10 Most Efficient Camping Washing Machines to Be Taken on a Trip

Camping seems like fun when you practice it with your family or friends. It is totally awesome when the weather is fine but even it's not, it is a good opportunity to face the fears and overcome them. One of the fears at the campsite is dirty laundry. At some point you will have to face the reality – dirty clothes should be washed. If you have kids, you will have to handle the problem quite soon.

 

Dealing with wet and dirty clothes while traveling is tiresome unless you have a specific camp laundry gear. It would be great if you could take a conventional washer with you, instead, you should think of a camping washing machine. But don't be deceived by this term, in most cases, camp washers look quite different from what you expect. With that, they can save your trip from a total dirty crush. So here is the list of most popular camp washers from the smallest to the largest.

 

The best models of camping washing machines

1. Sodial Mini Washboard

This is an old-school device rather than a washer aimed to make your camping routine easier and your clothes cleaner. Mini washboard is the least possible alternative to a washing machine but none the less effective when washing is concerned. It efficiently scrubs dirt off the things and can be used for a prewash before the main cycle. It is very small and lightweight what makes it perfect for backpack tours. But keep in mind, this is rather an addition to a camping washing machine than a full-size device.

• Pros: extremely small and lightweight, scrubs off dirt amazingly, good for camping, easy to use, inexpensive.
• Cons: is not for a person with arthritis to use, requires hard handwork.
• Item weight: not specified
• Item dimensions: 3.1″ x 2″ x 1.3″ (8 x 5 x 3 cm)
• Price: $2.88 BUY NOW

 

2. Sunky Ultrasonic Washing Machine

Sunky does not look like a washer, it resembles a bar of soap in fact. Being extremely portable, Sunky is an excellent option for travelers and campers. There are two power options: you can either plug it in a US standard socket, use a car power outlet or a powerbank for powering the washer. The vibration helps to get rid of stains without damage to the fabric. No hand-wash is required after that. So this is a nice device to save your trip, be it a business trip or traveling with your family.

• Pros: small pocket size, easy to take in a trip, lovely design, easy to use, excellent for any trip, multi-functional.
• Cons: electricity is required for powering.
• Item weight: unknown.
• Item dimensions: 5.9″ x 3.1″ x 2″ (15 x 8 x 5 cm)
• Price: $45.99 BUY NOW

 

3. Scrubba Wash Bag

This is the most portable camping washing machine ever! Let's believe that a wash bag can be a washer. Since the choice of compact camping alternatives to home appliance is limited, Scrubba can be of a service to lovers of outdoor recreation. This is a sturdy polyester bag of a pleasant green color with hundreds of nodules inside. Seems like an old-fashioned washboard inside out. Scrubba also doubles as a dry-bag, which makes it a #1 choice for backpacking.

• Pros: very small and lightweight, provides machine quality washing, made of high-durable TPU, serves as a dry-bag, pleasant color, the smallest washing machine, effective.
• Cons: expensive.
• Item weight: 3 oz (85 g)
• Item dimensions: 21.3″ x 0.2″ x 12.6″ unfolded (54 x 0.5 x 32 cm)
• Price: $47.57 BUY NOW

 

4. Laundreez Portable Clothes Washer

Looking for a camping washing machine to save your trip? Laundreez can help you. This is a very compact, lightweight and waterproof bag for washing clothes. When not washing, you can use it for storing toiletries or wet clothes. In other words, this is a versatile bag to be taken on a trip. Made of clear vinyl, it allows to see how clean your clothes is during washing. Laundreez would be placed second after Scrubba in terms of portability and flexibility but it provides the same result for a lower price.

• Pros: compact and lightweight, washes effectively, made of thick vinyl, versatile, has a convenient large valve, nice size.
• Cons: not very flexible.
• Item weight: 12 oz (340 g)
• Item dimensions: 3.2″ x 1.8″ x 12″ (8 x 4.5 x 30 cm)
• Price: $35.00 BUY NOW

 

5. Jumbl Portable Manual Washer

If you are not about to rub your clothes in a wash bag and you have enough place in your RV for a barrel-like camping washing machine, it will do your dirty job with clothes. Jumbl requires little effort to wash. It is very economical with little water amount needed. A large clothing-load hole is convenient for even bulky things. The construction stands solidly due to a reliable metal stand. Jumble camping washing machine is good for campsites but is not suitable for backpack tours.

