Chris&his_long_walk
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- Time of past OR future Camino
- Plan to walk the Camino either this year or early 2020
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The albergues have laundry sinks and clotheslines. Quite a few also have washers and often dryers too. I usually hand wash my clothes every day, and maybe once a week or so, combine a load for the washing machine with another pilgrim or two to split the cost, which is usually about 3 euros to wash/3 euros to dry. Laundry detergent is usually supplied for the machines.Good evening
Sorry if this has been asked before, I'm new here so still finding my way around.
What do people do to keep clothes clean?
Are there good places to do a bigger wash and then travel a few days and repeat?
Thank you for any help
Chris
I wear the same clothes and simply change the people I have dinner with every couple of days.
I add a half a laundry detergent strip
I found similar products on Amazon.ukI’ve only ever seen these in the US - has anyone found them in Europe?
I found similar products on Amazon.uk
CROING - 4 Pack = 120sheets - Travel Laundry Detergent, Washing Powder in A Sheet,Laundry Detergent Sheet: Amazon.co.uk: Kitchen & Home
CROING - 4 Pack = 120sheets - Travel Laundry Detergent, Washing Powder in A Sheet,Laundry Detergent Sheet: Amazon.co.uk: Kitchen & Homewww.amazon.co.uk
Amazon.de
Loveablely Wäschetabletten, Konzentrierter Weichspüler Reinigung Waschmittel: Amazon.de: Prime Video
Loveablely Wäschetabletten, Konzentrierter Weichspüler Reinigung Waschmittel. Kostenlose Lieferung ab 20 EUR f�r Prime Video-Produkte direkt von Amazon.de. Loveablelywww.amazon.de
Amazon.fr
Denila - eco - bio - Color détergent universel - écologique - bio-dégradable - Allergic adapté - avec parfum de bouleau - respectueuses de l’environnement - 1 cycle de lavage seulement 3 g - optimal sur les voyages - achetez-vous et vous donnez un bon sentiment: Amazon.fr: Gateway
Denila - eco - bio - Color détergent universel - écologique - bio-dégradable - Allergic adapté - avec parfum de bouleau - respectueuses de l’environnement - 1 cycle de lavage seulement 3 g - optimal sur les voyages - achetez-vous et vous donnez un bon sentiment: Amazon.fr: Gatewaywww.amazon.fr
Amazon.es
aipow Non-Bio lavandería hoja – Detergente en polvo en una hoja, familia, 18 Sheets x pack of 2: Amazon.es: Amazon.es
aipow Non-Bio lavandería hoja – Detergente en polvo en una hoja, familia, 18 Sheets x pack of 2: Amazon.es: Amazon.eswww.amazon.es
You get the idea...
I’m confused - is that so that one can convincingly pretend to do laundry?Be sure that you have colorful socks so that they look good hanging on your pack to dry! Some members of the forum will suggest red socks as the best. I myself prefer purple ones.
Done that and felt like I’d just accomplished the Camino equivalent of splitting the atom, until it set off the fire alarm ten seconds later.Some may point fingers because I’m not Pilgrim enough but unless I have to, I share a wash/dry with 3-4 of my new Camino friends. In larger towns or if I’m washing more or larger items, I find a Lavanderia, wash and dry in less than a hour. Don’t get me wrong, I have and will hand wash (and dry) as l did on a very rainy day in Meson do Vento in early June.
View attachment 64032
I am sorry to have confused you. That was just my silly way of saying that it is not uncommon to hang your socks on your pack to dry as you walk if they did not dry overnight.I’m confused - is that so that one can convincingly pretend to do laundry?
I wear two pairs of socks in boots, one thin inner liner and a thicker cushioning layer.
On one Camino - to save weight when, to be honest, I could just skip the occasional lunch and achieve much more - I decided to take just one spare thick sock. Whether it’s age related or not, I simply couldn’t remember which foot the almost-dry clean(ish) sock was to go on.
I threw the spare sock away eventually.,
Some people wash the clothes when they can't stand the smell any longer.
When I did hand wash, I used the same soap for showering, shampooing, shaving and clothes washing.
