How do I wash clothes in a sink?

Question

I'm going on a 7 day trip to NYC with my marching band. We are only allowed a small suitcase and I can't fit 7 changes of clothes. I am planning on washing my clothes in the sink/bathtub of the hotel (the hotel doesn't have a washer and we aren't allowed to leave the hotel to go to the laundromat). I am planning on bringing a little bottle of liquid detergent and washing it in the tub, but the last time I washed clothes in the sink, once it dried, it felt.."crispy" I guess..I don't know how to describe it..It wasn't soft at all. I hung it up to dry in the closet. To avoid the "crispiness" next time, should I dry the clothes with a hairdryer, or what? How do I avoid making my clothes crispy??!!

Answer 1

That is kind of hard to do. Buy some fabric softener the liquid kind and put it in the tub with the clothes. The only time I have ever felt that cripsyness as you call it was when the dryer was out and we had to hang the clothes on a line. All I can say is I would rather have crispy clean clothes rather than soft and dirty clothes.

Answer 2

Make sure the clothes are thoroughly rinsed. Rinse them a few times. Also have you tried rolling your clothes up and then fitting them in? What is the dimensions of the suitcase? Are other girls having the same problem? It seems that the marching band director and chapperones would be aware of this problem and allow slightly bigger suitcases. Anyways make sure you rinse your clothes a few times in either the bathtub or sink so there is no leftover detergent in the clothes. Then either hang them up to dry or lay them flat on something. About half way through the drying process, ball them up in your hands and kinda move the fabric around. Then hang them back up or lay them back flat on something. Maybe do this once more during drying time-possibly towards the end. This should prevent "crunchyness" If your clothes are wrinkled, iron them with the hotel iron that sometimes they have in the closet. Good luck and have fun!

Answer 3

Take a small bottle of fabric softener, too.  Use as little detergent as possible... rinse the clothes well and then rinse again in water with a drop or 2 of fabric softener.  While the garment is drying shake it vigorously several times... the more often you shake the softer the garment will dry...

Suggestion when packing..  if allowed take a nice pair of jeans.... these can be worn several days with out washing and then you have more room for extra shirts.     Roll your under garments snugly ... might look at an old Navy manual on packing a sea bag... You would be amazed at what you can get into a small suitcase.

Answer 4

Dry the clothes whichever way you can and when dry go over with a garment steamer. Clothes will get soft again. You can also refresh garments with the steamer without having to wash them first. If you're interested in this method I'd recommend Sunbeam Garment Steamer from Walmart. Not too expensive and small enough to put in your suitcase.