How to clean your clothing while traveling the world?

Question

I plan to travel the world anywhere from Europe to third world countries like Southeast Asia and Costa Rica. I was wondering how travellers keep their clothing clean while traveling and not wrinkly.

Answer 1

Assuming you won't need business clothing or "dress" clothing, take clothes that are washable (don't require dry cleaning) and don't require pressing.  Try hand washing the clothes and hang-drying them before you leave home.  Clothing is often advertised as "wrinkle-free for traveling" but that isn't always true.

Choose items that you can mix & match.

Avoid very light colors and especially white outer clothing.  For example, khaki is OK but not beige.

Take 2 or 3 >> plastic << clothes hangers so you can dry shirts and trousers without having to drape them over something.

You can take laundry detergent and softener, but I just use shampoo and conditioner for handwashing. There will be regular laundry detergent anywhere there is a washing machine (avoid putting shampoo in a washing machine).

Shampoo (for hand washing) does a good job of getting stains out, and I put some conditioner in the water for the last rinse.  I can go almost indefinately with 3 to 4 changes of casual clothes by washing them in the sink and hanging them to dry in the bathroom.

Take at least one set of clothing that would be suitable for going to a nice club.  

Business and "dress" clothing almost always require dry cleaning.  However, there will be dry cleaning & pressing available everywhere people regularly wear suits and dresses.  Pack suits and dresses in a bag designed for them.  They will still be a bit wrinkled at your destination but should only need some touch-up pressing, and it won't be a crisis if there are minor wrinkles.

Answer 2

Most backpacker haunts have a laundry service for a small fee.  I prefer putting a plug in my sink and handwashing. As for wrinkles--don't bring anything that does!