What material do you recommend your daily TMB hiking to wash your clothes?
I notice new workout clothes have a smell just minutes after I put them on (usually a polyester and elasthane blend, or stuff with spandex), whereas older workout clothes still smell great even the next day. I’m looking into natural materials like cotton and hemp, but they aren’t as quick drying as polyester, and I hoped to hike the TMB in shorts and shirts that can be washed and dried each night. What materials are your favorite to hike in for multi-day wear?
In prepping for the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) I did a lot of research. I was a virgin to Alpine hiking and I wanted to really enjoy my time on the trail so I wanted to be prepared.
By and large the information that’s out there on trekking the TMB is extensive and reliable. But here are some things that I’d wish I’d known about before setting out.
Here’s the most important one
The TMB (Tour du Mont Blanc) hike is a popular long-distance trek around Mont Blanc, spanning approximately 170 kilometers (106 miles) through France, Italy, and Switzerland. Hikers experience stunning alpine scenery, diverse landscapes, and charming mountain villages.
To wash your clothes while hiking the TMB:
- Choose a Location: Find a nearby stream, lake, or designated washing area.
- Use Biodegradable Soap: Bring a small amount of biodegradable soap to minimize environmental impact.
- Fill a Container: Use a collapsible sink, basin, or simply a clean, flat rock.
- Wash Gently: Soak your clothes, then scrub lightly to remove dirt.
- Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse the soap out with clean water until the water runs clear.
- Dry Properly: Wring out excess water and hang clothes on a line or over bushes in a shaded area to dry quickly.
Certainly! The TMB (Tour du Mont Blanc) is a popular trekking route around the Mont Blanc massif, and while it’s primarily a hiking trail, there are some points where you might consider washing your clothes. Here are some key points regarding washing clothes while hiking the TMB:
1. Laundromats
- Definition: Facilities equipped with washing machines and dryers.
- Use: Some towns along the TMB (like Chamonix or Courmayeur) have laundromats where you can wash and dry your clothes. This is the most efficient way to clean larger items.
2. Hand Washing
- Definition: The process of washing clothes by hand using water and detergent.
- Use: If you prefer a more adventurous approach, you can wash small items in a sink or at a water source. Just use biodegradable soap to minimize environmental impact.
3. Quick-Dry Fabrics
- Definition: Clothing made from synthetic materials that dry quickly when wet.
- Use: Investing in quick-dry clothing can help manage laundry while hiking, as these items can be rinsed out and will dry overnight.
4. Washing in Streams/Rivers
- Definition: Using natural water bodies to clean clothing.
- Use: If you find a clean, fast-flowing stream, you can wash clothes there. Ensure you’re using eco-friendly soap and avoid contaminating water sources.
5. Drying Techniques
- Definition: Methods used to remove moisture from washed clothing.
- Use: After washing, wring out excess water and hang items on your pack or nearby trees to dry while you hike.
6. Packing Light
- Definition: The practice of carrying only essential items to reduce weight.
- Use: By packing fewer clothes, you may not need to wash them as often. Choose versatile pieces that can be worn multiple times.
7. Pre-Trip Preparation
- Definition: Planning and organizing gear and clothing before embarking on a hike.
- Use: Consider which clothes to take based on how easily they can be cleaned and dried. This can save time and effort on the trail.
8. Trail Etiquette
- Definition: Guidelines for respectful behavior while on the trail.
- Use: Always be mindful of where you wash your clothes. Avoid doing so directly in natural water sources to protect local ecosystems.
9. Washing Supplies
- Definition: The materials needed to wash clothes, such as soap and a wash bag.
- Use: Carry a small amount of biodegradable soap and a compact wash bag for hand washing on the go.
10. Timing
- Definition: Choosing the right moment to wash clothes during the hike.
Use: Plan laundry days around your itinerary. Schedule washing when you have a rest day or a longer     
For daily TMB (Tour du Mont Blanc) hiking, it’s best to choose lightweight, quick-drying fabrics for your clothing. Here are some recommendations:
- Merino Wool: Great for base layers, it’s breathable, moisture-wicking, and odor-resistant.
- Synthetic Fabrics: Materials like polyester and nylon are excellent for moisture management and drying quickly.
