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Original poster

If you had to manage without doing laundry for two weeks - could you?

105 replies

clary · 23/02/2021 00:07

Inspired by a thread (but not a TAAT) that touched on washing clothes on holiday.

We used to go on SC holidays in the UK for a fortnight, and for various reasons took few clothes, so we needed a washing machine in our cottage. Clearly some people take enough clothes with them for the holiday. My midnight question is simply - could you do this for a two-week break?

I (obviously) literally couldn't. I don't own 14 pairs of knickers (or anything like it). I own about eight pairs of socks (and I need socks daily for walking and running). I own two pairs of shorts and about five casual T shirts. I own two hoodies and one pair of jeans. I don't own anything like enough running kit for 14 days.

Am I weird or is this relatively normal? I do own other clothes but they are smart work tops, smart tailored trousers, smartish dresses, none of which I would take on a UK beach holiday.

Anyway my relatively lighthearted challenge to you is - pack for a fortnight without laundry tablets. Possible?

OP posts:
MustardMitt · 23/02/2021 00:11

I would I think. I would hand wash knickers and socks if I had to, and I don’t exercise so don’t get sweaty.

Having said that, I haven’t been on a two week holiday for two decades!

starfishmummy · 23/02/2021 00:20

I have when touring abroad with the occasional washing of underwear in the hotel bathroom.

But now with a messy ds we self cater and always look for somewhere with a washing machine. Its no problem to stick a load in, although I draw the line at ironing!!

strudsespark · 23/02/2021 00:20

Quite doable for us. When going to our beach cottage/second home, we pack for two to three weeks. If we need to, we wash some underwear or a favorite t-shirt. Also need to pack for everything between freezing and heatwave Hmm. Was a lot of clothes when dc were small, much easier now.

Interested in this thread?

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Home improvement
Nellythemouse · 23/02/2021 00:22

Unexpected washing machine breakage? No.

Holiday in a hot climate with careful preparation and older, reliably toilet trained children? Yes, probably, especially if we were mostly in swimwear. I’d buy more pants, socks etc if needed - they’re cheap.

Probably couldn’t do a U.K. beach holiday fortnight though just because the weather is so unreliable I’d need about four weeks worth to cover the eventualities. I wouldn’t want to come home with a laundry mountain that big. And I’d struggle to fit it all in the car with all the other stuff like food, bodyboards, board games, cycle helmets.... But I wouldn’t do a U.K. holiday of over a week anyway.

VimFuego101 · 23/02/2021 00:24

Just about, I'd prefer not to haul that much luggage around though and would rather plan to do laundry half way though.

Topseyt · 23/02/2021 00:25

I could probably just about pack for a week like that, but not a fortnight.

I like to travel fairly light, but I still want to be able to have clean clothes. So I ideally need access to a washing machine or to laundry facilities.

I'm not relaxed if I can't clean my clothes and I don't want to bring half of the house with me.

Original poster
clary · 23/02/2021 00:30

@Nellythemouse

Unexpected washing machine breakage? No.

Holiday in a hot climate with careful preparation and older, reliably toilet trained children? Yes, probably, especially if we were mostly in swimwear. I’d buy more pants, socks etc if needed - they’re cheap.

Probably couldn’t do a U.K. beach holiday fortnight though just because the weather is so unreliable I’d need about four weeks worth to cover the eventualities. I wouldn’t want to come home with a laundry mountain that big. And I’d struggle to fit it all in the car with all the other stuff like food, bodyboards, board games, cycle helmets.... But I wouldn’t do a U.K. holiday of over a week anyway.

That's what I said on the other thread Nelly - unreliable weather means a variety of clothes needed. And yy to all the stuff in the car and not wanting to bring home a mountain of dirty washing!

But I really don't own enough clothes! So I don't mean I wouldn't want to pack two weeks' stuff; I couldn't! I'm clearly not a proper grown-up yet Grin

OP posts:
Topseyt · 23/02/2021 00:31

Oh, and I never iron anyway. Not at all. Waste of time. It is wash, dry and wear. Nothing else.

user143677433 · 23/02/2021 00:35

I always travel light, but also tend to hand wash things every couple of nights. So yes, no problem with the two weeks, but not if I couldn’t wash. Wouldn’t need a washing machine though.

My normal packing for anything from 3-30 days would be 1 pair jeans, 2 pairs trecking trousers, 3 t-shirt’s, sleep-shorts, 3 pairs pants, 2 bras, 2 pairs socks, 1 merino jumper, 1 jacket, trainers, swimming costume, sarong, travel towel.

Similar for the kids.

DH takes almost everything he owns though Grin

EBearhug · 23/02/2021 00:46

Yes. When I was at uni, I went to the laundrette once a fortnight, so I got into the habit of making sure I owned at least 15 pairs of knickers. But when I went travelling, I took 4 pairs:1 to wear, 1 to wash and 1 to dry, plus another pair in case of emergencies. Plus I have holidayed in the UK with gear for winter and wet weather as well as hot weather (because you need to cater for all eventualities here.) Not too difficult with a car.

