I spent 5 weeks on Lake Balaton in Hungary with 4 13-year-olds, 2 boys, 2 girls, none of them my own kids. Laundry was necessary but I sure didn't want to do it for everyone (I was the "mom" and moms do the laundry).

My trick - #1 advise the kids to bring something other than jeans because they will be washing them themselves and they won't like the way they look when hand washed or bring jeans and wear them dirty.

#2 Pack a sandwich size ziploc bag of dry laundry detergent. If bag were to leak, no damage to luggage but pleasant scent.

#3 Put a handful of dry detergent in the pocket of pants and wear into shower. Wet down with clothes on, if necessary make soap paste to extra wash spots. Strip, wash yourself while agitating laundry with your feet, rinse yourself and clothes. Use the twisted towel method to replace the spin cyle. hang from tree todry completely.

I recognize that this sounds pretty extreme but understand that we were in a fairly rustic camp (did have running water, usually warm) and the kids accepted the challenge. In fact they were pretty pleased when others who had been complaining about the absence of fresh laundry, copied them. It became an anticipated camp activity.

P.S. My kids didn't miss their jeans and the other participants were not happy wearing really skunky jeans the last couple weeks.

Hi, all!

I have a rather unconventional suggestion, but this has totally changed the way we pack.

THROW THEM AWAY. When you pack, dig to the bottom of the drawer and take your oldest, ugliest, faded unmentionables, socks and stockings on your trip. Take enough for each night of your trip. Or, if it's a long trip, make sure half are disposable.

Liberate yourself of these items as you travel and make extra room in your suitcase as you go!

If you run out, believe it or not, we haven't been anywhere in the world that didn't sell underwear, so far....

Happy Travels!

wow- See the other thread called "packing tips". you're not the only person recommending the old underwear for traveling idea! It's a very popular suggestion this week!!!

I love the throwing away as you go! I have never understood going shopping for clothes for your trip (unless there are special needs); I am much more of this mindset of packing stuff to throw away and make room for fun fantastic stuff you are going to buy on your trip. Besides, who are you looking to impress with those gorgeous new clothes you buy for a trip....a bunch of strangers in a city far far away who you'll never see again. That being said, I'd bring a couple of outfits I look really good in for picture purposes.

I agree, ncountry! However, I do confess to saving my buying for while I'm on the trip. I'd rather dress as the locals dress, and bring home fashion that won't be here for two year!

Okay, if you pack light also, then you can come with us.

LOL! On the other hand, I've got stories on packing light.... Two stories: 1) I ended up on a cruise ship with an older couple sharing bunk beds in one room (a separate long story). They did not realize there was dress up for dinner night on a cruise and as they watched everyone walking by in all their finery, they glumly said "I think we overdid the underpacking".

2) second story, I went around the world on a 6 week trip with one small suitcase the size of a big gym bag. I hadn't realized that it would be winter in Sydney Australia in August and found myself cold and underdressed. My solution to this was to wear ALL my clothes.... I looked kinda like a bag lady in all my layers when I attended Evita in their gorgeous huge theater. That being said, I'm sure no one remembered me.

But I'll bet you remember Evita! I might have missed the cold Australia in August also.... It was so cold in Paris in May a few years ago that we all had to buy jackets, but the shopping was half the fun. Since it was may, jackets were on sale all over the city.

Nonetheless, I still stand by packing light. I do take or wear one outfit I can convert to evening - always.

But as to the topic for this forum, I have a confession. Part of being able to pack light is simply getting the laundry done somewhere. If there isn't a laundry service at the hotel, then we've always been able to find a local laundromat. Spending $20 on hotel or local laundry is SO MUCH easier than lugging twice the clothes and detergent with you!! (Do people really take detergent?)

If your hotel laundry is especially expensive, then ask the housekeeper or front desk if they know a local person who picks up and does wash/dry/fold. This is especially the key when we're with our three kids. The hospitality professionals in your hotel likely have a neighbor or aunt who will do laundry for a reasonable fee. Use your resources, and go have a glass of wine before bed instead of scrubbing grundies in the sink. What a better way to end the day on a fabulous trip!

8 or 9 day trip? You don't need more than three sets of clothes and one evening outfit, a pair of comfy shoes and a pair of dressy shoes that you love. One bathing suit and a pair of flips and you're off!

Believe it or not, I've never done laundry on a trip! I must be really grungy. I'll wash my undies in the sink but I just don't think my outer clothes get that dirty...well, actually, that now brings back memories of Nepal and a really adventurous day on a packed local death trap bus careening around steep hilly turns followed by white water rafting then multiple rides on the top of trucks before reaching my destination at 11 pm totally dusty and dirty and having to share a room with a rooster that crowed at dawn. I went to the village center and went to the water pump and essentially took a shower fully dressed in front of the entire village. I must have washed those clothes later by hand with water and bar soap.

I'm very impressed with how many uses you had for that black sarong!

The sarong has become part of my routine packing now. My husband sometimes even asks if it's packed before we leave. I've replaced it a couple of times; twice in the same sarong shop in PDC. Never leave home without it!

An indelicate reply; I always use a mini-pad in my underpants (tried to get my husband to do it too, but until they invent peni-pads, he won't do it). That allows me fresh underwear at my arrival without having to unpack or wash. This really saved me when, during an air traffic controllers in France we were rerouted to Milan, had to catch a bus to the train to another train on the Italy/France border; 36 hours of travel without the possibility of a hotel or a stopover.

I carry spare underpants, socks, and a top in a plastic bag in my carry on, in case my checked bag takes a detour. I travel solo, but if you're part of a couple, you do know to put some of your clothes in your partner's checked bag, and vice versa, right?

If you are travelling by rental car in summer, you can put your almost-dry stuff over the seat, and let it dry via solar-power (I wouldn't do this for undies! And you may want to crack the car windows a little to let the humidity escape.).

I must wash stuff too often. I take detergent, and I always cadge my relatives' and friends' washing machines. I often buy detergent for my hosts, too. And I look for hotels that provide guest laundry machines.