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Washing clothes in an RV is easier when you use small loads, quick-drying fabrics, and a laundry routine that fits your water, power, and space limits. You can use a compact washer, wash clothes by hand, or visit a campground laundry room or laundromat. The best method depends on your RV setup and how often you travel.
Choose the Best Laundry Method for Your RV
Most RV travelers use more than one method. A compact washer may handle daily clothes, while a laundromat is better for sheets, blankets, and bulky towels.
Use a Campground Laundry Room or Laundromat
A shared laundry room is often the simplest choice. It lets you wash several loads without using your RV’s water tank, electricity, or limited drying space.
This method works well for:
- Bed sheets and duvet covers
- Bath towels
- Jeans and sweatshirts
- Pet bedding
- Blankets and comforters
- Large loads after a long trip
Check the machines before loading your clothes. Shared washers may contain pet hair, lint, detergent, or bleach from an earlier load. Wipe the drum and detergent area when needed.
Stay nearby while your clothes wash. Campground laundry rooms may have only a few machines, so remove each load as soon as the cycle ends.
Use a Portable RV Washing Machine
Portable washers can be useful for full-time RV living or long stays with water and sewer hookups. Some are fully automatic. Others use separate wash and spin tubs.
A portable washer is best for small items such as:
- T-shirts
- Underwear
- Socks
- Lightweight pajamas
- Children’s clothes
- Thin kitchen towels
Before buying or using one, check:
- The washer’s size and weight
- The available floor and storage space
- Your RV’s electrical capacity
- The water connection requirements
- The drain hose setup
- The weight of the machine when filled
- Campground rules about portable washers
Do not assume every RV outlet or plumbing connection can support a washer. Follow the washer manufacturer’s directions and your RV manufacturer’s guidance.
Wash Clothes by Hand
Hand washing is useful when you are boondocking, between laundry stops, or cleaning a few small items.
You can wash clothes in:
- A collapsible wash basin
- A clean bucket with a lid
- The RV shower
- A sink, when the item fits without crowding
- A hand-powered portable washer
Hand washing takes more effort, but it uses little storage space and does not require a washing machine.
How to Wash Clothes by Hand in an RV
1. Read the Care Labels
Check each garment’s care label before adding water, detergent, bleach, or heat. Separate items that require cold water, gentle washing, or special handling.
Do not hand wash clothing labeled dry-clean-only unless the manufacturer says it is safe.
2. Sort the Clothes
Separate clothes by color and fabric weight.
Keep these groups apart when possible:
- Whites and pale colors
- Dark colors
- Bright new clothes that may release dye
- Heavy items such as jeans
- Delicate or lightweight clothes
- Greasy or heavily soiled items
Small groups are easier to clean and rinse in a limited space.
3. Fill a Basin With Water
Use enough water to cover the clothes while leaving room to move them. Cold or lukewarm water is a practical choice for many everyday fabrics, but always follow the care label.
Avoid very hot water unless the label allows it. Heat can shrink some fabrics or cause colors to fade.
4. Add a Small Amount of Detergent
Use less detergent than you would in a standard washing machine. Too much soap takes more water to rinse away and can leave clothes stiff or sticky.
Liquid detergent is often easy to measure in small amounts. Concentrated products may require only a few drops for a small basin. Follow the product label rather than guessing.
5. Soak and Gently Agitate
Place the clothes in the water and move them around with your hands. Gently squeeze the fabric to help the soapy water pass through it.
Let lightly soiled clothes soak for several minutes. Give dirtier areas, such as collars and cuffs, extra attention.
Avoid twisting, scrubbing, or stretching delicate fabric. Rough handling can damage fibers and change the garment’s shape.
6. Drain the Water Properly
Drain wash water only where local rules, campground policies, and your RV setup allow it. Soapy water may be treated as gray water, even when the detergent is labeled biodegradable.
Do not pour laundry water onto the ground unless the location clearly permits it. Use an approved drain, sewer connection, or gray-water system.
7. Rinse Thoroughly
Refill the basin with clean water. Move and gently squeeze the clothes until the detergent is removed.
You may need more than one rinse. Cloudy water, foam, or a slippery feel means soap may still be in the fabric.
8. Remove Extra Water
Press each item against the side of the basin. Do not tightly twist clothes that may stretch.
For lightweight items, place the garment on a clean towel. Roll the towel around it and press gently. The towel will absorb much of the water and shorten drying time.
9. Hang the Clothes to Dry
Hang clothes where air can move around them. Leave space between items instead of stacking wet fabric together.
Use:
- A folding drying rack
- A shower-mounted drying bar
- A tension rod rated for the load
- A campground clothesline where allowed
- A portable outdoor rack
- Hangers placed in a ventilated area
Check campground rules before setting up an outdoor clothesline. Some parks do not permit them.
How to Use a Portable Washer Safely
Place the washer on a firm, level surface. A machine that rocks during the spin cycle may move, leak, or become unstable.
Connect the fill and drain hoses exactly as directed. Secure the drain hose so it cannot slip loose while the washer is running.
Many RV mattresses are shorter, narrower, thinner, or shaped differently than standard home mattresses.
Keep loads small. Clothing needs room to move through the water. An overloaded washer may clean poorly and put extra strain on the machine.
Balance the load before spinning. One heavy item can make a compact washer shake. Wash heavy jeans, towels, and sweatshirts in very small groups.
Never run the washer while driving. Drain it fully before moving the RV, and store the hoses so leftover water cannot leak into a cabinet or storage bay.
How to Dry Clothes in a Small RV
Drying can be harder than washing because wet clothes add moisture to a small living space.
Improve Airflow
Open vents or windows when weather and safety conditions allow. Run an exhaust fan to help humid air leave the RV.
