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The 7 Best Travel Laundry Bags in 2023 [Mesh, Canvas, Nylon]

Amar Hussain's image
Amar Hussain
Amar Hussain's image

Amar Hussain

Senior Content Contributor

759 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 63U.S. States Visited: 9

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications incl...
Edited by: Keri Stooksbury
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Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

29 Published Articles 3050 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 45U.S. States Visited: 28

With years of experience in corporate marketing and as the Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, Keri is now Editor-in-Chief at UP, overseeing daily content operations and r...

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Nothing spoils a suitcase full of fresh, clean clothes quicker than a pile of dirty laundry. Keep your clean clothes away from unwanted odors or find ways to wash your small items on the go with a specially-designed travel laundry bag for your next big adventure.

Travel Laundry Bag Considerations

Travel laundry bag
Keep your dirty clothes separate with a laundry bag. Image Credit: Amar Hussain

Being able to wash your dirty clothes while you are away helps to cut down on the amount of luggage you need to pack and keeps you feeling fresh and clean on the go.

Whether you choose to use your hotel’s laundry facilities or save your washing until you get back, using a laundry bag will keep your dirty clothes separate from your clean ones.

Size

Travel laundry bag size
Some travel laundry bags can be folded up when not in use. Inage Credit: Amar Hussain

Most travel laundry bags are compact and pretty basic and will fold up small when not in use for ease of transport. While you are away, use these bags to help separate your dirty clothing from your clean ones, and when you find a laundromat, simply take your laundry bag with you and leave the rest of your wardrobe back at the base.

Material and Hygiene

Travel laundry bag material
Laundry bags are made from lightweight, washable, and breathable materials. Image Credit: Amar Hussain

Made from lightweight, washable, and breathable materials, travel laundry bags can also be washed to help prevent the build-up of grimy odors.

This is especially important if you are heading somewhere warm and humid, as damp, dirty clothing can soon become moldy if left in cramped conditions in material that doesn’t breathe. To prevent this from happening, look for a bag made from mesh, cotton, or water-resistant fabrics.

If you have a lot of laundry to take to the cleaners, consider investing in a bag made from heavy-duty fabrics that will be able to cope with the additional weight of damp and dirty clothing, or consider taking more than 1 laundry bag with you if you want to keep stinky gym gear away from wet bathing suits, and all of your dirty clothes separated from your clean ones.

Closure

Travel laundry bag closure
A drawstring can double up as a carry handle. Image Credit: Amar Hussain

You should also pay attention to the way in which your laundry bag closes. While both drawstring and zipper closures do essentially the same thing, a drawstring can double up as a carry handle for trips to the laundry.

Hot Tip: If you are traveling as a couple or a family, you may want to consider buying a set of bags so that you can have 1 each or more to easily separate different types of laundry on the go.

The 7 Best Travel Laundry Bags

Whether you hand them to the hotel porter, hit the laundromat, or wash and wipe with drinking water, keeping your clothes clean on the go makes for lighter luggage. There is a huge variety of laundry bags to choose from, but these are some of our favorites.

1. Best for Big Loads of Laundry

HOMEST 2 Pack XL Wash Me Travel Laundry Bag

Strong and durable while still being compact and easy to carry with you, this 2-pack of extra-large laundry bags has double-stitched and superstrong seams to prevent tears or ripping while in use. Measuring a spacious 28 x 40 inches each, these bags can easily hold 3 to 4 loads of laundry, making them just as useful at home or college as they are on the road.

With a drawstring closure that provides an easy-to-access opening, this bag can handle lots of dirty clothing, yet still fold up incredibly small when it is empty. Perfect for camping trips, backpacking, and hiking, these are also an excellent choice if you want to keep your towels and pillows clean while you are away.

What We Like

  • Available in a range of colors

What We Don’t Like

  • White writing can flake off the bag after washing

2. Wash Your Own Clothes on the Go

Scrubba Portable Wash Bag

This clever portable washing device allows you to scrub your clothes clean, even when you have limited access to water. With a flexible textured washboard hidden away on the inside, you can wash your clothes in an instant by simply adding water and detergent to the Scrubba wash bag, sealing it tight, and rubbing it for 3 minutes before rinsing with water.

Made from 100 percent synthetic material and weighing just over 5 ounces, this pocket-size washing machine is perfect for taking away with you and has been designed to keep underwear, socks, and smaller items of clothing clean on the go. The Scrubba portable wash bag is a great idea for adventurers who like to wander far from the beaten path.

What We Like

  • Saves expensive laundry bills in hotels or on cruise ships

What We Don’t Like

  • It only fits a few items at a time

3. A Stylish and Discreet Laundry Bag for Fashionable Travelers

Check on Walmart

Miamica Laundry Bag

This pretty laundry bag will keep your dirty items separate from your clean ones and offer extra storage space while you are away.

