Laundry services and experiences while travelling

[Quickstatus]

When travelling for more than just a few days, one of the most important items on the checklist along CarPark View, Room Upgrade, Executive Lounge Freebies, is the Laundry.

I would put Laundry as the number one amenity, It is often a make or break for me.

I hate Hotel Laundries which charge by the piece.

Self service Laundry onsite is a plus as is an easily accessible offsite laundromat. And sometimes even a pickup/drop off service. Increasingly short stay apartments have been my go to because of this one amenity. No amount of chain hotel status (which may toss you a free laundry item or three) will beat that.

What laundry services do you use and what have been your experiences while travelling.

For those doing trip reports, I would appreciate a laundry report as well... thanks

Also should I create a "Laundry Trip Report" and maybe move this there?

 

[jastel]

After 5-7 days on the road...

Socks n Jocks done in the shower and hung up to dry if no alternatives...DO NOT DISTURB sign on door...and paying $5 to wash a sock is NOT an alternative. Id rather buy new socks.
If jeans or jumpers get wet or dirty the hairdryer and iron get a workout.

Remember the good old days when you could hang them over the old CRT TV to get dry.

On tours I find the guide usually knows a place or a guy, I dont mind paying $20 or so if it is a wash n fold service etc for few days worth of clothes and I get it back the next day.

But even IF an inner city hotel has a laundry, half the time it is full of other peoples clothes or the staff are washing sheets in it.

If all else fails its a Pommy Bath.

 

[Quickstatus]

If all else fails its a Pommy Bath.

.

Though these days there are enterprising pickup/ drop off services visible online

When I was in KL I even left a laundry bag with the concierge to give to a pickup service..

 

[Pushka]

When travelling for more than just a few days, one of the most important items on the checklist along CarPark View, Room Upgrade, Executive Lounge Freebies, is the Laundry.

I would put Laundry as the number one amenity, It is often a make or break for me.

I hate Hotel Laundries which charge by the piece.

Self service Laundry onsite is a plus as is an easily accessible offsite laundromat. And sometimes even a pickup/drop off service. Increasingly short stay apartments have been my go to because of this one amenity. No amount of chain hotel status (which may toss you a free laundry item or three) will beat that.

What laundry services do you use and what have been your experiences while travelling.

For those doing trip reports, I would appreciate a laundry report as well... thanks

Also should I create a "Laundry Trip Report" and maybe move this there?

Cruises are like that. Some have self serve laundries which are fabulous. Our next cruise has four washers and dryers on six decks, the soap etc is automatic and free. Some cabins get free laundry, we are in one of those at Christmas time. I always look for a washer in AirBNB as well. I'll take photos of the ship laundry, I plan to use it . On embarkation day in fact.

 

[RooFlyer]

For those doing trip reports, I would appreciate a laundry report as well... thanks

This will be the laundry component of my trip reports in future (bought after an AFF recommendation)

Scrubba wash bag Australia - the portable washing machine for travel

Scrubba wash bags are the smallest and lightest portable washing machines for washing clothes anywhere, anytime for free. Ideal for camping, hiking, cruises & general travel. Clean clothes anywhere - save money, time and baggage weight so you can travel further with less. Use alsas a wash bag...

thescrubba.com.au

 

[Cappuccino99]

This thread triggered me

About 8 years ago I used a laundrette in Surbiton, Surrey UK as my Airbnb didn't have a washing machine. I was sexually assaulted by the manager which resulted in a Magistrate's Court Hearing which was very traumatic for me (and I had to return to the UK as they wouldn't do it online). The outcome was terrible in that he was let off because I didn't run out screaming so there were no witnesses and he had fake cctv cameras. He was known as a local pervert and the police said there were other complaints against him which were only made known after my court case :-(

I've been extremely careful about laundry when overseas since then.

 

[Pushka]

This will be the laundry component of my trip reports in future (bought after an AFF recommendation)

Scrubba wash bag Australia - the portable washing machine for travel

Scrubba wash bags are the smallest and lightest portable washing machines for washing clothes anywhere, anytime for free. Ideal for camping, hiking, cruises & general travel. Clean clothes anywhere - save money, time and baggage weight so you can travel further with less. Use alsas a wash bag...

thescrubba.com.au

Yeah. We both got enabled with that. Mine is packed too.