I remember the first time as children we were allowed to pack for ourselves for a family holiday and we ended up having to go to the shops so my sister had enough to wear all week... I think we all learnt from that experience.

IdblowJonSnow · 23/02/2021 00:49

I could if it was just me but not travelling, or at home, with my family.

SleepingStandingUp · 23/02/2021 00:51

The twins Def have 14 outfits each inc vests but we'd be a bit tight on pajamas and accidents.
DS would have enough tops but not pants or trousers.
DH would probably need some extra pants and trousers too
I could probably squeeze it but might need some tights / leggings as I'm too fat for bare legs, and I'd need some knickers.

But like hell would I want to come home with that much washing and I think practically speaking we'd struggle to carry it all (don't drive)

Also are you wearing one outfit to the beach then showering and dressing for dinner or hanging out in the same clothes all day? Are you getting dirty / wet / sandy or staying fairly clean so jeans etc can be reworn?

Def underwear that's be our downfall.

RavingAnnie · 23/02/2021 01:36

You definitely own very few clothes. I find that bizarre.

I have probably 20-30 pairs of knickers. Loads of socks. Tons of tights.

A whole drawer full of tops and t shirts

2 pairs of dungarees, plus about 8 pairs of jeans.

Not many shorts because my legs don't warrant them!

Many many hoodies, jumpers and cardigans.

God I could go on. And I'm not at all
Fashion conscious. They just accumulate over time. I don't understand why you'd have so few.

So if pushed I could probably go for a month with no washing.

But I tend to have overpack and take washing stuff then wash clothes that I am enjoying wearing so I can wear them again.

grassisjeweled · 23/02/2021 01:58

We could do it.

CattyCactus · 23/02/2021 02:02

I could go on holiday for about a month (if not longer) and not have to wash my clothes.

thesoundofthepolice · 23/02/2021 02:11

I definitely could (and do when we go abroad) I always over pack and up bringing stuff home unworn.

If I wasn't able to use the machine at home for a fortnight id be fine so long as I wasn't at work wear a uniform and only get 5 sets.

BlueThistles · 23/02/2021 02:15

Yes no problem

Nellythemouse · 23/02/2021 02:51

So I personally could, as an adult who has been the same size for a few years and accumulated clothes, assuming no extremes of weather. My husband ditto.

But I don’t buy growing children a fortnight’s worth of summer clothes as they’ll be outgrown by the next summer and barely worn. Plus they’d need a fortnight’s autumn/winter stuff as well given British coastal weather and they definitely wouldn’t have that much out of season stuff that fits. I’d buy an extra packet of socks or something but not a full doubling of their wardrobes!

But honestly I prefer lots of short trips - after about day 5 of a U.K. beach holiday with smallish kids I’ve had enough and want to go home anyway. The mounting laundry would be a good excuse....

Chicchicchicchiclana · 23/02/2021 03:15

No. For a clean shirt or t shirt everyday and clean shorts every couple of days for all 4 of us? Definitely not. The teens would never have had 14 pairs of pants at a time either ... they grow out of clothes exttemely fast so they constantly need new supplies.

I always want a washing machine on holiday for beach and swimming towels quite apart from clothing. Who wants to use the same beach towel for a fortnight? Envy.

LunarCatAndDaffodils · 23/02/2021 03:29

We managed this quite recently. Our washing machine broke down during the first lockdown and we had to wait three weeks to get it fixed.

I bought some extra knickers, we washed some stuff by hand. We were right at the back of both our wardrobes though. And we were on the last of the guest towels.

MrsMackesy · 23/02/2021 03:34

Yes, no problem.

Bloodybridget · 23/02/2021 04:18

When I was in my 20s I went to a Greek island for two weeks with one very small rucksack, like a day pack. Change of underwear and an extra t-shirt!

NotWithMyShoes · 23/02/2021 05:27

I could definitely pack clothes for 2 weeks —but they might not all fit—
DD maybe if she would wear her dresses if she’s nothing else left. DS I’m not sure, I think he could do 10 days. DH could. I don’t think our car could take it all though! If we go away for two weeks, then it’s a sports holiday and I only have 4 sets of clothes for that so I have to wash every evening.

I try to make sure we go somewhere with a washing machine or that the IL are staying somewhere with one!

fitzbilly · 23/02/2021 05:34

No way.

I don't have enough clothes.

The DC definitely don't have enough clothes, they have six pairs of trousers each so that alone would make it impossible.

Caspianberg · 23/02/2021 05:37

Yes I have enough at home to not need to wash is I choose to.

However I always take less and just wash underwear in sink when travelling, I wouldn’t want to carry huge bags around and I think 14 day old pants and socks are a bit gross in luggage. I only ever take 5 pairs travelling whether I go for 3 nights or 30 nights. Just wash each morning and there’s always enough spare dry.

2-3 pairs of trousers would be fine reworn for 2 weeks if needed.