- Softshell and Hardshell Fabrics: For outer layers, look for breathable and waterproof options that are lightweight.
- Trekking Tights/Pants: Opt for stretchy, quick-drying pants that offer comfort and flexibility.
- Hiking Shirts: Choose long-sleeve shirts with UPF protection to shield against the sun.
- Packable Rain Gear: A lightweight, packable rain jacket is essential.
When washing clothes on the trail, consider a small travel detergent that’s biodegradable and safe for the environment. You can wash items in a sink or a portable wash bag, then hang them to dry. Enjoy your hike.
How to use Dr. Bronner’s to wash your clothes on the TMB
The Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) is one of the most iconic long-distance hiking trails in the world, winding through stunning landscapes in France, Italy, and Switzerland. The journey typically spans about 170 kilometers (106 miles) and takes around 10 to 12 days to complete, depending on your pace and chosen itinerary. With the beauty of nature comes the necessity of keeping your gear, especially your clothes, clean and fresh. For this purpose, Dr. Bronner’s Castile soap is an excellent choice. This article will guide you through the benefits of using Dr. Bronner’s for washing clothes on the TMB and provide step-by-step instructions on how to do it effectively.
Fill up the sink drain and plug it up. The temperature of the water doesn’t matter. As a hotel room guest, I have had to get used to hot water when possible, but if that’s not available, then I’m using cold water. And with the Tour du Mont Blanc, you may not have access to anything but cold water anyway.
Wicking T-shirts
It is better to march with a breathable sports shirt adapted to hiking (with reinforcements at the shoulders against wear and tear from the bag) rather than a cotton shirt that does not wick away perspiration in the Tour du Mont Blanc.
We recommend you bring enough
A breathable, sweat-wicking t-shirt to stay dry on the TMB trails. Bring enough of those and make sure they are suitable for trekking and hiking (reinforced shoulders so it does not wear out where it might come into contact with the bag, sufficient ventilation, anti-UV, etc.).
A fleece
A fleece will be really important in your list of kit for the Tour du Mont Blanc. Depending on how cold you expect it to be, you may find you use a fleece in the morning, evening or all day. It’s worth having warm, insulating clothing on the Tour du Mont Blanc (as it is on any hike) to keep you warm.
A fleece will be perfect since it retains heat very well, is light, takes up little space and dries quickly. The mountains’ weather changes extremely fast, and you get cold pretty quick when you take a break. So don’t forget to have a good warm garment for a smooth TMB!
A waterproof jacket
Tird layer is a waterproof and windproof Gore-Tex jacket. Rain can set in on your trip, even if it’s only temporary, and you really don’t want to get soaked!
It can also be used as a windbreaker when the weather is fine to keep you from getting cold.
Choose a waterproof jacket that is a two or three layered resistant to 10,000 mm of water, and the right size to wear over a fleece with minimal restriction on movement for the walk.
Another option is a poncho. A poncho will keep both you and your pack dry, but a poncho is often much less waterproof than a hiking jacket. Not your best bet if it’s raining all day then.
A pair of hiking pants
In order to feel great during a Tour du Mont Blan, it is desirable to wear appropriate trekking trousers. Trekking trousers are made of stretchy, resistant, and sometimes water-resistant material. They are designed for mountain hiking. They will let you avoid abrasions, they won’t obstruct movements, and they’ll avoid unpleasant rubbing!
For a trek such as the Tour du Mont Blanc, we would recommend modular hiking trousers. The lower part of the trousers can be opened as zip-throughs and then turned into shorts. On the TMB, it will be chilly on the first hours of trekking, but the temperature may rise up fast as the morning and the afternoon go on.
A buff or a hat or cap
You will cover your head in case of rain, cold, or sun during TMB trek. You may use a buff in that respect as it can be used for several purposes rather than being used only as a neck warmer.
A water-resistant trekking hat also serves as an excellent headgear for trekking since it provides good coverage over the neck and saves one’s head from getting wet in case of an unexpected rain.
You may also carry a cap and/or a beanie.
On the Tour du Mont Blanc, it is freezing in the morning and you need to dress over the extremities of your body.
For the hands, do not forget to take thin and warm gloves.
If glacier routes are part of the TMB, do not forget to take gloves thick enough so you cannot get nasty injuries in case of a fall or slip.