 

[VPS]

This will be the laundry component of my trip reports in future (bought after an AFF recommendation)

Scrubba wash bag Australia - the portable washing machine for travel

Scrubba wash bags are the smallest and lightest portable washing machines for washing clothes anywhere, anytime for free. Ideal for camping, hiking, cruises & general travel. Clean clothes anywhere - save money, time and baggage weight so you can travel further with less. Use alsas a wash bag...

thescrubba.com.au

remind me to tell you about the laundromat in Colmar about 2 minutes walk from the hotel

 

[VPS]

It is one of the annoyances of travel especially on cruises.
QM2 had a self serve laundry

NCL had no laundries and prices were ridiculous. I did have my Scrubba bag. I think on about Day 6 they had special fill a bag and it will be washed for $30US and I put almost all of my clothes in there so that was nicer than having underwear draped around the cabin.

I was staying at a fancy B&B in the Loire Valley run by an Australian male couple. Laundry was 30 Euro a bag and I said that's fine I'll just find a laundromat. As I was the only there at the end they said just give us your washing and we'll do it. I came back to find all my laundry (including underwear drying on a rack in front of the open fire in the dining room) Embarrassed much

 

[Pushka]

It is one of the annoyances of travel especially on cruises.
QM2 had a self serve laundry

NCL had no laundries and prices were ridiculous. I did have my Scrubba bag. I think on about Day 6 they had special fill a bag and it will be washed for $30US and I put almost all of my clothes in there so that was nicer than having underwear draped around the cabin.

I was staying at a fancy B&B in the Loire Valley run by an Australian male couple. Laundry was 30 Euro a bag and I said that's fine I'll just find a laundromat. As I was the only there at the end they said just give us your washing and we'll do it. I came back to find all my laundry (including underwear drying on a rack in front of the open fire in the dining room) Embarrassed much

I wish I'd been there....oh that's gold.

And another one enabled from the same post.

 

[I love to travel]

This will be the laundry component of my trip reports in future (bought after an AFF recommendation)

Scrubba wash bag Australia - the portable washing machine for travel

Scrubba wash bags are the smallest and lightest portable washing machines for washing clothes anywhere, anytime for free. Ideal for camping, hiking, cruises & general travel. Clean clothes anywhere - save money, time and baggage weight so you can travel further with less. Use alsas a wash bag...

thescrubba.com.au

For those of us uninitiated how does the scrubba work? Easy to use and understand the instructions?

 

[kpc]

+1 hand washes everything in the bathtub / sink, then hangs it all over the room to dry....needs minimum 2 night hotel stay...also hang the Do Not DISTURB sign.
We don't wash jeans though....takes forever to dry....

 

[JohnK]

We've not holidayed in farang land for long time but there's no way I'm spending $5-$10-$15 per garment to wash simple garments. I'll use the sink if necessary.

Laundry for us is important and in Thailand there's usually one very close.

THB30-THB40 per wash. We just bought 4 small packets of laundry powder from 7-Eleven for around AUD2. Laundry less than 500m away.

I love being a cheapskate.

 

[luxury-lizard]

Great thread - thanks for starting it @Quickstatus. Us retired people tend to take longer trips (6 weeks is common) and making sure there are options to do/get laundry done is an important part of planning. I find European towns (even those which are very 'touristy') are the most difficult - very few bag wash places (and self-service laundromats are usually too busy to be bothered with) - even very high end holiday apartments often don't have a laundry. European hotels rarely have ironing boards (except chain hotels). Personally I find doing hand wash a real drag - but I come prepared - however have yet to invest in a Scrubba Bag (must do so).

Another related topic is cleaning hiking boots / gear - essential before returning to Oz - it's not easy to clean muddy hiking boots in a bathroom sink - I do bring a brush and sponge etc.

 

[Muppet501st]

Whilst HLO, used to just buy cheap socks and jocks, and just like earn and burn- use and then refuse. Wastefull i know.
Though my last HLO RTW, we did end up seeking out a local laundramat
Have used the hotel laundry service on a couple occasions, when on work trips, bag has been rained on.

 

[RooFlyer]

+1 hand washes everything in the bathtub / sink, then hangs it all over the room to dry....needs minimum 2 night hotel stay...also hang the Do Not DISTURB sign.

For a 1 night stay, I hang stuff from coat hangers (preferably wire, so you can bend them appropriately) and then hang these under the aircon outlet. Also the hair dryer is your friend.

For those of us uninitiated how does the scrubba work? Easy to use and understand the instructions?

Try this:

How to wash travel clothes with the Scrubba Wash Bag

6 simple steps to clean clothes while traveling or camping with the Scrubba wash bag. A machine quality wash is just minutes away.

thescrubba.com.au

 

[ols]

On Virgin Velocity Facebook page today.
Methinks they are a day early

"Introducing 'Virgin Australia Fly Cleaning'. Launching tomorrow, our world-first laundry service at Gold Coast Airport will have you saying goodbye to the post-holiday washing marathon and hello to freshly cleaned and pressed clothes while you fly

Earn 50 Velocity Frequent Flyer Points for every item fly cleaned, helping you fast-track your way to your next flight.
Stay tuned for Fly Cleaning coming to an airport near you!"

