Many people dread doing laundry, but it’s easier doing it at home. When you’re staying in a hotel, laundry becomes an issue.
Most hotels have washers and dryers but charge costly laundry fees. Some don’t offer the services, forcing you to look around.
So, how do you handle your dirty clothes and linen while traveling?
Here are practical tips for keeping your garments clean on the road.
Use Hotel Services
Most full-service hotels have laundry services like washing, drying, ironing, and organizing your clothes in a closet.
Many also provide dry cleaning services.
Hotel rooms have a laundry bag for placing dirty clothes and a form that lets you outline the services you need.
These forms usually have the charges for each service.
The typical turnaround for washing and drying clothes is 24 hours, although some hotels offer same-day cleaning.
Some hotels have in-house laundry services, while others outsource to third-party companies.
The most significant advance of hotel laundry services is convenience.
Once you fill out the form, you sit in your room and wait for the staff to deliver them dry and clean.
However, this convenience comes at a hefty price – hotel services are the most expensive cleaning services.
You can always seek cheaper options where possible. In some places, it might be the only solution.
For Instance – If you go on a safari in African National Parks, you must use hotel services because laundries are unavailable.
What Are the Alternatives?
Here are the alternatives to hotel cleaning services.
Carry Your Detergents and Supplies
Although laundry detergents are available everywhere, they are sold in large quantities and in huge containers.
They can be inconvenient to carry around.
Moreover, carrying your detergent guarantees desirable results. Sometimes, you might experience skin irritation when using new products.
They can also be ineffective in cleaning.
More importantly, you won’t have to purchase detergent whenever you need it.
When Traveling – It’s better to carry powder detergents over liquids because they’re easier to clean. You should also bring dryer sheets, making your luggage smell fresh.
Besides detergents, it’s essential to carry hanging lines, sink stoppers, washing boards, etc.
Take a look
Hand Wash Items in a Sink or Bathtub
If you have detergent and supplies, you can hand wash your dirty clothes in your room’s sink or bathtub.
It’s as simple as opening the tap, adding soap, and washing dirty clothes.
Once clean, you can hang them over to the bathtub or shower until they dry.
Handwashing is an effective method of cleaning smaller items like socks, underwear, and t-shirts.
It also works with lightweight fabrics that dry quickly, such as polyester and nylon.
However, it’s ineffective for cleaning larger articles, more filthy garments, and natural materials like cotton and silk.
Keep In Mind – Although handwashing is economical and keeps your expenses down, it’s illegal in some hotels. If allowed, be careful to avoid dampening the floor.
Hang wet clothes in the bathroom and dry the floor after removing them.
Find a Laundromat
If you feel uncomfortable handwashing your clothes, find a laundromat. These are areas where you can wash your laundry using machines.
Standard laundromats have coin-operated washers and dryers.
Others offer additional services like drop-offs, where staff wash, dry, and fold your clothes. Some are entirely self-service, while others have an on-site employee to help you.
Depending on your vacation destination, laundromats might be expected or rare. Ensure you research before traveling.
Most laundromats are in cities and large towns, so don’t expect to find them in rural areas.
It’s advisable to carry cash since machines need money to operate. If you have notes, ask for coins from the on-site attendant or the nearby coin machine.
Some new models support cashless payments, allowing you to pay using your mobile phone.
The most significant advantage of laundromats is efficiency.
They typically have large, heavy-duty machines that can wash and dry many clothes faster than standard units.
You can use multiple machines to wash and dry all items simultaneously.
You can go to a laundromat that offers drop-off services for extra cash.
A staff member will wash, dry, and fold the clothes. You only need to pick them up once ready.
These services are costly, requiring up to three times more than typical laundrette charges.
On the Downside – Sitting as you wait for your clothes to be clean can be tedious. Wi-Fi hotspots are pretty common these days, but some laundromats lack them.
You can carry a book, headphones, or a laptop to keep you busy while waiting. Laundromats also waste the time you’d have otherwise spent visiting attraction sites.
Although you can interact with locals and other tourists, you’ll miss out on touring the city. The best way to avoid this is to opt for drop-off services, which cost more.
Go to a Local Laundry
Local laundry services are a great alternative if your area doesn’t have laundromats.
These services allow you to drop off your dirty laundry and have it cleaned by somebody.
Once dry, you can pick it up or request a delivery to your hotel room.
The cost of laundry services mostly depends on the region you’re visiting. Generally, developed countries charge more than developing ones.
In the latter, you’ll likely find services offered in standalone shops and even homes.
However, you can experience communication challenges, particularly if you need help understanding the local language.
Book an Accommodation with a Self-service Laundry
The last option is to book accommodation with a self-service laundry.
Airbnb and other staycation rentals offer these services for free, while lodgings and motels usually have coin-operated machines.
Most self-service laundry facilities require you to bring detergent or buy it on-site.
Wrapping Up
Many hotels offer washing, drying, and other laundry management services.
However, their high charges often prompt visitors to seek cheaper alternatives, like laundromats and local laundry services.
These can be pretty affordable, especially in developing countries.
You can save money by handwashing if you’re on a camping trip or any other outdoor activity.
Some tourists take extreme measures such as discarding dirty laundry or renting clothing. It all depends on your preferences.
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