Packing everything in a single carry-on bag is the ultimate goal for minimalist travel. It gives you freedom. You can move through airports, hop on trains, and navigate new cities without being weighed down. But this “one-bag” dream quickly meets a hard reality: laundry.
If you’re packing for more than a few days, you have to re-wear clothes. And after a long day of exploring, that favorite t-shirt or pair of socks won’t be fresh. You’re left with a choice: waste time and money at a laundromat, or figure out how to wash your clothes yourself. Most hotel sink “hacks” leave you with a bigger problem: a pile of soaking wet, soapy clothes that will never be dry by morning.
This isn’t a guide about theoretical tricks. This is a step-by-step system that solves the problem. It’s the easiest way to hand-wash your clothes in a hotel sink (or a dry bag) and guarantee they are 100% dry when you wake up.
As someone who runs Travel with dp, I’ve spent the past few years obsessively refining my packing list. My main struggle wasn’t what to pack, but how to manage a small set of clothes on the road. I clearly remember the frustration of sealing still-damp, musty-smelling clothes in a packing cube. I tried everything. It was only after a lot of trial and error that I landed on the system I use now—a combination of a dry bag for a powerful wash and a specific towel-rolling method. This process is now a simple, 15-minute routine I do before bed, and it’s what makes long-term, one-bag travel not just possible, but practical.
Why “Sink Laundry” is the Secret to True One-Bag Travel
For minimalist travelers, our core philosophy is about prioritizing experiences and freedom, not about deprivation. We carry less stuff so we can do more. Learning to properly wash your clothes on the road is the single most important skill to unlock that freedom.
It’s not just about saving a few dollars at the laundromat, though that’s a nice bonus.
- It lets you pack radically lighter. When you know you can have a fresh shirt and clean socks tomorrow, you don’t need to pack seven of them. You can comfortably live out of a 40L backpack for weeks on end with just 3-4 changes of clothes.
- It breaks the “laundry day” chain. You no longer have to plan your itinerary around finding a laundromat and waiting for a two-hour wash-and-dry cycle. Your laundry gets done in 15 minutes in your room, on your schedule.
- It keeps your bag fresh. You can wash the day’s grime off immediately instead of letting sweaty clothes sit in your bag for days, waiting for a “real” wash.
This system turns a chore into a simple, daily reset. It’s the engine that makes the minimalist wardrobe work.
The Only Gear You Need (You Probably Already Have It)
You don’t need a specialized, bulky travel “washing machine.” The best tools are simple, multi-purpose, and effective.
The “Washing Machine”: Your Options
You have two main choices for the “basin.”
- The Hotel Sink: This is the classic, obvious choice. It’s free and it’s right there. The only downside is that hotel sink plugs are notoriously unreliable. There’s nothing worse than filling a sink just to watch the water slowly leak out.
- A Dry Bag (My Preferred Method): This is my number one hack. If you already carry a small, lightweight dry bag (for electronics, or as a beach bag), it’s the perfect washing tool. It’s 100% waterproof, it won’t leak, and as you’ll see in a moment, it lets you agitate clothes far more effectively than a sink.
The “Detergent”: Choosing Your Type
The goal here is finding something that is solid, lightweight, and TSA-friendly. Leave the big jug of Tide at home. Your best options are:
- Laundry Detergent Sheets or Strips: These are my top pick. They are dry, weigh nothing, and dissolve in water. You just tear off a small piece.
- Solid Laundry Bars: A small bar of laundry soap (like Zote or Fels-Naptha, or a travel-specific bar) will last for months.
- All-Purpose Liquid Soap: A small, 100ml (3.4oz) bottle of a concentrated, biodegradable soap like Dr. Bronner’s can work for laundry, body wash, and shampoo in a pinch.
I recommend looking into the different types of travel-safe soaps to see what fits your style, but the key is to avoid powders (messy) and large liquids (TSA problems).
The “Dryer”: The Hotel Towel
You don’t need a travel clothesline or any special drying gear. All you need is one standard-issue, clean bath towel from your hotel. This towel is the secret to getting 90% of the moisture out before you even hang your clothes up.
The 3-Step Sink Wash System That Actually Works
This is the entire process, broken down. It’s the site’s official method: Soak, Agitate, and Towel Burrito Roll.
Step 1: The Soak (Breaking Down the Grime)
First, get your “basin” ready. If you’re using the sink, give it a quick wipe-down and set the plug. If you’re using a dry bag, roll the top down a few times to create a stable, open bucket.
- Add Water: Fill the sink or bag about one-third full with lukewarm or cool water. Avoid hot water. It doesn’t clean better and can shrink or damage fabrics, especially merino wool.
- Add Detergent: Add your soap. If using a sheet, tear off a small piece. If a bar, rub it between your hands in the water. If liquid, just a few drops. You want slightly sudsy water, not a bubble bath.
- Add Clothes: Add your clothes. Do not overcrowd. This is the biggest mistake people make. You need room for the water and soap to move. Wash in small batches: one shirt and a pair of socks, or 2-3 pairs of underwear.
- Let it Sit: Let the clothes soak for 15-20 minutes. This does most of the work for you, allowing the soap to break down oils and dirt.
Step 2: The Agitation (The “Dry Bag” Hack)
Now it’s time to “wash.” Your goal is to force water and soap through the fibers.
