Tips & Tricks

How to Do Laundry When You Travel Light

Want to know one of the main ways I got away with traveling solo full time with just a carry-on? Easy. I just did laundry every week!

I know that may sound a bit complicated. You may be wondering where you’d find a washer and dryer, or if it’s expensive to send laundry out. But there’s a more convenient nomad hack for doing laundry when you travel!

Let me introduce you to the Scrubba Mini! It’s a smaller version of the original portable wash board that gets your clothes clean without making a mess or costing much. It has a built in scrub board that really cleans and gets dirt out, plus it can double as a dirty laundry or dry bag!

Check out this video I did during my Banff National Park campervan roadtrip! I’ll show you how I used the Scrubba Mini while hiking, and at my van! Or, check out the easy steps below!

Easy Steps to Using a Scrubba Mini to do Laundry When You Travel Light:

(Click the image above to buy!)

1. Add Small Laundry Items Like Socks, Undies, Swimwear, or Light Tops

2. Fill With Water Above Clothes and Add Natural or Eco-Friendly Soap

3. Close the Top, Roll It Down, and Clip it Shut

4. Lay Flat, Open the Nozzle, Gently Squeeze the Air Out, then Close Nozzle

5. While Laying Flat, Use Your Hand to Scrub the Laundry Against the Inside Scrub Board

6. Empty Dirty Water in a Sink, Toilet, or Any Ground Away from Fresh Water

7. Hang Laundry to Dry!

Alyssa Ramos

I’m Alyssa Ramos, a full-time, self-made, solo traveler who’s been to over 85+ Countries, all 7 Continents, 7 World Wonders, 7 Wonders of Nature, plus I recently climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro and dove the Great Barrier Reef! I created this life of full-time traveling completely on my own, and my goal is to give you as much information and inspiration as possible to make travel happen for you too!

View Comments

  • During my 11-mounth bike trip I also used something very similar. You may know the collapsible fabric bowls which are usually being used for pets. I bought the biggest bowl (It was small when it is fold) and I was able to wash most of my clothes in it. Despite of your duffle, It was getting wet eventually so you basically had only 10 minutes to finish washing. :) In these days, I am working on t5 van conversion and willing to both live & travel in it. Which means I need cloth washing ideas. Scrubba mini is definitely on the top of the list now. Thanks for sharing. :)

  • Hi Alyssa,

    A great product for all the travelers, who go out daily. As a traveler or a normal person, it will help in many ways. A great way to preserve water, use the product which is very useful. Great one!!!

    • I used to wash in the shower...with my feet HAHA!! Clearly it didn't work so well to actually get clean, the scrub board helps!

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