Washing Clothes

[Bob Hummel]

Hello All!
A question regarding washing your clothes while on the Camino... Is it best to use some kind of mesh bag, and just throw your bag into the machine? (I assume there are machines)
And would doing so be better if you share a machine with other Pilgrims?
Can you recommend a particular bag that you know works well?
Thank you!
Bob

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Some places have machines, others don't. I would say 30% have machines bit things change quickly on the Camino and there may be more. This being said, they are expensive. It is not unsual to be charged 3-5 € for washing only. Then pay more for drying. Hence the benefit of sharing a laod.

A nylon mesh bag can work well if you are shy about handling someone else's unmentionables, otherwise, it really is not necessary. You can most likely find one at your local dollar store.

Honnestly, washing is not the issue, drying is. You can walk another day in dirty clothes, but in wet clothes... not so much.

I only use a washing machine if I've been walking through mud all day or after a week or so of walking to give my fleece, liner, etc a good wash.

Sometimes you will have access to the machines yourself, other times you will hand your items to the hospi. They don't like it when we break their machines, and European machines are a totally different animal than North American machines. For one thing, they take forever to do a laundry cycle. When in doubt, ask for help. That will earn you brownie points with the hospy.

Some machines now dispense detergent themselves. If not albergues may sell it. I also travel with a few pods in case, but didn't need them last spring.

Washing by hand and hanging to dry on the line is most common. Bring half a bar of Sunlight soap, or Campsuds. Both work well. Othes will suggest you ise the same soap for body, hair and laundry.

For drying, bring a few safety pins: lighter than clips and less chance of someone mistaken your undies for theirs if yours are hanging with safety pins.

 

[SYates]

What @Anemone del Camino has said, only wanted to add that the number of washers/dryers has increased considerably during the last few years and yes, sharing a load (most of those machines are huge and hold easily 6-8kg!) is a good idea, not only for your wallet, but also for the environment. Buen Camino, SY

 

[CaminoDebrita]

I have mentioned this great tip before, and it is worth another mention.

A quick-dry towel dries MUCH faster than socks and some underwear. I strongly recommend AFTER wringing your items, put them in the towel, and roll them up. Step, step, step on that towel with items rolled up inside.

It will remove a lot of the moisture.

Next, wash your towel. Voile!

I am a pro at the washing and drying thing.

 

[Deleted member 12253]

Hello All!
A question regarding washing your clothes while on the Camino... Is it best to use some kind of mesh bag, and just throw your bag into the machine? (I assume there are machines)
And would doing so be better if you share a machine with other Pilgrims?
Can you recommend a particular bag that you know works well?
Thank you!
Bob

As a fast walker i hand wash daily and plenty of time to dry but if you arrive late you are in trouble.

 

[linkster]

As a fast walker i hand wash daily and plenty of time to dry but if you arrive late you are in trouble.

You can always hang a few items from your pack to dry as you walk.

+1 on CaminoDebrita using the towel to remove excess water after washing.

 

[HeidiL]

You can always hang a few items from your pack to dry as you walk.

Yet another useful thing to use your safety pins for. Ah, for the waving of socks in the air from one's backpack... Camino flags, I tell you!

 

[gloria lowe]

I have mentioned this great tip before, and it is worth another mention.

A quick-dry towel dries MUCH faster than socks and some underwear. I strongly recommend AFTER wringing your items, put them in the towel, and roll them up. Step, step, step on that towel with items rolled up inside.

It will remove a lot of the moisture.

Next, wash your towel. Voile!

I am a pro at the washing and drying thing.

I have always done my laundry like this. It's amazing how much water you get out by walking on your clothes.

 

[Dave C.]

About every third day our Camino family (usually 4 of us) would do our laundry in one load. Taking turns to pay. Usually hung to dry. Never had a problem having a machine and soap available.

 

[JabbaPapa]

Honestly I'd suggest trying to get a block of Savon de Marseilles (two if you're walking longer than just the Francès or if you're particularly meticulous ; three is in any case overkill) -- the Casino supermarket chain in France, in its larger shops, in the South anyway, does sometimes have the decent non-industrial variety on sale at non-tourist prices (ie €2 or thereabouts). It triple-tasks as body soap, shampoo, and clothing detergent. There are Lavender and Olive Oil scented versions.

