Washing on the Camino

As your Camino adventure approaches, you may start wondering what to pack. How many outfits will cover a 41-day active walking itinerary?

Even if you are only walking for a few weeks on the Camino, this can often result in the urge to pack everything you could possibly need for those weeks. ‘How will I have time to do my washing when I am out walking to somewhere new each day?’, I hear you ask. I am happy to share with you how easy it is to do your washing on the Camino.

It’s important to note that not all hotels or accommodations will offer laundry facilities, so being flexible, adapting as you go, and planning ahead can make your journey more enjoyable, and a lot less stinky!

Many towns and cities along the Camino have coin laundry, known in France as lavomatiques/laveries and in Spain as lavanderías (lavandería tintorería). They work just like laundry at home: simply bring a small amount of washing liquid and some coins and you’ll be able to wash and dry your clothes easily.

Another common option is to wash-as-you-go in the hotel rooms. Many people do this while on the Camino, as finding a sink is easy and inexpensive. You wash your gear in the bathroom sink with your own stash of washing liquid and hang your items on a pegless travel clothesline. There is often a chair or a windowsill to which you can attach your line. Hot tip! fill a small travel squeeze bottle with clothes washing liquid instead of shampoo or body wash. A pegless travel clothesline is also very useful, these handy little items are inexpensive and widely available from outdoor or camping stores.

If your trip includes rest days or passes through larger cities, these are ideal days to plan a proper full wash, as bigger towns typically offer more laundry services and facilities. This is when you can use coin laundries with large washers and tumble dryers, another small but much-appreciated treat on the trail.

A good quality microfibre towel is also worth packing. These versatile little towels soak up moisture from damp clothes before hanging them to dry. It’s like Camino magic – a bit of extra drying power for that “still-sort-of-damp” shirt.

In the summer months it is often warm enough for your clothes to air-dry overnight. In winter there are usually heaters in the rooms or in the common areas. If all of this sounds like too much work, then there is the opportunity for your washing to be taken care of by our lovely hoteliers along the way. Although often an expensive option it can certainly be a welcome treat!

While frequent washing helps, there’s no denying the appeal of “just wearing it again.” In reality, many pilgrims adopt a practical and forgiving rotation of clothes on the trail. After all, everyone smells a little earthy on the Camino, and no one is going to judge you for a re-worn shirt. You may even see fellow pilgrims walking with damp clothes draped over their backpacks or tied to their walking poles like flags if items didn’t quite dry overnight.

Washing clothes on the Camino becomes part of the rhythm of the walk: the wash, the scrub, the drying, and the sweet reward of clean(ish) clothes the next day. So next time you find yourself hand-washing your shirt at the end of a long day, remember: this is all part of the adventure. Embrace it, laugh about it, and know you’re in good company – one pair of semi-dry socks at a time.

You can read more expert tips in our article about what to wear when walking the Camino.