 

[Lynda2475]

This is why I don't do HLO for trips longer than 3 nights.

I have no problem packing sufficient clothes for 10 days (plus 2 evening options) in 1 * medium suitcase and staying under the 23kgs (most weight being toiletries). If flying J you can take a second bag so easily stretch to 14 days (whilst leaving plenty of room for shopping).

For trips of 2 weeks or less do not need to factor in laundry as have sufficient clothes, only thing is perhaps to rinse swimwear and hang it in the shower, or a chair on balcony or in front of AC vent to have it dry over night. Jeans can be worn 2-3 times before washing.

Packing cells are your friend, not only do they keep bag organised they are great for separating your clean and dirty clothes. And packing some dryer sheets keeps dirty clothes from smelling out the bag until you can wash them.

I typically do at least 1 * 4-6 week trip a year, and I do factor in laundry access as part of my planning for those trips. This means doing laundry 2-3 times.

Before choosing hotel and determining length of stay in each city, I check what laundry options are available (i.e does hotel have self use laundry or is there a laundromat with convenient hours or decent priced service near by) and pre decide where I will do laundry.

Last long trip I had no trouble finding affordable self serve laundromats in NY (4 choices within 4 blocks of my hotel), London (1 tube stop and a short walk), Edinburgh (1 block away) last year. Most provide free wifi (some have attached coffee shops), so in the 90 minutes it takes to wash and dry a suitcase full of clothes (I pack a foldable duffle) I just catch up on trip reports or correspondence, book upcoming activities or chat with the locals.

If they have a cheap wash, dry and fold service I will use this. In latin america rarely costs you more than USD$10 for a whole suitcase, most charge by weight. In Costa Rica cost me USD $6 for 10kgs (plus $2 for them to deliver it back to my hotel up a massive hill). In NYC LES was $20 including tip for about 8 days of clothes.

Even when on a tour there is always sufficient free time to do your own laundry or find a service. In Split a 6 hour was, dry, fold service was $12 for 9kgs, would have been $10 if i had time for next day pick-up. As your guide on day 1 where the best options are going to be so you can plan ahead.

In US hotels outside large city centres (the ones that cater to driving holidays) there is almost always have guest laundries where a load costs you ~$1 for washer and same again for the dryer.

Air BNB almost always have a laundry too, but annoying thing in europe can be lack of a dryer or a those inefficient wash and dryer in 1 which is why laundromat wins.

And if catching up with friends who are local I will often ask to meet up at there place so I can use their laundry whilst we catch up.

I havent had to wash undies or a shirt in a hotel sink in over 20 years, far more efficient to just plan laundry landmarks into your trip.

 

[itchy feet]

Travelled for 8 weeks last year incl. the European heatwave and for the first 5 knew we wouldn't have access to a washing machine, so took different clothes than usual. Quick-drying shirts and underwear were washed in the bathroom sink or shower each evening. Our accommodations had aircon so clothes dried overnight. We took 3 plastic coat hangers and a travel clothes line on which to hang laundry. Shorts etc needed less frequent washing and with a couple of pairs each, we rotated them, airing them in between wears. We find wool socks are more practical than cotton sports socks. In our final 3 weeks our apartments had washing machines so absolutely everything went in the machine on Day 1 On other trips we've also used local laundromats. I enjoy a coffee or wine and the experience of people-watching or chatting to locals / other travellers while the machine is running.

 

[rginoz]

I could write a book or a PhD thesis about laundries and laundrettes I've seen and used over many years of travel. Mostly the experiences have been pretty good, but varied. In the US and Japan, most hotels apear to provide a guest laundry (sometimes very high tech in Japan, where you can monitor progress on the tv in your room). In Glasgow, I went to the most expensive and seemingly disorganised laundry I had ever seen. In Freiburg, the laundrette was also an art gallery.

In a strange quirk of fate, the most modern and cleanest laundrette I've ever seen is less than a kilometre from home in Main Beach on the Gold Coast, while the grottiest is in Southport, just a bit further away. (I think many Aussies will go to a laundrette just to wash the dog's bedding or their very dirty overalls, while in Europe people go to the laundrette as a regular activity because their apartment lacks such a facility.)

I don't mind going to the laundrette whenever it's needed. It's a chance to catch up on emails too. But when travelling, I also take some plastic coathangers with me, and some Japanese Lion brand 'Nanox' washing detergent, the best I've ever used, just in case I have to use the hotel bathroom to do some washing.