 

[frida1]

Nothing against washing machines, but I've rarely used them on my two caminos. I just hand wash with Dr. Bronner's soap (and that mainly means soaking for a minute, not lots of scrubbing. Quick-dry clothing will dry over night most of the time, and socks will dry every other day even if it's damp outside. I use a mesh bag to carry damp clothes tied to my pack for air drying. Aside from socks, most things can be put on a bit damp and will dry quickly on your body.

 

[Nanc]

I mostly washed by hand.
When weather was too wet or cold to dry clothing I would look ahead to an albergue that listed washer and dryers
A couple of times said dryer did NOT work.
In the brief heavy rains I experienced, i couldnt get enough water out of the clothes for the dryer to really work. Hosts said the machine washers spin harder and remove more water. Should of used the towel suggestion more

 

[GreatDane]

And experiment with your camino clothing and socks before you pack it. Even clothing marketed as Quick-Dry, EZ Dry, etc might not dry as crisp as you expect them too overnight. Experiment with hand washing, roll drying with a towel like others have said and hang dry both inside and out in a couple different conditions.

 

[boski]

Hello All!
A question regarding washing your clothes while on the Camino... Is it best to use some kind of mesh bag, and just throw your bag into the machine? (I assume there are machines)
And would doing so be better if you share a machine with other Pilgrims?
Can you recommend a particular bag that you know works well?
Thank you!
Bob

There was rarely machines and if there was they were always busy. I used a scrubba and soap chips. Its fast easy and u can keep your sweaty dirty clothes in it wheu aren't using it. Great piece of equipment

 

[linkster]

I have a scrubba, and have taken it on vacation. The scrubba has a built-in washboard; however, the scrubba is a little heavy as a dry bag. I just use a lightweight silnylon dry bag when backpacking. Fill up the dry bag, let the contents soak, and agitate by shaking every once in a while. You can also knead the contents as needed (no pun intended). Repeat for a rinse cycle. Then use the packtowel approach outlined above to wring out the excess water.

 

[Ernesto.IT]

You can always hang a few items from your pack to dry as you walk.

+1 on CaminoDebrita using the towel to remove excess water after washing.

Hang from your pack clothes to dry is always a good idea ; if you don't get the week or two of rain

 

[gerardcarey]

Daily, for shirt, undies & socks.
In the above order they get 30 kneads each in 1/3rd basin of warm or cold water, with a dash of shampoo. Then wrung out.
Then 30 rinse-kneads in 1/3 basin water. Wrung out again.
Wrung out again in interior of a towel if so desired. I don't bother.
One of the reasons I start and finish early is to catch and employ/enjoy a couple of hours of late warm drying sunshine.
Trousers/shorts get their own basinful as their laundry is required less often.
I use 'bulldog' document clips instead of pegs. 6 medium sized ones stay clipped onto the back of my pack.
Regards
Gerard

 

[trecile]

Daily, for shirt, undies & socks.
In the above order they get 30 kneads each in 1/3rd basin of warm or cold water, with a dash of shampoo. Then wrung out.
Then 30 rinse-kneads in 1/3 basin water. Wrung out again.
Wrung out again in interior of a towel if so desired.
One of the reasons I start and finish early is to catch and employ/enjoy a couple of hours of late warm drying sunshine.
Trousers/shorts get their own basinful as it is required less often.
I use 'bulldog' paper clips instead of pegs. 6 little ones live on the back of my pack.
Regards
Gerard

I'm going to take some of those binder clips next time. I brought a ton of safety (diaper/nappy) pins, but they don't work very well when the clothesline slopes.

I'm also going to try out the dry bag wash system. A Sea to Summit ultra sil dry bag weighs less than 2 ounces. I think that I could start the process while I'm in the shower. As I remove my clothes I can just put them in the bag, squirt in some soap and fill it with warm water from the shower. The clothes can then "pre-soak" while I shower.

 

[gerardcarey]

I'm going to take some of those binder clips next time.