A small fan can help move air around a drying rack. Keep electrical devices away from dripping clothes and wet floors.
Avoid Crowding the Rack
Spread clothing out. Turn thick items over after several hours so both sides receive airflow.
Hang shirts on hangers and place socks or small items on clips. This leaves more rack space for larger garments.
Dry Heavy Items Elsewhere
Jeans, thick towels, blankets, and sweatshirts can take a long time to air-dry. They may be more practical to dry in a campground dryer or laundromat.
Always check the care label before tumble drying or using high heat.
Do Not Store Damp Clothes
Make sure clothing is fully dry before placing it in drawers, closets, bags, or under-bed storage. Damp fabric can develop odors and transfer moisture to nearby bedding or surfaces.
How to Use Less Water on Laundry Day
Water matters when your RV is not connected to a campground supply.
To reduce water use:
- Wash small items before dirt has time to build up.
- Rewear clean outer layers when practical.
- Spot-clean minor marks instead of washing the whole garment.
- Use only the detergent amount listed for a small load.
- Wash similar colors together to avoid unnecessary separate loads.
- Save heavy laundry for your next full-service stop.
- Choose clothes that dry quickly and do not require special cycles.
Do not reuse dirty wash water for rinsing. Clothes need clean water to remove detergent and loosened soil.
What Clothes Work Well for RV Living?
A simple travel wardrobe can make laundry easier.
Look for clothes that are:
- Lightweight
- Easy to layer
- Quick to dry
- Comfortable when worn more than once
- Safe to wash with other everyday items
- Less likely to wrinkle
- Small enough to store easily
Heavy cotton hoodies, thick jeans, and bulky towels take longer to wash and dry. You do not have to avoid them, but you may want fewer of them when storage and drying space are limited.
Keep at least one backup outfit available during laundry day. This is especially helpful when rain or humidity makes air-drying slower than expected.
Washing Bedding and Towels While Living in an RV
RV bedding can overwhelm a compact washer. Sheets may wrap around the agitator or fill the entire wash tub, leaving little room for proper cleaning.
Wash one sheet or duvet cover at a time only when the machine instructions allow it. Take bulky bedding to a suitable full-size machine when it cannot move freely.
Before washing RV bedding:
- Read the care label.
- Check the washer’s load limit.
- Shake out sand, crumbs, and pet hair.
- Close zippers on removable covers.
- Pretreat visible spots with a product suitable for the fabric.
- Make sure the item can dry fully before bedtime.
Avoid forcing a comforter, mattress pad, or thick blanket into a small washer. Overloading can damage the bedding, washer, or both.
Common RV Laundry Mistakes
Using Too Much Detergent
Extra detergent does not always make clothes cleaner. It can create more foam, require extra rinsing, and leave residue behind.
Washing Loads That Are Too Large
A crowded basin or washer prevents water and detergent from reaching every part of the fabric.
Letting Wet Clothes Sit
Move clothes to the dryer or rack soon after washing. Wet laundry can develop a stale smell when left in a closed washer or bucket.
Drying Everything Inside With No Ventilation
Several wet garments can release a lot of moisture. Use ventilation and airflow instead of closing every window and vent.
Ignoring Gray-Water Rules
Laundry water must be handled according to the campground, public land, rental, and local wastewater rules that apply to your location.
Hanging Clothes From Weak Fixtures
Cabinet handles, shower fittings, and curtain rods may not support wet laundry. Use a rack, rod, or hook designed for the weight.
A Simple RV Laundry Routine
A regular routine keeps dirty clothes from taking over a small space.
Use a ventilated hamper or laundry bag for dry, dirty clothes. Keep wet towels separate until they dry.
Hand wash socks, underwear, and lightweight shirts as needed. Plan a larger laundry stop every several days or when you have access to a campground facility.
Wash RV sheets separately from everyday clothing. Clean pet bedding and heavily soiled items in their own load when possible.
After laundry day, let the washer, basin, and drying rack dry before storing them. Wipe out any remaining water and leave portable washer lids open until the inside is dry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use a regular washing machine in an RV?
Some larger RVs can support a washer made for RV or compact living, but the installation depends on available space, weight limits, plumbing, drainage, ventilation, and electrical capacity. Check the appliance instructions and your RV manufacturer’s guidance before installing one.
Can I drain laundry water onto the ground?
Do not drain laundry water onto the ground unless the land manager or campground clearly permits it. Laundry water is often considered gray water and may need to enter an approved drain, sewer connection, or holding system.
How do you dry clothes in an RV when it is raining?
Use a folding rack inside the RV with good ventilation. Run the roof vent or exhaust fan and leave space between garments. Thick items may dry more reliably in a campground dryer or laundromat.
What detergent is best for RV laundry?
Choose a detergent that matches your washer type, clothing care labels, and washing method. A product that rinses easily can be helpful when water is limited. Use the amount shown on the detergent label for a small load.
Can I wash RV sheets in a portable washer?
Only wash sheets when the washer instructions allow it and the sheet can move freely inside the tub. Large sheets, mattress pads, blankets, and comforters may require a full-size commercial machine.
How often should clothes be washed while traveling in an RV?
Wash underwear, socks, and visibly dirty clothes as needed. Outer layers may be worn again when they are still clean and fresh. Your schedule will depend on the weather, activities, storage space, and access to laundry facilities.
How do I keep dirty laundry from smelling in an RV?
Let damp clothes and towels dry before placing them in a hamper. Use a ventilated laundry container, empty it regularly, and keep it away from clean bedding and food storage.
Is it safe to run a portable washer while driving?
No. Use the washer only while the RV is parked on a stable, level surface. Drain the machine completely and secure it before travel.
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