that you can bring with you absolutely anywhere!
Whether you’re camping in the wilderness or staying in a hotel in a fun city, the Scrubba washing bag will seriously come in handy. It’s so easy to use too—just add clothes with some detergent into the Scrubba, close it securely, press down and deflate, rub the bag with clothes inside, and then rinse the clothes, and hang dry.
A traveler shares their experience, “This is one of the best items I’ve ever purchased for travel. Taking this meant that we could bring carry on bags instead of having to check our suitcases and just wash a few things halfway through our trip. using this just twice has more than paid for itself in baggage fees. It’s very easy to use and really got our clothes clean, despite mud, sweat, and sand. Pairing this with a travel clothesline and travel detergent means I can always pack light!”
Here is a step by step guide on how to hand wash your clothes while traveling!
Travel Laundry Detergent Comparison Chart
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What do you think is the best travel size laundry detergent? Share with us in the comments!
For more tips on travel laundry and clothes care, please read:
- How to Pack Dirty Laundry While Traveling
- What Is the Best Travel Steamer? See Our Top Picks!
- How to do Laundry while Traveling – 3 Options!
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new products to try
Also like Clean People Ultra Concentrated Laundry Detergent Strips. They come in both scented and unscented. For stains, I bring along a small slice of Basin’s Fabric Stain Remover Soap.
Thank you for this helpful post. Before reading it, I didn’t even know that laundry strips were a thing. But I got some Lazy Coconut strips for a recent trip to France. They were awesome, and helped me with sink laundry so I could pack light and travel with just a backpack and carryon.
This is incredibly helpful! With so many to choose from and never using them before I’ve had a hard time deciding. Thank you so much!
I used the Ethique laundry bar to wash clothing in the hotel room sink on our 3-week Scandinavia trip in August. It worked great!
I use “eco-friendly” Kind brand unscented laundry sheets. You can easily tear off a piece for smaller washes. For stains, I slice off a piece of The Soap Works Stain-Remover Laundry Bar (from a Canadian company) and pack it in a small plastic bag.
I love my powder (citrus for easy rinse out) Forever New . Carry in a small zip lock bag and use for sink wash out. roll in towel, squeeze and hang to dry.
I travel with the Scrubba washing bag and, typically, use the hotel shower gel or shampoo. The Earth laundry papers are good too.
Thanks for sharing so many helpful options! I’m looking forward to trying some of the eco laundry strips on my next trip as they seem very compact and easy to adjust based on the amount of items I need to wash.
These Travelon Laundry Soap Sheets were a game changer on our last few trips to Italy. So portable, not a liquid and get the job done!
Thank you for all of the travel laundry suggestions! Going to Ireland and Germany in 2013 and these items will rally help!!
We are FINALLY leaving for London THIS WEEK!! I purchased Breezeo. I am looking forward to trying it. I have been a follower for years and enjoy your travel content and recommendations.
We are leaving for London THIS WEEK!!!! I purchased Breezeo. Excited to try it. Love the travel content and recommendations. Been following for years.
Thank you for your info on laundry detergent sheets. I didn’t even know that they were a thing until I logged into TFL. I have a medical condition that results in the need to do laundry often. You have made me feel confident that I can now travel again without worrying about laundry.
I have used Tide sheets and they worked wonderfully! So thin to pack and weigh next to nothing – they are a must fir any trip longer than a weekend!
I usually just used shampoos provided by the hotel to do laundry. But eh pods or the sheets would dona better job. Thanks for sharing so many options for us.
I always take the Travelon Detergent sheets. Work great!
I used the Travelon laundry sheets on our family trip to the Betheelands in June and they worked great! We all traveled with carryons only!
Netherlands not Betheelands!!
For years I used the hotel shampoo to wash my clothes but on my last trip I switched to TruEarth laundry sheets. They were a game changer I cut several full size load sheet into fourths, just the right size for a sink wash. And they are eco friendly for a win win.
For the way I travel, I like to bring powdered soap, it’s lighter weight and less messy than liquid. I usually just bring some of the Charlies laundry soap powder I use at home. I’m sensitive to fragrances so it works great for me.
After reading this post, for Australian readers, I found an Australian brand Strip Clean that makes detergent strips that are free from phosphorus, parabens and harsh chemicals. Took them on our recent trip to The Red Centre in Australia. Great product
I often travel with Dr. Bronner’s for washing, but I use Soak at home–& I’m eager to try sheets! So many options for my next trip.
