After a few days in a hotel or on the road, you may start to miss the simple home comforts, such as a washing machine and detergent. If you've ever attempted to clean garments or remove stains by washing your clothes in a hotel sink, It's time to put down the shower gel and try a travel detergent instead.
Travel washes and detergents are formulated to work in low temperatures and can be used for handwashing clothes. These are small but mighty, highly concentrated products that can save you a lot of hassle and embarrassment. This article will guide you through some of the best travel washes in the UK on Amazon, Tesco and eBay, including zero-waste and eco-friendly swaps for when you're on the go!
Quick List - Top Travel Detergents
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There is quite a big selection of travel washes available on the market today. When choosing a laundry detergent, there are several factors you should pay attention to, such as the form it comes in, which fabrics it's suitable for, eco-friendliness and whether rinsing is required. This section will walk you through the key points to consider while shopping online.
Most travel washes come either in liquid form, like most regular detergents, or as a solid in the form of soap sheets. Which one you decide to choose is a matter of personal preference and how much washing you intend to do.
Liquid detergents tend to be a bit more powerful and are easier to apply directly onto soiled areas when soaking your laundry. You only need a little bit of liquid wash to create enough lather to help lift up the dirt from the fabric and dissolve it, which is why liquid detergents are typically more economical.
Solid travel detergents will often come in the form of soluble sheets. These work best on lighter stains and soils. They'll usually need to first be dissolved in water, and then that soapy water can be used to clean your clothes. However, you may need to use more than one sheet to create sufficient lather.
The main difference between bio and non-bio detergent is in the kind of stains they can tackle and how gentle they are on the skin. A bio laundry detergent contains special enzymes that can break down proteins and fats in stains like oil, blood, various foods and grass. In other words, they are very effective at removing difficult stains.
These are best used in lower temperatures around 30°C - 40°C so that the enzymes do not get deactivated. The main downside of bio detergents is that they can be quite harsh on the skin if you are not wearing gloves.
Non-bio detergents on the other hand, do not contain any enzymes and are great for those with sensitive skin. Although they may not be able to remove those super difficult stains, they are still great for keeping your clothes clean and fresh.
If you are a lover of silks and wools, you may want to make sure that the detergent you choose is safe for those fabrics. By choosing a suitable detergent, you can avoid damaging your favourite garments or dulling their colour.
Although not all travel detergents will be suitable for delicate fabrics, those that are should state so on the label. A handy pro-tip to bear in mind when washing delicates by hand is to dissolve the detergent in non-hot water completely, before adding in clothes. Gently swish them about, then rinse them with cool water. Finally, gently squeeze out the water, instead of twisting the fabric.
A relatively recent invention is rinse-free detergent. As the name suggests, these do not require the final step of rinsing after the washing is done. This way, you will be saving time and effort.
As an additional benefit, rinse-free detergents mean there is less handling of the garment involved, resulting in less stress caused to the fibres. This is particularly useful if you are dealing with delicate fabrics, underwear or wools and silks.
Simply wash your clothes as you normally would with a rinse-free detergent. Squeeze out the excess water (the detergent and the dirt will stay in the water) and hand it up to dry. You should only be left with a pleasant delicate fragrance (if the wash has one) that will dissipate over time.
There are many reasons why someone might prefer to choose a fragrance-free detergent. While some people are simply sensitive to fragrances and find them headache-inducing, others avoid them due to skin sensitivities.
If you fall into either of those categories, a scent-free travel wash may be for you. Simply add the desired amount of the wash to your laundry, lather up, rinse and it should leave your clothes smelling fresh and neutral without any overpowering fragrances.
When selecting a travel wash, particularly if you are going camping, consider how eco-friendly it is. Although these days, most manufacturers adhere to certain ecological standards and make their products safe for the environment, some will be more eco-friendly than others.
For example, if you are going camping and are planning on washing your clothes in a stream or river, you may want to consider what kind of impact this detergent will have on wildlife. Some detergents will be easier to dispose of than others in nature. However, if you are staying in a hotel and washing your clothes in a sink connected to a sewer, this may be less of an issue.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Dylon Concentrated Travel Wash |100 ml | ![]() | Perfect Travel Companion | |
2 | Sea To Summit Trek & Travel Pocket Laundry Wash|50 sheets | ![]() | Ultra-Light and Compact Detergent | |
3 | The Kind Wash Natural Indian Soap Nuts |1 kg | ![]() | A Natural Solution to Dirt | |
4 | Soak Wash Travel Size|90 ml | ![]() | Rinse-Free, Hassle-Free Detergent | |
5 | Sea to Summit Wilderness Wash With Citronella|89 ml | ![]() | A Truly Multipurpose Travel Wash | |
6 | Lifeventure Fabric Wash|100 ml | ![]() | A Simple, No-Frills Wash | |
7 | Dr Beckmann Travel Wash|100 ml | ![]() | Effective Stain Removal for Whites and Colours | |
8 | Tru Earth Eco-Strips|32 Sheets | ![]() | Saving Space and Saving the Planet | |
9 | PMS Laundry Detergent Sheets|15 sheets | ![]() | Water-Soluble Soap Sheets | |
10 | Stergene Travel Wash|100 ml | ![]() | A Cheap and Effective Travel Wash |
This handy little travel wash is every traveller's dream as it is effective in both hot and cold water. The wash produces a gentle yet effective lather, that's kind to skin and is easy to rinse out. The formula is even effective at removing oily and stubborn stains, without containing any bleach or harsh chemicals that could potentially damage your garments.
