How do you dry socks and underwear when camping?

March 10, 2026 Biome team

Few things dampen a camping trip faster than damp socks or underwear.

When you’re camping for more than a night or two, small clothing items are often the first things that need washing. Socks and underwear dry fairly quickly with the right setup, but without a simple system they can end up damp, musty, or draped awkwardly around camp.

Whether you’re hiking for several days, camping at a site, or travelling in a caravan, having a simple system for washing and drying clothes can make a big difference to comfort.

Quick answer: The easiest way to dry socks and underwear when camping is to wring out excess water and hang them somewhere with good airflow using a clothesline, sock hanger or pegs. With quick-dry fabrics and good airflow, small clothing items will often dry overnight at a campsite.

10 clever ways to dry socks and underwear when camping

When you’re camping for several days, socks and underwear often need washing and drying quickly. These simple techniques help dry small clothing items even when there are no laundry facilities.

1. Use a sock hanger

A stainless steel sock hanger allows multiple items to dry in one place while air circulates around each piece of clothing. It can easily hang from a tree branch, clothesline or caravan awning.

2. The towel roll method

Lay wet clothing flat on a towel, roll the towel tightly, then twist the roll to squeeze out excess moisture. This removes far more water than wringing alone.

A lightweight towel such as the Ecovask Organic Cotton Travel Towel works well because it absorbs water quickly while packing down small for travel.

3. Clip them to your backpack while hiking

Attach damp socks or underwear to the outside of your backpack using clips or stainless steel wire pegs. Sunlight and airflow can dry them surprisingly quickly while walking.

4. Hang them under the tent fly

Clipping clothing under the tent fly or vestibule protects items from rain while still allowing airflow.

5. Create a simple campsite clothesline

Tie a short line between two trees or poles to create a temporary clothesline. Pegs help keep clothing secure if the wind picks up.

6. Dry them on warm rocks

On sunny days, placing clothing on warm rocks can help moisture evaporate quickly. Turn items regularly so they dry evenly.

7. Use sleeping bag warmth overnight

If socks are only slightly damp, placing them between layers of clothing inside your sleeping bag overnight can help finish drying them using body heat.

8. Stretch socks over a bottle

Stretch damp socks over a water bottle or mug so air can circulate inside the fabric.

9. Hang them near a campfire (carefully)

Warm air near a campfire can help dry clothing faster. Keep items well away from smoke and sparks.

10. Wear them dry

If socks are only slightly damp, wearing them while hiking or moving can help them dry surprisingly quickly thanks to body heat and airflow.

Dry socks and underwear easily with a sock hanger

One of the easiest ways to dry multiple small items is with a stainless steel sock hanger.

These compact hangers have multiple clips, allowing several pairs of socks or underwear to dry at once without needing a full washing line. A single hanger can hold multiple items while keeping them separated so air can circulate freely.

This makes it particularly useful for camping because it:

keeps socks and underwear secure in windy conditions
allows airflow around each item
saves space compared to long clotheslines
can hang from tree branches, tent poles or caravan awnings

A sock hanger can also be useful for drying swimmers, baby clothes, tea towels and reusable cloths while travelling.

Bonus: Stainless steel construction makes the hanger durable for outdoor conditions and resistant to rust. Pairing it with stainless steel wire pegs can also be helpful when drying clothes on a line. Unlike plastic pegs, stainless steel pegs are sturdy, long-lasting and less likely to leave marks or creases on clothing.

Stainless Steel Sock Hanger 304S Grade with 18 Pegs

Stainless Steel Wire Pegs Grade 316 - Windy Conditions (30 Pegs)

Tips for drying clothes faster when camping

Prioritise airflow
Wind and moving air dry clothing faster than still conditions. Hang clothing where air can circulate freely, especially in humid environments common in coastal parts of Australia.

Spread items out
Avoid folding clothing over a line. Spacing items out allows both sides to dry evenly and helps moisture escape more quickly.

Dry early in the evening
Washing earlier gives clothing more time to dry overnight.

Choose quick-dry natural fabrics
Merino wool and other lightweight natural fibres tend to dry faster and stay fresher than heavier materials and do not shed microplastics.

Use shelter in humid or damp weather
In humid conditions, hanging clothing under a caravan awning or tarp often works better than drying inside a tent.

Now, how do you wash socks and underwear when camping?

For small clothing items, a quick hand wash is usually enough.

Step 1: Wash

Use a small basin, bucket, or dry bag with water and a biodegradable laundry soap such as the Biome Laundry Bar. A washing tub like the Soka Australia Multipurpose Laundry Tub can make this much easier at a campsite, caravan park, or camper trailer.

A dry bag can also work as a simple portable washing system by adding water, soap and clothing, sealing the bag and gently agitating.

Solid laundry soaps are particularly practical for camping as they are compact, lightweight and easy to pack.

Step 2: Rinse

Rinse clothing thoroughly to remove soap.

Step 3: Remove excess water

Wring items firmly to remove as much water as possible.

Another useful trick is the towel roll method described above, which helps remove additional moisture before drying.

Note: When using water from natural sources such as rivers or creeks, filtering or treating the water first helps remove sediment and contaminants. You can read more about this in our guide to choosing a water bottle for travelling and outdoor adventures.