Tips for Doing Laundry on the Go
APRIL 16, 2025Laundry on the Go: Tips for Doing Laundry & Washing Clothes While Traveling
Whether you’re a college student doing your own laundry or a parent who does laundry for the whole family, the start-to-finish laundry process can seem cumbersome. Sometimes you have obligations that might conflict with a desperate need for clean clothes after putting off your laundry for a week. Maybe the start of fall sports has you cleaning your kiddos’ football and soccer jerseys on a regular basis.
Indeed, you need to set aside time for laundry and build it into your schedule, even in the comfort of your own home. Now… what about doing laundry on the go? You might be a heavy packer who chooses an outfit for almost every day of a trip. Conversely, you might be someone who cycles through outfits. Either way, it’s a good idea to consider washing clothes while traveling. That includes using laundromats or knowing how to make your own laundry detergent so you can keep your items clean and looking fresh… no matter where you are or what stains might come your way!
Getting set for your next family vacation? Take a closer look at some of our tips and tricks for doing laundry on the go.
Can You Bring Laundry Detergent on a Plane?
You can bring liquid and powder laundry detergent on a plane, as well as power packs. However, it’s imperative to know the guidelines put in place by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
For example, the TSA denotes that liquid laundry detergent can only be placed in carry-on luggage if it is less than or equal to 3.4oz/100 mL – which goes for most other liquids or toiletries you can think of, including things like shampoo or contact solution. Anything exceeding those limits MUST go in a checked bag. Similarly, powder laundry detergents greater than 12oz./350 mL must be placed in a separate bin for X-ray screening. That goes for any powder-like system, including baby powder.
The sizing specs could give you some pause ahead of your travels. You might try to avoid having a checked bag at all, but it’s impossible to find liquid and powder laundry detergent within the carry-on parameters. If you do check a bag, you might not have room for a large bottle of liquid laundry detergent or a box of powder. The same might go for you even on a road trip if you run out of trunk space. And of course, do you really want to risk anything leaking or spilling on your other items?
Trying to pack detergent can make for a real conundrum. Fortunately, liquid and powder are not your only laundry detergent options when you’re on the go.
Travel-Size Laundry Detergent Formats
Some liquid and powder laundry detergents may come in smaller, “travel-size” formats. But even those offerings are likely 10 oz or more. Instead of laboring over liquid or being picky about powder, choose a travel-size laundry detergent format that makes sense.
Laundry Detergent Sheets
If you haven’t heard of or considered using laundry detergent sheets – they’re ideal for doing laundry while traveling. Laundry detergent sheets are a form of laundry detergent that dissolves in the wash. The lightweight sheets come in portable boxes that make them a preferred option for laundry to go. Many laundry detergent sheets also have a perforated line in the middle of the sheet that allows you to tear them in half if you’re doing smaller loads.
Considering laundry detergent sheets as an option for doing laundry on the go? Look no further than ARM & HAMMER™ POWER SHEETS™ Laundry Detergent! These no-bleach, concentrated laundry detergent sheets have Quick Dissolve Technology to tackle tough stains and odors on dark and light clothing. ARM & HAMMER POWER SHEETS Laundry Detergent works in all washing machines and all water temperatures, including cold water. Plus, the convenient packaging makes them a go-to for bringing to your local laundromat or packing in your suitcase.
Eliminate plastic bottle waste and squash your fears over spills or drips with ARM & HAMMER POWER SHEETS Laundry Detergent!
Laundry Detergent Packs
Laundry detergent packs (or “paks”) are small, pre-measured doses of laundry detergent contained in water-soluble packets. They are added to the wash and, when they get wet, release the detergent to help clean clothes.
Although laundry detergent packs usually come in bags, these bags often weigh fewer than two (2) pounds, so they work well as a travel-size laundry detergent option. Moreover, one pack is usually sufficient enough to clean one medium load of laundry!
ARM & HAMMER has a number of laundry pack options for you to choose from, including:
- ARM & HAMMER Deep Clean Stain Formula Laundry Detergent Power Paks feature pH technology with millions of ionic micro-scrubbers that penetrate and clean deep between clothing fibers for tough stain removal.
- ARM & HAMMER Plus OxiClean™ Stain Removers with Odor Blasters™ 5-in-1 Laundry Detergent Power Paks help eliminate tough odors while attacking stains, whitening white items, and brightening colors.
