Van life can be a little more different in daily chores and maintenance than living in a studio apartment. People who aren’t used to living in small tight spaces, or those who have not experienced road trips using a coaster van, may have difficulty assuming living life in a van, given the limited resources it offers— electricity, water, and many more.
Living in a coaster van would require extra measures to meet daily needs and to be able to practice a normal, healthy lifestyle. There are ways to make one’s life on the road completely exciting and rewarding without compromising one’s hygiene and surrounding environment. And one of those ways is to tend to laundry regularly despite the limitations of van life.
Here are a few ways to do laundry in a van life:
1. Visit the Nearest Laundromat
Doing laundry at the nearest laundromat is one of the options for those people living on the road. It is also convenient since even small towns have laundromats. All one needs to do is to look up the nearest one through GPS or the internet.
Laundromats are usually open early in the morning and typically close late. All one needs to cater is the laundry detergent and some coins to operate the machine.
2. Wash on the Sink
Others would prefer doing their laundry on the van’s sink. Especially when one is on a tight budget or owns clothes with delicate fabric, it is much better to use the things the van has to offer. But since the water supply is limited in a coaster van, one must consider doing laundry on a smaller load, and special attention to the delicate clothing one has.
3. Portable Washing Machine
One can tag along with a portable washing machine. Campervans can accommodate a portable washing machine, but it may vary depending on the size of both the portable washing machine and campervan and how much electricity a campervan can offer.
4. Availing of Laundry Services in the Area
Availing of laundry services offered in the area or location of one’s trip can be the most convenient option. One can avail and drop off laundry to laundry shops in town and pick up after one’s clothes when it’s fresh and clean. In this way, dirty clothes won’t hold you from enjoying one’s trip doing laundry. One can continue with the trip’s itinerary without worrying about dirty clothes anymore.
Dealing with dirty clothes and doing laundry in one’s home might be a challenge to most people because of how much a single chore demands. It demands proper resources, time, and effort to be able to do laundry properly. How much more if it is done while one is on the road, with limited resources and little to no space to move and settle one’s laundry properly?
Fortunately, by considering the options listed above, one can see that doing laundry while on the road does not need to be challenging. One just needs to go out of the way to perform these tasks.
Conclusion
In conclusion, dealing with dirty laundry is a common challenge for van lifers, but there are several solutions to keep your clothes clean while on the road. From using a portable washing machine to opting for eco-friendly laundry detergent, and utilizing laundromats or campsite facilities, there are various options to suit different lifestyles and budgets.
By planning ahead, being flexible, and embracing the adventure, van lifers can maintain good hygiene and enjoy their nomadic lifestyle to the fullest.