Just ensure you get some reasonably sized ones you can work ok with your fingers. The very tiny ones can be quite tough on the fingers and therefore too fiddly.
Blimey, I am getting fussy now aren't I Trecile?
Regards
Gerard

 

[trecile]

Just ensure you get some reasonably sized ones you can work ok with your fingers. The very tiny ones can be quite tough on the fingers and therefore too fiddly.
Blimey, I am getting fussy now aren't I Trecile?
Regards
Gerard

The Scrubba bag holds 3 US gallons, or 11.35 liters, so I thought that I'd get a dry bag about the same size.

 

[gerardcarey]

The Scrubba bag holds 3 US gallons, or 11.35 liters, so I thought that I'd get a dry bag about the same size.

Makes sense. My knead/squeeze routine has always seemed to work quickly and well for me alto quite a few folks use the bags. I guess I see it as just another thing to carry.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

I think that I could start the process while I'm in the shower. As I remove my clothes I can just put them in the bag, squirt in some soap and fill it with warm water from the shower. The clothes can then "pre-soak" while I shower.

Please don't start your washing in the shower. This will make for a longer shower while othere may be waiting in line for a shower, and you will be using more hot water. Get in, get out, 2 minutes, do your washing in the dedicated wash basin, even if they only have cold water.

 

[trecile]

Please don't start your washing in the shower. This will make for a longer shower while othere may be waiting in line for a shower, and you will be using more hot water. Get in, get out, 2 minutes, do your washing in the dedicated wash basin, even if they only have cold water.

I don't plan on spending much extra time with the clothes. I can probably fill the bag while I'm waiting for the water to heat up. The only place where I wouldn't want to use this method would be at Orisson with their timed showers. I honestly never experienced much of a wait for the showers at the albergues when I walked. I did experience longer waits for the clothes washing basins.

 

[halfbask]

Hello All!
A question regarding washing your clothes while on the Camino... Is it best to use some kind of mesh bag, and just throw your bag into the machine? (I assume there are machines)
And would doing so be better if you share a machine with other Pilgrims?
Can you recommend a particular bag that you know works well?
Thank you!
Bob

80% of the time I washed by hand because there were no machines--or more likely--washing by hand with whatever liquid or bar soap I had left or something sitting around and available, was part of the (lovely) daily ritual shared by everyone.

 

[Addicted]

Washed undies,socks and shirt by hand every day. Did it first thing at the completion of walking so items would have time to dry. If the items did not ( rare ) then they swung from the pack the following day for another air dry . We got so used to air drying our cloths that since we returned from our first Camino in Dec 2015 we have not used our dryer her at home in Canada . The first time on a Camino we were on the trail for 82 days so about once once every couple weeks we did use a washing machine for that deep clean
Happy New Year to all and Bueno Camino for 2017

 

[Jodean]

I found washers in many of the alberques, with the usual cost being 3€. Got together with 2-3 other pilgrims and for 1€ each, we had clean clothes. Clothing spun in a washer dries in a fraction of the time as hand washed clothing. Occasionally, if it was late, rainy and cold, we all put in for a dryer too but not often.
Had little plastic clothes pins that worked well. Had safety pins too, but they didn't work as well for me.

 

[Jenyat53]

During some wet weather in April '16 I found that by putting my 'not quite dry' socks & undies in my sleeping bag with me overnight, they dried out completely by the next day. Twice I also slept with my shoe inner soles and once after a drenching downpour I went to dinner with my inner soles against my skin across my stomach held in place by my icebreaker shirt Our body heat can be the perfect solution!!

 

[FlinFlonWalker]

Hello All!
A question regarding washing your clothes while on the Camino... Is it best to use some kind of mesh bag, and just throw your bag into the machine? (I assume there are machines)
And would doing so be better if you share a machine with other Pilgrims?
Can you recommend a particular bag that you know works well?
Thank you!
Bob

There are Few Machines available And even if you dry many are not vented. I found my clothes dried outside faster. Although I walked in spring/summer and weather was good. You tend to wash outside with scrub board and sink and hang.
I used machines only use twice in first Camino and then figured it was a waste of time and money. You find routine in the ---wash and hang immediately after you arrive at hostel and get cleaned up. My second Camino I only used washer once because of bed bug scare.
Good luck

