How to Wash a Hoodie While Traveling (or wash just about any clothes)
Practical Tips for Washing Clothes in Hotel Sinks, Laundry Rooms and Travel Stain Removal
Traveling with your favorite hoodie (or sweatshirt) is a must—it’s cozy on flights, perfect for chilly nights and pairs with just about everything. But it’s also big and bulky. So what happens when coffee spills mid-flight, pasta sauce splatters during dinner, or chocolate melts in your bag?
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Bulky clothes like hoodies aren’t as easy to wash when you’re traveling as socks or t-shirts. But have no fear. We have put together the ultimate guide on how to wash clothes while traveling, whether that means using the hotel sink, guest laundry room, or a professional service when you really need it.
Method 1:
How to Lightly Wash Clothes in a Hotel Sink (Best for Small Stains and Spot Cleaning)
For minor spills, the hotel bathroom sink is your best travel laundry tool.
Steps for spot cleaning a hoodie in a hotel sink:
Blot first. Use a napkin or towel to lift as much as you can—never rub (that pushes the stain deeper into the fibers).
Cold water rinse. Hold the stain under cold running water to prevent setting.
Soap solution. A few drops of shampoo, body wash, or travel detergent sheets work well.
Dry overnight. Roll your hoodie in a towel to squeeze out water, then hang it in the bathroom or on a balcony to let it dry. If you inside/out the hoodie after several hours it will dry even faster.
This approach is great for: Coffee drips, chocolate smudges, or light stains.
The 1923 Main Street® Nothing Ordinary Round Logo travel graphic hoodie blends wanderlust and comfort in a clean, versatile design.
With its clean and classic logo and the tagline Nothing Ordinary, Nowhere Expected, it’s a reminder to seek unique destinations and experiences.
Lightweight yet cozy, this hoodie is perfect for adventure travelers—from sunrise surf sessions to spontaneous road trips. A graphic travel hoodie designed for explorers who believe that the best journeys are the ones less expected.
Also available on dark colored hoodies and t-shirts.
• Base Item: Gildan 18500
• 50% pre-shrunk cotton, 50% polyester
• Fabric weight: 8.0 oz/yd² (271.25 g/m²)
• Air-jet spun yarn with a soft feel and reduced pilling
• Double-lined hood with matching drawcord
• Quarter-turned body to avoid crease down the middle
• 1 × 1 athletic rib-knit cuffs and waistband with spandex
• Front pouch pocket
• Double-needle stitched collar, shoulders, armholes, cuffs, and hem
• Blank product sourced from Bangladesh, Nicaragua, Honduras or El Salvador
Disclaimer: Due to the fabric properties, the White color variant may appear off-white rather than bright white.
This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it may take us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions.
Please note: since all orders are custom created, all sales are final and we do not accept returns, refunds or exchanges. Please check sizing carefully using the guide.
Method 2:
Full Wash (Sink or Tub) - How to Hand Wash a Hoodie While Traveling
Sometimes a spot clean won’t be enough. If your hoodie had a pasta explosion or picked up travel grime, here’s how to do a full wash in the comfort of your hotel room:
Fill the sink or tub with lukewarm water (cold for dairy/chocolate, warm for sauces).
Add detergent. Travel-sized detergent packets or even mild hotel soap can work.
Soak and swirl. Gently move the hoodie around, paying attention to stained areas.
Rinse well. Any soap residue will stiffen fabric, so rinse thoroughly.
Towel dry and then hang. Hoodies hold a lot of water, so towel-dry first before hanging. Using a hotel towel bar is great when it’s wet and heavy (a hangar may stretch out your hoodie).
This approach is great for when you have no laundry access (or money), but your hoodie needs a reset.
Method 3:
Hotel Laundry Room - The Best Way to Wash a Hoodie While Traveling
If you’re staying somewhere with a guest laundry, use it. A proper washer is the most reliable and fastest way to wash bulky clothes.
Check care tags. Most hoodies are fine on cold or warm cycles, but avoid hot water.
Use detergent. Many hotels sell single-use pods, or bring your own.
Dry carefully. Tumble dry on low or air dry to avoid shrinking. Better still, hang dry back in your room.
This method is best for a full, proper wash with minimal effort. If you don’t want to be washing clothes in your sink, this is for you.
Wrap yourself in ocean-inspired comfort with our Seaside Siren, Starfish women’s graphic hoodie, showcasing a graceful mermaid and her lucky starfish. Cozy and stylish, this design captures the magic of the sea and the spirit of adventure—ideal for dreamers, travelers and anyone who feels at home by the water.
