Avoid These Laundry Mistakes When Travelling

Now for the advice you are here to read; what are the main laundry mistakes that can send a travel trip into turmoil?

• Overpacking or taking the wrong items.

Did you know that 90% of people admit to having overpacked for a trip? It can be tempting to take multiple options and spares of everything but this is not always a good thing.

Not only does your suitcase or backpack start to weigh a ton, but it also means that the clothing items inside are more likely to be creased and compressed. You will also find that items can become musty or affected by other smells in a case, such as from beauty products, if there is not room for air to circulate.

This point also includes taking the wrong items. By understanding what laundry services you will have access to when you arrive for your trip, you can tailor the pieces to match. For example, if you only have basic wash facilities, delicate fabrics will not be looked after properly. Only pack what you need and what will be most suitable.

• Not taking the right laundry care items.

Another mistake is people not taking laundry cleaning items with them. In some instances, you can use a professional service or pick up products on the go, but not everyone will have that option. Our key items to take are a good stain remover, laundry detergent sheets, which don’t take up much room, plus separate bags to keep items separate.

• Rushing the washing and drying process.

Have you ever put on a damp clothing item? Simply put, that will do! Well, we are here to advise that this is not ideal as it can result in clothing becoming stretched and damaged. A common mistake many people also make when travelling is laundering items but then packing them before they are 100% dry. This will make items smell damp and pass those odours onto clean items. Furthermore, this could lead to mould within bags, which you will all agree is far from ideal. Make sure you always leave plenty of time to wash and dry items and that you have a source suitable for achieving desirable results.

• Leaving too long in between laundry loads.

We understand that travellers will want to spend most of their time and attention on enjoying their trip. This can mean the task of laundry is pushed to the wayside. Unfortunately, though, taking this approach will lead to a much bigger headache as items will likely be harder to clean. You may also find that different conditions, such as humidity or dampness, can mean items need to be looked after in ways that are alternative to what you would normally find. This can mean something as simple as a small stain may be hard to remove. Our advice is to keep things fresh and plan for regular laundry.

• Using unsuitable water sources or machinery.

You should only ever clean clothing in suitable conditions. Even though it may be tempting to rinse out an item in a river or  other water source, this can do more harm than good. Be sure to always scout out proper laundry facilities and take the time to plan ahead as much as possible to save any headaches.

• Not paying attention to clothing care labels.

Finally, a major mistake many make when travelling is not paying attention to laundry symbols. Shockingly, 70% of adults say they don’t understand laundry care labels, which means there are likely issues happening even when travel has not taken place!

Laundry and washing symbols are vital to follow when travelling as it means that even when conditions are different, items can still be cared for as intended. To make life easier, we recommended checking care labels before leaving for a trip. This means you can plan for any special conditions and also do your best to only take items that are easiest to clean.

Tips For Managing Laundry Like A Pro When Travelling