 

[HedaP]

I loved that end of the walking day ritual of shower followed by clothes washing. Discovering where and how to do hand washing and drying in each new albergue was part of the fun. I didn't use a washing bag. I found those white, ceramic, laundry sinks with built in washing boards to be ideal for hand washing.
Drying clothes was a bit more problematic. My companions were fast walkers and I was slow so I often finished my days at 4 pm or later which in autumn meant very little drying time. Luckily my walking shirt and undies were made of lightweight silk that dried in no time at all. Many days were started in slightly damp socks and trousers but they dried quickly enough once I started walking and I never got a single blister.
Now what came next after shower and clothes washing in the end of the walking day ritual? Oh, that's right...it was cerveza! ;-)

 

[freetobe]

Hello All!
A question regarding washing your clothes while on the Camino... Is it best to use some kind of mesh bag, and just throw your bag into the machine? (I assume there are machines)
And would doing so be better if you share a machine with other Pilgrims?
Can you recommend a particular bag that you know works well?
Thank you!
Bob

Thank you for asking this question - it has led me to read all the posts on the washing subject and I am firming up action plan!

 

[freetobe]

I have mentioned this great tip before, and it is worth another mention.

A quick-dry towel dries MUCH faster than socks and some underwear. I strongly recommend AFTER wringing your items, put them in the towel, and roll them up. Step, step, step on that towel with items rolled up inside.

It will remove a lot of the moisture.

Next, wash your towel. Voile!

I am a pro at the washing and drying thing.

This makes a lot of sense and I will certainly apply it to my socks particularly

 

[freetobe]

Nothing against washing machines, but I've rarely used them on my two caminos. I just hand wash with Dr. Bronner's soap (and that mainly means soaking for a minute, not lots of scrubbing. Quick-dry clothing will dry over night most of the time, and socks will dry every other day even if it's damp outside. I use a mesh bag to carry damp clothes tied to my pack for air drying. Aside from socks, most things can be put on a bit damp and will dry quickly on your body.

I like this advice. Will one bar/cake of soap be enough for 30 days - I looked at the web site and Dr Brunner soap is sold here in Australia in 5oz/140g size AND is it truly good as a soap for hair, body and clothes. Thanks

 

[ConnieAdriano]

We hand washed all our clothes. We did hang our socks on our bags as we walked. But we wore sports wear/swimming wear to walk in. They dry super quick. In Australian terms we wore rashie tops and swimming shorts. Hubby wore sports undergarments which are a form of microfibre as wear my undergarments. We also had microfibre towels. Good luck. Test your clothes before you go xxx ConnieAdriano

 

[Anniesantiago]

I hand wash my clothes.

 

[Jose J. Martinez]

My wife and I took each these things instead of towels... they also served for wringing our wash until it was almost dry... they weigh very little and are inexpensive. their size is about 50 X 50 cm...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IRVF3EC/?tag=casaivar02-20

 

[Kitsambler]

In France, Switzerland, Germany and the Czech Republic, the lodgings almost never have washing machines. So it's just hand-wash there. Especially in springtime, when the nights are cooler, things may not dry overnight. Rolling in a quick-dry towel -- and using a heated towel rack if one happens to be available -- is very helpful. Sock liners will dry much faster than the heavier socks (I always use the 2-sock system), so they get washed daily, but the heavier socks go two days before a wash.

Let me point out (I am a degreed engineer, mind you), that domestic laundry equipment in France appears to have been designed by liberal arts majors: the controls make no sense even when they are translated!

 

[petro]

With a little help from your friend!

 

[linkster]

During some wet weather in April '16 I found that by putting my 'not quite dry' socks & undies in my sleeping bag with me overnight, they dried out completely by the next day.

This works well if the bag is closed. The heat from your body helps them to dry, and much of the moisture is exhausted from the bag. I have used this method on multiple canoe trips in Quetico, but only for a few days in a row. Repeating this cycle on a daily basis without letting the bag dry completely can become a problem.

