7 tips for doing laundry while camping

Laundry is also an important topic when camping, especially if you are travelling for a long time and can't take too much with you. Especially when camping with children there is a lot of laundry to do: Playing outside in nature all day just leaves its mark. Fortunately, you have the option of washing your laundry in a variety of ways during your camping holiday. We'll show you what options you have at the campsite or on the road to get your clothes nice and clean again.

Many campsites now offer the option of doing your laundry. Either the washing machine and tumble dryer are coin-operated or you pay a small fee in advance. In most cases, the detergent is provided, but may also cost a little. However, bear in mind that campsites are full and washing machines are in high demand, especially in the high season. Either allow a little more time or set off early in the morning

Alternatives include nearby launderettes, which are common in some holiday destinations. Find out in advance at your campsite whether washing machines are available and where else there are some in the nearest town.

A camping washing machine is the ideal solution if you don't have the opportunity to do laundry at the campsite or are travelling on a road trip where you have to do laundry regularly anyway. Compared to conventional washing machines, camping washing machines can hold significantly fewer litres**, but *use less* and take up less space - whether in a motorhome or tent. You also save yourself queuing at the washing machines on the campsite and are more flexible.

You have various options here: There are electric washing machines or ones that are operated by hand crank or foot pedal.

If you only want to wash individual clothes or other textiles briefly, wash bags are suitable. Fill these with water and detergent, add the laundry and close the bag. Then knead the bag and thus the laundry. Then rinse your clothes with clear water.

If you don't have a wash bag to hand, the wash basin is also suitable for rinsing dirty laundry - at least if there aren't large quantities. There are often extra sinks at campsites, or it is indicated whether laundry can be washed there. Simply pour warm water and a little washing-up liquid into the sink and you're ready to go. Soak the clothes for a few minutes before kneading them thoroughly. Remember to rinse each item of clothing with clear water afterwards so that no detergent residue remains on the clothing.

As an alternative to the wash bag or sink, you can also wash a few items of clothing by hand in a bucket. Rinse it once beforehand and proceed as for washing in the sink.

To dry your clothes at the campsite without a tumble dryer, it is advisable to take a clothesline** with you, which you can stretch between your tent and a tree, for example. Alternatives include camping rotary dryers, which are very compact and therefore ideal for camping. If there is a bit of wind, clothes pegs are useful so that you don't end up having to collect your clothes from all over the campsite. A rotary dryer is not only practical for washing, but also for hanging up clothes and towels after swimming - especially on a summer holiday.

Whether you decide to do your laundry in a machine, in a laundry bag or in the sink, it's never a bad idea to take some detergent with you when you're travelling. Pour some into a small tin in advance. The advantage: your laundry will smell just like you're used to. Alternatively, get some travel detergent. You can get this in small tubes at the chemist. Make sure that your detergent is environmentally friendly and biodegradable.

Just like at home, it makes sense to take a laundry bag or basket** with you to collect dirty laundry. This way, your clothes are better organised and you can roughly estimate when it's time to do laundry.

Ideally, you should take easy-care clothes with you so that - if you use a washing machine - you can throw everything into one machine and don't have to sort everything individually. This saves a lot of work and time. It also means that, ideally, every top fits every pair of trousers and vice versa. This not only makes washing easier, but also choice of clothes in the morning

. There are many ways you can do your laundry on the go. It usually depends on the quantity. For a few items that are not very dirty, a quick hand wash is sufficient; for a whole load, the washing machine at the campsite or a mobile washing machine is a good option. You'll have clean clothes again in no time at all and can get on with the fun things on holiday.