How to Wash & Dry Clothes in China: China Laundry Guide

As a digital nomad in China, I get the laundry struggle: packing light for a trip here means figuring out how to keep clothes clean without the laundromats you find abroad. My foreign friends always ask me for laundry tips, so I’m sharing what actually works.

How Locals Wash Clothes in China

How Locals Wash Clothes in China

Most Chinese people insist on using simple and economical methods to wash and dry clothes:

• Hand-wash daily items (underwear, socks, t-shirts). Almost every home has a small basin. Laundry soap costs just ¥2-5 (~$0.28-$0.70) at convenience stores. Hang clothes to air-dry afterward.
• Washing machines are common in cities, but dryers are extremely rare. People air-dry clothes on balconies, drying racks, or even lines strung outside—you’ll see this everywhere, even in big cities like Shanghai.
• Local laundries handle bulky or delicate items (coats, silk). They’re cheap, fold/iron clothes for you, and are easier to find than you think.

Types of Laundry Services in China (Quick Comparison)

Types of Laundry Services in China

If you are traveling, you have five main laundry options in China - here is a comparison of them in terms of practicality and cost,

How to Find China Laundry for Travelers

Hotel Laundry (Free & Paid)

Lots of hotels in China offer laundry—Trip.com makes it easy to find them. Most budget and mid-range hotels (like Holiday Inn Express, Hanting) include free laundry for guests. Trip.com clearly marks "free laundry service" on hotel facility pages. Luxury hotels charge per item, but it’s rarely worth it.

How to find: Look for "laundry service" or "free laundry" on Trip.com hotel detail pages when searching for hotels. For specific cities, Google searches like "Shanghai hotel with laundry service" also work. Always check the hotel’s facility page—they’ll note if it’s self-service (you do it yourself) or drop-off.

Hostel Laundry

Hostels are a great bet for cheap or free laundry, especially if you’re backpacking. Most tourist-focused hostels (like those in Beijing’s Nanluoguxiang or Xiamen’s Siming District) offer free laundry if you stay 2+ nights. If it’s paid, it’s only ¥10-20 per load—way cheaper than hotels. Machines are first-come, first-served—ask the front desk to reserve a time when you check in. Hostels rarely provide detergent. Bring a travel-sized bottle or buy a small sachet (¥3) at 7-Eleven or Family Mart.

Local Laundry Shops

These are the most affordable bulk laundry options. You will find them in every community, even in small cities. They are usually family-run small shops with clothes hung outside (this is a fatal exposure). Here's how to use them:

• Find them: Open Amaps or Baidu Maps (both have English versions). Search for "laundry" or "dry cleaner". Look for a sign that says "Laundry" or a store with clothes hung outside.
• Communication: Just show your clothes and ask, "How much is it? When can I come and pick it up?" The staff will give you a quote using gestures or a calculator. No Chinese people are needed.
• What to expect: They wash, dry and fold clothes very neatly. A week's worth of clothes (T-shirts, trousers, underwear) costs 100 to 150 yuan, much cheaper than in luxury hotels.

Hand-Washing (Emergency Option)

If you are in a small town or can't find a store, just hand wash. Buy laundry soap at a convenience store (2-5 yuan) (look for "laundry soap" on the packaging - most have pictures). Gently scrub underwear, socks and T-shirts in the sink. Rinse until the water becomes clear. Squeeze out as much water as possible to speed up drying.

Tip: Wash while taking a bath - save water and time lol

How to Dry Clothes in China

How to Dry Clothes in China

Dryers are not ubiquitous, but nowadays more and more hotels offer dryers (or drying services) whether you have a dryer or not. Here are some efficient ways to dry clothes.

First: Book a Hotel with a Dryer (If You Can)

The simplest way to avoid the trouble of air-drying is to stay in a hotel with a dryer. When making a reservation, see Trip.com's "Laundry Service" on each hotel page - many mid-range and luxury hotels have this feature. Dry cleaning services usually cost 10 to 20 yuan per item, but it's worth it in damp weather.

