Rick Steves' Brilliant Clothing Hack Can Help Prevent Overpacking

Rick Steves is one of the most trusted experts on European travel, and he's just as credible when it comes to the art of packing. He has published tons of articles highlighting different tips and recommendations to make packing easier (and lighter). It's well known that travelers on his guided tours are only allowed to bring a small day pack and carry-on bag, one approach to packing light for a trip to Europe. Steves swears by doing laundry in the sink while traveling to save both money and space. It's a brilliant way to avoid overpacking on your next trip and, with the right supplies, it doesn't have to be a hassle.

Packing light is easy when you're Rick Steves and you can rock the same pair of zip-off pants throughout your trip. What about the rest of us who can't quite pull off the look? That's where DIY laundry comes in. With some basic essentials and a few spare minutes, you can easily refresh your clothes without leaving your hotel room.

To do laundry on the road, you don't need to book a place with a washing machine, hunt down a launderette, or choose a hotel with laundry services. As Steves shares on website, "I met a traveler in Italy who wore her T-shirt frontward, backward, inside-out frontward, and inside-out backward, all to delay the laundry day [...] But you don't need to go to these extremes to have something presentable to wear — do it yourself in your hotel room." 

Firstly, it's important to pack clothes made from quick-drying fabrics, such as cotton and polyester. Other good options include lightweight linen in the summer and merino wool in the winter. The TSA's rules on toiletries are pretty restrictive when it comes to liquids in carry-on bags, so instead of detergent, pack laundry sheets or single-use soap tablets. To make the process even easier, consider bringing a universal drain plug in case your sink doesn't have one, and a travel clothesline to expedite drying. Make sure to wring out clothes thoroughly to avoid that lingering musty smell.

If the sink isn't an option, other containers can work in a pinch, such as a clean trash can or cooking pot. "Some travelers create their own washing machine with a large, two-gallon sealable baggie: soak in suds for an hour, agitate, drain, rinse," writes Steves on his website. He says that some hotels in Europe have signs discouraging you from washing clothes in your room, but rest assured that this "may be the most ignored rule on earth." Steves gives travelers his blessing to break the rules. "As long as you wash carefully and are respectful of the room, go right ahead," he says.