6 Best Waterproof Bins For Laundry Storage In RVs Nomads Swear By
The waterproof laundry bins RV nomads swear by.
Nothing exposes the flaws in your RV storage system faster than a pile of dirty laundry. One damp towel or a forgotten pair of hiking socks can turn your tiny living space into a humid, musty mess. This isn’t just about tidiness; it’s about managing moisture, which is the sworn enemy of any RV.
In a conventional home, a laundry hamper is an afterthought. In an RV, it’s a critical piece of gear that needs to do more than just hold clothes. It has to contain moisture from wet swimwear, seal away odors from workout gear, and collapse down to nothing when not in use.
The right waterproof laundry bin protects your rig’s interior from mildew and damage. It makes laundry day less of a chore and more of a streamlined process. Forget flimsy mesh pop-ups; serious nomads know that a robust, waterproof solution is a non-negotiable part of a functional mobile life.
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Your Guide to the Best Waterproof RV Laundry Bins
Finding the perfect laundry bin for an RV is a game of tradeoffs. You’re constantly balancing size, durability, and features against the precious real estate inside your rig. A solution that works for a 40-foot Class A will be completely impractical in a Sprinter van.
We’re focusing on options that solve the core problems: moisture control, odor containment, and space efficiency. These aren’t just laundry baskets; they are tools designed for harsh environments, repurposed for the unique challenges of life on the road. From ultralight dry sacks to rugged, hard-sided totes, each one excels in a specific scenario.
The key is to match the bin to your travel style. Do you need something you can stuff into a backpack, or something that can live permanently in your pass-through storage bay? Consider how you do laundry, what you wear, and how much space you can realistically dedicate to the task.
Sea to Summit Dry Sack: Your Ultralight Option
Keep gear dry with this lightweight, 8-liter Sea to Summit dry bag. Made from durable, waterproof nylon with a secure roll-top closure and interior coating for better visibility.
Dry sacks are the unsung heroes of RV organization. Originally designed for kayaking and backpacking, their core function—keeping water out—also makes them brilliant at keeping moisture in. The Sea to Summit Dry Sack is a classic for a reason: it’s incredibly lightweight and packs down to the size of a fist.
For laundry, its utility is unmatched. The roll-top closure creates a nearly airtight seal, locking in odors from dirty clothes and moisture from damp towels. You can hang it from a hook to keep your floor clear, or compress it down to squeeze into a crowded cabinet. It’s the ultimate space-saving solution.
The main tradeoff here is a lack of structure. It’s a floppy bag, so it won’t stand up on its own, which can be annoying when you’re trying to toss clothes into it. But if your primary concerns are minimizing weight and maximizing every square inch of storage, the dry sack is an elegant and highly effective choice.
Your Best Collapsible Bin: The CleverMade Caddy
This 2-pack of 64L collapsible laundry caddies offers a spacious solution for organizing clothes and more. They fold flat for easy storage and are built with durable fabric and reinforced rims to stand tall when full.
Sometimes you just want a laundry basket that feels like a laundry basket. The CleverMade Caddy provides that familiar structure but with a collapsible design that’s perfect for RV life. When open, it’s a sturdy, rectangular bin; when closed, it folds down to a slim profile that can slide into the narrowest of spaces.
This caddy is made from a heavy-duty fabric that is water-resistant, making it ideal for hauling damp-but-not-sopping clothes. Its rigid frame and side handles make it easy to carry a full load to the camp laundromat without the whole thing collapsing on you. It strikes a fantastic balance between traditional form and modern, space-saving function.
It’s important to note this is water-resistant, not fully waterproof. It won’t contain a puddle from a soaked wetsuit like a dry sack would. It’s also bulkier than a sack even when collapsed, but for those who want a freestanding hamper that can disappear when emptied, the CleverMade Caddy is a top contender.
YETI Camino 35: Your Rugged, All-Purpose Tote
The YETI Camino 35 Carryall is a durable, waterproof tote designed for any adventure. Its puncture-resistant shell and deployable dividers keep gear organized and protected, while the sturdy, waterproof base ensures stability.
The YETI Camino 35 is less of a laundry basket and more of a bombproof piece of equipment that happens to be great for laundry. Built with the same legendary toughness as their coolers, its "ThickSkin Shell" is completely waterproof, puncture-resistant, and incredibly easy to clean. You can literally hose it out.
As a laundry bin, it’s a workhorse. The rigid, open-top design means it stands firmly wherever you put it, making it easy to use as a daily hamper. When it’s time to do laundry, you just grab the handles and go. It’s perfect for full-timers who are hard on their gear and need something that can double as a beach bag, a grocery hauler, or a tool tote.
The obvious considerations are its size and price. The Camino does not collapse or fold, so it requires a dedicated spot in your rig. It’s a significant investment, but if you subscribe to the "buy it once, buy it for life" philosophy and have the space to accommodate it, its versatility and durability are second to none.
