How to Wash Clothes at Camp With a Clothesline and Pocket Shower

Quick answer

You can wash clothes at camp by turning the Pocket Shower into a portable laundry basin and using the Clothesline to hang items to dry—no electricity or laundromat needed.

Step-by-step camp laundry setup

1. Fill the Pocket Shower with water: Unroll the top, open the showerhead valve, and fill the Pocket Shower with fresh water (cold or warm). Add a few drops of biodegradable camp soap. Close the roll-top and shake gently to mix. Don’t overfill—leave enough room to agitate clothes without spilling.
2. Wash your clothes in the bag: Place a few small items (socks, shirts, underwear) into the Pocket Shower. Roll the top closed, seal it, and agitate the bag by shaking or kneading for 2–3 minutes. Let it soak for 5 minutes if heavily soiled. Wash similar colors together to avoid dye transfer, and never use regular detergent—only biodegradable soap.
3. Rinse and wring: Open the showerhead valve and drain the soapy water into a sump or designated area. Refill with clean water, seal, and shake again to rinse. Repeat until water runs clear. Wring each item gently to remove excess water. Wringing too hard can stretch fabrics; roll items in a towel instead for faster drying.
4. Hang the Clothesline: Unpack the Clothesline and wrap each end around two sturdy anchor points (trees, picnic table legs, tent poles). Hook the ends in place. The line should be taut to prevent sagging under wet clothes. Avoid tying directly to fragile saplings or branches that could snap.
5. Secure clothes with the sliding beads: Place each item between the two parallel cords, then slide the rubber beads together to pinch the fabric. Space items apart for airflow. The beads hold without pegs and won’t stretch or damage fabric. Leave at least 1–2 inches between items so air circulates and drying is faster.
6. Let clothes dry and pack up: Depending on sun, wind, and humidity, clothes will dry in 1–4 hours. When dry, slide the beads apart, remove items, and coil the Clothesline back into its stuff sack. Empty and air out the Pocket Shower before storing. If rain is forecast, hang clothes under a tarp or inside a mesh shelter to keep them dry.

Product facts

• Pocket Shower: The Pocket Shower is made of 70D Nylon, the same wear-resistant, waterproof fabric as the Lightweight Dry Sacks, with fully taped seams and a roll-top closure. It can hold water without leaking, so you can use it as a wash basin and then hang it to drain—no separate bucket needed.

  

• The Clothesline: The Clothesline uses two parallel cords with rubber beads that slide along the cords to secure items without pegs. You don’t need clothespins, and the beads grip fabric firmly even in wind, so wet clothes stay put while drying.