--- source_url: "https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/how-to-wash-clothes-in-sink-while-traveling" title: "Rick Steves: How to Wash Clothes in the Sink While Traveling - Business Insider" mirrored_at: 2026-08-17T13:03:04.454Z host: www.businessinsider.com cited_in_42a: true mirror_canonical: "https://index.42a.ai/www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/how-to-wash-clothes-in-sink-while-traveling" --- > **Original source:** https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/how-to-wash-clothes-in-sink-while-traveling [Business Insider](https://www.businessinsider.com/) ![A side by side of Rick Steves standing in front of mountains and green and floral clothes in a sink with soapy water.](https://i.insider.com/6318acdd5a0e5a0018d2dc92?width=700) Rick Steves says he packs light and washes his clothes in the hotel sink while traveling. Rick Steves and Joey Hadden/Insider How does Rick Steves, host of the travel show "[Rick Steves' Europe](https://www.youtube.com/c/ricksteves?subid2=1660747917317bejslxtsi)," manage to spend months at a time traversing Europe with nothing more than a carry-on bag? "I just wash my laundry in the sink," he said in an exclusive interview with Insider. "I use the shampoo that comes in the hotel room," Steves added. "My philosophy about washing clothes on the road is you don't need to have the high standards that you have at home. If you get to 65% clean, that's dang good when you're on the road. Don't stress out about that." Whether you're in a hotel room with just shampoo or you packed some of the useful products below, here are some helpful tips for cleaning your clothes on the road. ### These products will come in handy when you're doing laundry while traveling: ## Step 1: Choose the right travel clothes ![Rick Steves poses in a blue button down shirt at Germany’s Wartburg Castle.](https://i.insider.com/6318b0b85a0e5a0018d2de5a?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) Rick Steves "Part of my joy, believe it or not, is being able to wash out shirts in the hotel room," said Steves. To do that, he looks for clothes that are made from materials that dry quickly. "When it's super, super hot, I go to [REI](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=biauto-56576-20&h=8ee6c1d03e3cddfd0a90f202c860d43a2515fa7a116de8cec40bbd4b933f4b6c&platform=browser&postID=6318ae00722a6836913bcc5b&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fhow-to-wash-clothes-in-sink-while-traveling&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.avantlink.com%2Fclick.php%3Ftt%3Dcl%26amp%3Bmi%3D10248%26amp%3Bpw%3D184534%26amp%3Bctc%3D%26amp%3Burl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.rei.com%252Fproduct%252F202737%252Frei-co-op-beyonder-t-shirt-mens), and I buy a shirt that you can wash and wring and put it on, and five minutes later, it's dry." In addition to the REI shirt, Steves likes clothing made of hemp, a durable, porous material that dries quickly. He also relies on [Patagonia pants](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=biauto-56576-20&h=1094578b13133324f56a4040f46af9811c25b62ec0e421bf9e3a8ccc04ce08ce&platform=browser&postID=6318ae00722a6836913bcc5b&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fhow-to-wash-clothes-in-sink-while-traveling&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.avantlink.com%2Fclick.php%3Ftt%3Dcl%26amp%3Bmi%3D10083%26amp%3Bpw%3D184534%26amp%3Bctc%3D%26amp%3Burl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.patagonia.com%252Fproduct%252Fmens-quandary-hiking-pants-regular%252F55181.html) and [Meriwool shirts](https://www.meriwoollayers.com/collections/mens-tops/products/mens-merino-190-base-layer-short-sleeve-t-shirt), made of moisture-wicking, odor-resistant Merino wool. These clothes have the added benefit of being lightweight, so they don't take up too much space or weight in your bag. You should avoid heavier clothes like thick jeans or dry-clean only items if you plan on using your hotel sink as a washing machine. Insider Reviews freelance writer Mary Marlow Leverette recommends packing darker clothes since they will hold up better than lighter clothes after multiple wearings. Also, choose clothes in one or two color families to easily mix and match outfits. ## Step 2: Spot treat with a stain-removing pen Spills and stains happen. The faster you treat them, the easier it is to get them out. [We have several tricks for removing stains right away](https://www.businessinsider.com/quick-stain-removal-without-washing-2018-10). The key is to remember not to rub the stain. If you do, it can penetrate more deeply, making it harder to get out. A stain-removing pen is a great tool to pack since it doesn't take up much space and can treat stains before you wash them.  ## Step 3: Fill the sink with warm water and add detergent ![Green and floral clothing being washed with soapy water in a bathroom sink.](https://i.insider.com/6303f502c2794d00197f1603?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) Joey Hadden/Business Insider First, try to get in the habit of washing your clothes each day of the trip, so you aren't stuck with large loads. This will also help you get faster at the task, freeing you up for more enjoyable activities. Plug the sink and fill it with warm water. If your room has a tub, you can use it for larger loads. Next, add detergent. You have a few options here. Steves just uses the small bottles of shampoo that come in hotel rooms. But, there are several alternatives specifically designed to help clean your clothes while traveling, including [bar laundry soap](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=biauto-56576-20&h=d9fd73a28d0f0cb20a23c19c3abebb72e8544ef644635a83c4cd2a01c5f36771&platform=browser&postID=6318ae00722a6836913bcc5b&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fhow-to-wash-clothes-in-sink-while-traveling&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FFels-Naptha-Dial-Laundry-Multi%2Fdp%2FB01MQKOO1U), [liquid detergent packets](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=biauto-56576-20&h=add6f7ade60d8d81e5640b56f687ab7e46e6e8c27ea76ff613fae394d2a9d32d&platform=browser&postID=6318ae00722a6836913bcc5b&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fhow-to-wash-clothes-in-sink-while-traveling&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FSinkSuds-Detergent-Eliminator-Including-Delicates%2Fdp%2FB001TUZS98%3Fth%3D1), [laundry detergent