At the latest when your campervan wardrobe is completely empty and your last T-shirt starts to smell, it's time to do laundry. Today we share 5 simple tips for quick and easy cleaning of laundry and dishes.

Tip 1: Washing while camping - getting water

No water, no washing. You might still have some fresh water in your canister.

For this you don't necessarily need drinking water.

You'll find suitable water at these locations (and can wash some items of clothing right there too):

• Petrol stations

• Lakes, wells and streams

• Public toilets

• Supermarkets

• Campsites and private pitches

Tip: There's no such thing as bad weather! If it rains, just collect the rainwater. This is especially useful when wild camping, to wash your clothes and dishes.

Tip 2: Folding bowl, travel washing machine or laundry bag?

After cooking while camping, it's best to wash your dishes in a small bowl. For clothes it gets a bit trickier. Underwear and T-shirts can still be washed comfortably in the folding bowl.

For larger items of clothing, it's worth looking at the travel washing machine and laundry bag. Both devices need no electricity, which makes them quite practical for use outdoors.

The camping washing machine is a portable device into which you put your dirty clothes, detergent and water. The drum is turned by hand.

The laundry bag works a bit differently: clothes, water and detergent go into the bag, which has nubs on the inside. Vigorous kneading cleans the clothes.

Note: With both options you pour out the wash water and refill with fresh water to rinse the clothes.

Tip 3: Washing while camping - with biodegradable detergent

If there are some disposal options nearby, such as public toilets, you can simply use regular detergent.

If you're out in nature, there are natural alternatives to conventional washing-up liquid and detergent:

• Ivy leaves (you'll find the instructions in our article on waste disposal while camping)

• Chestnuts (quarter the chestnuts, pour 300 ml of water over them, leave to steep for 8 hours)

• biodegradable travel soap (e.g. Wilderness Wash)

Tip 4: Drying clothes while camping

At the latest when you have your soaking wet laundry in front of you, you'll ask yourself:

"How and where can I best dry my clothes?"

A good option on sunny days is a washing line. String it between 2 trees and hang your laundry on it. You can also use freestanding clothes airers that you fold up and stow away while driving.

If the weather doesn't cooperate: after washing while camping, string a washing line inside your van and start the parking heater.

Note: Why not ask the hosts at your VanSite pitch if you can use their dryer.

Tip 5: Use a laundromat and other options while camping

Don't feel like doing laundry yourself? There are still some good options for getting your dirty clothes clean.

Give these a try:

• a washing machine at the campsite

• using a washing machine from the hosts at your private pitch

• a laundromat nearby

As you can see, there are many ways to get your clothes clean.

Just try them out and find the right washing routine for you.

If you camp close to nature in Germany or Europe and want to wash your clothes properly on a regular basis, you can simply stay at one of the many VanSite pitches with a washing machine!