- ARM & HAMMER Sensitive Scent 5-in-1 Laundry Detergent Power Paks are dye-free and dermatologist-tested, with a hypoallergenic scent that still leaves clothes smelling fresh and clean.
Pack an added punch when doing laundry on the go by trying ARM & HAMMER Laundry Detergent Power Paks!
Sink Packets
You might be able to find sink packets at your local grocery store or supermart. These are meant mostly as a hand washing option because you combine the product with water in a sink or bowl and submerge and swirl your clothes around in the mixture before wringing out the water. Sink packets are probably better for singular items or a few items, as opposed to laundry sheets and laundry packs which can clean entire loads of laundry.
How to Use a Laundromat
If you’re doing laundry while traveling or don’t have washer and dryer units in your apartment building, there’s a good chance you’ll need to use a laundromat. To help you navigate this process smoothly, follow these steps on how to do laundry at the laundromat in a stress-free manner.
1. Survey the Scene
Before you even think about washing your clothes, you need to know what the laundromat looks like from an operational standpoint. For example, how many washers and dryers are there? Does the laundromat have any high efficiency (HE) washers? Additionally, you should consider spacing and other amenities. Is there space to fold or organize your clothes so they fit neatly in a laundry bag or basket?
Finally, you should take stock of the laundromat’s hours of operation. And, of course, you need to know how you’ll pay. Some laundromats may have washers that only accept coins, while others may take debit or credit cards.
2. Organize Your Clothes
The first step ahead of doing laundry on the go is organizing your clothes. That means you’ll want to separate lights and darks so you can also determine whether you’ll need to use multiple washers at the laundromat.
Additionally, try to sort your items by fabric type. You may choose to wash all your jeans or denim items together and separately from other clothes. Plus, certain fabrics that need to be air-dried (check your laundry symbols guide) should likely be washed by hand. After all, you probably don’t want to haul a bunch of wet clothes back from the laundromat.
It's possible you find that organizing your clothes can also help you better determine the level of soil when you’re traveling. That, in turn, may help you understand the laundry load size you’re dealing with and how many items you’ll need to transport with you to the laundromat.
3. Find Your Travel-Size Laundry Detergent Option
It’s a good bet you probably want to limit the amount of weight you have to carry when doing laundry on the go, whether you have to go up and down several flights of stairs or walk several blocks to the laundromat. Controlling your load size is a factor here, but so is the laundry detergent you use.
Avoid lugging around large bottles of liquid laundry detergent or awkwardly trying to hold your clothes and that box of powder laundry detergent. Instead, opt for one of the travel-size laundry detergent formats we mentioned above. Laundry detergent sheets and power paks are far lighter and more portable than a liquid or powder laundry detergent.
4. Check the Washers
Once you get to the laundromat, it’s a MUST that you check the washers. For starters, you want to make sure whoever used it before you didn’t leave anything. However, examining the washer can also inform how you proceed or whether you need another washer. Example: your chosen washer might smell like bleach. In that case, you want to avoid putting non-white items in said washer.
You don’t need to use any more or less detergent than you usually would at a laundromat – it’s more about your load size. You might also notice residue from excess detergent – a common laundry user error! That might suggest you use less detergent when doing your own load, or finding another washer so you can appropriately measure how much detergent you need.
5. Choose Your Wash Temperature and Cycle
After adding your detergent and clothes to the drum as you normally would, pick the proper wash temperature and cycle. Note that some laundromats may have separate cycles for machines and colors. Others may have different naming conventions, like “Cotton” instead of “Standard” or “Normal.” If some of your clothes have gotten wrinkly during the course of traveling, you can opt for a “Permanent Press” setting. Regardless, make sure to check the garment care label before choosing wash temperatures and settings.
6. Inspect the Dryer and Dry as Normal
Just as you did with the washer, you’ll want to take a look at the dryer before transferring your clothes. Make sure there aren’t any loose items in the drum. Additionally, see whether the dryer smells damp or moldy – it might not be working properly. Finally, check the lint trap and empty it as necessary. Choose the right drying cycle per the garment’s care instructions and proceed accordingly!
Laundry to Go Made Easier with ARM & HAMMER Laundry Products!
You should enjoy the sights and sounds of your travels without having to worry too much about washing your clothes while traveling. Whether you’re on a two-week trip voyage, trying to make the journey to the laundromat easier, or making your own laundry detergent, ARM & HAMMER laundry products are here to help!
Keep some ARM & HAMMER travel appropriate laundry detergent in your home so you can tackle stains and odors in a pinch, no matter where you find yourself!