If you’re backpacking in India for a few weeks, at one point or another you’re going to have to wash your clothes.
One of the most convenient ways to do laundry while traveling in India may just be to do it yourself!
That is of course, if you aren’t staying in a homestay or similar situation in which you can ask your host if the home helper can do your laundry for you.
But if you’re pretty much only staying in guesthouses or budget hotels over the course of several weeks while you’re backpacking in India, it could just be easiest to wash your clothes yourself.
Of course, this requires hard labor 😉 but could still end up being more convenient since you won’t have to seek out any services.
And to do laundry yourself in India is cheap.
You’ll need a rest day sooner or later in India, so consider rest day to be laundry day! 😉
And so…
How to do laundry while traveling in India?
Here’s what covered on this page:
- 2 essentials you’ll need to wash your own clothes anywhere in India
- A few more things that you may consider bringing along from home
- Tips for what to wear in India to speed along the laundry process – clothes that can dry quickly!
Side note!
See about the best shoes for hiking in Hawaii and what to wear snorkeling in Hawaii! And for Hawaii vacation ideas, see the best things to do in Waikiki that will give you Hawaii vibes!
2 things you NEED so you can do laundry in India
- Sink or bucket… or a bag that can seal in water to act as a portable bucket!
- Laundry detergent
Sink or bucket
Buckets are pretty common in India, and a bucket would be most ideal since it’ll be bigger.
A sink in your guesthouse might end up being on the smaller side, but if that’s all you’ve got, you can work with it! 😉
If you are booking your accommodation as you arrive in each city, perhaps when it comes time to do your laundry, ask the guesthouse whether they have a bucket available for use before you choose to stay. Otherwise, maybe ask to see the bathroom before you book so you can take a look at the sink size.
Alternative to sink or bucket: Travel laundry system
Or, if you don’t want to have to ever worry about finding a bucket or a sink that’s big enough, you may also consider getting one of these:
- This portable clothes washer makes it so you can put water and your clothes into, and then you can shake it up
- This portable laundry system is not only a bag that you can put water into, but it can also help you scrub and rub your clothes to get it cleaner
Laundry detergent
Unless you are picky with your detergent, there’s not much of a reason you need to pack along detergent from home. But if you prefer, you may look at these travel-size laundry soap options.
Powdered form of detergent is easily available on the streets of India, and it’s really cheap too. The added bonus is that you don’t need to buy a large quantity at once. Instead, since the detergent is sold in small packets, you can buy them as you need them.
You can find a single packet that’s perfect for travel for 1 rupee. This is not even 2 cents (US) or 2p (UK).
Although, depending on how many clothes you’re wanting to wash, you may want more than one packet.
How to wash clothes in a sink or bucket
Now that you have a sink and detergent, what’s the best way to wash your clothes in the sink?
Your method may vary, but here’s one way you may choose to do laundry when traveling!
1. Rinse your clothes in plain water
Rinsing your clothes before you begin the soapy part can help to get some of the dirt out of your clothes. This can help to make it so you’re washing clothes in less dirty water.
2. Fill the sink with water while adding in laundry detergent
Once you have a little bit of water in the sink, add in the detergent of your choice as the water continues to fill up. This will make it so it will bubble up. You may also consider taking a sink plug like this one, just in case your sink doesn’t have one.
3. Scrub-a-dub-dub your clothes! ?
Toss around your clothes as much as you want! This is the important part to get your clothes CLEAN!
4. Soak your clothes for 30 minutes or so
You may consider soaking your clothes for some amount of time.
5. Scrub-a-dub-dub! ?
Toss your clothes some more! Get your clothes more clean!
6. Drain the sink, and rinse your clothes!
To get rid of the soap from your clothes, you can rinse your clothes by either:
- Putting your clothes under the running water
- Filling up the sink with water again and tossing your clothes around in it
If you choose not to fill up the sink again, you may instead choose to use the faucet below the shower to give yourself and your clothes more room.
If you fill up the sink again to rinse your clothes, hopefully you will see that the water is all clean. This will make you feel good and give you the feeling that you have washed your clothes well. 😉
7. Wring your clothes as best you can to get excess water out.
The more excess water you can get out of your clothes the better, as it will help your clothes to dry more quickly.
An alternative to wringing your clothes can be:
- Lay out a towel flat on your bed
- Lay a piece of your laundered clothing on top of it
- Press another towel on top of it to remove excess water
Of course, this alternate method requires you to have a nice plush towel (or it’d be helpful anyway!) which you may not have if you’re trying to pack light for India! In which case, wringing it is!
8. Set your clothes out to dry!
You may consider packing a simple clothesline for travel like one of these.
Use a laundry machine when you get a chance
No matter how much of a clothes-washing pro you think you are, a washing machine will do a better job.
