Off-grid camper's laundry act divides caravan owners: 'Still get the eye rolls'

You’re living the dream. No work, no stress, nature everywhere you look. But even off-grid or on your summer holidays, some basic jobs never stop.

Things like laundry still need to be done, but the conversation about how often you should throw your belongings through the wash has divided hundreds of campers. Specifically, the question of how frequently to launder your towels has got the group chat fired up.

"So hubby and I are having a discussion, we are full-time travelling, mostly off-grid," one caravanner wrote in a popular Facebook group. "How long do you use a towel for between washing? After 12 months on the road, I still get the eye rolls when I mention washing and the reminder of how much water that uses. The mind boggles that a life necessity like washing always gets the same response."

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Some people recommended “four to five days...like at home” while others were far keener: “2nd or 3rd day;” and some were super relaxed; “When it smells and starts walking itself out the door,” joked one and “Way longer than you think. I have dark brown towels for a reason,” said another.

Weekly washing was the major consensus but a laundry expert tells Yahoo Lifestyle that doing it more frequently is the way to go.

How often should you wash your towels?

“Towels absorb not just water but also sweat and body oils, creating the perfect environment for bacteria and mildew to thrive, especially if towels aren’t allowed to dry properly between uses,” Susan Toft CEO and founder of the Laundry Lady told Yahoo Lifestyle, explaining why regular washing is so important.

Washing your towels can actually reduce bacterial infections and at home, she recommends doing so every three to four days.

But even the expert understands the need to relax on your hols and sees the problem of doing laundry in a caravan so she concedes that every three to five days when travelling is ok.

“If you're in a pinch, you can stretch towel usage a little longer, but only if you're diligent about hanging them somewhere well-ventilated so they dry completely between uses,” Toft said. “Any longer than that, and you’ll likely start noticing a musty smell and a build-up of grime.”

Many of the caravaners advised that hanging your towels in the sunlight was a great natural sanitiser but Toft is quick to stamp out that myth.

“If you’re drying your towels in the sun, be aware that while sunlight can kill some bacteria, it’s unlikely to reach the temperatures needed for thorough sanitisation,” she said. “Plus, drying towels in the sun can leave them feeling hard and scratchy. Sun-drying works well as a complementary step, but it’s not a replacement for washing.”

How to keep towels fresh when caravanning

While there are no quick fixes to getting clean towels without laundering them there were plenty of hacks that could make van life easier.

“We’ve switched to hand towels,” one person suggested. “We’re not small people but a hand towel dries us well. Didn’t think my hubby would agree but we’re both happy - been doing it since June.

Living off grid they dry easily inside on travel days. Use less water to wash, dry quickly and are lighter.”

Others had a similar idea. “I use a face washer to dry off in the shower. Then finish with a towel, it doesn’t get as wet!” said one woman.

“Sounds weird but wipe water away from body with hands before getting out of shower. Amazing how less wet towels are,” said another.

There’s also plenty of discussion about different types of towel to use.

Best quick dry towels for camping

One camper says Sheridan has a range of “cheaper, thin towels” while Newlyfe Towels got several votes from people who like how quickly they dry.

“They mop up the moisture really well. I wash ours once a week,” said one woman.

“Sand free towels?” suggested someone else. “It’s not as plush and comfy for sure, but during hot weather, they dry SUPER SUPER fast and use VERY LITTLE water to wash because they become so small. They are also very light and fold up very small.”

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“Kmart has sand towels. They are awesome,” recommended someone else. “My hubby didn’t like the idea either until I forced him to use one. From that day he was hooked.”

Cloth baby nappies, hemp towels and bamboo towels are all suggested and Toft has her own recommendation.

“Microfibre towels are fantastic for camping and caravanning,” she said. “They’re lightweight, super absorbent, and dry quickly – perfect when you’re short on space and time. Look for high-quality microfibre towels with a soft, suede-like feel.”

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