Uni students bring back an enormous amount of dirty laundry every term (Image: Jack Hall/Trainline)
A remarkable 3,600 tonnes of soiled laundry will be transported home to parents via trains this term, according to research.
A study by Trainline reveals seven in 10 (70%) students bring their unwashed clothes home to parents or guardians instead of laundering them at their university accommodation.
The company estimates 3,650 tonnes of unwashed clothing is expected to travel across the UK’s rail network during the first term alone, despite the academic year having commenced only last month.
Trainline has introduced a limited-edition compressible laundry bag dubbed the Re-fresher Bag designed to help ease the burden.
The company states it’s being offered free to students through weekly releases that started on Tuesday September 22.
The train and coach travel platform’s research suggests three quarters (75%) have already exhausted their supply of clean garments after postponing their washing duties.
A ‘re-fresher’ bag has now been launched to help out (Image: Jack Hall/Trainline)
Almost two-thirds (62%) have even purchased new clothing to circumvent doing their own laundry.
With 43% of students citing their financial situation and 34% claiming they simply lack the time to manage it themselves, it appears the washing is heading homeward.
Trainline believes the journey should be undertaken in style with their Re-fresher Bag showcasing an original design by graduate designer Maria Goundry.
Their 80-litre bag reportedly includes compression straps and a roll-top structure to help it accommodate a train’s overhead luggage compartment. It also features supportive carry straps and a hanging hook, a removable machine-washable mesh insert to separate soiled items and an internal panel designed to absorb any unpleasant odours.
Its ‘one-of-a-kind design’ ensures the print’s positioning varies with each fold, meaning no two bags are identical.
Lexi Hughes, who is a model, final-year university student and daughter of TV personality Amanda Holden, has collaborated with Trainline and the design team to help develop The Re-fresher Bag.
Lexi said: “Any student who’s dragged a heavy laundry bag onto a train knows the struggle.
“It’s been so much fun to work on a bag that solves a problem we all face.
“It’s very roomy, with sections that separate the clothes that need washing from the ones that don’t.
“It’s also colourful enough that there is no chance of it getting lost or mixed up on the train.
“Bonus points for making laundry day a bit more fun.”
Mike Hyde, chief technology officer at Trainline, said: “Taking a bag of washing home is an essential part of student life.
“My daughter starts university this year and is already thinking about how she’ll fit her entire wardrobe, coursework and, inevitably, dirty washing into one bag every time she comes home.
“If the washing is coming home anyway – we thought students might as well do it in style.”