Common Drying Spots (For Air-Drying)

• Hotel/hostel clothes drying rack: Each room has one. Place it near a window with good air circulation, which is crucial for humidity.
• Portable travel cable: Pack a lightweight retractable cable (¥30-50/$4-$7). Hang it between the curtain rod and the chair, or in the shower room. Although small, it is a savior for hand-washed items.
• Balcony: If your room has a balcony, hang your clothes outside - they dry twice as fast, especially in dry northern cities.

Humid Weather Hacks (Southern China: Xiamen, Guangzhou, Chengdu)

The clothes here take 2 to 3 days to air dry - use these to speed it up:

• Use the hotel's drying service: Most hotels will charge a small fee (5-10 yen per piece) to dry your hand-washed clothes. Just ask the front desk and you'll know.
• Hair dryer: Use low heat to dry small items (socks, underwear) for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Air conditioner: Turn on the air conditioner and direct the vents towards your drying rack to dehumidify the room.
• Quick-drying service at local stores: Ask for "quick-drying" (they will understand). An extra 20 to 30 yen (3 to 4 US dollars) can be used to purchase clothes within one day instead of three.

Dry Weather Tips (Northern China: Beijing, Xi’an, Harbin)

It's very convenient to air dry here. The clothes will be dry in 1-2 days.

• If possible, take a stroll outside. Dry air will get your T-shirt and pants ready in the morning.
• Use a fan: If your room has a fan, point it towards the clothes drying rack so that the air circulates faster.

Recommended Apps for China Laundry

These are the most widely used tools for travelers:

Where to Find Laundry Services in Top Cities

Where to Find Laundry Services in Top Cities

Beijing

• Hotels: Express Holiday Inn (free laundry + dryer), Hanting Hotel (self-service machine) - Find through Trip.com.
• Local shops: Check out Nanluoguxiang or Haidian. Try the family shops near Nanluoguxiang (120 yuan for clothes per week / 17 US dollars, quick-drying + 20 yuan / 3 US dollars).
• Most hotels in Drum Tower or Nanluoguxiang offer free laundry service (such as Jiao Hotel).

Shanghai

• Hotels: Ibis Hotel (free laundry), Jinjiang Hotel (free laundry + drying service) - Search for "Shanghai hotels with dryers" on Trip.com.
• Local shops: Xuhui (French Concession) has attractions suitable for tourists. A store near People's Square only speaks basic English (bulk goods 130 yuan / 18 US dollars, pick-up the next day).
• Google tip: Searching for "Shanghai hotels with laundry rooms and dryers" will directly yield results.

Xiamen

• Hotels: Mid-range hotels in Siming District (near Gulangyu Ferry) usually offer free laundry and drying services - check the filters on Trip.com.
• Local store: Try the store near Siming Square (¥100/$14) (for a week's worth of clothes, with a covered drying area to prevent rain).
• Hotel: Free laundry is available for those who stay at an economical hotel in Huli District for more than 2 nights.

Packing Tips for China Laundry

• Quick-dry fabrics: Prioritize polyester, Merino wool or moisture-absorbing blends (such as Uniqlo Airism or Patagonia Capilene brands). Their drying speed is twice as fast as that of cotton, and they are odorless (so you can wear them multiple times).
• Versatile pieces: Pack and mix items (neutral-colored, layered items) to create more combinations with fewer clothes. For example: 2 pairs of quick-drying pants, 3 T-shirts, and 1 light jacket = 6 sets of suits.
• Travel-sized essentials: Bring a small bottle of liquid detergent (detergent on planes should be under 100 ml) or detergent tablets (light in weight, no leakage). Add a pen to remove stains so that you don't have to wash the whole piece of clothing just for one stain.
• Portable drying line: As mentioned earlier, it is small (suitable for carrying around) and very suitable for hand washing. Find one with suction cups or clips - no nails or hooks needed.
• Reusable laundry bag: Separate dirty clothes from clean ones - put them in a lightweight mesh bag (breathable so the clothes won't get moldy).
• Quick-dry towel: A small microfiber towel dries quickly, takes up less space than ordinary towels, and is very suitable for showering. It can also be used as a towel to dry delicate items.
• Minimize cotton: Cotton takes forever to dry out in moisture - store it in a cool and dry city (like Beijing), or just wear one cotton garment (such as a comfortable T-shirt at night).

China Hotel Recommendations