2: Plan ahead.
Turning your smalls inside out is one solution to a clean drawers shortage. But it ain’t exactly pleasant. As you plan your travel, work out when you’ll need clean clothes and ensure you’ve got the vitals clean and dry in time.

3: Consider the environment.
Don’t waste fresh water on endless rinses in countries where it’s hard to come by. Don’t pollute clean water sources with soap, shampoo or powder. If you have access to a drier, use it only when you have to. In cold climates use a radiator or stove; in hot, rely on sun.

4: Rinse before you wash.
Get rid of serious, ingrained travel dirt before you even think about soap. Soak clothes for a few minutes in clean water. Then pound, knead, mangle, even trample till the water looks like ink. Repeat until the water looks clean. Then, and only then, get out the soap.

5: When hand washing, use hand soap.
Normal soap works great on laundry, is kind to hands and forces you to actually scrub stuff. Soap every bit of the cloth – not just the visibly grubby bits – and get a good lather going. Soak briefly before rinsing. If there’s any dirt visible after you rinse, repeat.

6: Good shower? Do your washing in it.
If you’re staying somewhere with a Western power shower and hot water, wash clothes as you wash yourself. Shampoo, bodywash or soap work fine, and trampling is good exercise. Third world bathroom? Don’t even think about it.

7: Damp climate? Wring clothes to death before you dry them.
Get rid of excess moisture before you try to dry your clothes, or they’ll be hanging out for days. Twist them up one way, and wring. Twist in another direction, and wring. Carry on wringing till you can wring no more, then shake clothes out and hang them up.

8: In emergencies, towel dry.
Desperate for something, anything, to wear? Wring it thoroughly. Spread it out on one towel, put a second on top, roll the parcel up and wring it viciously. Turn the towels to the dry side and repeat. This will leave most garments dry enough to “pass”. (Assuming, of course, you have to towels.)

9: Watch the weather.
Make like mum. Take your washing in if it looks like rain. Put it back out again when the sun comes out. Allow more days than you would imagine possible during rainy season in the tropics.

10: Avoid drying on flat surfaces.
Lines are best. Wind permitting, bushes work better than either railings or flat surfaces. If you have to dry on a flat surface, turn your washing regularly. It halves the drying time.

11: If you’ve traveled with wet laundry, start all over again.
More than two hours festering in a plastic bag, and clothes smell like dishcloths once they’re dry. Bite the bullet and start again. From the very beginning.

12: Store up plastic bags.
Sturdy, laundry-sized plastic bags can be like gold dust. Hoard two or three at any given time. You’ll need them.

13: When you can’t be *rsed, ask a professional.
If a heap of dirty clothes is spoiling your day, or your week, send them out. Places that charge by weight are always cheaper than those that bill by item.

This is the first of a regular series of travel tips. What would you include? Drop me a comment and let me know what you think.

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