Going away for two weeks and cannot do laundry

[Dilbertian]

I'm going away for two weeks and will not be able to do any machine laundry. Most of my clothes are natural fibres so are not easy to hand wash and will not dry quickly.

Short of taking 14 shirts etc, any tips for packing or for reusing worn clothes?

We're staying in 3 different places, the last one being a youth hostel with a drying room, so if I have to do any hand washing I'll probably do it the day before we go to the YH and transport it wet.

Oh, and I'm a Sweaty Betty - I cannot re-wear a shirt without washing it.

Just registering as someone who does not have 14 t-shirts, or pairs of socks and pants. Partly for storage at home reasons, and partly environmentally, I don't run with a big surplus of clothes. I don't have an issue with doing a bit of laundry on holiday.

I don't need any magical devices, if it's not enough to warrant a machine wash, or there isn't one, I just hand wash some stuff in a sink. Hang it up on clothes hangers to dry and drape pants and socks over chairs or whatever. I'd avoid jeans or anything else with a thick waistband that will takes ages to dry. Thick cotton hoodies would be a PITA also. There's usually some down time at some point.

When backpacking I think I might have washed clothes in the sinks in a railway station toilets.

14 tshirts sounds like the most simple solution given all the limitations.

I totally agree. Isn’t it easy to get t shirts that are 100% cotton? I think most of mine are? I have easily got enough clothes to go on holiday, without washing; but then we stay in a hotel and we buy a pie from the local bakery for our lunch; so no cooking, washing up, making beds, vacuuming, etc. 5 minutes washing a day doesn’t bother me - after walking 10 am - 4 pm in the hot sun, I need to go to the hotel to cool down for a bit, before we walk into the village for dinner!

To be honest, driving on Greek roads is way harder then washing - well, its not the roads, it’s the other drivers and pedestrians, acting like laws on the road don’t exist!

They don't in Greece 🤣

Not really a solution but could any hiking/walking clothing help? Quite a lot of the tops are 'wick away'and also quick drying.
However I realise that the fabrics may not be suitable for you.

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor

What we don’t understand is why they waste time and money, putting road signs up like “no overtaking”, speed limits, etc? The only signs that are any use, are the ones for which direction, the towns and villages are!

I drove in Italy once. Once was enough!

Greeks have their own rules 😉

how do anti-histamines not help with detergent residue on t-shirts when anti-histamines do help with detergent residue on bed sheets?

Oh well, think I've lost interest & OP found a few solutions she likes, anyway.

I have no idea why you think that. Anti-histamines do not help me with this reaction. I never claimed that they do with some exposures and don't with others.

If you can’t use a washing machine at anyones house or laundromat than will have to hand wash.

I travel a lot handluggage. Easiest way in hotels and places is just wash the basics daily. 1 pair underwear, 1 pair socks and 1 T-shirt for you daily doesn’t take long to wash, rinse and hang up somewhere. Generally dry by the next morning.
Then just take more items of the thicker things like jeans and jumpers that you just take home to wash.

Take some camping or travel wash and spot wash your t shirts. You probably only need to wash under the arms if you are changing them daily because of being sweaty. They will dry quicker if you do this as well. Most people can war a t shirt or top more than once before washing it but send f you really can't then try this

I think 7- 8 tops ( t-shirts and shirt types ) is plenty for a 2 week holiday but I wear some tops for 2 days ( particularly if they are quite loose tops, tighter ones are likely to get more sweaty)

I then wash a couple after 2-3 days and they are dry by the time I have got to the end of my 8 tops

I also would never take more than two long sleeve layers plus a light waterproof ( assuming it is a fairly hot country) . The outer layer is fine for at least a week and usually longer unless you spill something on it . I take two usually because it is hard to pick one that goes with everything so take two of different colours for a bit of variety but never more than 2

Why be so rude?!

OP it sounds a nightmare, no suggestions other than the ones offered but hope you make it through ok! And have a lovely time

Could you hand wash and then just use the dryer in a laundrette or tumble dry if your relative has one?

Assuming they're not equally reactive, I'd make sure you do a laundromat or family wash of THIER stuff so there's more room for yours . Four basically adult sized bodies doesn't leave infinite space for clothes

Having the rest of the family do laundry is a good idea. Though if you are as reactive as me, contaminating their clothing gets tricky too. Maybe if you bring your own laundry soap. I would probably have my husband not wash his pajamas since we are sharing a bed, but I could remember not to get too close during the day.

I have bought a Bosch FreshUp for business trips, for things that aren't so dirty but don't smell fresh. I haven't used it for a long trip yet but DD uses it for her work uniform if she doesn't have time to wash and dry between shifts and she says it's brilliant.
Would something like that help OP?

Oh. My.

I want! I need!

What an amazing invention!

I have had to discard so many perfectly good garments because I could no longer get the smell of BO out of the armpits, no matter how well I washed them.

Oh wow and wow and wow! I know what's at the top of my present list!

Why are all you clothes heavy natural
fibres? Are you allergic to man made fibres as well as detergent?

All my clothes are natural, just the thought I'd synthetic makes me feel grim and sweaty 🤢

1. Go to primark.
2. Buy 14 light and easy to pack T-shirts. Maybe an extra set of pj’s whilst there.

Job done. Gosh what a drama!

No, I just hate the feel. And they make me sweaty and static. I have some natural-synthetic blend garments. And most of my outer wear is synthetic, but I'd never wear fleece next the skin.

Why is it rude to say OP has found solutions she likes?
Oh well.

TBH I haven't found a solution I like. Just acceptance that I have to pack my whole summer wardrobe. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I do actually suffer with hyperhidrosis so definitely know what you mean about the whole body sweating, rather than just armpits but don’t find natural fibres are any better than man-made. Have you tried close fitting, sweat-wicking sports clothes to see if these feel fine for you? I find these a God send when doing anything remotely energetic and they are really easy to rinse and dry. A cooling towel is also a good buy to help with keeping your core temperature down.