Scrubba Wash Bag Review: Best Laundry Solution For Travel?

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Scrubba Wash Bag Review: Best Laundry Solution For Travel?
Ever had your laundry destroyed by a cheap laundry service abroad? The Scrubba wash bag saves the day. I breakdown the Scrubba wash bag and whether you should get it for your next trip.
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Any traveler's worst nightmare is having your favorite outfits destroyed by a local laundry service. Travelers have seen everything from rips to new mystery stains prompting them to leave their favorite clothes at home. The Scrubba wash bag bridges the gap and allows travelers to hand wash their favorite pieces. 

But is it truly all it claims to be? Check out this in-depth review and see if the Scrubba wash bag is right for your next trip!

Scrubba washbag logo
Photo by Scrubba

What is a Scrubba Wash Bag?

The Scrubba Wash Bag is a dry bag with an internal washboard, allowing you to wash your clothes anywhere. The lightweight and compact bag makes it great for digital nomads, backpackers, and everyday travelers. 

The idea for the Scrubba wash bag was patented by Ash Newland–its founder–in 2010 on a trip to Mt Kilimanjaro. 

While planning the washing logistics for the trip, the idea of washboards came to him. Hence, the prototype of the Scrubba wash bag was conceived on the 4-month trip to Africa. This later became the brand Scrubba.

How Does it Work?

To use the Scrubba wash bag, add your clothing items, laundry detergent, and 2-6L of water. Roll and clip the bag closed, then let out air using the twist valve. 

Roll the clothes over the internal washboard for 30 seconds to 3 minutes for the best results. Empty the water and use the same method with fresh water to rinse. Hang clothes to dry.

You can use any laundry detergent in the wash bag, although liquid detergent works best. The Scrubba team also tested body wash, powder detergent, and light eco-friendly detergents like True Earth laundry strips.

A black bag hanging from a hook
Photo by Malik Skydsgaard on Unsplash

Key Features

The Scrubba Wash Bag is ultra-portable, measuring 54 cm x 32 cm—21.3 x 12.6 inches—when laid flat and 16 cm x 6 cm x 6 cm—6.3 x 2.4 x 2.4 inches—when rolled. 

It fits perfectly into the petite pocket of any bag. The bag also acts as a 2 in 1 and can be used as a dry bag for boating trips or adventure travel to keep your gear dry. Just make sure to keep sharp objects away to prevent tearing.  

The Scrubba Wash Bag holds 13L of water, and the optimal volume for washing clothes is 3-4L. This makes the bag easy to fill and refill for the wash and rinse cycles. 

With all that room left in your pack, you can afford to bring a small travel clothesline to make drying items a breeze. 

My Initial Impression

My first impression of the Scrubba wash bag was excellent. I used it on my latest trip to maximize bag space and pack like a minimalist. It got my clothes clean in minutes and was basically effortless. 

The Scrubba wash bag paired with my travel clothesline saved me so much time and ensured my favorite t-shirt lived to see another trip.

I was bummed to see that the wash bag only holds a few items of clothing, and it definitely is not made for washing oversized bulky sweaters or jeans. 

It's great for a few summer clothes items, and that's about it. It's still a good investment for those looking to save money and their clothes while traveling. After having a few shirts destroyed while traveling in Vietnam, I'll do anything to avoid a repeat incident.

A person holding a stack of neatly folded clothes
Photo by Ace Maxwell on Unsplash

What People Are Saying

The Scrubba wash bag Amazon reviews are glowing. Many customers say it saves money and time on the road or multi-day hiking/backpacking trips.

Some people have mentioned that it wasn't worth it due to the cheaper laundry services found in Asia. These reviews don't account for the damages to clothing while using laundry services. People also say that it's a great addition to your camping gear list for multi-day camping trips. 

The Scrubba wash bag helps keep your clothing weight down and makes washing anywhere a breeze. 

Where Can I Buy the Scrubba Wash Bag?

You can buy the Scrubba Wash Bag directly from their website or Amazon. This travel wash bag is also available at some in-store retailers across the USA and Canada.

Return Policy and Warranty

If you're having second thoughts about your Scrubba Wash Bag, there's a 30-Day Money Back Guarantee on unopened and unused products. 

They also offer a 1-year warranty on manufacturer defects in materials and workmanship. 

A woman puts clothes inside the washing machine.
Photo by Ace Maxwell on Unsplash

Benefits/Drawbacks

The Scrubba Wash Bag reduces your total clothing amount significantly, which is a plus for campers, backpackers, and travelers alike. 

Washing time is minimal, and it's easy to quickly empty and do multiple loads of clothing. Combined with a simple paper strip detergent, it packs down and occupies almost no room in your bag!

The drawbacks of using this product are that it has to be treated gently, and clothing must be washed on a flat surface to avoid tearing. Clothes may also not get as clean as a regular washing machine. This can be a tough adjustment for some people. 

Is the Scrubba Wash Bag Worth It?

When used correctly and paired with a suitable laundry detergent and travel clothesline, the Scrubba Wash Bag is an excellent addition to any traveler's bag. This travel laundry bag can help save your clothes from stains, tears, and mishaps abroad or on the trail. 

For the Scrubba wash bag reviews, the major downside for most is needing a place to spread the clothes after to dry. Also, the Scrubba wash bag is not suitable for bulkier clothing.

Our Rating 4.3/5

Pros:

  • Allows for less baggage weight
  • Fits easily in any bag
  • Saves clothes from destruction

Cons:

  • Requires time for washing and drying
  • Might not get clothing as clean
  • Not for thick clothes
Clothes drying on a clothesline with pegs on them
Photo by Daniele Bissoli on Unsplash

Get Your Clothes Clean Before You Go!

With a new way to do laundry on the road, you can start to craft your ideal travel experience for you, your family, and your friends.

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Collaborate stress-free with your travel companions and have all the features you need all in one place with Pilot. It’s completely free and ready for you to try it out now!
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Disclosure: Pilot is supported by our community. We may earn a small commission fee with affiliate links on our website. All reviews and recommendations are independent and do not reflect the official view of Pilot.

Amanda Lawrence Blog
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Amanda Lawrence
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