Laundry

[vered]

I'm planning to start the trail im mid October. I'm guessing I can't count on my laundry drying within half a day either indoors or out (pinned to my backpack). Any suggestions? Are there laundromats with dryers along the way?

Thanks,

[Covey]

Doing your laundry on the Camino is a matter of judgment based on the weather that day, and how much clothing you are carrying.

In July/Aug your laundry will dry on a line outside in 2 hours. In October if it is sunny it will take 3/4 hours and if overcast may take 5/6 hours. However, in October you also have to contend with the evening dew, which if you leave your clothes out too long, will result in your washing being wetter than when you hung it out.

Very few official albergues have tumble dryers, and some private ones do. I only know of one public Laundromat along the Camino Frances and that is at Santo Domingo opposite the official albergue.

If you are carrying the usual kit list of what you are wearing plus 2 changes of shirt etc, then you need to stop a little early every three days if the weather is nice and do the laundry.

Using machines in albergues is expensive and a load in a washing machine and then dried will cost you ?5 a load. Take a net laundry bag with you as this makes sharing a load with someone easier.

You can wash your clothes in shower gel which saves carrying additional soap. Makes the clothes smell nice as well!!!

[vered]

Thanks.

I gather the answer is :

You will have a problem

[Covey]

Not really a problem. but dependent on the weather that day and remembering that the sun in October is not as hot as August, or as frequent!

I always carry three changes of shirt,underpants and socks, plus what I am wearing so laundry is a 4 day cycle. Given the weather in October, you might consider the 4 day cycle to give yourself more flexibility. The extra weight is minimal, and the flexibility worth it.

[Kay]

We are doing the last 100 km starting mid-October. We are plannning to take 2 changes of clothes/underware plus what we are wearing. It sounds like, except for rain encounters, our need to launder will be minimal. Thanks for the tip on the shower gel. I wondered what to take for that. I assume you wash things out in the sink and hang on your backpack to dry?

[Kay]

One more question... we have been advised by seasoned backpackers to change our socks 2-3 times per day. This would certainly add to the burden of laundry, even though we are wearing Smartwool socks. Any thoughts on that?

[Covey]

If you take your boots off when you stop for coffee or lunch (preferably outside!!!!!), your socks will dry off very quickly and you then just put your boots back on. Saves a lot rummaging around in your pack looking for socks!

[Anna-Marie]

Hi Kay,

Wow! I've never heard that you should change your socks several times a day. I didn't change my socks at all during the day and did fine (weirdly, I got a few blisters after a few weeks of walking, but they went away quickly and I didn't have any other problems).

You usually wash things in the sink and hang them up at the refugio to dry ... and then attach them to your backpack if they don't dry overnight (big pins are helpful). Some refugios have washing machines and dryers, too, which is nice every once in a while--especially when it's cold.

Buen Camino!

Anna-Marie

[Covey]

Over the years I have found that carrying shower gel is a smart move cos you can wash your clothes with it as well as using it in the shower for yourself (showers only on the Camino!!) You can then wander the Camino smelling of Honey & Almonds or Fruits of the Forest instead of Eau de Albergue!!!