How to Keep Your Travel Clothes Fresh and Clean While Traveling
The Secret to Fresh, Clean Travel Clothes Without Doing Laundry on Vacation
When you’re living out of a suitcase, keeping your travel clothes smelling fresh and feeling clean can be a challenge.
No one wants to be the one that other travelers look at when they smell something, well, off… Fortunately, you don’t ever have to be that person. With a few smart hacks, you can extend the life of your favorite travel clothes in between washes—and still feel confident wherever you go.
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Here are practical tips every traveler can use to keep their clothes smelling clean and fresh on vacation.
Nine Ways to Keep Your Clothes Smelling Clean and Fresh While Traveling
1. Air Out Your Clothes Overnight
Any sports parent knows one thing: always air out the equipment after a game. The same goes for your travel clothes. Instead of stuffing worn clothes straight back into your bag, hang them up or drape them near a window. Fresh air helps odors dissipate and reduces that “stale suitcase” smell. A simple hanger or even the back of a chair can make a big difference.
2. Use Fabric Refreshers or DIY Sprays
A travel-size fabric refresher can instantly revive a t-shirt or hoodie. Want a more natural option? Mix a small spray bottle with water, a teaspoon of vodka (yes, really, vodka works), and a few drops of essential oil (your choice of aroma). A light misting while they’re hanging will neutralize odors and leave your clothes feeling fresh without heavy fragrance.
3. Pack Odor Absorbers
Activated charcoal bags or a small pouch of baking soda tucked into your suitcase can absorb unwanted smells. For a DIY hack, slip a dryer sheet between folded clothes—it’s a low-cost way to keep your bag smelling clean.
4. Choose the Right Fabrics
Some fabrics naturally resist odors better than others. Cotton blends, lightweight fleece, and quick-dry materials are especially good for travel because they breathe well and dry quickly after spot cleaning. (Hint: this is one reason we use these fabrics for our travel hoodies and tees at 1923 Main Street®.)
5. Do a Quick Sink Rinse
For sweat-prone clothes like t-shirts, a quick rinse in the hotel sink with mild soap or shampoo can go a long way. Roll items in a towel to absorb excess water, then hang them to dry overnight. Read more tips about how to wash out stains while on vacation.
6. Separate Clean and Worn Clothes
Don’t mix worn items with fresh ones in your suitcase. Use a lightweight laundry bag to keep them separate and then use some of these tips to refresh the worn items. Bonus tip: it also makes laundry day easier when you finally do a full wash.
7. Take Advantage of Sunlight
When possible, hang clothes in sunlight for an hour or two. UV rays naturally kill odor-causing bacteria. Just avoid leaving dark colors out too long, as the sun can fade them. If you have a room with a balcony (and it won’t look unsightly to other guests…some hotels have rules), hanging a few items at a time outdoors will speed the process even more.
8. Refresh with Steam
If you have access to a shower, hang your hoodie or t-shirt nearby while you run hot water during your shower or bath. The steam helps release wrinkles and freshens fabric at the same time—no ironing required.
9. Layer Smart
If you’re on a long trip, layering can help keep outer items (like sweatshirts) cleaner longer. Wearing a t-shirt under your hoodie, for example, means less sweat transfer—and your hoodie stays fresh for more wears.
FAQ: Keeping Clothes Fresh While Traveling
How do I wash clothes in a hotel sink?
Fill the sink with lukewarm water and a small amount of soap (hotel shampoo works in a pinch). Gently swish your clothes for a few minutes, rinse thoroughly, then roll in a towel to squeeze out water before air-drying overnight. Read more about washing out stains while traveling.
What fabrics resist odors best for travel?
Merino wool, cotton blends and synthetic quick-dry fabrics are all excellent at resisting odors. These materials breathe better, dry faster and are easier to refresh between washes.
How can I make my suitcase smell better?
Place dryer sheets, activated charcoal bags, or small pouches of baking soda inside your suitcase. These absorb odors and leave your bag smelling clean. Also, leave your suitcase open in the hotel room so that it has a good chance to air out.
What’s the easiest way to refresh clothes without washing?
Hang your clothes in the bathroom while taking a hot shower. The steam reduces wrinkles and helps neutralize odors. A quick spray of fabric refresher or DIY vodka-water spray can also work wonders, as does a little outdoor hanging time, where possible.
How do I avoid mixing dirty and clean clothes when traveling?
Always pack a lightweight laundry bag. Keep worn clothes separate from fresh ones to prevent odors from transferring, and to make laundry day easier.
Fresh and Clean Travel Clothes Always
Traveling light doesn’t mean sacrificing freshness. By using a few quick hacks (like airing out your clothes, separating worn from clean and using natural refreshers), you can keep your travel wardrobe clean and confidence-ready.
And of course, starting with versatile, breathable travel clothes—like 1923 Main Street graphic tees, sweatshirts and hoodies—makes the job even easier.