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Dirty Laundry Management Tips to Tide You Over

Jan. 27, 2018
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4 min read
tide pods
Dirty Laundry Management Tips to Tide You Over
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Teenagers and laundry rarely mix, but youngsters are bringing detergent to the forefront with the latest Internet fad: taking the Tide Pod Challenge. While adults struggle to understand why teenagers are ingesting or vaping these handy little packets of pre-mixed laundry detergent, various businesses have found opportunities to capitalize on the recent hubbub by launching safe, edible versions such as Pied Pods and Tide Pod shots.

As the laundry brand struggles to restore Tide Pods to its intended function, we asked our TPG Lounge travel experts to, ahem, air their dirty laundry for us by sharing their best tips for cleaning clothes on the go.



"I find laundromats tell you a lot about a country. When I found the laundromat in Brisbane that you pay for via PayPal, I truly fell in love with Australia." – Serenity F.

Find Laundry on the Go

TPG readers share how laundry considerations influence their choice of stay:

  • Airbnbs with a washer/dryer in-unit: "If I am traveling to several different cities, I make sure the accommodations at the middle of the trip has washer access." – Shaley F.
  • Laundry services: "I use Foursquare, Yelp and the hotel concierge to find a local laundry place when I'm on a big trip." – Krista N.
  • Look for laundromats that will pick up from your hotel.
  • Ask if the place offers laundromat facilities, such as extended-stay Residence Inns.

Give Your Laundry the DIY Treatment

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TPG readers had a number of creative suggestions for dealing with the laundry itself:

Pack Products That Help Keep Clothes Clean and Neat

  • ExOfficio underwear comes highly recommended by a number of travelers for its durability and quick-drying qualities. "Wear one, pack two" is a common motto. While ExOfficio isn't cheap, the products can be purchased on sale at REI or Amazon, and the Seattle airport even has a dedicated ExOfficio store for your convenience.
  • The Scrubba is a packable washing bag recommended by a number of TPG readers.
  • "Try Downy wrinkle release spray. They have it in the travel aisle. Even the clothes that say wrinkle-free will bunch up after a 5+ hour flight. Spray gets wrinkles right out." – Artem M.
  • Merino wool shirts are naturally sweat-wicking and odor-reducing, and hold their shape well under all kinds of washing conditions.
  • Travel-size laundry sheets simplify sink-washing for travelers who pack light.
  • "Wearing silks and other hand-wash fabrics at home feels like a hassle, but when traveling? I'm washing clothes in the sink anyway, and silk dries quickly." – Alice P.

Do you have any tricks, tips or techniques we've missed? Share your ideas in the comments below.

Feature photo by Shutterstock.com

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.