Best Detergent for Sink Laundry?
#31
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Dallas, TX, AA 3MM EXP, WN
Posts: 1,808
Your on vacation. Who wants to do laundry on vacation. Just walk it to a laundry-mat or dry cleaner. Best money you will spend. I would even pay the hotel laundry premium before spending vacation time at the laundry, not to mention carrying around more junk. Also why not buy laundry soap when you get there thus avoiding the need to carry the soap.
#33
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA-GS 1MM), Hertz Pres Circle, Starriott Titanium)
Posts: 1,966
Get "Rei in der tube." This German product is hands down the best stuff ever for sink laundry.
I always decant it into a small leakproof 2OZ Nalgene bottle and have never had an issue.
I always decant it into a small leakproof 2OZ Nalgene bottle and have never had an issue.
#34
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Star Alliance Gold, past Sky Team Platinum
Posts: 43
For me: Normal detergent, such as Tide, filled into a Nalgene 2 oz. Square Wide-Mouth Leakproof Bottle (found at e.g. Container Store for less than $2). Important to get the square ones! I am using them for years for a variety of liquids and never had any leakage. Hands-down the best bottles for this type of duty. Bring household latex gloves.
Never had an issue with TSA or other security checks with the strange blue color of the detergent.
Never had an issue with TSA or other security checks with the strange blue color of the detergent.
#37
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: MileagePlus and a bunch of hotel programs
Posts: 112
I use this: . Although they look like they're only for washing machines, they aren't -- they dissolve easily in cold water in the sink for hand washing. The sheets are large, so I cut them into smaller pieces. I find a 2"x3" sheet (or thereabouts) is plenty for an average sink load of laundry.
#38
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: Fallen DL DM (PM) 2MM
Posts: 4,783
I use a Canadian product called Dizolve -- I think it is available on Amazon as well. it comes in a fragrance free version (which I like). One strip is for a typical load in a machine, so I use about 1/4 - 1/3 strip in my
when doing hotel room laundry (the "Scrubba" is like a big rollup dry bag )
It also comes in handy if you do come across a self service laundry ("Laundromat") and you don't want to use powder from their vending machines (fragrance, too expensive, etc.)
I bought for travel but now use it a home as well instead of those big plastic jugs of laundry soap from Costco (or where ever).
It also comes in handy if you do come across a self service laundry ("Laundromat") and you don't want to use powder from their vending machines (fragrance, too expensive, etc.)
I bought for travel but now use it a home as well instead of those big plastic jugs of laundry soap from Costco (or where ever).
#39
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 32
For those who are looking for something good for wool... I wear a lot of very lightweight merino & cashmere, so I'm pretty cautious on what laundry soaps I use. I really like the wool/cashmere formula made by The Laundress. They refer to it as a Wool & Cashmere shampoo. It is available in a 2 oz travel/trial size bottle. It's pH neutral and smells delicious - cedar and sandalwood. Very nice alternative to the more floral scent most laundry soap has.
Unfortunately, it's not cheap. But neither was all of this merino/cashmere clothing and I want to do all I can to protect it!
And while I've never tried the following, I have seen instructions on Pinterest before for making your own travel detergent "sheets". Essentially, you soak a paper towel with your laundry soap, hang it to dry, then cut into small pieces. Store in a ziplock bag. Then when you need to wash something in the sink/tub, toss 1-2 of your little paper towel pieces into the water and supposedly it makes a sink full of laundry suds.
I might test this idea this week or weekend. I'm curious to know if this might be a viable option for brief trips when I really need to make space/weight count.
Unfortunately, it's not cheap. But neither was all of this merino/cashmere clothing and I want to do all I can to protect it!
And while I've never tried the following, I have seen instructions on Pinterest before for making your own travel detergent "sheets". Essentially, you soak a paper towel with your laundry soap, hang it to dry, then cut into small pieces. Store in a ziplock bag. Then when you need to wash something in the sink/tub, toss 1-2 of your little paper towel pieces into the water and supposedly it makes a sink full of laundry suds.
I might test this idea this week or weekend. I'm curious to know if this might be a viable option for brief trips when I really need to make space/weight count.
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,410
For those who are looking for something good for wool... I wear a lot of very lightweight merino & cashmere, so I'm pretty cautious on what laundry soaps I use. I really like the wool/cashmere formula made by The Laundress. They refer to it as a Wool & Cashmere shampoo. It is available in a 2 oz travel/trial size bottle. It's pH neutral and smells delicious - cedar and sandalwood. Very nice alternative to the more floral scent most laundry soap has.
Unfortunately, it's not cheap. But neither was all of this merino/cashmere clothing and I want to do all I can to protect it!
Unfortunately, it's not cheap. But neither was all of this merino/cashmere clothing and I want to do all I can to protect it!
#41
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: London
Programs: US Gold
Posts: 627
#42
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA-GS 1MM), Hertz Pres Circle, Starriott Titanium)
Posts: 1,966
Since the post you quoted back in 2009, I've become a OneBagger for trips of all lengths. While my favorite soap is "Rei in der Tube" from Germany... I have stopped carrying soap. I just plain use whatever shampoo is in the hotel room. Works great for me. I will definitely try your baking soda though for a load of sink laundry @ home.
#43
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: Delta Gold, silver, what yr is it?
Posts: 2,417
I can't see if I've posted already or not, but I use some German handwash soap in tubes I bought for 1 euro each at DM. I've tried rei in der tube too, and like, but the cheap stuff works great too :-)
#45
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 77
Lingerie soap. Powder if available. Forever new is the best, but unfortunately is scented.
Edit: Variance by forever new. Powder, unscented. Perfect for travel and sink washing.
Edit: Variance by forever new. Powder, unscented. Perfect for travel and sink washing.
Last edited by NeilA; Feb 20, 2020 at 4:41 pm Reason: New info