Washing Clothing While at Sea?

[sgb71]

That might be the makings of an awkward potluck...

[Talbot]

Originally Posted by sgb71

That might be the makings of an awkward potluck...

Not with me, If I was do something so foolish, you would be able to hear the screams a whole ocean away.

[sgb71]

I'll keep an ear open for the screams!! lol
And it will be a whole ocean, and quite a bit of land if I do hear anything.
It's funny though - for the past couple of weeks I've been reading, researching, daydreaming non-stop about how I'm going to be living on a boat off of Florida's coast by this time next year - and the more I learn, the more complicated the plan becomes!
Just can't knock the stars out of my eyes though...it'll happen. Someday - and hopefully sooner rather than later.

[Talbot]

Originally Posted by sgb71

Just can't knock the stars out of my eyes though...it'll happen. Someday - and hopefully sooner rather than later.

My plan as well.

Leaving in just over 4 years time. Final destination West Australia.

When someone asks how long will that take, my response is I don't care!

[pjop]

Planning here too, departing sometime right after the end of the world, 2012. Like everything else, the devil is in the details though. I do hear there are some pretty big lakes in AK to keep that dream alive.

[sgb71]

Ya got me giggling Bama-boy! I won't be sailing any Alaskan (AK) lakes any time soon! ;-)

[capt_douglas]

I wash my clothes in a black 5 gallon bucket. A couple gallions of fresh water, some cold water detergent, clothes, cover on, tie to rail or throw in dinghy. Wait. Wring out clothes, rinse with salt water twice, then fresh once. Hang on lines, preferably in a good breeze to kick the salt out.

While laundromats are nice, many great cruising areas don't have them. You can get locals to do laundry if you're willing to pay $7/pound.

It's also been my experience that synthetics wash better than cotton and seem more durable.

I also seldom miss the chance to do wash during rain storms - assuming the lightning isn't too close.

[dana-tenacity]

2hrs at 8kn works

[capt_douglas]

Nice picture. Never thought about taking a picture of one, though.

Just don't connect the towing line to the handle line like one cruiser did.

I put my bucket inside a mesh cargo bag. And tie the handle to the line as well.

[Dockhead]

What about dumping detergent suds into a nice clean anchorage or marina? That sounds like a good way to get arrested, or at least scorned by your neighbors. Anyone know of a nice discreet non-sudsing detergent to use under these circumstances?

[mrohr]

I use a rectangular bucket that I can step into w / my bare foot. use foot as agitator ; there is no real techniqe involved; learned system from some third world ladies....oh yes they taught me a few things, am planning to go back. BTW a salty garment hug up to dry in a spanking breeze will ultimately become somewhat less salty since the flapping garment wiil shake out some of the salt crystals.

[Extemporaneous]

Originally Posted by mrohr

I use a rectangular bucket that I can step into w / my bare foot. use foot as agitator ; there is no real techniqe involved; learned system from some third world ladies....oh yes they taught me a few things, am planning to go back. BTW a salty garment hug up to dry in a spanking breeze will ultimately become somewhat less salty since the flapping garment wiil shake out some of the salt crystals.

And so would you suggest that once dry (and has some/most of the salt out) that you rinse with fresh water?

Extemp.

[blgklr]

Towing a milk crate in a mesh bag or netting is better than a bucket I think. Presoak in a bucket with detergent if you wish. Obviously no use to add detergent to the milk crate. But you are getting new wash,rinse water all the time. You could just use mesh bag but milk crate is very strong and good for attaching line to. If your dishes are plastic throw them in too.

[shelleyof]

Hi, Everyone,

Just returned from 6 months cruising the Coral Coast of Qld. Australia, up to Cairns and back. WE had a great time, and with more experience have deduced the following...washing dirty clothes in cold salty water will set stains. Best to wash in a bucket of warm fresh water, using Napisan for soaking very bad stains first. Rinse as many times as needed in salt water until all soapy residue is gone and then one final rinse in fresh water. I rinse things individually to ensure all soap is gone, and by squeezing the precious fresh out into the bucket as I go, saving much of it. I do this by rinsing the things that hold least water first (synthetic undies and small items first, cottons and larger items last.) Using liquid detergent is best and use the most minimal amount to save on both detergent and need for excessive rinsing, as well as the environment. Most stuff in Australia is low in phosphates and I like Orange Power as it seems to have less nasties in it. Microfibre sheets are great as they are easy to wash in a bucket and very quick to dry.There are lots of methods tried and true, but this worked for me. Now back on land and not adjusting well at all!

[SayGudday]

Doing laundry on your sailboat