10 Best Travel Detergents UK 2022 | Dr Beckmann, Dylon and More

A travel wash is a specialised concentrated detergent suitable for washing clothes in hotel sinks or simple buckets while you are away from home. They are generally designed to be effective at any temperature and come in small portable sizes of around 100ml. 

Because you are unlikely to have access to a washing machine while travelling, a travel detergent is a worthwhile purchase. Like with any regular detergent, travel washes act by lifting away the grime with the help of surfactants, as well as enzymes that break down stains, oil and dirt. Although, they tend to be more gentle on the skin, as you will generally be washing clothes by hand without gloves. 

There is quite a big selection of travel washes available on the market today. When choosing a laundry detergent, there are several factors you should pay attention to, such as the form it comes in, which fabrics it's suitable for, eco-friendliness and whether rinsing is required. This section will walk you through the key points to consider while shopping online.

Most travel washes come either in liquid form, like most regular detergents, or as a solid in the form of soap sheets. Which one you decide to choose is a matter of personal preference and how much washing you intend to do.

Liquid detergents tend to be a bit more powerful and are easier to apply directly onto soiled areas when soaking your laundry. You only need a little bit of liquid wash to create enough lather to help lift up the dirt from the fabric and dissolve it, which is why liquid detergents are typically more economical.

 
Solid travel detergents will often come in the form of soluble sheets. These work best on lighter stains and soils. They'll usually need to first be dissolved in water, and then that soapy water can be used to clean your clothes. However, you may need to use more than one sheet to create sufficient lather. 

The main difference between bio and non-bio detergent is in the kind of stains they can tackle and how gentle they are on the skin. A bio laundry detergent contains special enzymes that can break down proteins and fats in stains like oil, blood, various foods and grass. In other words, they are very effective at removing difficult stains. 

These are best used in lower temperatures around 30°C - 40°C so that the enzymes do not get deactivated. The main downside of bio detergents is that they can be quite harsh on the skin if you are not wearing gloves.

 
Non-bio detergents on the other hand, do not contain any enzymes and are great for those with sensitive skin. Although they may not be able to remove those super difficult stains, they are still great for keeping your clothes clean and fresh. 

If you are a lover of silks and wools, you may want to make sure that the detergent you choose is safe for those fabrics. By choosing a suitable detergent, you can avoid damaging your favourite garments or dulling their colour.

 
Although not all travel detergents will be suitable for delicate fabrics, those that are should state so on the label. A handy pro-tip to bear in mind when washing delicates by hand is to dissolve the detergent in non-hot water completely, before adding in clothes. Gently swish them about, then rinse them with cool water. Finally, gently squeeze out the water, instead of twisting the fabric. 

A relatively recent invention is rinse-free detergent. As the name suggests, these do not require the final step of rinsing after the washing is done. This way, you will be saving time and effort.

 
As an additional benefit, rinse-free detergents mean there is less handling of the garment involved, resulting in less stress caused to the fibres. This is particularly useful if you are dealing with delicate fabrics, underwear or wools and silks.

 
Simply wash your clothes as you normally would with a rinse-free detergent. Squeeze out the excess water (the detergent and the dirt will stay in the water) and hand it up to dry. You should only be left with a pleasant delicate fragrance (if the wash has one) that will dissipate over time. 

There are many reasons why someone might prefer to choose a fragrance-free detergent. While some people are simply sensitive to fragrances and find them headache-inducing, others avoid them due to skin sensitivities.

 
If you fall into either of those categories, a scent-free travel wash may be for you. Simply add the desired amount of the wash to your laundry, lather up, rinse and it should leave your clothes smelling fresh and neutral without any overpowering fragrances. 

When selecting a travel wash, particularly if you are going camping, consider how eco-friendly it is. Although these days, most manufacturers adhere to certain ecological standards and make their products safe for the environment, some will be more eco-friendly than others.

For example, if you are going camping and are planning on washing your clothes in a stream or river, you may want to consider what kind of impact this detergent will have on wildlife. Some detergents will be easier to dispose of than others in nature. However, if you are staying in a hotel and washing your clothes in a sink connected to a sewer, this may be less of an issue. 

Now that you know what to look for when choosing a travel detergent, it's time to choose! We've searched high and low for the 10 best detergents available online in the UK and ranked them below, along with the pros and cons of each.

Already thinking about your next trip? Whether you're off on a backpacking adventure, or all-inclusive resorts are more your thing, it's important to pack smart! To save you time when planning your next excursion, we've already found some more of the best travel and packing essentials online in the UK.

Whether you are planning on spending some time out in nature, or are preparing for a business trip, packing a convenient and compact travel detergent is sure to make your life easier and encourage you to take fewer clothes with you. We hope our recommendations have helped you to find the right detergent to suit your needs!

Author: Maria C