So if you’re on the road in India for a long time, try to get your clothes through a washing machine now and then, even if it means paying a little bit.
If you have a choice between 2 hotels or guesthouses and one has a washing machine, go for the one that you can properly do laundry!
Tips for drying your clothes more quickly
Keep in mind that wherever in India you do your laundry, your clothes may take more time than usual to dry because it can be a more humid climate.
The best way to make it so your clothes will dry more quickly is to have clothes that are designed to dry more quickly! And so…
What to wear in India (that can help your laundry get done quicker!)
Now, these are some more non-traditional ideas for what to wear in India that can be comfortable to wear when you’re out and about on the streets, as well as to help your laundry process out. Namely, the drying part.
These are some clothes items that are designed to dry quickly. So even in the humid climate, they can dry more quickly than other clothing choices.
Wear moisture-wicking shirts
These types of shirts are actually designed as workout clothes, but they can work out well when you’re traveling in hot tropical climates too.
That’s because they are designed to keep you comfortable when you sweat. If you’re out and about on the streets of India for even more than 30 minutes (maybe even less!), chances are that you are going to start sweating. And maybe a lot.
The idea behind moisture-wicking shirts is that they “wick” away your sweat. Thereby keeping you more comfortable.
When it comes to your laundry, it means that this type of material will help your clothes to dry quicker than cotton after getting fully drenched in water from doing laundry.
You can find these types of shirts for both men and women.
Wear quick-dry shorts
These types of shorts were originally designed as a surfer’s swim shorts. This means that they are primarily made to be worn in the water. And this means that they aren’t necessarily made to be breathable or airy on land as some other types of clothing like these pants. But still, they can be comfortable, and they do dry quickly!
And, since these are shorts, if you’re a girl, it may be more skin exposure than you’re comfortable with traveling around India. This will depend on where in India you are though. For Goa, it can work out fine.
As a foreigner, your light skin will mean that people will be staring at you no matter what. The key is to decide what you want them staring at. 😉
These types of shorts for women also come in knee-length too, if you want to give them a try. Shorts may be good for wearing around in private too, like at your guesthouse or hotel room.
Wear quick-dry underwear
This type of underwear can not only be helpful staying comfortable to wear in the hot weather that you’ll experience in India, but it can also be helpful for doing laundry quickly!
Best guidebook for planning a trip around India
For planning your trip to India, consider getting this ultimate India guidebook.
It can make planning how to get from one place to another easier. The book will list how to get to nearby destinations, what your best transportation options are, and how much you can expect to pay to get there.
You’ll get restaurant recommendations to lessen the chance of food poisoning in India. (Here’s how to treat traveler’s diarrhea naturally though!)
It will also tell you the best hotels for different budgets and the best places for street shopping. You’ll also get an idea of estimated prices for activities, rickshaws, and hiring guides in each city. This means that you can feel better knowing that you won’t get ripped off and pay too much!
You can get both the book and e-book as a bundle here.
Even though they have the same information, they can both be helpful for different reasons. You can flip through the book to make general plans at home or in your guesthouse in India. When you’re on the road, rather than take the big book with you when you’re out and about, you can scroll through the e-book on your phone.
I’m now an affiliate for Lonely Planet because I believe Lonely Planet India guidebooks are really one of the best books for planning travel to India.
It makes it easier to plan the best trip to India ever!
HAPPY LAUNDRY TIME WHILE TRAVELING!
There are affiliate links on this page. Among other partners, as an Amazon Associate, I may receive a commission.
🐠 Here are things you must consider packing!
- Swimsuit or swimming shirt aka rash guard
- rash guard: swim set for women and swim shirt for men
- Water shoes
- Waterproof phone case (so you can capture pictures of fishies underwater!)
- cheapo phone case OR waterproof camera
- I also have this "camera" wrist float to attach to my cheapo waterproof phone case so my phone won't sink to the bottom of the ocean in case I somehow let go of it. (Mine does stay afloat - test this for yourself before completely trusting it!)
- Swimming goggles or snorkeling mask set
- Reef-safe(r) sunscreen
- lightweight travel towel:
- walking sandals:
I also don't go snorkeling without a personal swim float buoy. Not only does it help to keep me visible, but it makes for a perfect way to rest out in deeper water! Oh, and it also serves as a dry bag so I can take stuff into the water with me.
Another way I have taken valuables into the water with me is to wear a travel money belt that I don't mind getting wet with salt water (it's not waterproof but I have several so I just use one of them) and then I put things in a ziplock freezer bag, and put that freezer bag in the money belt.
There are also designated waterproof waist pouches that you can store your valuables and take into the water with you.
see more:
- What to wear hiking
- What to wear snorkeling