Thank you for all the wonderful research… it makes packing so much easier!
Thank you for all the wonderful research… it makes packing so much easier!
I just ordered Lazy Coconuts detergent strips for our trip to Italy. Love that they are fragrance free and super compact. Thanks for all of the helpful options. I’ve used Sink Suds too and love them also.
This was super helpful! Wish I had seen this sooner!
I love using Soak for my knitting projects! I never thought about it for travel. I will definitely try this fall when in Switzerland
I was shopping the Breezio strips last weekend and realized I already own a Fels Naptha bar that I can carve some off to take to the UK in a couple of weeks. Glad I kept reading! Thanks for all the hints! They’re spot on!
I’m bringing the Sink Suds on a cruise soon, they seem like the perfect way to wash some of my unmentionables mid-trip! 🙂
Love the laundry sheets; a small bit is usually ample for travel sink laundry.
The Fels-Naptha idea is brilliant! I always spill something on myself that needs a little extra cleaning power. Since I use this at home, it is always on hand to pack.
My travel buddy brought the Earth Breeze laundry sheets on our trip to Italy and I loved them so much I use them at home now too!
Thanks for sharing other readers’ comments and reviews of these products. Very helpful! I use The Laundress wash and stain bar when traveling. It comes as a palm sized bar of soap, but I cut it in 1/4 pieces so it’s more compact and takes up less room.
Great article will be traveling to Italy for the first time in October and this group has been a great help fora first time traveler. Than you
I love that you’ve included some eco-friendly options. I have a trip coming up and plan to try out the laundry sheets.
I love using Soak, but now I’m excited to try out some of these other options. I especially like the idea of the solid detergents, that don’t have to take up room in my quart bag!
I brought a pack of Breezo detergent sheets on a work trip to Europe and I became everyone’s best friend! The sheet of strips made for easy sharing with my fellow travelers and they were very thankful (especially when the learned of the price for the hotel laundry service!). Bonus – my luggage smelled great from the pack itself!
I love detergent sheets, and use rhem at home as well! Grove Collective has great ones that travel perfectly, for machines. For sinks, I like the Travelon ones.
I’ve been looking for this info and of course you’ve got it. Thanks!!
Great options! Way better than my usual M.O. (using shower gel or shampoo in a pinch, lol!). I think I will try a couple at home before my next trip. Thanks TFG!
I love these tips!
I always look forward to these posts!! Either a method I didn’t know I was looking for or a reminder about a diy for an upcoming trip, thank you for helping me build a travel arsenal of info!
After reading this post I went with the Breezeo laundry sheets. Not only were they easy to pact and took up NO space, they had a fresh scent that permeated my suitcase!
I’m beginning to plan a lifelong dream of going to the UK and I know I’m going to need to use some of these suggestions for washing my clothes.
Funny, I have never brought laundry soap on my trips. I usually just use my bar soap. 🤔
I had no idea that there were so many choices either. I would love to have some samples of some of these options to try at home before our next travel date.
Thanks for all of the different choices! I had no idea there was such a thing as washer sheets, what a great invention! Timely for a trip to Europe this Fall.
We actually bought the Scrubba bag this year for our trip to Europe & it worked amazingly well! Saved us a ton of money & time from having to find somewhere to do our laundry. Thanks for the recommendation on travel laundry soap!
Wow I didn’t know there are so many laundry soap options❣️ I am going to France for a month traveling with a carryon luggage and personal item only backpack. I have been following Travel Fashion Girl website since 2016. I love all the helpful information and the links to items shared for purchase❣️
I subscribed to the Earth Breeze laundry sheets over a year ago – no more big plastic jugs!! Stuffed several into a ziploc for 3 weeks in Ireland and tore some in half or used a whole sheet, depending on how much I sink washed at various stops. Next trip: 2 weeks in Spain in Feb – already committed my brain to using the 10 piece Essential wardrobe!!
This was a great article that introduced me to a lot of options for sink washing that I was not aware of. I’ve used Woolite packets and Travelon sheets for years, but I’m going to give SOAK a try. The rinsing is always the worst part of hand washing, so I’m intrigued by the idea of no rinse needed. I’m going to try it at home first just to see how it works. Thanks for all the information you’ve shared through the years. It’s been so helpful when packing for a trip!
Great options. I wish more were unscented.
Oh my gosh, too many choices. I had no idea there were this many to choose from