Laundry is one of those everyday things that looks a little different when you live full-time in an RV. Without a washer and dryer in the camper, it takes a bit more planning and flexibility, especially for a family of four like ours. Dirty clothes add up quickly, and laundromats can get expensive fast.
Doing laundry while living in an RV full-time can feel complicated at first, but with a few simple routines and tips, it quickly becomes manageable. Over time, we’ve figured out a system that works for us, keeps clothes under control, and doesn’t completely take over our lives or our storage space! Here’s how we handle laundry while living in an RV and how we try to keep it affordable.
Our Big Trick: We Keep Wardrobes Simple
One of the biggest adjustments to RV living was cutting way back on clothes. Storage is limited, and the more clothes you have, the more laundry you’re creating. Fewer clothes means laundry happens more often, but each load is smaller and more manageable. It also makes putting clothes away much easier, which is a win in a small space.
Each of us keeps a small, practical wardrobe focused on:
- Comfortable everyday clothes
- Layers for changing weather
- One to two nicer outfits
- One to two sets of pajamas or sleepwear
- Outerwear
Our youngest, Emmett, is the hardest when it comes to getting rid of clothes. He gets attached to things, and his clothes space is always our biggest struggle, especially because he always wants to wear the same clothing items but doesn’t want to get rid of anything. Oh, what fun it is to be raving with children haha.
Campground Laundry Rooms (When Available)
When we stay at campgrounds with laundry facilities, we usually take advantage of them. This is often the easiest option, especially when we’ve gone a bit too long between washes. However, it can sometimes be the most costly. Some campgrounds definitely price-gouge for both washers and dryers, but I guess that’s the price of convenience and having laundry so close by.
These facilities can also be smaller than your average laundromat, so being mindful of when you go helps. We try to avoid busy times and make sure we stay on top of our wash and dry timers so someone isn’t waiting on us.
A few things we’ve learned:
- Machines vary a lot in quality, so we always check them first and make sure they actually work before stuffing them full of clothes and adding your detergent.
- Some can be costly, so we check pricing before starting a load.
- We keep a small stash of quarters since some facilities don’t have tap-to-pay or laundry apps.
- We bring our own detergent to avoid buying overpriced single-use pods.
- Always check when the laundry facilities open and close because I can’t tell you how many times we’ve gone to start a load only to realize the laundry room closes shortly after, meaning we wouldn’t be able to complete a full wash and dry cycle. We love it when campgrounds offer 24-hour laundry facilities!
Laundromats Are a Reliable Go-To
When campground laundry isn’t an option, laundromats are our backup, and honestly, they’re sometimes faster. Being able to wash and dry multiple loads at once helps us catch up quickly. Sometimes laundromats can even be cheaper than campground laundry, especially if they offer larger machines or occasional discounts. We transport our laundry in a large laundry bag and are eventually wanting to get these convenient and storage-friendly collapsible laundry baskets!
We usually try to combine laundry errands with grocery trips to make the outing more productive since we’re already out and about, especially when we’re having to venture pretty far for a good laundromat.
Things we do at laundromats:
- Bring something to do while we wait. Normally, we each bring a book to read, or Anthony and I will play a game of chess. The boys have even done schoolwork on their tablets while we wait for the clothes to finish.
- Fold everything right there so it doesn’t pile up back at the RV. This is huge. We like to get it done there so we avoid wrinkles and don’t have to deal with folding in our small living space later.
Things to consider:
- Laundry budget and payment options – some laundromats are nicer than others and can be more expensive. Always check reviews for pricing, machine condition, and payment types (quarters, app, or card).
- Parking lot size – if you’re planning on bringing your rig, make sure the laundromat has room to accommodate your RV. This is something we run into on travel days when we need to do laundry and have to check if parking is available.
Doing Small Loads Inside the RV
Our RV is small, and since we boondock often, having an RV-sized washer and dryer just isn’t realistic or necessary for us. Some larger or more luxurious RVs and fifth wheels have washer and dryer hookups, but we don’t and many smaller RV setups require a little more creativity.
For quick washes like undergarments, swimsuits, or a few essentials, we sometimes wash items right in the RV sink. This can be as simple as hand washing the old-fashioned way or using a small portable RV collapsing washer. We purchased one from Amazon that works well, stores easily, and is perfect for smaller items. For these smaller loads, we air-dry our clothes either outside on our fold-up drying rack or inside on hangers. This method isn’t ideal for full loads, but it’s incredibly helpful between laundromat trips.
We also have a foldable drying rack that’s helpful when clothes don’t fully dry in the dryer, and we don’t want to pay for another cycle or when we do wash small items inside the RV sink. It’s also great for hanging bathing suits or towels after the pool.
How Much Does Laundry Cost While RVing?
One thing many people don’t think about before hitting the road is how quickly laundry costs can add up. In a traditional home, you rarely think about it because you’re using your own washer and dryer. On the road, though, you’re usually paying per load.
Typical laundry costs we’ve seen:
- Washers: $2–$5 per load
- Dryers: $1.50–$5 per cycle
- Campground laundry rooms are often the most expensive due to convenience
For a family of four like ours, a full laundry day can easily cost anywhere from $10 to $25 depending on where we are and how many loads we’re washing. And that’s just for one laundry day. We typically do laundry at least twice a month, sometimes more if needed, so those costs can add up quickly.
These prices are just estimates, and we’ve found that larger machines can sometimes fit multiple loads at once, which helps save money even if the upfront cost is higher.
A few ways we try to keep laundry costs down:
- Washing multiple loads at once using larger laundromat machines
- Air drying clothes when possible
- Doing small hand washes in the RV sink for essentials
- Staying on top of laundry so it doesn’t pile up into a huge laundry day
Like many things in RV living, it’s just something you learn to work into your travel budget.
Laundry Becomes Part of Your Routine on the Road
When you’re living full-time in an RV, laundry quickly becomes something you plan around. Travel days, longer stays, boondocking, and even the weather all play a role in when it gets done. We’ve learned the hard way that putting it off just means more to deal with later.
After a rainy week, we know we’ll have extra towels from wiping down the RV and muddy clothes to deal with. Bigger items like comforters and blankets take more time, so we try to plan those loads ahead. If we’re heading somewhere remote or planning to boondock, we make sure everything is washed before we go. But when we’re staying in one place for a while, we can be a little more relaxed and space it out
Staying Organized Makes a Huge Difference
In a small space, laundry can get out of hand quickly if it’s not managed. Staying organized helps keep the RV from feeling cluttered and chaotic. As I mentioned earlier, we fold and put clothes away as soon as they come out of the dryer. Having a designated spot for dirty clothes is just as important. Over time, we’ve tried a few different hampers, from narrow plastic ones that crack to fabric bags that don’t stay upright. Check out our previous article for more RV organization tips!
Right now, we use a wicker hamper that sits in our shower and works really well for our setup. It still leaves us space in the bathroom, and when we need to use the shower, we just move it out (along with our kitty’s litter box) since we don’t use the shower very often.
In Conclusion
Laundry on the road definitely takes more effort than tossing clothes into a washer at home, but it’s just another routine we’ve adjusted to. Like everything else with RV living, it’s about finding what works best for your family and being willing to adapt. It may not be perfect, but it’s manageable, and it’s a small trade-off for the freedom and experiences that come with living life on the road.
If you’re thinking about full-time RV living, laundry might seem like a big hurdle at first and sometimes a costly one, but trust us, it quickly becomes just another normal part of the journey that you learn to budget for.