Common Clothing Care Mistakes to Avoid While Traveling

Traveling opens the door to adventure, relaxation, and new experiences—but it can also be tough on your wardrobe. Whether you’re exploring a new city, backpacking through the countryside, or on a business trip, keeping your clothes fresh and wearable is a must. At Clean Right Laundromat, we see our fair share of travel-worn laundry, and we’re here to help you avoid some common mistakes travelers make when it comes to clothing care.

1. Overpacking (and Underwashing)

One of the most frequent mistakes travelers make is overpacking in hopes of avoiding laundry altogether. The result? Wrinkled, musty clothes that take up space and weigh you down. Instead, pack lighter and plan to wash your clothes mid-trip. Many laundromats—even those near your hotel—offer quick and affordable wash-and-fold services (like we do at Clean Right!).

Tip: Bring a compact, reusable laundry bag to separate dirty clothes while traveling.

2. Ignoring Fabric Care Labels

That lightweight dress or new linen shirt may be perfect for your trip—but it might also require special care. Ignoring fabric care labels can lead to shrinking, fading, or even total ruin of your favorite travel pieces.

Solution: Take a few minutes before your trip to check care labels. When in doubt, separate delicate items and wash them on a gentle cycle or hand wash.

3. Letting Wet Clothes Sit in Your Bag

Whether you got caught in a rainstorm or took a quick dip in the ocean, stuffing damp clothes back into your suitcase is a surefire way to invite mildew and odor.

Quick Fix: Always let wet clothes air dry before packing. If you’re in a pinch, a local laundromat can dry your items quickly and professionally.

4. Using Too Much Detergent

Travelers often go overboard when doing laundry on the go, thinking more soap means cleaner clothes. In reality, too much detergent can cause buildup, attract dirt, and even irritate your skin.

Pro Tip: Use detergent sheets or travel-sized, pre-measured detergent to avoid the guesswork. Or better yet, drop your laundry off at Clean Right Laundromat, and we’ll take care of it for you.

5. Not Sorting Laundry

It’s tempting to throw everything into one load when you're in a rush on vacation—but mixing lights, darks, and different fabrics can cause bleeding, pilling, and fading.

Better Option: Take a minute to sort your laundry. Many laundromats (like ours) offer sorting assistance or premium service to ensure your clothes get washed right.

6. Skipping the Dryer Sheet

While not a disaster, forgetting a dryer sheet can leave your clothes staticky and less fresh-smelling than you'd like. A small box or even a few sheets in a ziplock bag takes up virtually no space in your luggage.

Bonus: Some dryer sheets can also double as suitcase fresheners!

Keep It Clean with Clean Right

At Clean Right Laundromat, we’re here to make your travel laundry experience easy and stress-free. Whether you're a tourist passing through or a local heading out on your next adventure, we offer self-serve machines, drop-off service, and helpful staff to keep your clothes looking their best.

Travel smart. Wash right. Clean Right.