Your Top Hard-Sided Pick: The IRIS USA Box
For absolute containment, nothing beats a hard-sided, sealed box. The IRIS USA Weathertight Storage Box is a go-to for RVers who need to store things in exterior bays or under beds where moisture and pests are a real concern. Its gasketed lid and heavy-duty latches create a truly waterproof and airtight seal.
Protect your valuables with IRIS USA WeatherPro storage bins. The durable lid and secure latches create a moisture and dust-resistant seal, while the grooved design allows for stable stacking to save space.
This makes it an extreme-duty laundry solution. It’s the perfect place to quarantine genuinely wet gear, like muddy clothes or rain-soaked jackets, until you can get to a washing machine. The airtight seal means zero odor will escape, which is a massive quality-of-life improvement in a small space.
Of course, this is the least flexible option. It’s bulky, rigid, and takes up a fixed amount of space whether it’s full or empty. This isn’t a solution for a tiny van conversion unless it’s designed in from the start. But for larger rigs with "garage" storage, a sealed box offers a level of protection no fabric bin can match.
Your Packable Choice: The Osprey UltraLight Sack
At first glance, the Osprey UltraLight Dry Sack seems similar to the Sea to Summit, but it’s designed with a slightly different philosophy. Osprey is a master of pack design, and this sack’s rectangular shape is a key feature. It’s made to pack more efficiently into squared-off spaces like RV cabinets and storage lockers.
Keep gear dry with this 3L Osprey dry sack featuring a roll-top waterproof closure and durable, waterproof-coated fabric. Its rectangular shape optimizes packing space, and a D-ring allows for easy drying or attachment.
This shape prevents the "dead space" that round sacks can create, letting you maximize your storage volume. Made from a siliconized ripstop nylon, it’s both durable and incredibly light. The roll-top closure works just as effectively for sealing in dampness and odors, making it a powerful tool for laundry management.
The tradeoff for this packing efficiency is a slightly less intuitive shape for carrying by hand. It feels more like a component than a standalone bag. For the RVer who meticulously plans every inch of their storage layout, the Osprey sack’s specific design offers a distinct advantage in the quest for ultimate organization.
Your Best Budget Pick: madesmart Collapsible Basket
You don’t always need a high-tech, expedition-grade solution. Sometimes, a simple and clever design is all it takes. The madesmart Collapsible Laundry Basket is a fantastic budget-friendly option that gets the core job done with an RV-friendly twist.
This collapsible laundry basket saves space by folding flat when not in use. It features comfort grip handles for easy carrying and is perfect for organizing laundry, toys, or car essentials.
Its genius is in its simplicity. The plastic body and rubberized, flexible midsection allow it to pop open into a full-sized basket and then collapse down to just a few inches thick. This slim profile means it can be stored almost anywhere—behind a seat, under a dinette, or against a closet wall. Since it’s plastic, it’s inherently waterproof and a breeze to wipe clean.
This isn’t a sealed container, so it won’t trap odors like a dry sack. The collapsible joints can also become a weak point after years of heavy use. But for its price and incredible space-saving design, it is an unbeatable value for RVers who need a practical, no-frills way to manage and transport their laundry.
What to Look For in Your RV Laundry Solution
Your first decision point is Structure vs. Collapsibility. A structured bin like the YETI or a hard-sided box is easy to toss clothes into, but it demands a permanent storage spot. A collapsible sack or basket, on the other hand, vanishes when not in use but can be floppy and less convenient for daily use. Your available space dictates this choice more than anything else.
Next, understand the difference between Waterproof vs. Water-Resistant. A truly waterproof solution, like a dry sack with a roll-top closure or a gasket-sealed box, will hold water without leaking and completely trap odors. Water-resistant options, like many fabric totes, will shed moisture from a damp towel but won’t contain a serious spill. Your needs will depend on whether you’re dealing with dampness or true wetness.
Finally, consider Material and Durability. A thick vinyl tote or a hard plastic box is built for abuse and can be cleaned easily. A lightweight siliconized nylon sack is incredibly space-efficient but more susceptible to punctures. Think about where you’ll be storing and transporting your laundry—across a paved RV park or a dusty, rock-strewn campsite.
The perfect RV laundry bin doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s a reflection of your rig, your lifestyle, and your priorities. The full-timer in a Class A has different needs than the weekend warrior in a teardrop trailer.
The goal isn’t just to find a place to put dirty clothes. It’s about creating a system that actively manages moisture, contains odors, and respects the limited space you have. By choosing the right tool for the job, you turn a mundane chore into a seamless part of your life on the road.
Ultimately, the best solutions in a small space are the ones that solve multiple problems at once. A bin that is waterproof, durable, and packable isn’t just a laundry hamper; it’s a smart investment in a more comfortable and functional mobile home.
