Scrubba Wash Bag – The Washing Machine That Fits in Your Pocket

A washing machine weighing less than a decent sandwich? Sounds ridiculous, but this clever little Australian invention might just save your wardrobe, your luggage space and your dignity on the next road trip.

From Kilimanjaro to the Caravan Park

The Scrubba Wash Bag (opens in a new tab) was dreamed up in 2010 by Australian patent attorney Ash Newland, who was preparing to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

Faced with limited luggage space and the prospect of increasingly questionable underwear, Ash decided the humble old-fashioned washboard needed a serious makeover.

His solution? Put a flexible washboard inside a waterproof bag.

The first prototypes were tested in Tanzania, and by 2012, the invention had attracted almost US$22,525 through crowdfunding. Not bad for something designed to tackle dirty undies.

Australian-designed and developed, with manufacturing reported in China, the Scrubba has since become a travelling companion for adventurers worldwide.

A Laundry Without the Laundromat

The beauty of the Scrubba is its simplicity.

Throw in a few clothes, add water and a little laundry detergent, roll the top closed, release excess air through the valve and start rubbing.

Hundreds of tiny internal nodules act like a washboard, helping loosen dirt in just a few minutes.

For caravanners, campers and motorhome travellers, it's brilliant for washing socks, underwear, T-shirts and other small items between proper laundry stops.

It's equally handy for backpackers, grey nomads, families travelling with kids and anyone who's discovered that hotel laundry charges occasionally resemble a second mortgage.

And there's no electricity required. Your arms provide the horsepower.

Small Bag, Big Ideas

Key specifications:

• Weight: Approximately 150g
• Flat dimensions: 54 × 32cm
• Packed dimensions: 16 × 6 × 6cm
• Internal flexible washboard
• Air-release valve and transparent viewing window
• Doubles as a dry bag
• No batteries or electricity required

What we love is the simplicity. It takes virtually no storage space, uses relatively little water and gives travellers more freedom to pack light.

What we'd like in the next evolution? An easier way to wring clothes out afterwards. Washing is one thing; getting everything dry before tomorrow's departure is another.

Our Verdict

The Scrubba won't replace a proper washing machine, particularly when tackling a week's worth of muddy camping gear.

But for small loads on the road, it's an ingenious bit of Aussie thinking.

Available through Scrubba Australia (opens in a new tab) and selected outdoor retailers, the original wash bag generally costs around $65–$70.

Our tip: Carry a compact clothesline and biodegradable laundry detergent, and always dispose of soapy water responsibly. Clean undies are wonderful. Polluting a pristine campsite isn't.

Find out more - SCRUBBA WASH BAG