Clothes washing

[gbillman]

Am looking for success stories/ideas on washing clothes aboard. I see all these contraptions (e.g. Scrubba and some mini washing machines), but was wondering if any of them is actually better to old fashioned cleaning in a bucket.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[Steadman Uhlich]

Originally Posted by gbillman

Am looking for success stories/ideas on washing clothes aboard. I see all these contraptions (e.g. Scrubba and some mini washing machines), but was wondering if any of them is actually better to old fashioned cleaning in a bucket.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

Howdy!
This topic is a necessary one for most.

And I recall participating in at least one previous thread on a similar topic last year or so. Opinions differ on the best equipment and methods. I have successfully used the "bucket and salt water with fresh water rinse" method, and suggest adding a rubber "plumbers helper" to agitate. I don't have a link to my more detailed post, but you will find it in the archives.

Here is a quick search of the CF archives on topic: "Washing Clothes"

https://cse.google.com/cse?cx=011403...hes&gsc.page=1

Hope that helps!

[Bleemus]

Just fly a pirates flag and you dont have to wash your clothes. Problem solved!

[travellerw]

Family of five (kids 9-7-6).. We have been using this method for 10 months. (We do not use salt water as we have a watermaker and using saltwater means WAY too much rinsing).

http://beprepared.com/media/catalog/.../mc_w050_4.jpg

http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/pro...aa993_1000.jpg

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...90f1711b07.jpg

Takes us about 4 hours to do ALL the laundry on the boat (work as a team). It has worked fantastic for us and uses a little amount of water!

[admiralslater]

panda makes a small washing machine one with a spin dryer on with out .We use it in the cockpit .It is 90 dollars Canadian for the one with out .has a timer and a reversing agitator in the bottom . not like a machine at home but keeps you from smelling to badly.

[topmast]

Just place used clothes under the nav desk. By the time they are all there. your tolerance level has increased and the first ones look pretty good. Start over. (beware of spontaneous combustatation)

[Cheechako]

Bucket. Unless you are a sewer worker, washing your clothes doesn't take much agitation anyway. You can hang the bucket over the side with a lid on and let the wind wavlets do the agitation if you want.

[sapient sue]

I used the stomping the grape method for years in a plastic garbage can. Now I still save the water from running the shower hot to use in a bucket for hand washing the smalls. However, years of wringing out larger items does eventually effect strength so now I have a washing machine designed for the RV market.

It is a Lemair - weighs not much more than a bag of potatoes, is constructed from plastic so does not rust and spins the washing almost dry and cost $325 Aus a few years ago. I just love it.

Cheers Sue

[sparrowhawk1]

+ 1 for centrifical spinner. Washing is the easy part, getting the dirty soapy water out of clothes and rinsing without using a ton of water is what it's all about. There are a lot of threads on the subject.( as previously noted)

[Kenomac]

Our Splendide washing machine works just like the front loader at home.

[UNCIVILIZED]

There are a lot of threads on this if you search under "laundry". It's one that comes up regularly.

[zeehag]

ok so i started out using pail and plunger.
ok so it works. well.. with some old fashioned hand wash tactics it is standby for most of us
was gifted a wonderwash.
ok i tried it.
didnt work as well as the hand wash UNLESS i spun the damned thing 30 mins FAST both directions then was almost like a front loader washing machine.
but i was only developing one arm with this bs. had to make up for it with rowing my walker bay.
ok so that was fail and i cheered when the dang thing finally broke beyond repair. helpful hints for wonder wash-- use HOT water and spin it for 30 mins. both directions.
so i bought a larger pan and a larger plunger and continue on with hand wash of my clothing and i send my heavy duty items i donot feel like cleaning my self anymore to the flap n fold. hell they can do laundry in a real washing machine--i am saving my paws for sailing.

[Badsanta]

Originally Posted by travellerw

Family of five (kids 9-7-6).. We have been using this method for 10 months. (We do not use salt water as we have a watermaker and using saltwater means WAY too much rinsing).

http://beprepared.com/media/catalog/.../mc_w050_4.jpg

http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/pro...aa993_1000.jpg

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...90f1711b07.jpg

Takes us about 4 hours to do ALL the laundry on the boat (work as a team). It has worked fantastic for us and uses a little amount of water!

What is the maker of the plunger, so I can get one! Thanks

[Bleemus]

Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.com/itm/251054256890

[Hudson Force]

We are often in places that are warm enough to allow for little clothing. We do tend to just take a swim in what we are wearing; rub a little "Joy" dish washing liquid soap in strategic areas; then rinse in the rain bucket. During a rain we might hang out a bed sheet or two.

The biggest rule to keep clothing and bedding fresh is to NEVER take salty clothes, towels or bodies below!