• Pros: easy to assemble, no electricity required, hand-operated, a large 5.7″ clothing-load lid, small but capacious, effective, no running water needed, durable design.
• Cons: not good for backpacking.
• Item weight: 12 oz (340 g)
• Item dimensions: 11.5″ x 13″ x 16″ (26 x 33 x 40 cm)
• Price: $36.99 BUY NOW

 

6. Breathing Mobile Washer

If you are ready for a bit of workout that provides you with clean clothes, then Breathing Mobile Washer is a nice alternative to a conventional washing machine. No, you do not need to breathe inside it, you just need to pestle dirty clothes in a bucket. It is dead easy, isn't it? This is a great tool for camping as well as for washing certain clothes, like too dirty or too large to fit the washer. The only nuance is that you will need a bucket or any container to put clothes and pour water there.

• Pros: easy to use, no restrictions for clothes amount, works great, compact, good for camping, highly efficient.
• Cons: requires a bucket or another container for placing the clothes.
• Item weight: 1.2 lb (544 g)
• Item dimensions: 24″ x 8″ x 8″ (60 x 20 x 20 cm)
• Price: $20.64 BUY NOW

 

7. Open Box

One Box does is not a box in its classic sense but a barrel. With that it is portable and hand-operated, you won't need electricity or car power to run it. If you are an eco-conscious geek looking for safe and economical washing machine alternative on a camping trip, this can be an option. Probably too bulky for backpacking, it is perfect for outdoor camps. So if you decide to invest in green, this is a suitable chance to start.

• Pros: portable, gentle on clothes, cleans fast, easy to operate, no electricity required, excellent for RV and camping mobile homes.
• Cons: too large for walking trips.
• Item weight: 6 lbs (2.700 kg)
• Item dimensions: 12″ x 12″ x 16″ (30 x 30 x 40 cm)
• Price: $27.00

 

8. The Laundry Pod

The Laundry Pod works in places where a conventional washing machine does not, including camping. It requires no electricity or specific place for installation. It looks like a bucket with a mesh smaller bucket inside. The principle is simple – you rotate the inner container with a handle for effective washing. The Laundry Pod is very economical in terms of water consumption and compact when compared to a traditional washer. It is a must-have for those who go green.

• Pros: good for RV and moving houses, easy to operate, no electricity is needed, economical.
• Cons: not good for backpacking.
• Item weight: 6.5 lbs (2.9 kg)
• Item dimensions: 14.5″ x 14″ x 13.5″ (37 x 35.5 x 34 cm)
• Price: $82.13

 

9. Costway Mini Washing Machine

If you are traveling in a moving house or have a huge car trunk to carry this ''little'' thing, then you will never regret taking Costway on a trip. It resembles an old-fashioned washer in a modern body. It cleans dirty clothes with minimal water and soap consumption and it does not take much space compared to a conventional washing machine. Being small, it still needs 200W to start washing. So make sure you have a car power inverter to use your washer on the road.

• Pros: no manual work is required, small, modern design, timer control, excellent for RV and tiny houses.
• Cons: a source of electricity is required, does not work for backpacking.
• Item weight: unknown.
• Item dimensions: 14″ x 14″ x 20″ (35 x 35 x 51 cm)
• Price: $54.99 BUY NOW

 

10. Yirego Drumi

This is a foot-powered washer that looks like R2-D2. For the fans of Star Wars and eco-friendly appliances Drumi is a nice choice. It can serve as a good camping washing machine as well as the washer for a small family. No electricity is needed, no running water is required or much space for installation. Drumi is very compact to easily fit in scarce space zone. It normally takes about 5 minutes for a washing cycle, so this washer is also time-saving.

• Pros: no electricity is required, economical, small, nice design, no specific installation is needed, excellent for RV and tiny houses.
• Cons: too bulky for walking tours.
• Item weight: unknown.
• Item dimensions: 19.4″ x 15.7″ x 16.4″ (49 x 40 x 41.5 cm)
• Price: $239.00

 

Useful Accessories

Solving the problem of dirty clothes is surely a big deal but there can be other issues that you would like to settle down. Among them are drying, pre-washing stains, etc. So here we offer some extras that might be very helpful at the campsite.