The 100 ml packaging is compact and one tube can easily last you for twenty washes. Last but not least, the wash leaves behind a pleasant fragrance for freshly scented clothes.
Compact, lightweight and spillage-free this is a genius solution if you are aiming to travel light. That's because this detergent comes in the form of ultra-thin sheets. Each pack contains 50 sheets and generally, one or two is enough to create a good amount of lather.
As an additional bonus, the wash is good at removing stains and is easy to rinse out. It won't necessarily remove tough stains as it doesn't contain any bleach. That said, it's ideal for light soiling and is not harmful to the environment when disposed of in nature.
Soap nuts have gained popularity in recent years as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional detergent. Native to India, the shells of dried soap nuts contain saponine which is released when soaked in water. Simply add 4 or 5 shells to cold or warm water, and voilá! You have soapy water similar to what you would get using normal detergent.
The foam from soap nuts is gentle on the skin, does not damage clothing, and is zero-waste. Plus, the shells are biodegradable and can be thrown away without any problems. The lather can smell a little bit vinegary, but this usually vanishes upon drying.
The name Soak speaks for itself. Simply leave your clothes to soak in the sink or in a bucket, give it a stir and enjoy fresh laundry without rinsing. This travel wash is ideal for light soiling and saves you on time, water and energy.
This is a compact yet powerful product that should last for at least 18 washes as you only need a teaspoon per 5 litres of water. The wash is also biodegradable, making it ideal for camping, and although it's not fragrance-free, the scent is very mild, fresh and pleasant.
A unique and truly multipurpose wash, this product is not only suitable for doing your laundry on the go, but can also be used for washing the dishes and your body. Gentle and biodegradable, it's perfect for camping as this product does not contain any harsh chemicals and will not harm the environment.
The main downside, is that it comes in a rather small bottle for a multi-purpose wash, so it won't last very long. Nevertheless, it has a refreshing citronella scent and, as a pleasant bonus, it also acts as an insect repellent.
This minimalist, concentrated fabric wash is perfect for maintaining your clothes on the go and is suitable for use at any temperature. It has a faint, delicate scent, making it ideal for those who do not like their clothes to smell of detergent.
Although the wash is labelled as biodegradable, it is inadvisable to use it in rivers or dispose of it into lakes and streams as it still has the potential to harm aquatic life. But overall, it's pretty mild on the skin and does not cause irritation.
Cheap and compact, this handy little travel wash is perfect for both colourful and white fabrics. It's effective for removing stains and can last a long time, due to its concentrated formula. It can even be applied directly onto stubborn stains for removing oil, blood and various other types of dirt.
Even though it isn't non-bio detergent, try to avoid using this one on delicate fabrics such as silk and wool. It is, however, ideal for cotton and synthetics and is effective for use in all types of water. It can even be used with seawater, just make sure not to dispose of the lather back into the sea.
Hypoallergenic, chlorine-free and fragrance-free, these ultra-light yet heavy-duty washing strips are ideal for business trips, holidays and camping. Formulated specifically to clean even the dirtiest laundry, these detergent strips can remove anything from blood and sweat to smoke and wine.
This wash is considered eco-friendly and can even be easily disposed of in rivers, seas and lakes. However, the main drawback of this product is the hefty price tag for 32 sheets. Thankfully, the price does reflect the high quality of this product.
Easy to use and hassle-free, this travel wash is ideal for those who wish to travel light. Simply dissolve one sheet in warm water to create a rich lather. This soap does not have any added fragrance and hence should leave the fabric smelling fresh and neutral.
Just note that these soap sheets work best in warmer water, meaning that it can be difficult to achieve effective results if you are camping and only have access to cold water. We also wouldn't recommend using it on silks and wool. However, they are good at removing a wide variety of stains from sturdier fabrics.
Affordably priced and efficient, this travel wash is great for wool, silks and other delicate fabrics. Although this is a non-bio detergent, it's pretty good at removing fresh oily stains and can essentially provide "first-aid" for your clothes while you are on holiday.
However, the formula isn't the most delicate on skin, so it's advisable to avoid using this detergent without household gloves. Because of this, you also shouldn't dispose of it in nature. Nevertheless, it's a long-lasting product that would be best suited for sink washing in hotels.
A travel wash is a specialised concentrated detergent suitable for washing clothes in hotel sinks or simple buckets while you are away from home. They are generally designed to be effective at any temperature and come in small portable sizes of around 100ml.
Because you are unlikely to have access to a washing machine while travelling, a travel detergent is a worthwhile purchase. Like with any regular detergent, travel washes act by lifting away the grime with the help of surfactants, as well as enzymes that break down stains, oil and dirt. Although, they tend to be more gentle on the skin, as you will generally be washing clothes by hand without gloves.
Already thinking about your next trip? Whether you're off on a backpacking adventure, or all-inclusive resorts are more your thing, it's important to pack smart! To save you time when planning your next excursion, we've already found some more of the best travel and packing essentials online in the UK.
Whether you are planning on spending some time out in nature, or are preparing for a business trip, packing a convenient and compact travel detergent is sure to make your life easier and encourage you to take fewer clothes with you. We hope our recommendations have helped you to find the right detergent to suit your needs!
Author: Maria C
No. 1: Dylon|Concentrated Travel Wash |100 ml
No. 2: Sea To Summit|Trek & Travel Pocket Laundry Wash|50 sheets
No. 3: The Kind Wash|Natural Indian Soap Nuts |1 kg
No. 4: Soak|Wash Travel Size|90 ml
No. 5: Sea to Summit|Wilderness Wash With Citronella|89 ml
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