Doing Laundry in Europe
4 Options for Cleaning
Clothes While Traveling

Slim Down Your Suitcase and Packing List!

Doing laundry abroad is easier than you might think. Plus, think of all the room you'll save in your luggage to bring home souvenirs, great cultural finds, and even that much-loved bottle of wine.

If you only need to wash one or two items, washing them by hand in your hotel room is no problem. In a pinch, you can stopper your hotel sink and use shampoo.

For budget-conscious travelers that want a machine-like clean, consider packing a large waterproof dry bag and a couple of single-serving laundry detergent packets. Fill the dry bag with water, channel your inner washing machine, and agitate your clothes with your hand for 3-5 minutes. Empty the bag in the sink or bathtub, rinse and wring out your clothes before hanging them in the bathroom (out of courtesy for your hotel don’t drape wet clothes on furniture in your room).

Consider this approach if you have a two-night stay, to ensure your clothes are completely dry before you pack them. If you have a room-share with someone, ask them if it’s okay if you do some washing in the room. It’s also a good idea to see how well your clothes will handle hand-washing and air-drying before your trip, as some fabrics are more wrinkle-resistant than others.

Option 2: Find a Laundromat

Laundromats abound in Europe. A laundromat is probably best utilized by people traveling for a month or more, as it allows you to do several loads of laundry at once at a lower price than at a dry cleaner, and it is much easier than trying to hand wash several loads in your room. However, it can cost $10-$15 to do a load. And, you have to monitor your items, which takes up time that might be better spent exploring.

On the tours we offer, your hotel will be centrally situated, which means you will usually be able to find a dry cleaner nearby. Just ask your Travel Director or hotel concierge for directions to the nearest one. Before dropping anything off, ensure that the dry cleaner offers express (preferably same day) service so that your clothes are ready before your motorcoach is set to depart to the next city. The advantages of this approach are numerous. Your clothes will get cleaner, the cost is usually comparable to what you’d pay for dry cleaning in the U.S. and your clothes will come back pressed.

Option 4: Hotel Laundry Services