The subtle gray coloring with rose gold lettering offers an elegant take on traditional drawstring laundry bags, and if this colorway doesn’t suit your personal style, there are plenty of other designs and colors to choose from. Easy to zip out and fold up small again, this bag is made from a lightweight microfiber material that is also moisture- and tear-resistant.

With a drawstring closure for easy loading and unloading, this ladies’ laundry bag folds flat enough to be tucked away in your suitcase or carried on for the outward journey. The zipper closure will ensure that your dirty items stay safely separated from your clean ones on the way home.

What We Like

  • Folds up into a small portable bag

What We Don’t Like

  • Fabric is quite thin

4. An Extra-large Laundry Bag for Even Bigger Adventures

Nylon Laundry Bag

Made from top-quality nylon fabric, this travel laundry bag is incredibly durable, with strong double-stitched seams to prevent rips and tears.

Large enough to fit several loads of washing in at 1 time, the bag also comes complete with a drawstring slider that closes neatly without the need for fiddly knots. Available in a wide range of colors, you can even choose a laundry bag that matches your luggage.

Compact enough to fold flat for your outward journey, you can use this as a standalone bag for trips to the laundromat while you are away, or simply use it to separate your dirty items from your clean ones until you get back home again.

What We Like

  • Fits a lot of clothing

What We Don’t Like

  • No handle for easy carrying

5. Perfect for Use Both at Home and Away

Check on Walmart

HOMEST 2 Pack Large Nylon Laundry Bag With Strap

With a supersize capacity in both bags, this 2 piece set is perfect for long vacations or family-sized trips away. Made from super-tough nylon fabric, these bags can more than handle being full to the brim with enough room to comfortably hold 3 to 4 loads of laundry every time.

The locking drawstring closure will ensure that your items stay safely separated from your clean clothes on the go, as and the wide shoulder strap provides a practical solution for trips to the laundromat or hotel laundry while you are away.

With each bag measuring 28 x 40 inches, these brilliant nylon laundry bags come in a wide range of colors and can even be used for storing pillows or bedding for camping trips, vacation rentals, or even back at home.

What We Like

  • Has a sturdy shoulder strap for easy carrying

What We Don’t Like

  • Too large for short trips

6. The Perfect 2-Piece Travel Laundry Bag Set

Cotton Craft 2-Pack Extra-Large Cotton Canvas Heavy-Duty Laundry Bags

Made from soft and breathable 100 percent cotton material, this set of 2 extra-large laundry bags is the perfect accessory for your next adventure. The heavy-duty material is lightweight but incredibly durable, and the drawstring cinch-top with cord lock offers super-easy and secure closing on the go.

Fold the clean bags flat for your outbound journey, then keep your dirty, smelly clothing separated from your clean items when you reach your destination. If you need to wash while you are away, these bags are perfect for hauling your dirties to the hotel laundry or simply filling them up, ready for washing when you get home.

What We Like

  • Drawstring cord for quick and easy access

What We Don’t Like

  • Can shrink after washing

7. Protect Your Delicate Items in the Wash

Set of 5 Mesh Laundry Bags

Keep your laundry super-organized with this impressive set of 5 matching laundry bags. Containing 1 jumbo bag, 2 extra-large bags, and 2 medium bags, this set is perfect for short trips, family vacations, and longer stays.

Made from durable and breathable polyester material, these bags are designed to be used to keep your lingerie and delicates safe in the washing machine.

The see-through mesh design makes it easy to identify which items are in the bags, and these clever little storage bags can also be used to help organize your suitcase. Machine washable at 140 degrees and suitable for use in the tumble dryer, you can quickly throw your dirty laundry in the machine when you get home.

With snag-proof zippers, you can also be sure of a quiet and efficient wash that protects your delicates from tangling during the laundry process.

What We Like

  • Can be used to protect your delicates while washing

What We Don’t Like

  • Zippers are a bit fragile

Final Thoughts

Whether you choose to invest in a bag that will wash your clothes for you, even with just a touch of water, or just a simple cotton laundry bag to keep your dirties away from cleans, a laundry bag is a useful addition to your travel collection that you won’t want to be without.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you wash laundry in a bag?

Depending on the bag, you can wash your laundry in a bag. You should try and wash your laundry in a mesh bag, and it shouldn’t be too full either. This method of washing is particularly good for delicates as it protects them during the wash cycle.

What can I use instead of a laundry bag?

If you’re in a pinch, you can use a pillowcase instead of a laundry bag to wash delicates and underwear.

How do you wash a laundry bag?

You can wash a laundry bag at the same time as your regular laundry. If, however, there are strong odors, you can put it on a separate wash using heavy-duty detergent.

How do you separate dirty clothes in a suitcase?

There are 2 simple methods for separating dirty clothes in your suitcase. The first is to use a travel laundry bag, or you can use packing cubes with some dedicated to clean clothes and others for dirty ones.

Amar Hussain's image

About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

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