Last spring, I obliquely confessed one of my most deeply held beliefs about laundry: You can get away with doing a lot less laundry than most people think.
like me explained to a colleagueI don’t put clothes in the laundry pile just because I’ve worn them. They have to actively get dirty for me to not use them again, and due to some tricks I employ regularly, they almost never do.
Here’s a look at my best practices for the laundry-averse and how they make packing for trips of up to two weeks totally doable in a carry-on.
stay clean
When I was in high school, I found a quote in a teen magazine from an Eve 6 member describing the band’s leader. “Max has the best personal hygiene I’ve ever seen,” she said. “Their idea is that if you shower all the time, you’ll be able to wear the same clothes every day.”
What I didn’t know was that that quote would end up defining my packaging philosophy. I usually shower two or three times a day, even when traveling, which usually keeps me from feeling too gross at any given time.
Those showers are also always scheduled before getting dressed for the day or putting on a second outfit for the night. If I am clean when I put on my clothes, for me they are not automatically dirty when I take them off, unless I have subsequently sweated or stained them.
Keeping items in rotation during a trip allows me to mix and match them to create different outfits, which drastically reduces the space I need in my suitcase.
stay cool
I know what you’re thinking: “But what if I do Sweat through them while out and about?
This is where one of my personal mantras really comes in handy: no sleeves over 70.
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That’s how it is. When the temperature rises above 70 degrees, for me it is sleeveless or bust. Since 70 doesn’t actually make me feel that warm most of the time, this rule ensures that a) I never get too hot or uncomfortable, and b) I don’t sweat through the sleeves, which will make my shirt unwearable for the rest of my trip.
Of course, in fairly warm weather it is possible to sweat even through a tank top. But in that kind of heat, you’d better be in the pool instead of taking in the views.
Leaning on sleeveless tops also has another benefit: They usually pack easily, preserving space in your suitcase. They also look good under jackets, sweaters or blazers that you can take with you in case you get cold.
Up your stain game
As a mother of a 1 year old, I am religiously devout this stain spraywhich I apply to my daughter’s clothes almost every day after kindergarten (not to mention our white couches and other impractically colored clothing items).
But it wasn’t until one of my childless friends showed up on a girls’ trip to Las Vegas with the same product that a lightbulb went on: I should use it on my clothes, too, especially when I don’t have access to a washing machine.
I bought it quickly at feather shape and I haven’t looked back since. Believe me when I tell you that this is pure magic. You can literally watch a spot disappear before your eyes after the treatment. In any case, it almost works. also Good: If you wet a garment, it can fade, so don’t overdo it.
(This may go without saying, but wearing black is another great way to avoid visible stains that take a garment out of commission. And since you’re going to be wearing sleeveless when you’re over 70, you don’t have to worry about your black clothes making you too hot. Bam.)
But what about socks and underwear?
Relax – there are no fancy recommendations here. I change these items every time I take them off, which is a lot when you shower two or three times a day. The good thing is that they don’t take up much space in your luggage and can be conveniently stored inside shoes or purses to help them keep their shape.
My only key tip: bring a couple more than you think you’ll need, in case your itinerary goes wrong or you decide to stay an extra day. (But don’t go overboard with “just in case” extras: a pair in reserve is enough to buy you time to go to the store and buy more if necessary.)
In a nutshell
I recognize that these tips may not be for everyone and if, for whatever reason, you’re not ready to stop adding laundry on vacation, that’s okay. Instead, consider which items of clothing really need washing: Is your sweater dirty or just the white T-shirt you wore underneath? – and that practice alone will save you space in your suitcase.
Happy packing!