A 1923 Main Street® original, this hoodie blends soft warmth with a chic coastal vibe, making it the perfect companion for breezy beach nights or casual days in the city.
Stay cozy, stay inspired and let your inner siren shine.
See our Seaside Siren sweatshirt and t-shirt versions.
• Base Item: Gildan 18500
• 50% pre-shrunk cotton, 50% polyester
• Fabric weight: 8.0 oz/yd² (271.25 g/m²)
• Air-jet spun yarn with a soft feel and reduced pilling
• Double-lined hood with matching drawcord
• Quarter-turned body to avoid crease down the middle
• 1 × 1 athletic rib-knit cuffs and waistband with spandex
• Front pouch pocket
• Double-needle stitched collar, shoulders, armholes, cuffs, and hem
• Blank product sourced from Bangladesh, Nicaragua, Honduras or El Salvador
Disclaimer: Due to the fabric properties, the White color variant may appear off-white rather than bright white.
This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it may take us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions.
Please note: since all orders are custom created, all sales are final and we do not accept returns, refunds or exchanges. Please check sizing carefully using the guide.
Method 4:
Hotel Laundry Service - The Easiest (But Most Expensive) Option
When convenience is key, leave it to the pros.
Call housekeeping and send your hoodie off in the provided bag.
Expect same-day or next-day return depending on the hotel. Be sure to ask and get a clear understanding of when you can expect your clothing returned.
This method is best for business travelers or any time when time saved and avoiding DIY is a top priority.
Quick Travel Stain Removal Hacks (When You Can’t Wash Right Away)
Remember that not every stain needs a full sink or washing machine right away. These hacks can save you (and your hoodie) in a pinch:
Sparkling water/club soda: This is a method that can truly help and is great for lifting fresh stains at restaurants. Splash a little on the stain and pat dry. Yes you’ll have a wet spot, but it’s worth it for the long-term benefit of stain reduction.
Baby wipes/makeup wipes: These little gems can help to remove surface stains like coffee or chocolate. Even if you don’t have a baby or wear make-up, you may want to pack a travel size of these…just in case.
Talcum powder/cornstarch: When the situation calls for it, these can absorb grease or oily pasta sauce before they set in.
The 1923 Main Street® Diamond Rays Classic Travel Hoodie
Wear the Adventure. Comfortable casual clothes are a must-have for your vacation packing. Explore in comfort and style with the 1923 Main Street Wear the Adventure Diamond Rays unisex hoodie.
This comfy hoodie is always ready to go, from gateway to getaway. Also available on t-shirts (light and dark colors) and dark color hoodies.
• Base Item: Gildan 18500
• 50% pre-shrunk cotton, 50% polyester
• Fabric weight: 8.0 oz/yd² (271.25 g/m²)
• Air-jet spun yarn with a soft feel and reduced pilling
• Double-lined hood with matching drawcord
• Quarter-turned body to avoid crease down the middle
• 1 × 1 athletic rib-knit cuffs and waistband with spandex
• Front pouch pocket
• Double-needle stitched collar, shoulders, armholes, cuffs, and hem
• Blank product sourced from Bangladesh, Nicaragua, Honduras or El Salvador
Disclaimer: Due to the fabric properties, the White color variant may appear off-white rather than bright white.
This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it may take us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions.
Please note: since all orders are custom created, all sales are final and we do not accept returns, refunds or exchanges. Please check sizing carefully using the guide.
Which Travel Laundry Method is Best?
You have a lot of choices for cleaning your cherished hoodie when you travel, but which method is best? It really depends on your situation, but here’s a recap:
Fastest fix for small stains: Spot clean in the hotel sink.
Best full wash without service: Hotel laundry room.
Most convenient (but pricey): Hotel laundry service.
As noted above, it’s a good idea to always pack a couple of travel laundry detergent sheets and wipes or a mini stain-remover pen. They weigh basically nothing and take up no space, buty they can be huge lifesavers when you’re traveling and a stain hits.
Don’t Let Stains Ruin Your Hoodie (or Your Trip)
Travel means new adventures—and sometimes, new stains.
No matter what type of stain will get you, or where it will happen, now you know exactly how to clean your clothes while traveling and keep your 1923 Main Street® graphic hoodie looking fresh and fit perfect.
So pack smart (you may also want to read our posts on hoodie packing and how to store hoodies), embrace the spills and as always: Roam Freely and Wear Boldly.