 

[Sunriver OR USA]

Honestly I'd suggest trying to get a block of Savon de Marseilles (two if you're walking longer than just the Francès or if you're particularly meticulous ; three is in any case overkill) -- the Casino supermarket chain in France, in its larger shops, in the South anyway, does sometimes have the decent non-industrial variety on sale at non-tourist prices (ie €2 or thereabouts). It triple-tasks as body soap, shampoo, and clothing detergent. There are Lavender and Olive Oil scented versions.

Do you carry this in a Ziploc bag? How do you keep it from turning into a slushy mess (or is it substantially different than Ivory?)

Thanks!

 

[Bob Hummel]

Do you carry this in a Ziploc bag? How do you keep it from turning into a slushy mess (or is it substantially different than Ivory?)

Thanks!

My French Wife tells me it's a very good and common soap in France.

 

[J Willhaus]

Bob,
There were two of us walking together and we were not on a tight budget so I washed my clothes in the machine whenever possible. We had quick drying clothes and great weather the 45 days we were on the CF, but that is not everyone's experience. I did have one young man approach me at the albergue one evening to ask me to look at his "rash" which he was afraid was bed bugs. He had what I would call a soap rash or contact dermatitis from not rinsing the soap fully out of his clothes. We never had that problem when we used the machine and I advised him to run his things through the machine as well. He and his fellow travelers told me a couple of days later that the problem had been solved by better rinsing and they were very relieved that is was due to soap and not bed bugs.
Janet

 

[Rod Murray]

Hello All!
A question regarding washing your clothes while on the Camino... Is it best to use some kind of mesh bag, and just throw your bag into the machine? (I assume there are machines)
And would doing so be better if you share a machine with other Pilgrims?
Can you recommend a particular bag that you know works well?
Thank you!
Bob

We needed to do some washing before we started walking in Ponferrada as we'd been in Spain for a week and I found a great place there, called the Lavadora https://flic.kr/p/HaeKAd and it was clean, high tech and cost €4 for a load for the 2 of us, and a few more € to dry. Soap included.
We also found a similar one in Sarria https://flic.kr/p/HjeDG4 with free Wifi too, but cannot recall how much it cost.
One other thing we brought with us were 3 small packets of Tide "in the sink" soap, so we could hand wash socks and quick dry undies and hang them to dry. They were usually good to go by morning!

 

[Paul mooney]

Please don't start your washing in the shower. This will make for a longer shower while othere may be waiting in line for a shower, and you will be using more hot water. Get in, get out, 2 minutes, do your washing in the dedicated wash basin, even if they only have cold water.

Hi I've walked the Camino twice, and each time I have hand washed my guick dry clothes with my shower gel and hang them on the line, be dry that evening, no problem. Enjoy your Way, Bueno Camino

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Hi I've walked the Camino twice, and each time I have hand washed my guick dry clothes with my shower gel and hang them on the line, be dry that evening, no problem. Enjoy your Way, Bueno Camino

No problem for you, but what about for the ones you may have left with cold water only?

 

[Paul mooney]

Hi I've walked the Camino twice, and each time I have hand washed my guick dry clothes with my shower gel and hang them on the line, be dry that evening, no problem. Enjoy your Way, Bueno Camino

I didn't say I washed them in the shower, only I used shower gel to wash my clothes in the sink. Only need to carry one item. Paul Bueno Camino

 

[Anemone del Camino]

I didn't say I washed them in the shower, only I used shower gel to wash my clothes in the sink. Only need to carry one item. Paul Bueno Camino

You are right, my appologies. Since I don't bring soap nor shampoo, only conditioner, I need to bring something for my clothes. Only one item.

 

[Paul mooney]

You are right, my appologies. Since I don't bring soap nor shampoo, only conditioner, I need to bring something for my clothes. Only one item.

Travel light, my first Camino I had a haversack that weighted 8k, my second I got it down to 6k and it was great, I'm back again late September can't say I'll get it much lighter, take care Paul

 

[HedaP]

I like this advice. Will one bar/cake of soap be enough for 30 days - I looked at the web site and Dr Brunner soap is sold here in Australia in 5oz/140g size AND is it truly good as a soap for hair, body and clothes. Thanks

We cut a bar of soap in half to reduce weight and just bought more as we needed. It was easy and fun to buy good soap in Spain even in the smaller villages provided, of course, the shop was open.