Another little trick if you wash by hand and your wool mix socks take a long time to dry: Wring them out as much as you can, hold them by the ends and swing them around as fast as you can for a minute or two. Works like the spin cycle in a washing machine.
PS: Only do this outside, as a lot of water will spray out.
PPS: Also good exercise for the arm muscles.
Doesn’t your arm come off if you do this fast enough to have the desired effect?
You should be able to do it twice. Once with the right arm, once with the left.Yes of course! You can only do it once...
I wear the same clothes and simply change the people I have dinner with every couple of days.
Slightly more seriously, I have the usual Camino capsule wardrobe. One set on, one set off. The two are identical.
I was inspired by the Scrubba when I developed my washing system - see my post above. Instead of a more expensive and heavier Scrubba bag I use a less espensive and much lighter weight Osprey dry bag.I don't mind hand washing but I never know if there will be a clean sink with stopper. I just bought one of these specialized wash bags, based on a couple 2018 pilgrims saying it worked great for them and got clothes cleaner than simple handwashing: https://thescrubba.com/collections/all/products/allurette-washer
I have some super-concentrated liquid laundry soap. Takes only about 1/4 teaspoon for a full washload so even less for a small amount of handwashing. I'm taking a mesh laundry bag with a drawstring that I'll bring with me to the shower. I'm going to put dirty clothes in it and a bit of soap, wet it down, and squish it around really well -- kind of agitate it like a washing machine. Rinse it, squeeze out the water, then hang everything out to dry.
Haha that is genius.Some may point fingers because I’m not Pilgrim enough but unless I have to, I share a wash/dry with 3-4 of my new Camino friends. In larger towns or if I’m washing more or larger items, I find a Lavanderia, wash and dry in less than a hour. Don’t get me wrong, I have and will hand wash (and dry) as l did on a very rainy day in Meson do Vento in early June.
View attachment 64032
Another little trick if you wash by hand and your wool mix socks take a long time to dry: Wring them out as much as you can, hold them by the ends and swing them around as fast as you can for a minute or two. Works like the spin cycle in a washing machine.
PS: Only do this outside, as a lot of water will spray out.
PPS: Also good exercise for the arm muscles.
not recommended for the aged with Meniere's disease and balance problems: ME!Ya likely to be mistook for one o they whirlin Dervishes when u scrape yersel off the ground!
Yours aye,
the Malingerer!
I shared a pleasant evening after a rainy day with a party of ladies from Germany in an Hostal somewhere in the wilds of Eastern Galicia. The proprietor, a lovely lady, insisted we all bring our "ropa" to be dealt with. After we had had a good supper and a few beers we were still sat around the dining table, as you do, when she appeared with all our clean and dry clothing heaped in one of those plastic lattice work tubs. The German ladies pounced. Their was much laughter as they sorted and compared the various socks, shirts and undergarments. Periodically one would turn to me clutching a something-or-other "Deine?" There was one enormous pair of under-pants that I could not in all honesty claim. The room went silent for a moment, and then the laughter got louder than ever.Some may point fingers because I’m not Pilgrim enough but unless I have to, I share a wash/dry with 3-4 of my new Camino friends. In larger towns or if I’m washing more or larger items, I find a Lavanderia, wash and dry in less than a hour. Don’t get me wrong, I have and will hand wash (and dry) as l did on a very rainy day in Meson do Vento in early June.
My hiking pal and I would take our end of day shower fully dressed, soap up and wring out the clothes, then change into our super light evening kit. Most albuerges and gites forbid you to wash clothing in their bathrooms or kitchen because it encumbers those stations for others waiting to use them. The shower trick saves time, water and soap, plus most of the usual clothing wash stations only have cold water.Good evening
Sorry if this has been asked before, I'm new here so still finding my way around.
What do people do to keep clothes clean?
Are there good places to do a bigger wash and then travel a few days and repeat?
Thank you for any help
Chris
You need a rotation of three sets of socks (wear,wash,drying). So you could adopt the flag colours of your country and cycle through them and see how many people can guess from which country you originate.Be sure that you have colorful socks so that they look good hanging on your pack to dry! Some members of the forum will suggest red socks as the best. I myself prefer purple ones.