If you’re using the sink: Gently knead and squeeze the clothes. Pretend you’re kneading dough. Don’t scrub, wring, or twist the fabric. This is harsh and can stretch or damage delicate fibers.
My Preferred Method (The Dry Bag): This is where the dry bag shines.
- Add your clothes and soapy water, leaving some air inside the bag.
- Seal the top of the dry bag completely.
- Now you can really wash it. Shake the bag, knead it, squeeze it. You can be much more vigorous because the bag contains everything. This forces water through the fibers 10x more effectively than a gentle sink squeeze.
- Wash for about 2-3 minutes.
After agitation, it’s time to rinse. Dump the soapy water. Add fresh, cool water, squeeze, and dump again. Repeat this 2-3 times until the water runs clear and all the suds are gone.
Step 3: The “Towel Burrito Roll” (The Drying Secret)
This is the most important step. Do not wring or twist your clothes. This is a terrible way to remove water and will stretch your clothes, especially merino wool, out of shape.
Instead, we’re going to press the water out.
- Take your rinsed item and give it one gentle squeeze to get the worst of the dripping water out.
- Lay your clean, dry hotel bath towel flat on the floor or bed.
- Place your wet item of clothing flat on the towel. If it’s a shirt, spread the arms out. Don’t let the fabric bunch up.
- Starting from one end, roll the towel up tightly, with the clothing inside. You’re creating a “towel burrito” or a “sushi roll.”
- Now, press down on the roll. Squeeze it. For maximum effect, place the roll on the floor (especially a tile floor) and walk on it. Step all along the length of the roll.
- Unroll the towel. You will be amazed. The towel will be very damp, and your item of clothing will be just slightly damp, not wet. It’s the single most effective way to remove water without damaging your clothes.
Getting Clothes 100% Dry by Morning
Your clothes are now 90% dry. The last 10% is all about airflow.
The Art of Strategic Hanging
Don’t just drape your damp clothes over a chair. You need to maximize the surface area exposed to the air.
- Best Spot: The shower curtain rod is usually the best place. It’s high and open.
- Best Tool: A hotel hanger (especially the ones with clips for pants/skirts) is your best friend. Hang your shirt on the hanger. Use the clips to hang socks and underwear.
- The Goal: Give each item its own space. Don’t let damp items touch each other.
- Pro-Tip: If your hotel bathroom has an exhaust fan, turn it on and leave the door ajar. This creates constant, circulating air, which is the key to drying.
The Fabric Factor: Why This System Works
This entire system is built around the clothes minimalist travelers prefer: merino wool and synthetics (like polyester or nylon).
- Merino Wool & Synthetics: These fabrics do not absorb much water and are designed to dry incredibly fast. After the towel roll and a few hours of hanging, they will be bone dry.
- Cotton: This is the enemy of the sink washer. Cotton is like a sponge; it absorbs and holds onto water. A cotton t-shirt will still be damp in the morning, even with this method. This is why most one-bag travelers leave their cotton clothes at home.
Common Sink-Washing Mistakes to Avoid
I’ve made all of these mistakes. Avoid them, and your clothes will thank you.
| Mistake (Don’t) | The Better Way (Do) | Why It Matters |
| Using Hot Water | Use lukewarm or cool water. | Hot water can shrink wool, fade colors, and set some stains, making them permanent. |
| Twisting & Wringing | Gently squeeze, then use the “Towel Burrito Roll.” | Twisting stretches and permanently damages the delicate fibers of your clothes. |
| Using Bar Soap | Use a dedicated laundry bar, sheet, or liquid. | The soap you use on your body often contains oils and moisturizers that leave a residue on fabric. |
| Overcrowding the Sink | Wash in small, manageable batches. | Clothes need room to move. If it’s too crowded, the soap and water can’t clean effectively. |
| Hanging in a Pile | Hang items separately with space for airflow. | Airflow is the key to drying. No airflow means you’ll wake up to damp, mildewy clothes. |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long does this whole process take?
From start to finish, the entire process takes about 15-20 minutes. That includes the soak time (which you can use to brush your teeth or shower), the 2-3 minute wash, the rinse, and the towel roll.
2. Can I really wash expensive merino wool in a sink?
Yes, absolutely. In fact, it’s better than a machine. Hand-washing in cool water with gentle agitation is the safest way to clean merino wool. The heat and tumbling of a machine dryer are what destroy wool, not sink washing.
3. What if my hotel sink doesn’t have a plug?
This is a common problem! It’s the main reason I switched to the dry bag method. If you don’t have a dry bag, you can try to fashion a plug out of a plastic bag or just wash under a gently running faucet, but the dry bag is the best, no-fail solution.
4. Will my clothes actually smell fresh?
Yes. The 15-minute soak and the agitation process are more than enough to remove the day’s sweat, dust, and oils. As long as you rinse thoroughly and dry them completely, they will smell neutral and clean—not like heavy artificial perfumes, but simply fresh.
Conclusion: Laundry Isn’t a Chore, It’s a Skill
Washing your clothes in a hotel sink isn’t a desperate last resort. It’s a fundamental skill for light travel. It’s what severs the last tie holding you to a heavy, checked bag.
By mastering this simple 15-minute system—Soak, Agitate, and Towel Burrito Roll—you eliminate laundry anxiety. You can pack for a month in a 40L bag and know you’ll have clean clothes every single morning. That’s not deprivation; that’s freedom.
