Travelling with detergent

Is it just us or do you also experience separation anxiety from travelling without your regular detergent? Maybe your detergent is too bulky to take away or you forgot to pack it with you.

Either way, here are some tips on getting nappies clean with (almost) any detergent: travel edition.

Detergent sheets

We get asked about detergent sheets a lot. They are a pretty cool idea. As a team, we tested Lucent Globe detergent sheets in 2022 and found we could get them to work … with several large caveats. 

We had to use 60ºC washes, add laundry booster or chlorine bleach, and pretreat stains. We also had to double or triple the dose. It was a lot of work for an average clean, especially when you find yourself having to tear laundry sheets into pieces to try and get the right dose for your load.

Detergent sheets are marketed towards people with lightly soiled laundry, thus the suggested dosage reflects that. When companies claim their product is 20 cents per wash, they mean a small, lightly soiled load of clothes. The price could easily be four or five times as much when used for nappy washing or a full load of family laundry.

On a recent holiday I took Norwex detergent strips with us as an easy option for washing detergent. The recommended dosage was 1 strip. I used 4 and the hottest and longest cycles the hotel machines had. I still had some staining remaining on the kids’ clothes especially.

~ Ainslie, USA

Whilst they are expensive and not suited to most people’s laundry, they do have some benefits. They can promote independence for the elderly or those with disabilities who may struggle with the dexterity and complexity of measuring and pouring detergents.

They are also a fantastic option for travel, as they are compact and won’t burst or spill in your luggage. 

Pods and capsules

Like laundry sheets, pods are marketed as easy to use and proudly promoted as less messy than traditional powders or liquids. This convenience also means manufacturers charge a premium. 

Convenient and efficient, Omo 3 in 1 laundry capsules deliver the right dose every time. These handy pre-measured washing machine capsules make every load a little easier – giving you maximum results with minimum effort.

~ Unilever

With mainstream offerings from OMO, Tide, Biozet and Radiant, the cleaning power of their pods is fantastic. The issue is you are locked into a set dose of detergent for each wash. Pods are even more difficult to dose than sheets!

Normally we advise people to add additional detergent by flushing it down the drawer. Pods are added directly to the drum. If your wash cycle needs more detergent, you’re out of luck. Your options are wearing poorly washed laundry or washing everything again.

Never break the seal of a laundry pod in order to add it to the detergent drawer.

Pods can work well if you have a consistent level of soiling, although the likelihood of using too much, or too little, is still high.

Similar to laundry sheets, pods can be helpful for those with dexterity or mobility issues, and are another option for travel. However, outside of that, they aren’t worth the effort (or cost).

Using a strange, new detergent

If your vacation spot has a grocery store with a laundry aisle, you are in luck! If you cannot find the exact same detergent you use at home, try the leading local brand. A quick Google search is your best friend here.

Detergents manufactured by any of the large, multinational consumer goods corporations are usually a good bet. Some examples of such corporations include Unilever, Procter & Gamble (P&G) and Henkel.

If your Airbnb or holiday accommodation provides laundry detergent, feel free to use it too. You can check whether the detergent is listed on our index or simply apply the cleaning factors to maximise your chances of a good clean.

When trying out a new detergent, start by using the lightly soiled dose for your first wash and following its heavily soiled dose for the main wash. Adjust the dosage according to how many suds you see in the washing machine.

Be prepared to add a laundry booster or chlorine bleach to the wash, or pretreat all stained items.

Increasing the wash temperature to 60°C also goes a long way to boosting the performance of a laundry detergent.

Vacay now, worry later

At the end of the day, it is more important to enjoy your holiday with your loved ones. Don’t sweat the laundry too much. Once you get home, you’ll have the chance to reset any dirty items with the products you know and love. Safe travels! 🍸🧳