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One of the worst parts of going on a long trip is keeping your clothes fresh – luckily there’s a cheap and quick expert hack that can help.

If you’re travelling anywhere for more than a few days, you will likely need to give your clothes a wash. After all, stains, sweat-marks and general wear will show up quickly while you’re enjoying yourself on holiday. However, this can pose a problem if you’re staying in a hotel that doesn’t offer laundry service, or if it’s an extortionate price.

So, how can you keep your clothes fresh and wearable without having to pay hotel laundry prices – or trek all the way to a local laundromat?

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Luckily, cleaning expert Sara Aparacio from Homeaglow has shared her favourite low-cost hack for getting your laundry done in a hotel room. All you need is a shower and some body wash.

Sara says: "If you’re staying in a hostel, budget hotel, or Airbnb with limited facilities, one of the easiest ways to do a quick laundry refresh is to do it directly in the shower.

"First you take your worn item and rinse it thoroughly under warm water. Sara explains that this will work best if using “polyester, linen, or other quick-drying fabrics."

"Next, apply a small amount of body wash or hotel shampoo and “gently scrub areas like underarms, collars, and hems using your hands." Rinse thoroughly until no soap remains.

Sara continues: “Once clean, squeeze out as much excess water as possible (don’t wring delicate items), then hang them on a hanger provided by the hotel or hostel. Towel rails, bunk bed edges, open windows, balconies (if available), or air-con vents all work well as drying spots.”

She adds that packing a small travel or camping washing line “can also come in handy”. This is especially true if you need to dry multiple items at once.

It shouldn’t take long to dry, either. Sara says: “Most modern travel clothes are made from polyester or synthetic blends, which are naturally fast-drying. If it’s a warm day, clothes can dry fully in just a few hours.”

Some other easy laundry tips, Sara shares, include using a towel to help dry off clothes faster. To remove excess moisture, you can lay your damp item flat on a clean towel, then roll it up tightly with the garment inside.

You can then apply pressure to the rolled towel by pressing down with your hands or stepping on it, which will help draw out moisture quickly without damaging fabric fibres.