In his letter titled “Do-it-yourself Dryer,” Charles Severs asked for suggestions for a good towel to dry clothes with after washing them while on a trip (Oct. ’14, pg. 56).
I have traveled widely since 1972, but it was during a 3-week trip in South Africa that I discovered my cotton T-shirts would NOT dry overnight. It could take four days! I discarded those and decided to never travel with another all-cotton item if it would need to be washed overnight.
Over many years of travel, I’ve learned to plan carefully in terms of how much clothing I really need and what can be pared down, such as as for those low luggage-weight limits on small-plane trips between safari lodges (when, with fewer items, it becomes necessary to wash clothes every night).
I take several tops — usually two short-sleeved and two long-sleeved shirts (which I sometimes button up above elbow-length), a top that’s dressier, and one or two camisoles for wearing under those shirts, so I can leave the shirts open or even take them off.
L.L.Bean (800/441-5713, www.llbean.com) sells a line of men’s UNDERWEAR called ExOfficio (800/644-7303, www.exofficio.com). It’s made of a loosely woven synthetic fiber that wicks away moisture in humid climates. The best news is that it can be washed in the bathroom sink, hung in the shower and will be dry within an hour.
I also have several L.L.Bean SHIRTS. They have mesh liners and provide SPF 50 sun protection. They dry quickly, too, but not in less than an hour.
Ever since I had a passport stolen at Charles de Gaulle Airport near Paris, France, I’ve purchased travel clothing with security in mind.
Number one is my SCOTTeVEST (866/909-8378, www.scottevest.com).
My Airport Guide, a new service available at Germany’s Frankfurt Airport (FRA), offers personal assistants to help departing and arriving travelers.
The “Welcome Service,” costing €30 (near $40) for two people, includes, for departing passengers, being met at a prearranged point in the airport, helped with bags and escorted to the check-in counter… or, for arriving passengers, welcome at baggage claim, help with baggage and escort to a prearranged location at the airport.
An assist to travel clothing is my cheap clothing dryer. You’ll need an over-the-door clothes hanger holder that will take about four hangers; three or four plastic clothes hangers; a plastic garment bag, and a hair dryer (sometimes supplied by the hotel/B&B).
• Wash the clothing in a sink and rinse it well.
• Place the damp clothing in a towel, then roll up the towel and twist it to soak up the moisture. (A cotton towel works best.)
You can get a free copy of Susan Foster’s book “Smart Packing for Today’s Traveler” when calling for a free catalog from Grand European Tours (Lake Oswego, OR; 888/522-3950, www.getours.com). The 248-page book details packing strategies for cruises, adventure trips and family travel.
It’s In The Bag (888/261-8211, www.tagsforbags.com) sells a luggage strap that can be permanently attached to soft-sided luggage. You have it sewn into a seam.
The 2-inch straps come in red, yellow or black and fit any piece of luggage, from carry-ons to 30-inch Pullmans. You can have the straps printed with your name or a message or get one that has “Not Yours…Wrong One…Mine” embroidered on it.
The strap costs $19.99 for a plain color or $29.99, printed, with a shipping fee of $7.50 for up to three straps.
You’ll never meet a traveler who, after five trips, brags, “Every year I pack heavier.” The measure of a good traveler is how light he or she travels. You can’t travel heavy, happy and cheap. Pick two.
