Rick Steves Has A Warning For Tourists Using Washing Machines In Europe

If you're a backpacker or traveling across Europe for long periods of time, you'll likely need to wash your clothes at some point. While this might seem like a simple task, it isn't always. Your hotel or apartment may not have a washing machine, or if they offer laundry services or suggest a full-service launderette, it can quickly add up and exceed your budget. In that case, you can easily find self-service laundromats, which are a lot cheaper. Ask your receptionist, locals, or even search on Google maps and you'll find several options close to you. 

But before you head out to a laundromat, make sure you know the most practical ways to do laundry while traveling. And who better to get top-tier travel tips from than renowned world traveler Rick Steves? For example, Steves warns about a common mistake many tourists make when using laundromats. "While you might be able to pay at the washer itself, more likely you'll have to insert your money at a central unit," Steves writes on his blog, followed by a step-by-step guide to the process. After typing in the number of your machine, you put in your coins, or in some cases, tokens. But Steves also includes a warning, among his many other laundry tips: "Use exact change if possible — some machines don't give change."

While Steves mentions that "better launderettes have coin-op soap dispensers, change machines, English instructions, and helpful attendants," that is not always the case. It may save you money to bring your own detergents, so it'd be wise to check and see whether the washing machine requires detergent pods or liquids. However, in most cases you can easily switch between the different detergents, and pods are more travel-friendly. You may also find that the settings and labels are in the local language, so be sure to seek assistance of locals, or use a translation app — or there might be pictograms to help you decipher the washing machine language.

Be aware that certain countries may have restrictions on their washing machines. Most European countries have certain hours of the day that are considered quiet times — usually in the late evening and on holidays — where using the washing machine may not be allowed, especially if it's a particularly noisy machine. Some European washing machines may have longer cycles, as they prioritize energy efficiency over speed with a cycle that takes over two hours. No matter how long the cycle, be sure not to leave your laundry unattended. Not only is it risky that your belongings might be stolen, but it also is against laundry etiquette as you can occupy a machine for longer than needed. "If you ask attendants sweetly," Steves suggests, "they might be willing to transfer your clothes to the dryer, allowing you to slip out for some bonus sightseeing." If you do this, Steves recommends offering them a tip.

If you're worried about using a washing machine, you can try and opt for the most practical way to do laundry when traveling: washing your clothes by hand in your hotel room. According to Rick Steves, some European hotels might have a deliberate sign asking that you do not wash laundry in the room, which he says "may be the most ignored rule on earth." But you should interpret that as taking care with your laundry so you don't drip wet clothes all over the room and ruin any furnishings. "As long as you wash carefully and are respectful of the room, go right ahead," Steves says.

Some folks might pack "a self-service laundry kit," Steves suggests, which could contain a bag for dirty clothes, some laundry detergent or pods, and some string or cord to use as a clothesline — especially if you're the budget-conscious type who wants to do all of your laundry this way. However, "I keep it very simple," says Steves, "using hotel laundry bags to store my dirty duds, washing my clothes with hotel shampoo, and improvising places to hang things." He also recommends packing wrinkle-free and quick-drying fabrics, such as polyester, nylon, and fiber mixes. These fabrics are not just easy to wash and dry, but they're also comfortable, lightweight, and travel-friendly.