Dirty scrubs should not mingle freely with the rest of your suitcase.
That is the entire point of this page.
When you’re living in temporary housing, you may need to carry worn work clothes through:
- Apartment hallways
- Hotels
- Shared laundry rooms
- Laundromats
- A friend’s house
- Your car
A dedicated laundry bag helps separate:
clean clothes
from
things that spent twelve hours at work.
For travel nurses, we’d prioritize:
- Washable construction
- Lightweight design
- Drawstring or zipper closure
- Packability
- Enough capacity for several scrub sets
- A shape that’s easy to carry
- Wet/dry separation when needed
Affiliate disclosure: Suitcases & Scrubs may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you.
Shopping for scrub & laundry bags for travel nurses?
Quick Picks
| Pick | Best For |
|---|---|
| Eagle Creek Packable Laundry Sack | Best overall |
| Washable Drawstring Laundry Bag | Best budget |
| Wet/Dry Travel Laundry Bag | Best for damp items |
| Zippered Laundry Cube | Best suitcase organization |
| Large Foldable Duffel | Best laundromat hauling |
| Separate Small Scrub Bag | Best shift-by-shift use |
Our Overall Pick: Eagle Creek Packable Laundry Sack
For travel nurses, we’d choose a dedicated travel laundry sack rather than a heavy dorm-room hamper.
Eagle Creek currently sells a Packable Laundry Sack specifically for travel.
Current retail pricing is around $30.
The advantage is simple:
It gives you a real laundry bag at the destination without taking up significant suitcase space on the way there.
Why we like it
- Packs down small
- Lightweight
- Travel-specific design
- Large enough for normal laundry loads
- Easier to carry than a rigid hamper
Shop: [Affiliate link — Eagle Creek Packable Laundry Sack]
1. Washable Drawstring Laundry Bag — Best Budget
You do not need to spend $30.
A simple washable drawstring laundry bag may cost very little and do almost the same basic job.
Look for:
- Nylon or polyester
- Strong drawcord
- Reinforced seams
- Machine-washable material
- Large opening
Best for
Travel nurses who want inexpensive functional gear rather than a specialized travel product.
Shop: [Amazon affiliate link — Washable Travel Laundry Bag]
2. Wet/Dry Laundry Bag — Best for Damp Items
Sometimes laundry isn’t simply dirty.
It’s wet.
A wet/dry bag is useful for separating:
- Damp towels
- Workout clothing
- Swimsuits
- Wet socks
- Spilled-on clothing
from the rest of your luggage.
Important
Do not seal damp clothing inside a waterproof bag for days.
The bag is for transport and temporary separation.
Get wet items washed or dried.
Shop: [Amazon affiliate link — Wet Dry Travel Laundry Bag]
3. Zippered Laundry Cube — Best for Suitcase Organization
A zippered laundry cube is useful when you are moving between:
- Hotel
- Rental
- Airport
- Next assignment
Instead of having a large loose sack inside the suitcase, the laundry stays compressed in a rectangular package.
Why we like it
- Easier packing
- Better suitcase organization
- Contains loose clothing
- Can double as a packing cube
Shop: [Amazon affiliate link — Zippered Travel Laundry Cube]
4. Large Foldable Duffel — Best for the Laundromat
A packable duffel works extremely well as a laundry carrier.
A 40–60L collapsible bag can hold:
- Scrubs
- Towels
- Bedding
- Casual clothes
and has proper handles or shoulder straps.
That matters if the laundromat is several blocks away or across a parking lot.
Shop: [Amazon affiliate link — Foldable Duffel Laundry Bag]
5. Small Dedicated Scrub Bag — Best Shift-by-Shift System
Some travel nurses may prefer a two-bag system:
small bag for worn scrubs
plus
larger bag for ordinary laundry.
That keeps work clothing separate until wash day.
A simple zippered washable tote can do this.
Best for
- Hospital workers
- Shared housing
- People who want work clothes separated
- Anyone who changes before leaving the facility
Do You Need a Special “Scrub Laundry Bag”?
Not necessarily.
Most of the time, a washable travel laundry bag is perfectly adequate.
What matters is that it:
- Closes
- Doesn’t leak dirt onto clean clothing
- Can be cleaned
- Is easy to carry
Don’t pay triple because somebody printed the word “nurse” on it.
Should Dirty Scrubs Go in the Suitcase?
If you’re traveling home mid-assignment:
Yes, they can—properly contained.
Put them into:
- Laundry sack
- Packing cube
- Sealed washable bag
rather than loose among clean clothes.
What About Contaminated Scrubs?
This is different from normal dirty laundry.
If clothing is contaminated with blood, body fluids or other material requiring workplace handling, follow:
- Facility policy
- Infection-control procedure
- Department laundering rules
Do not assume every clinical garment should simply be taken back to your apartment.
Restricted perioperative environments can have particularly strict laundering rules.
Shared Housing
Laundry bags become more important when you’re sharing housing.
A closable bag:
- Keeps your clothes together
- Reduces clutter
- Makes transport easier
- Gives you a defined place for worn work clothing
Hotel Laundry
A packable laundry sack is one of the easiest ways to manage extended hotel stays.
It can sit:
- In a closet
- Inside an empty suitcase
- Behind a bathroom door
without needing a full hamper.
Laundromat Strategy
If you know you’ll be using a laundromat, choose something with:
- Shoulder strap
- Strong handles
- Large capacity
A drawstring sack is fine across a room.
It is less fun across a giant parking lot.
Mesh vs. Solid Laundry Bags
Mesh
Advantages:
- Breathes
- Lets damp clothing air somewhat
- Lightweight
Disadvantages:
- Doesn’t contain odors as well
- Contents visible
Solid fabric
Advantages:
- Better separation
- More discreet
- Works better inside luggage
We prefer solid lightweight fabric for travel.
Wash the Laundry Bag Too
The bag is holding dirty clothing.
Occasionally wash it.
Especially if it stores:
- Work scrubs
- Sweaty clothing
- Damp towels
Choose a product whose care instructions make that easy.
Laundry Bag Size
A useful travel-laundry sack should hold several days of clothes.
For a nurse, think in terms of:
- 3–5 scrub sets
- Underscrubs
- Socks
- Underwear
rather than simply liters.
Compression Laundry Bags
Compression can save space.
But compressing damp or heavily soiled clothing and leaving it sealed is not ideal.
Use compression mainly for:
dry dirty laundry during travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best laundry bag for travel nurses?
A lightweight packable laundry sack such as Eagle Creek’s current model is our overall choice.
Should nurses keep scrubs separate from normal laundry?
Many people prefer to keep worn work clothing separated during transport. Follow employer laundering rules when contamination is involved.
Can I use a packing cube for dirty laundry?
Yes. A washable zippered cube can work very well.
Is mesh or solid fabric better?
For travel, we prefer solid lightweight fabric because it contains clothing better inside luggage.
Do I need a special nurse laundry bag?
No. A well-made washable travel bag is usually enough.
Our Verdict
For a dedicated travel product, we’d choose the Eagle Creek Packable Laundry Sack.
For value, buy a simple washable drawstring bag.
For laundromat runs, a foldable duffel with real handles can be even better.
The point is not buying fancy laundry gear.
The point is making sure:
the scrubs you just worked in don’t become roommates with the clean clothes you’re wearing tomorrow.
Sources Checked
- Current Eagle Creek Packable Laundry Sack listings
- Current travel laundry-bag and packable-duffel retail options
Ready to pick one?