I picked up some really handy ideas for Survival Clothes Washing for off the Grid or for when electricity is down. The link is from Tactical Intelligence which is a very informative group.
http://www.tacticalintelligence.net/blog/clothes-washing-in-a-grid-down-world.htm
What You’ll Need
- Two 5-gallon buckets with one lid
- Toilet plunger (make sure it’s a newly purchased one)
- Liquid detergent (optional: stain stick)
- Vinegar
- Rope or clothesline
- Clothes pins
How to Make an Off-Grid Clothes Washing Kit
Step 1: Drill a hole in the middle of the lid just big enough for the plunger handle to fit through.
Step 2: Place the following items in one of the buckets:
- Liquid laundry detergent
- Plunger
- Stain remover/stain stick
- Vinegar (1/2 cup added to rinse water helps to remove soap)
- Rope or clothesline
- Clothes pins
Step 3: Put bucket with items in it into other bucket and place lid (with holes) on top of buckets (feeding the plunger handle through it).
Step 4: Store away for a time you need it.
How to Use Your Off-Grid Clothes Washing Kit
To use your kit, simply perform the following steps:
- Take out the items in the bucket
- Fill both buckets 1/2 to 3/4 full with water — enough to completely cover your clothes
- Put a small amount of detergent in one bucket (this will be your washing bucket)
- Add 1/2 cup vinegar to the other bucket (this is your rinsing bucket). Vinegar helps to remove the soap from the clothes
- Place clothes in the washing bucket, cap the bucket after feeding the plunger handle through the lid’s pre-drilled hole
- Move the plunger up and down for a few minutes until your clothes are clean
- Pull out clean clothes and wring them out
- Place soapy clothes in the rinse bucket and use the plunger as you did when you washed the clothes
- Wring rinsed clothes out again and hang them up to dry
- Repeat with another load of laundry until water becomes too dirty.
NOTE: You can get away with doing the above steps with only one 5-gallon bucket if you wish. The only difference is in-between washing and rinsing you’ll need to empty the water.
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