How to Do Laundry on a Tour

When you're on a tour you want to feel and look fresh everyday of your vacation. Yet, at the same time you don't want to waste time doing laundry. Although most motels have self-operating coin-operated laundry facilities, there's usually not enough time to devote to laundry. Of course, to save time, professional dry cleaners can clean and press your clothes, as well as the motel service. But, be forewarned--- you'll also be paying through the nose. "Never again," said Stan A., a tour director to the Holy Lands.

Launder It Yourself

Rather than worry about finding time to do laundry, just do it yourself each day in your motel room. The secret is washing only a few items at a time. Each night when you take off your dirty clothes rinse them out in either your motel sink or bathtub. Then drape the wet clothing over the shower stall, bathtub, chair, or countertops. Before leaving home for your tour, buy small packets of laundry detergent. Otherwise you'll be paying more at your motel. Or, if you can't find individual packets, buy whatever large size available and then scoop a cup or two into a small plastic container.

Pack Lightweight Clothing

As most people take tours in warmer months, it's not a problem to pack silks and light cottons for clothing. Not only will your suitcase weigh lighter, but you can also launder and dry out these materials much faster than heavy woolens. On the other hand, if you're traveling when it's cold, then you won't sweat as much as can get away with not cleaning your clothing as often as if you were doing a summer tour.

Know Your Tour Schedule

As you'll be staying at several motels, note the days where you'll be in the same motel for more than one day. That would be a good time to launder more than one dirty outfit as it gives you more time for drying.

Buy More Underwear and Socks

Rather than wash out dirty underwear and socks, why not just buy some new undergarments. After all, chances are you could always use new underwear. Besides cutting back on your motel laundering, you won't have to duck form the motel maids from embarrassment.

Pack String and Clothes Pins for a Motel Clothesline

Some tourists even take along their own makeshift clothesline. All you need is some string (or regular clothesline) strong enough to hold a few wet clothing items.

Wear it Again

And, of course you can always wear the same outfit, again. Just be careful not to get it dirty the first time you wear your outfit. A few sturdy items may include blue jeans and denim skirts. If you've ever gone on a tour, you've probably noted how the tour guide often re-wears the same outfit at least twice.

If you start to worry about your dirty clothes and if they're not as clean as if you'd thrown them into a washing machine, then stop and reevaluate your goals. In other words, keep your focus. After all, you're there to see as much as possible in the short time you're allotted for your trip. Not to compete in a fashion show or spend hours slaving over laundry. You'll have plenty of time to wash clothes when you get home. Make the most of your trip while you're there.

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