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Travel Fashion Girl help! A reader asks:

I’d like some input on how you handle dirty laundry. I usually put it in the top mesh pocket, but since I’m trying to pack more efficiently, I’m discovering that often this results in too much bulk. I’ve got a husband and two young sons so we generate a lot of dirty clothes when we travel that I’d really prefer to not handle as much as possible. Thanks in advance!

Traveling is supposed to be enjoyable and many of us want to avoid washing our clothes while on the road. However, when you forego washing, it usually means more bulk in your luggage, which makes minimalist traveling difficult.

While we recommend ways to do laundry while traveling for long trips so you don’t have to pack as much, you can usually get away without doing laundry for shorter trips where you can re-wear some of your items without them feeling dirty and keep them stored compactly in your bag once you’re done wearing them. Yet, sometimes doing laundry is necessary, even on a short trip! 

We’ve asked TFG readers to share their recommendations on how to handle dirty laundry while traveling, and this is what they had to say:

Compass Rose Packing Cubes

Bring an Extra Packing Cube for Your Laundry

If you’re using packing cubes for your clean clothing, why not your dirty laundry? Bring an extra packing cube and dedicate it to your dirty laundry. Use a different colored packing cube so you don’t mix clean items with unwashed clothes.

One reader says, “I find that bringing an additional packing cube is ideal. I have a certain one that is only ever used for laundry,” While another adds, “I use a large sized packing cube. When I do laundry, I dump the clothes and the packing cube into the washer and dryer. Everything gets a fresh start!”

Watch the packing tutorial on Youtube!

In 2017, I launched Compass Rose Travel Accessories and my very first product was a 4-Piece Set of Carryon Packing Cubes. These are the only packing cubes sized to fit the exact width of a carry-on suitcase and they also have a unique color-coded and numbered organization system—the only kind currently available anywhere on the market.

I put together a five-part YouTube series showing you the different methods to use packing cubes. If you use this specific packing strategy, they can also compress your belongings. This is the secret to traveling carry-on only!

Handy Laundry Nylon Laundry Bag

Use a Dirty Laundry Bag

If you’re traveling as a family and think you’ll have a considerable amount of dirty laundry, a dirty clothes travel bag can be more efficient than Ziplocks. This nylon dirty laundry bag is compact, so it won’t add too much bulk to your luggage.

One reader says, “I bring a lightweight laundry bag that I hang in the bathroom.” Another adds, “I take the same type of bag and have one for each member of the family.”

Foldable Cloth Storage Box

Organize With Suitcase Compartments or Separators

For those who love to keep their items organized, take advantage of luggage that has multiple compartments, or add your own separators. You can easily see everything you have with foldable storage boxes as shown above.

One reader says, “My suitcase is divided, so the shoes and laundry go in a separate compartment,” while another says, “I try and keep my laundry to one side of my carry-on if possible.”

Travel Space Saver Bags

Compress Your Dirty Laundry With Compression Bags

If you’re tight on space, travel compression bags can save the day. They work like a Ziplock bag but remove the air so the bag packs flat. One reader says, “I put laundry in a compression bag. Works like a charm.”

Another reader shares, “I use plastic compression travel bags. You seal the zipper then roll to remove air. You can also lay on top them for a few seconds to remove the air. I found that is easiest.”

Ziploc Jumbo Big Bags

Utilize Ziplocks for a Dirty Clothes Bag

Sometimes the easiest solution is right in your kitchen. Several readers recommended relying on Ziplocks as a dirty clothes bag. Since Ziplock bags seal, you can prevent any smells from penetrating your clean clothing.

One reader says, “I use gallon Ziplock bags. They compress pretty flat! I actually take Ziplock bags, large and small, when I travel. They come in handy for lots of uses!” 

Another reader adds, “I keep my dirty clothing separate in the other half of my bag in Ziplocks or plastic grocery bags.”

Febreze Air Freshener

Spritz Dirty Laundry With Febreze

Depending on where you’re traveling and what activities you’re doing, some clothes may just need a little refreshing. This is where a fabric spray comes in handy. Febreze keeps away odors so you can wear your clothing several times during your trip.

One reader says, “I always take a travel size Febreze spray bottle and spray away!” The travel size bottle is perfect for carry-on travel. You likely don’t even need a full three ounces. We recommend decanting it into a smaller one-ounce bottle.

Best Dirty Laundry Travel Bag

One of the best ways to keep your unwashed clothes separate from your clean ones is to use bags for dirty clothes. With that in mind, we’ve gathered a collection of the best ones for you!

Bagail Mesh Laundry Bags

Mesh Dirty Clothes Bag for Travel

If you fancy yourself a color coordinating fanatic, then Bagail Mesh Laundry Bags are for you. You can use this travel dirty clothes bag system to store and separate your clothes—there is a black bag for your dark clothes and four white bags for light colored clothes. 

Being able to see through the mesh makes it easy to tell what is where, and the breathable fabric means your clothes will protect your delicates. Plus, you can throw the bags right into the washing machine!

Scrubba Wash Bag

Portable Laundry Bag for Travel

The Scrubba Wash Bag is not only one of the best laundry bags for travel, but it also washes clothes! It’s perfect for those longer trips where you don’t want to pack a whole ton of clothes but still need something to wear.

You can use this clean dirty laundry travel bag to ensure that you never run out of clothes by doing your laundry using a quick-and-easy method. Just add soap!

Learn how to hand wash clothing while traveling. We talk about using the Scrubba Wash Bag, too!

Mimica Laundry Bag

Compact Dirty Clothes Bag for Travel

Cute and compact, this travel dirty clothes bag is ideal to toss in your suitcase and use while you’re on the road for your dirty laundry. The Miamica is a lightweight, microfibre bag that conveniently separates the dirty from the clean.

It’s expandable for when you have clothes that need to be washed to put inside it and closes with a drawstring. Plus, it’s both tear and moisture resistant.

BeeGreen Laundry Backpack

Backpack Dirty Laundry Bag

Built with jet setting in mind, the BeeGreen Laundry Backpack is a good solution for storing your dirty laundry while you’re traveling. 

You can hang this bag for dirty clothes on the back of the bathroom door (or any door) of your accommodations and put in your dirty laundry. Once you’re ready to head back home, simply pack the bag in your suitcase and voila! Laundry is taken care of.

Mziart Collapsible Laundry Hamper

Laundry Bag Travel Hamper

If you need to take care of your dirty clothes, packing a dirty laundry bag hamper in your bag can make it much easier to store your bulky, unclean clothes. 

The Mziart Collapsible Laundry Hamper is awesome because it can hold a ton of clothes—but be careful not to store too much or you’ll end up not fitting it all in your bag when you head home!

What are your tips on how to handle dirty clothes while traveling? Share in the comments below!

For more tips on packing clothes for travel, please read:

• How to Pack More Efficiently
• How to Organize like a Pro
• The Best Packing Organizers
• How to Make Clothes Smell Fresh on the Go

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I hope you liked these tips on how to handle dirty laundry while traveling. Please share with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Thanks for reading!