If you throw your dirty clothes in the bottom of the shower after applying some soap. You can then do the tarantella dance under the surprisingly cold shower and use your feet and toes to agitate the clothes.Good evening
Sorry if this has been asked before, I'm new here so still finding my way around.
What do people do to keep clothes clean?
Are there good places to do a bigger wash and then travel a few days and repeat?
Thank you for any help
Chris
Oooh - dancing on thin ice there - sit back and prepare to take flak!If you throw your dirty clothes in the bottom of the shower after applying some soap. You can then do the tarantella dance under the surprisingly cold shower and use your feet and toes to agitate the clothes.
Clean clothes, healthy exercise and the scrunching of toes over a soft surface aslo helps alleviate plantar fascitis! (the last bit is true by the way)
Baton twirling drum majorette in high school by any chanceYou should be able to do it twice. Once with the right arm, once with the left.
Try DIZOLVE - we used to buy it in France on camping trips. Very effective.I’ve only ever seen these in the US - has anyone found them in Europe?
Yes I never feel like I can get things rinsed well enough when I wash by hand. I recall years ago at one of the Pamplona albergues I gave in and used a washing machine--later I put on clean, dry underwear--I was amazed how wonderful it was to have such a simple thing as clean undies be so delightful!I handwashed daily when I could and used a washer/dryer once a week - I didn't feel handwashing got the clothing clean enough.
I had some friends that did that last year and ended up with bleach marks on their clothes.If you throw your dirty clothes in the bottom of the shower after applying some soap. You can then do the tarantella dance under the surprisingly cold shower and use your feet and toes to agitate the clothes.
Clean clothes, healthy exercise and the scrunching of toes over a soft surface aslo helps alleviate plantar fascitis! (the last bit is true by the way)
I learned some washing habits while walking the Camino & now I use the same habits every time I travel. Instead of liquid laundry detergent I bring a bar of solid laundry soap (it is called "Sunlight soap" in Canada but you can buy it by other names in other places). It is also good for body washing or even dishes if I am camping somewhere. And of course it never spills.What do people do to keep clothes clean?
I am just now on the plane destined for Madrid and Camino del Norte. I’ve never hiked any of the casinos but I love my Scrubba for hand washing clothes. Cheap on Amazon.Good evening
Sorry if this has been asked before, I'm new here so still finding my way around.
What do people do to keep clothes clean?
Are there good places to do a bigger wash and then travel a few days and repeat?
Thank you for any help
Chris
Almost as good as crisply starched bed linen.Yes I never feel like I can get things rinsed well enough when I wash by hand. I recall years ago at one of the Pamplona albergues I gave in and used a washing machine--later I put on clean, dry underwear--I was amazed how wonderful it was to have such a simple thing as clean undies be so delightful!
I like the albergues that have the clothes spinner. Not only do these machines make the drying time shorter--they also get out a lot of the final dirt.Yes I never feel like I can get things rinsed well enough when I wash by hand. I recall years ago at one of the Pamplona albergues I gave in and used a washing machine--later I put on clean, dry underwear--I was amazed how wonderful it was to have such a simple thing as clean undies be so delightful!
Dang, I must have missed those--I'll look for them as I muddle through the Portugues next week. One time I was 'caught' by a hospitalera one morning trying to dry a damp sock using the hand dryer. If looks could kill!!I like the albergues that have the clothes spinner. Not only do these machines make the drying time shorter--they also get out a lot of the final dirt.
The only albergue that I've been to with a spinner is Roncesvalles.I like the albergues that have the clothes spinner. Not only do these machines make the drying time shorter--they also get out a lot of the final dirt.
The only albergue that I've been to with a spinner is Roncesvalles.
Dang, I must have missed those--I'll look for them as I muddle through the Portugues next week. One time I was 'caught' by a hospitalera one morning trying to dry a damp sock using the hand dryer. If looks could kill!!