sheets](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=biauto-56576-20&h=a5476773563e911f3e667505b6c101191497e044e214dea8dddd04c81e456b81&platform=browser&postID=6318ae00722a6836913bcc5b&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fhow-to-wash-clothes-in-sink-while-traveling&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB07N32J44Q), [thin leaves of soap](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=biauto-56576-20&h=399fd995f7a6d288e223a8ce85abf22aaa26980200242edd458869720106ac5e&platform=browser&postID=6318ae00722a6836913bcc5b&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fhow-to-wash-clothes-in-sink-while-traveling&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.avantlink.com%2Fclick.php%3Ftt%3Dcl%26amp%3Bmi%3D10248%26amp%3Bpw%3D184534%26amp%3Bctc%3D%26amp%3Burl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.rei.com%252Fproduct%252F785917%252Fsea-to-summit-trek-travel-pocket-laundry-wash), and [a travel-sized detergent for delicates](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=biauto-56576-20&h=3a9dfc332a28b9f8168d5ae774bcce53a976c8eccae5288644539992fd9d08ae&platform=browser&postID=6318ae00722a6836913bcc5b&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fhow-to-wash-clothes-in-sink-while-traveling&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.skimresources.com%2F%3Fid%3D35871X943606%26amp%3Bxs%3D1%26amp%3Burl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.thelaundress.com%252Fcollections%252Ftrial-travel-size). These are also handy when camping. Once you've added detergent to the water, add your clothes and swish them around. Let them soak for about 10 minutes and agitate the clothes again. ## Step 4: Rinse the clothes Once your clothes are clean, drain the soapy water out of the sink, and refill it with clean water to rinse the clothes and remove any remaining detergent. Then, drain the rinse water, and squeeze as much water out of your clothes as possible to facilitate drying. ## Step 5: Dry the clothes ![Swimwear and beach towels being dried on the balcony against the background of a tropical garden and pool.](https://i.insider.com/6318bfb15a0e5a0018d2e46c?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp) Maria Argutinskaya/Getty Images To help your clothes dry faster, consider wringing them out in a hotel towel or [a quick-dry towel](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=biauto-56576-20&h=02a4d932b03fbb61e8149a7b2046fe65fce7467143e31b6390e991031992ff9f&platform=browser&postID=6318ae00722a6836913bcc5b&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fhow-to-wash-clothes-in-sink-while-traveling&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.parachutehome.com%2Fproducts%2Fwaffle-bath-towel%3Fopt-color%3Dwhite) of your own. Next, hang the clothes to dry. When doing this, think of how much contact the clothes will have with any surface. For example, if you hang your items over a curtain rod, the part coming in contact with the rod will dry slowly. Instead, you might consider packing [a travel clothesline](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=biauto-56576-20&h=e49c7009ad38fea3f78cc20b77943c37c10060f2ea17a8b2f8a286dec2598218&platform=browser&postID=6318ae00722a6836913bcc5b&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fhow-to-wash-clothes-in-sink-while-traveling&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2FB01LZYLO2A). Set it up near your room's air conditioner or dehumidifier for even faster drying. ## Step 6: Use a laundry refresher on lightly worn clothes If your clothes are clean for the most part, use a laundry refresher to keep them smelling good. Febreze is a great option available in travel-sized containers. Lightly spray your clothes after changing out of them and hang them up. ## Insider's takeaway Having a plan for washing your clothes can save a lot of luggage space. And, most of the time, you can get away with not having perfectly clean attire. But, even Steves will carve out some laundromat time when his duds are particularly ripe. There's no shame in that, and it can offer a new experience in a foreign land. After all, isn't that what traveling is all about? You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story [here](https://www.parsintl.com/publication/business-insider/). Disclosure: Written and researched by the [Insider Reviews](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides) team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [reviews@businessinsider.com](mailto:reviews@businessinsider.com). ## Read next James Brains was a home and kitchen reporter and product expert with over seven years of experience in service journalism. He is passionate about providing helpful buying advice to readers based on extensive testing. ExperienceDuring his time as a Senior Reporter for Business Insider’s Reviews team, James focused on testing home and kitchen products. He used his hands-on experience to write in-depth reviews and buying guides, tackling everything from air fryers and toaster ovens to air conditioners and vacuums. Before joining Business Insider, James worked as a freelance writer and ran Brains Report, his personal product review site. In addition to home and kitchen products, James also has a background in writing about tech, health, and fitness.   Why you can trust JamesJames uses his background in experimental psychology to develop objective tests and review methodologies for all the products he evaluates. He’s tested over 100 mattresses to write our guide to the best mattresses, even touring a mattress manufacturing facility to further enrich his expertise. Seeing how mattresses are constructed has provided key insights into what to look for and what materials and features are best for certain sleepers. James believes high-quality sleep is worth a premium, and he’s passionate about helping readers get a better night’s sleep — but he’ll always help you find a good deal on a mattress in the process. Expertise - Mattresses and sleep products - Emergency preparedness - Kitchen appliances and cookware - Heating and cooling products - Vacuums EducationJames holds a master's degree in psychology from the University of Oregon and a bachelor's degree from Michigan State. He lives in Lansing, Michigan, with his wife, two kids, and a kitty. When he’s not testing a new mattress or air fryer, James enjoys running the Facebook foodie group Lansing Foodies. The group has over 80,000 followers and puts on an annual Olive Burger Festival.