Is This REI Item Worth It For Washing Clothes While Camping? We'll Let The Reviews Decide.

Embarking on a camping trip is one of the best ways to fully immerse yourself in nature. It can be so refreshing to unplug for a few days and spend time away from the constant buzz of our electronic devices, and studies show that spending lots of time in nature can have positive impacts on our mental health and uplift our mood. All that said, planning a camping trip isn't without its challenges. You'll need to ensure that you have enough clean clothing to stay comfortable without overpacking — especially if you're embarking on a wild camping excursion.

If you're preparing for a long distance hike, then everything you bring must be lightweight so you can carry it with you, but you don't want to run out of the appropriate clothing. One way to ensure you don't overpack is to plan on doing laundry. REI, a popular outdoor outfitter, sells a unique lightweight wash bag by Scrubba that's designed for campers who need to do laundry on the go. It has a simple system for mixing soap and water in the bag to scrub your clothes clean without needing to visit a laundromat.

The Scrubba Wash Bag may come in handy if you're traveling for an extended period of time, but the reviews are mixed. On REI's website, it has an average rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars. Customers who purchased the laundry bag either loved it or hated it. Some reviewers said that it saved them loads of space because they didn't have to pack a ton of clothes, while others said that it was messy and ineffective. We've sifted through the customer reviews so that you can make an informed decision on whether or not to purchase the Scrubba Wash Bag from REI.

The laundry bag is small and lightweight, so it's appropriate for ultra minimalist backpackers and car campers alike. According to REI's website, it weighs less than 5 ounces and folds up super small so you can tuck it in any pocket of your backpack. It's reusable, and won an Eco Excellence Award in 2021. To do a small load of laundry, you fill the bag with clothes, water, and a little bit of biodegradable soap. Then you roll the bag and buckle it.

There is a small screw cap near the buckle that you use to release any excess air. Finally, you rub the bag with your hands to clean your clothes. There are tiny nodules inside the bag to scrub your clothing and clean it. After washing, you rinse your clothes in the bag, squeeze out any excess water, and then hang them to dry.

Long term travelers and outdoor enthusiasts enjoy the convenience of being able to do laundry on the go. "This may be the best travel item I've ever purchased. I do a lot of off-the-grid travel for weeks at a time where I have no access to laundry facilities. This bag combined with a detergent sheet has been absolutely vital in allowing me to pack light and still have clean clothes. I recommend (if you have time) letting your clothes sit in the soapy water for at least an hour before doing the scrubbing part. It helps to loosen the dirt. Make sure you add enough water, too. Either way – this bag is now a must-bring on all extended trips where I don't have access to laundry facilities. It's great for both camping and hotels," wrote one reviewer called Doc C. They also said they won't travel without it.

Along with several raving five star reviews, we found some negative feedback on REI's website. A few customers mention that the bag is not well made, and that the fabric isn't completely water proof. Some say that water seeps through the plastic-like fabric. According to REI's website, it is supposed to double as a dry bag. If the fabric is water permeable when you're using it to keep clothes dry it could be disastrous. 

"We gave the Scrubba a fair trial over 5 weeks on Maui, followed by 2 weeks in Alaska, then Canada. Our experience was that the nubs on the side (bottom in use) of the bag are ineffectual when used as designed. The laundry placed inside simply remains in a clump as you roll your hands over the top of the bag. During this process water and soap leak from the bag, making a mess of whatever surface you are working on," one review by World Adventurer states. 

One customer claimed that it could be made better, but that there isn't anything comparable on the market, so it's still worth the buy. The bag fits three gallons but works best with about a gallon of laundry and water according to REI — you'll have to stick to small loads when you use it. The Scrubba wash bag costs about $65, so it's a significant investment. A few reviews mention that it's overpriced. You could certainly do a lot of loads at the laundry mat for that price, but if you're going off the grid for an extended period of time and looking for a practical way to do laundry when traveling then it could be worth the splurge.