@trecile, thanks for the tip. I want to try this on our camino, leaving in October. Does the fabric or coating of the Osprey dry bag suffer any ill effects from having detergent sloshing around in it in it? I ask because I remember that one time when I washed some old coated stuff sacks, their coating peel off.As I enter the shower I put my clothes in a lightweight 12 liter dry bag
No, I think that the fabric is impregnated with silicone, rather than coated with something. I have been using the same dry bag to wash clothes for a couple of Caminos now.@trecile, thanks for the tip. I want to try this on our camino, leaving in October. Does the fabric or coating of the Osprey dry bag suffer any ill effects from having detergent sloshing around in it in it? I ask because I remember that one time when I washed some old coated stuff sacks, their coating peel off.
Great! Thanks.No, I think that the fabric is impregnated with silicone, rather than coated with something. I have been using the same dry bag to wash clothes for a couple of Caminos now.
Another little trick if you wash by hand and your wool mix socks take a long time to dry: Wring them out as much as you can, hold them by the ends and swing them around as fast as you can for a minute or two. Works like the spin cycle in a washing machine.
PS: Only do this outside, as a lot of water will spray out.
PPS: Also good exercise for the arm muscles.
I’m not entirely sure you’re taking this seriously?One could always use a salad spinner ... one’s hairdryer and travel iron could be stored inside it - to save space ....
Does amazon deliver on the Camino?I found similar products on Amazon.uk
CROING - 4 Pack = 120sheets - Travel Laundry Detergent, Washing Powder in A Sheet,Laundry Detergent Sheet: Amazon.co.uk: Kitchen & Home
CROING - 4 Pack = 120sheets - Travel Laundry Detergent, Washing Powder in A Sheet,Laundry Detergent Sheet: Amazon.co.uk: Kitchen & Homewww.amazon.co.uk
Amazon.de
Loveablely Wäschetabletten, Konzentrierter Weichspüler Reinigung Waschmittel: Amazon.de: Prime Video
Loveablely Wäschetabletten, Konzentrierter Weichspüler Reinigung Waschmittel. Kostenlose Lieferung ab 20 EUR f�r Prime Video-Produkte direkt von Amazon.de. Loveablelywww.amazon.de
Amazon.fr
Denila - eco - bio - Color détergent universel - écologique - bio-dégradable - Allergic adapté - avec parfum de bouleau - respectueuses de l’environnement - 1 cycle de lavage seulement 3 g - optimal sur les voyages - achetez-vous et vous donnez un bon sentiment: Amazon.fr: Gateway
Denila - eco - bio - Color détergent universel - écologique - bio-dégradable - Allergic adapté - avec parfum de bouleau - respectueuses de l’environnement - 1 cycle de lavage seulement 3 g - optimal sur les voyages - achetez-vous et vous donnez un bon sentiment: Amazon.fr: Gatewaywww.amazon.fr
Amazon.es
aipow Non-Bio lavandería hoja – Detergente en polvo en una hoja, familia, 18 Sheets x pack of 2: Amazon.es: Amazon.es
aipow Non-Bio lavandería hoja – Detergente en polvo en una hoja, familia, 18 Sheets x pack of 2: Amazon.es: Amazon.eswww.amazon.es
You get the idea...
La Faba had one.The only albergue that I've been to with a spinner is Roncesvalles.
By the way, thank you for this suggestion, I plan on using it in two weeks when I begin the Salvador and the Primitivo.I have come up with a hand washing routine that works very well for me. As I enter the shower I put my clothes in a lightweight 12 liter dry bag (I rinse my socks first if they are really dirty), I add a half a laundry detergent strip (or you could use shampoo, liquid soap, etc.), fill the bag about halfway with water and seal it up. I give it a shake or two and let everything soak while I shower, dress, etc. Then I shake the bag a bit more to agitate it before emptying it into the laundry sink and rinsing the clothes. The detergent strips that I use don't make a lot of suds that need to be rinsed out, but get the clothes clean. Then I wring out the clothes before laying them out on my towel. I then twist and wring everything in the towel to get as much moisture out as possible before hanging everything on the line.
My clothes seem to get cleaner with less effort than when I just washed them by hand in the sink. I think that the long soaking time makes the difference.
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