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Tag Archives: Camping


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How To Do Laundry When Camping

If you have ever been camping before, then you will be familiar with the feeling of running out of clean clothes after day two. A disastrous situation ordinarily, this can be made even worse if you have children with you. Of course, there is nothing wrong with getting a bit smelly when camping. If, however, the smell has got to a critical level, then this list will help you get your laundry done even in the most rustic of camp spots.

  1. Hand wash your laundry
  2. Clean your dirty clothes in a plastic bag.
  3. Find a bathroom sink. 
  4. Make sure you pick your detergent wisely.
  5. Come prepared to dry.
  6. Use your campfire as a washing machine.
  7. Use camping facilities. 
  8. Take the easy way out and enjoy your camping time

Hand Wash Your Laundry 

Probably the most obvious, yet painful suggestion on this list. A bit of old fashioned elbow grease is all you need to wash your dirty clothes. Instead of always relying on campsite facilities, why not bring the products you need for hand-washing your laundry?

Washing your clothes by hand is one of the simplest, fool-proof ways to ensure your clothes stay clean despite your dirty surroundings. All you need to bring is plastic washing bowls, detergent, and water. The process is as simple as heating some water on the campfire, putting the clothes and detergent into a washing bowl, and then get to scrubbing! 

Clean Your Dirty Clothes in a Plastic Bag 

Despite this sounding slightly odd at first, but a plastic bag can be a campers best friend when they need to clean their clothes. All you need for this handy laundry hack is a sturdy trash bag, some soap, and water. 

Fill the bag with the dirty clothes, then add soap and water, making sure you only fill the bag partially. Your role in all of this is to act as the washing machine, shake and spin the bag around, mimicking a spin cycle. Do this until you tire yourself out and then you know you have done enough. Finally, rinse your clothing of the soap, and hang items to dry. If you take one thing from this list, let it be bringing a clean trash bag with you camping. 

Find a Bathroom Sink

This is the most obvious of the suggestions on this list. If you are camping in campsite chances are you have access to a bathroom sink. Once you locate this essential instrument, simply add your clothes and laundry detergent and leave to soak for an hour. Lastly, rinse your clothes and hang to dry.

Make Sure You Pick Your Detergent Wisely 

You have to be careful when camping to ensure you are not harming the environment. You don’t want to be the person who destroyed any natural life, so be aware of the ever-growing list of brands that provide Eco-friendly detergents. When purchasing detergents to bring camping, try to look out for signs saying ‘suitable for septic tanks’. Also, try to remember to pour any dirty laundry water away from streams or rivers.

Come Prepared To Dry 

Drying your clothes when camping should be easy enough, after all, you are outside. Assuming it hasn’t been raining then all you need to do is bring your own line to string up a washing line for hanging your clothes. Make sure you clean it up once you are done, as someone’s used washing line isn’t something the next group of campers want to greeted with upon arrival. 

If you want to go down a slightly more luxurious route, bring some foldable drying racks. If you know you will have some laundry to do at some point on your trip, then these are cheap and convenient tools to have with you. 

Use Your Campfire As a Washing Machine

Not many people know that wood ash is actually a natural detergent. Many people wash their dirty pots and pans with fire, and it works just as well with laundry!

This method is quite risky for first-timers, once mastered, it works like a dream. We do advise you use caution when trying this the first few times, and recommend only washing clothes you wouldn’t mind ruining the first few times. To do this, you will need to get small bits of copse ash and mix it with warm water. This will turn the mixture into a grey paste that is not quite soapy. Add a small drop of oil to turn to get that soap-like texture. You will then need to apply the now soapy paste to your dirty clothing and leave for a couple of minutes before rubbing and rinsing. This method is most effective on stains that might be hard to get out if left alone for a few days.

Use Camping Laundry Facilities 

 This is useful for keeping in mind when looking for campsites to visit. Lots of campsites have washing facilities on-site for you to use. Usually, the campsite will have several different machines to use and detergent ready to buy on site. 

Take the Easy Way Out And Enjoy Your Camping Time

If the suggestions on this list seem too complicated, why not just wait till your home and get professionals Laundryheap to help. We can collect your clothes in 30 minutes and have them returned to you within 24 hours. 


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10 Camping Tips For Beginners

Camping is a great way to explore the outdoors, get fresh air and enjoy nature. It’s a great city escape and staycation for families. If you’re going camping for the first time and are not quite sure how to prepare yourself for it, here a few tips that will help you get started.

Camping Tips For Beginners

  • Choose the right campsite

There will be a variety of campsites catered to individuals with different needs. Check for campsites that have the facilities you need for you and whomever you’re going with. Look for child-friendly sites that have showers and toilets or check if dogs are permitted.

As a new camper, it’s best to stay on a campsite with shower and toilet facilities, and a town nearby just in case you need some supplies or somewhere to eat.

  • Choose the right tent

Tents come in all sorts of styles and sizes, so it can be difficult to choose one that’s perfect for you. When looking to purchase a tent, always have in mind how many of you are going to sleep in there. Purchase a tent size that can fit two times more than the number of people who will use it. This is so there is more space and it’s comfortable to sleep in. The tent style you choose will depend on what suits your preference.

  • Practice pitching your tent

Once you’ve chosen the right tent, you should practice pitching the tent in your back garden. This is so that you know how to set it up and take it down at the campsite without encountering problems.

  • Practice camping

Once you’ve mastered pitching your tent, try to practice camping for the night in your back garden. It will help give you an idea of what to expect and will help you prepare yourself in terms of what equipment is appropriate to bring.

  • Create a check list

Stay organised and create a checklist to keep track of the items that you will be bringing to make sure that you won’t forget anything when you leave the campsite. 

It’s essential to bring with you the following: a first aid kit, a packet of matches, a flashlight, a sleeping bag, Swiss Army Knife, camping chairs, folding table and cooking equipment.

  • Know your camping gear

If you’ve purchased new camping gear, save yourself from fiddling about with your gear at the campsite by trying it out beforehand to see if it works well and you know how to use it.

  • Set up properly at the campsite

The best place to set up your tent at the campsite is on level ground that is clear from any rocks/ debris. You don’t want anything ruining the outside of your tent nor disrupting the comfort of your sleep. When setting up your tent, make sure it is facing against the wind (if any) and put pegs at a 45-degree angle in the ground for more stability.

  • Know the camping ground rules

It’s essential to get accustomed to the rules of the campsite to avoid unwanted issues during your stay there. Some campsite rules are to respect the space and privacy of other campers, keep the noise level low, and keep facilities and the area clean.

  • Plan meals in advance

If the campsite you’ve chosen allows campfires, prepare your meals in advance to make cooking meals at the campsite easier. Camp meals should be portable, non-perishable and nutritious! Bring food items that are easy to cook, like canned foods and eggs, and bring snacks like fruit and oat bars. 

Research nearby markets and restaurants if your campsite does not allow campfires.

  • Bring enough clothing

It’s okay to overpack clothes when you go camping as the weather conditions in the area can be unpredictable and may require you to need different pieces of clothing. There are also no laundry facilities on site, so it’s best to bring extra clothes to be on the safe side.

After your camping trip, you may have a ton of laundry to do, especially if you went as a family. Save yourself the hassle and schedule a collection with Laundryheap. We’ll have your clothes returned to you as good as new within 24 hours. Our services are available in areas within the UK, Dublin, the Netherlands and UAE.