Pack It Up: 5 Tips for Clean Clothes While Traveling

Travel can be great for your psyche, but extremely tough on your clothes. Whether you're heading off to a rural retreat or an urban jungle, follow our packing and clothing-care tips for a vacation that'll help you unwind rather than unravel.

Tip 1: Roll your clothes.
Rolling instead of folding your clothes not only prevents wrinkles, but it also saves space. Rolling works well for shorts, socks, synthetic T-shirts and tank tops, some pajamas and sweats.

Tip 2: Double-bag your liquids.
No matter how tightly you think the top of that shampoo bottle is screwed on, it's better to be safe than sorry. While packing, separate your liquids from your clothes by putting liquids in double-lined plastic bags.

Tip 3: Pack an uh-oh tee.
Carry an extra T-shirt. Why? Because stains happen, and changing can be the quickest fix.

Tip 4: When you don't have an iron, take a hot shower.
You don't need an iron to stay wrinkle-free. Simply hang your clothes up in your bathroom when you take a hot shower, and let the steam get rid of unwanted wrinkles. Or try a fabric smoother such as Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus, which works quickly and leaves a light, fresh scent behind.

Tip 5: Use dry-cleaning bags.
Dry-cleaning bags can be useful tools when traveling. Use one to separate delicate fabrics from rougher ones. Or use one to keep your sweaters safe from friction that might cause pilling or fuzz. As you near the end of your trip, tie a knot at one end of a bag to use it as a dirty clothes hamper. Smart, huh?

Bonus Tip:
When going away for an extended period of time, be sure to pack laundry tools you use on a regular basis such as a Downy Ball. Many hotel washing machines are much older and the Downy Ball helps soften beach towels and blankets without the added hassle.