One major inconvenience I try to avoid when traveling is spoiling a suitcase full of clean clothes with a pile of soiled ones. That is why I strongly recommend investing in a laundry bag made of good quality.
There are plenty of great options available in the market, so I made a list of the best ones to help you decide which one to buy. In this article, I will be sharing the best laundry bags that are ideal for travel. I also listed the specifications for each recommendation, along with its pros and cons.
A Quick Summary of Our Favorite Travel Laundry Bags
| Image | Product | Details | ||
| Best Overall |  | HOMEST 2 Pack XL Wash Me Travel Laundry Bag | – Machine Washable – Large Enough To Hold 4 Loads of Laundry – Easily Fits a Laundry Hamper or Basket | Check price |
| Best Value |  | Polecasa Heavy Duty Diamond Mesh Laundry Bag | – Machine Washable – Heavy-Duty – Has Drawstring Cord Lock Closure | Check price |
| Premium Choice |  | Azhido Laundry Bag Backpack | – Extra Large 115L Laundry Backpack – With Padded Shoulder Strap – Durable | Check price |
| Most Popular |  | OTraki Extra Large Laundry Bags | – Heavy-Duty – Highly Rated – Affordable | Check price |
Types of Travel Laundry Bags
Laundry bags can be classified based on a bunch of different aspects. But when looking for a great travel laundry bag, consider what you’ll be using it for and how much you’ll move around.
Size. Think about your trip’s duration when choosing the bag’s size. Will you need a handful of outfits? Will time allow you to do the laundry?
If you’re on a short trip, you’ll want to pick something compact and lightweight. Choose a portable laundry bag, so you can just fold it neatly into your suitcase after a quick wash. A larger laundry bag, on the other hand, is more ideal for longer trips. When camping or staying in an Airbnb, you might want one that can function as a pop-up laundry bag that you can place somewhere convenient to collect all your dirty laundry.
Style. Traveling in style is important for others, while some are more practical. That is why travel laundry bags can come in different styles, too. A cross-body bag may look stylish, but a transportable backpack laundry bag would be more efficient when carrying laundry.
The 7 Best Travel Laundry Bags
1. HOMEST 2 Pack XL Wash Me Travel Laundry Bag: Overall Best Travel Laundry Bag
For me, the multipurpose and durable HOMEST 2 Pack XL is the best travel laundry bag. Made of thick sturdy nylon, the seams of these laundry bags are double-stitched to prevent them from tearing and ripping. A locking drawstring closure provides an easy-to-access opening and prevents items from spilling during transportation. The bag itself is machine washable, so your clean laundry can go back into a clean bag.
These multifunctional bags are ideal for long travels, backpacking, and camping trips. They’re huge enough to store 3-4 loads of laundry or weeklong amounts of clothes, coats, towels, pillows, etc. When not in use, the bags fold flat into a compact size, taking up only a little space in your luggage or closet.
Specifications:
- 28” × 40”
- Can Hold 3-4 Loads of Laundry
Pros:
- Multifunctional
- Made of Durable Nylon
- Has Double-Stitched Seams and Locking Drawstring Closure
Cons:
- Design May Flake Off After a While
- Bags May Be Too Big for a Single-Person Use
2. Polecasa Heavy Duty Diamond Mesh Laundry Bag: Best Value
The Polecasa Heavy Duty Diamond Mesh Laundry Bag offers a bunch of practical features that you may not expect from its price. Made of lead-free durable polyester, this laundry bag is thicker than your average mesh bag. Its fabric is sturdy enough to be transported from one place to another, dragged up and down the stairs, and even thrown in cars.
The mesh fabric with diamond-shaped tiny holes helps keep your dirty clothes breath and reduces unwanted smells when traveling. This laundry bag can also be used as a traveling organizer, too! You may use it as storage for dirty clothes when camping. Its locking drawstring closure prevents your clothes from spilling.
Specifications:
- 24” × 36”
- Has 20 Gallon-Capacity (75L)
- Can Hold 3-4 Loads of Laundry
Pros:
- Affordable
- Machine Washable
- Made of Tear-Resistant Breathable Polyester Mesh Fabric
Cons:
- Opening Is Quite Small
- Drawstring Closure Has a Tendency To Break Free
3. Azhido Laundry Bag Backpack: Premium Choice
Perfect for backpacking and camping, this Laundry Bag Backpack by Azhido features soft padded shoulder straps. These breathable mesh shoulder straps provide cushioned comfort so you can easily transport and carry your laundry around while traveling. Its adjustable straps and reinforced stitching can prevent the bag from ripping when trekking or hiking.
The lightweight yet heavy-duty laundry backpack is made of high-quality 600D tear-resistant Oxford fabric. It also has an expandable opening wide enough to make loading and unloading effortless. Although it’s an extra large laundry bag, you can easily collapse and store it when not in use.
Specifications:
- 28″H x 15″L; Can Be Extended Up to 40″H
- Has a Capacity of Up to 115L
- Can Hold 3 Batches of Laundry
Pros:
- Has a 15″H x 11.2″L Front Pocket To Keep Laundry Detergent and Other Accessories
- Made of Premium Material
- Features a Smart Design
Cons:
- Quite Expensive
- Not Ideal for Short Trips
4. OTraki Extra Large Laundry Bags: Most Popular
Made of high-density polyester, the OTraki Extra Large Laundry Bags are durable. Their premium double stitch ensures that the travel laundry bags do not easily fall apart. The drawstring closure with spring lock keeps your laundry bundled up. Thus, avoiding items from being lost.