 

Retractable Clothesline with 12 Clothespins

Everything is clear here – when you have wet clothes, actually be it dirty or washed, you need to dry it out. You don't want to seem savage hanging around your things on the trees, do you? That is why take a very compact and indeed handy clothesline. Stretch it and enjoy effective drying. On a windy day, clothespins will save your outfits from blowing away.

• Pros: easy to stretch and install, has anti-skid clips, nice quality, convenient drawstring bag, clothespins included in a set, perfect size for backpackers.
• Cons: no.
• Item weight: 6.4 oz (181 cm).
• Item dimensions: 6.8″ x 6.8″ x 1.5″ (17 x 17 x 4 cm)
• Price: $9.99 BUY NOW

 

Collapsible Umbrella Clothesline Dryer

In case your campsite is far away from the woods with no opportunity to stretch the clothesline between the trees, have a look at other clothes drying option – collapsible umbrella dryer. It folds up small enough to be taken on a trip and unfolds into a large item. No specific skills are required to fold and unfold it. It is lightweight but stands steady on three legs, though it might not work on a windy day.

• Pros: easy install and fold, nice quality,  perfect size for backpackers.
• Cons: no clothespins, unstable on the wind.
• Item weight: 38 oz (1 kg).
• Item dimensions: 13″ x 11″ x 3.5″ (33 x 28 x 9 cm)
• Price: $35.95 BUY NOW

 

NextGen Dry Bag

You don't necessarily need to go through the waterfall to get your clothes wet. Fresh morning and rain can provide the same effect. So in order to protect your clothes from nature moisture decide on NextGen Dry Bag. It is waterproof and durable to withstand any extremes you may face while traveling. A waterproof cell pouch is a pleasant bonus to your protection measures. So let your things be always dry and protected!

• Pros: great for keeping things, capacious, waterproof, bright color palette, 3 size options, nice extras, durable, convenient handle.
• Cons: no.
• Item weight: unknown.
• Item dimensions: diameter 9.75″ (25 cm) and 9″ (23 cm); height 26.25″ (66.5 cm), 24″ (61 cm), 19.5″(49.5 cm).
• Price: $19.99 - $28.99 BUY NOW

 

Laundry Soap

If you are planning a sweaty and dirty trip somewhere with scarce washing option, you'd better get ready for it in advance. Take Laundry Soap with you – this is a handy travel item. It consists of 50 laundry sheets that easily dissolve in water and enable convenient and easy washing. Compact and helpful, it works as an alternative to liquid soap and can save your mood when your clothes gets too dirty.

• Pros: numerous sheets, compact, work great, no leaks, have a nice scent, easily dissolve in water.
• Cons: should be taken with DRY hands only, has CA Prop 65 warning.
• Item weight: 1.3 ounces (37 g).
• Item dimensions: 6″ x 5″ x 4″ (15 x 13 x 10 cm).
• Price: $6.56 BUY NOW

 

Katadyn Vario Water Filter

If you are planning a long-lasting trip where you doubt the source of clean water is, you would rather take a water filter with you. Katadyn Water Filter was specifically designed for backpacking, thus it is portable and compact. This is a hand-operated pump that transforms dirty water into clean and drinkable. Keep in mind, it is always recommended to test the product before camping especially if you plan it to be your only source of fresh water.

• Pros: works fast, durable, compact and lightweight, easy to operate, no electricity is required.
• Cons: can easily clog, some find it too bulky for a pack.
• Item weight: 1.4 lbs (635 g).
• Item dimensions: 16″ x 12″ x 4″ (40 x 30 x 10 cm).
• Price: $89.98 BUY NOW

 

Solar-Heated Camp Bag

Looking for a convenience of warm water for washing? Here it is! This is a bag made of a black durable material, you just need to fill it in with water and hang it in a place rich with solar rays to let them warm the liquid. With this bag, washing routine won't be so unpleasant and chilly. You can also take a warm shower to clean the dirt off your body.

• Pros: compact, portable, multi-functional, durable, capacious, very efficient, warms up water till 120 F.
• Cons: requires sunny weather.
• Item weight: 0.75 lbs (340 g).
• Item dimensions: unknown.
• Price: $9.99 BUY NOW

 

Now when you have a full variety of camping washing machine options and some additional tools to help you stay clean during traveling, let your trip be adventurous and wanderlust!