Laundry Tips After A Long Travel. Traveling is an enriching experience—you can see new places, meet new people and learn about different cultures. However, it can also be exhausting. From planning and packing belongings to the long-day exploring, traveling can take a toll on you. And once your trip is over, you’ll likely come home with a mountain of laundry.
Tackling Post-Travel Laundry
The best way to tackle your pile of laundry after a long journey is to start as soon as possible. The sooner you begin the laundry process, the quicker you can get back to your regular routine. On the other hand, the longer you wait, the more likely it is for dirt and bacteria to settle in.
To make your post-travel life a bit easier, here are some laundry tips after a long journey:
Sort Your Clothing
Gather all the clothes packed for your trip and divide them into several piles. Start by sorting your items into whites, colors, and darks to prevent any accidental dye transfer. Afterward, check the care labels and separate them into delicate, hand-washable, and machine-washable items.
Also, by doing this, you’ll be able to remove garments stained with stubborn dirt to keep them from contaminating the rest of your laundry.
Pre-treat Stained Clothes
Stains are inevitable when traveling. Mud, dust, and food stains often get on clothes while exploring a new place. To ensure that these stains don’t set in permanently, it’s best to pre-treat them.
Invest in a good stain remover and apply it to the stained spot. Then, soak them in a bucket of soapy water for a few minutes, or use a laundry cleaning solution specifically designed to treat tough stains before tossing them in the washing machine. Or you can make a homemade stain remover solution using vinegar, lemon juice, or club soda if you’re looking for natural alternatives.
Choose the Right Detergent
The type of detergent you choose for your laundry will determine your clothes’ cleanliness and overall life. Avoid using detergents with harsh ingredients and chlorine bleach, as they can damage delicate fabrics and cause discoloration. Instead, choose a natural, gentle, and hypoallergenic detergent suitable for all types of textiles.
Wash at the Right Temperature
Temperature plays a vital role in the longevity of your clothes. Be sure to check the care labels for the best temperature to wash each type of fabric. If you’re unsure, you can always err on caution and choose a cooler setting. Hot water may be tempting as it helps kill off bacteria and eliminate tough stains. Yet, it can also damage delicate items like silk or velvet, causing fading and shrinkage.
Don’t Overload the Washer
It might be tempting to throw all your clothes in the washing machine at once, but this can be a costly mistake. Overloading your machine will not only increase the chances of snagging or tearing fragile items but also lead to uneven washing and poor cleaning.
For best results, it is recommended to divide the load into batches or follow the manufacturer’s instructions to determine the maximum amount of laundry that can be loaded into each cycle.
Refresh your Clothes
With the right laundry products and proper care, your clothes will come out looking fresh and smelling great. Add a few drops of essential oils to your washing cycle or dryer sheet for a natural scent to get rid of stubborn odors that may linger in your fabrics. You can also use fabric refreshers to restore the freshness of your clothes.
Dry Your Clothes Properly
Just as important as washing is drying your clothes. Be careful not to put too many items in the dryer at once, as this can cause creasing, stretching, and wrinkling. In addition, take extra precautions when drying delicate items, as the intense heat of a dryer can damage the fabric.
Whenever possible, opt for air-drying clothes in the sun to preserve the quality and color of your clothing. Ultimately, this environmentally friendly and chemical-free drying method can save you energy and money in the long run.
Iron or steam your clothes
For a more polished, wrinkle-free look, you can use an iron or steamer to remove any creases. Ironing helps to restore shape and gives your clothing that crisp finish.
However, be sure to check the care labels for the recommended setting before pressing your garments to avoid damage. It’s also best to start with the lowest setting and work up in increments. Once finished, hang or fold your clothes neatly to prevent wrinkling and store them away in a cool, dry place.
Final Tip
Aside from the tips mentioned, keeping your luggage clean and organized is also important. Make sure to leave enough space in your suitcase before traveling so you can easily separate dirty and clean clothes. Furthermore, use packing cubes or laundry bags to ensure your items stay sanitized and wrinkle-free during transit.
And remember, you can also outsource your worries by hiring a professional cleaning service or laundromat that offers linen laundry and dry cleaning services. Doing this can save you time and energy while ensuring your garments are perfectly cleaned.
So, don’t let this daunting task of tackling post-travel laundry keep you from exploring the world. With a little bit of preparation and knowledge, you can ensure your clothes stay clean and in tip-top condition no matter where your travels take you.