Aside from containing your dirty clothes while traveling, this bag can also be used as storage for many other things. Its foldable design makes it easy to stow away and carry around, too. With its useful features and affordable price, it’s no wonder why the OTraki laundry bags are a popular choice.
Specifications:
- 28″W x 45″L
- Can Hold Up to 40lbs
- Can Hold 3-4 Loads of Laundry
Pros:
- Multifunctional
- Machine Washable
- Easy To Carry
Cons:
- No Shoulder Straps
- Not Recommended To Be Used as a Washing Bag
5. Miamica Travel Laundry Bag: Best for Short Trips
Perfect for organized travelers and those who are always on the go, the MIAMICA Travel Laundry Bag keeps your suitcase neat and separates your used clothes from fresh ones. This travel laundry bag is perfect for short travels, glamping trips, and weekend getaways.
What I like about this bag is that it’s compact and portable, yet sturdy enough to hold a week’s worth of dirty laundry. Made of lightweight yet durable polyester, this machine washable travel laundry bag is tear-resistant, too.
Specifications:
- 6.3″L x 6.2″W When Folded
- Opens Up to 21″L x 22″W
Pros:
- Machine Washable
- Has a Stylish Compact Design
- Doesn’t Take Up Too Much Space
Cons:
- Not Ideal for Large Amounts of Clothes
- Not As Thick as the Other Bags on This List
6. UniLiGis Washable Travel Laundry Bag
The UniLiGis Washable Travel Laundry Bag with Handles and Drawstring is large enough to hold 3-4 loads of laundry. It’s made of thick durable nylon, so it won’t easily tear apart. Its square base keeps this travel laundry bag upright and makes stacking clothes easier. It can also hold more than your average laundry bag. The bag’s handles support easy carrying while the locking closure prevents your clothes from spilling during transport.
Specifications:
- 13.8″ x 13.8″ x 27.56″
- Has a Detailed of 85L
Pros:
- Durable
- Multifunctional
- Machine Washable
- Easy To Carry
Con:
- Not Leak-Proof
7. Scrubba Portable Wash Bag
The Scrubba Wash Bag claims to be the world’s smallest washing machine. Now you can wash your clothes anywhere! It’s basically a washing machine that folds up in the palm of your hand. This bag is a major space and time saver. Ideal for small to medium loads, this handy laundry bag can wash underwear, socks, and other delicates.
This travel laundry bag is very easy to use. You fill the bag with water and cleansing liquid, put your clothes in, roll and clip to secure, deflate the bag, scrub, unclip and unroll, rinse, and dry. A detailed instruction is displayed on the outside of the bag.
The Scrubba Wash Bag also is perfect for camping and traveling as it can also double as a dry bag.
Specifications:
- 21.3″ x 0.2″ x 12.6″
- Weighs 145g
Pros:
- Eco-Friendly
- Easy To Use
- Lets You Wash Clothes Anywhere
Cons:
- Expensive
- Has the Tendency To Leak After Multiple Uses
Buyer’s Guide:
With plenty of options to choose from, it may be quite overwhelming to pick the right travel laundry for your needs. Below are some additional things you might want to consider.
Material
Most travel laundry bags are typically made of nylon, cotton, or mesh.
Laundry bags made of nylon are typically more durable compared to their cotton and mesh counterparts. Nylon and polyester bags are best for camping, trekking, hiking, and any trips that involve outdoor activities. If you’re expecting to face inclement weather, I suggest you get a waterproof nylon bag like this BeeGreen Laundry Bag Backpack.
The net-type finish of mesh bags makes this kind of laundry bag flexible, thus easier to shove into your suitcase. The woven fibers make it breathable for your clothes and prevent unwanted odors.
If you just need to separate your dirty clothes from fresh ones, a simple cotton laundry bag (like this Cotton Canvas Heavy Duty Laundry Bag from COTTON CRAFT) can do the job!
Closure
The most common types of closure are zip and drawstring closures. As you can see from the recommendations above, most good travel laundry bags have a drawstring closure. This is to keep your laundry bundled up and avoid them from spilling. The drawstring closure can also double as a handle when transporting the laundry.
Features
It’s important to ask yourself what you need a travel laundry bag for. Will you be taking your clothes to a laundromat during your trip? In that case, you’ll be needing a transportable bag that you can easily carry to the laundromat. Or perhaps you simply need a bag to separate soiled clothes from fresh ones for a couple of days only. Then, a compact breathable laundry bag is what you need.
FAQs
- What is the difference between a wash-in laundry and a portable laundry bag?
Wash-in laundry bags are usually small mesh bags that you can use as protection for delicates. You toss them in the washing machine with your clothes. Portable laundry bags, on the other hand, store the dirty laundry.
- Can I wash laundry in a bag?
It depends on the bag. Wash-in and machine washable bags are ideal if you want to, but make sure the bag isn’t too full.
- What’s the best alternative for a laundry bag?
For washing delicates, a pillowcase can mostly do the job. For separating dirty laundry from clean clothes, a huge ziplock, a dry bag, or a complimentary hotel laundry bag can be cheaper alternatives.
The Verdict
The best travel laundry bag for me is the HOMEST 2 Pack XL Wash Me Travel Laundry Bag, which is durable, heavy-duty, multifunctional, and machine washable. If you’re working with a tighter budget, the Polecasa Heavy Duty Diamond Mesh Laundry Bag can do the job. Another budget-friendly option would be the OTraki Extra Large Laundry Bags, which offers great value with its transportability and high-density tear-resistant material. If you have more budget to spare, these bags from Azhido and the Scrubba Wash Bag are your best bets. They’re both space savers and made from premium quality materials.