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lifestyle:faq_laundry [2020/02/09 13:48]
frater_secessus [machines] |
lifestyle:faq_laundry [2023/04/22 14:46] (current)
frater_secessus [wringing] |
| | [[lifestyle:words_of_wisdom|Words of Wisdom:]] "What really helps both methods is the clothes I choose to begin with. They're almost exclusively campwear, beach wear, sports wear, that sort of thing. My work outfits are dark, plain-colored board shorts or swim trunks with the webbing cut out, and long-sleeve black "[[https://amzn.to/38e6cfO|DriWorks]]" shirts. My "going out" clothes are just decent looking performance garments meant for camping/hiking/outdoorsy stuff, and a couple decent polos. The only cotton stuff I have anymore are socks, underbritches, and a couple denim jeans that I try not to wear." -- tatertom((https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/bcir5p/how_do_you_do_laundry/ekrk86e/)) |
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| ====== Doing laundry ====== | ====== Doing laundry ====== |
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| ==== detergent ==== | ==== detergent ==== |
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| Normal laundry detertgent can be used, although it will require a rinse "cycle". Use as little detergent as required. | * [[https://amzn.to/2H7UkQr|Dr. Bronner's]] is probably the most used soap of for all uses inside vans |
| | * Normal laundry detertgent can be used, although it will require a rinse "cycle". Use as little detergent as required. |
| | * No-rinse washing with ingredients like a bit of vinegar or bleach may be preferable offgrid in order to preserve water. |
| | * tatertom uses [[https://amzn.to/39m0j09|Wilderness Wash bio soap]]((https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/8hhkgt/what_do_you_do_with_dirty_laundry/dyk4vzz/)) |
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| No-rinse washing with ingredients like a bit of vinegar or bleach may be preferable offgrid in order to preserve water. | |
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| Remember that **wash water doesn't have to be potable**. If you find a rest area with non-potable water outlets it could be a sign to do laundry. | Remember that **wash water doesn't have to be potable**. If you find a rest area with non-potable water outlets it could be a sign to do laundry. |
| === tumbler === | === tumbler === |
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| | [[https://amzn.to/2ulrcTf|{{ https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/610DYyNpD-L._AC_UY218_ML3_.jpg}}]] |
| | lennyflank uses [[https://amzn.to/2ulrcTf|a laundry tumbler]], and [[https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/561xj1/laundry/|describes its use in this reddit post]]: |
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| lennyflank uses a laundry tumbler, and [[https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/561xj1/laundry/|describes its use in this reddit post]]. Also see [[https://lennyflank.wordpress.com/2018/07/09/laundry-in-the-van-3/|this blog post]]. | > So at laundry time, I go into the Walmart and get a gallon jug of water and pour it in the washing machine. Then I add a dash of chlorine bleach, stuff the laundry in, screw on the lid, and crank the machine for three minutes. The chlorine cleans and disinfects everything, and also bleaches out the surface dirt. I can then remove the clothing one piece at a time, wring the water out, and hang it up to dry (I have a number of hooks on the walls of the van specifically for drying laundry.) Since the chlorine evaporates away, I don’t have to rinse them. T-shirts dry in just a few hours, and jeans are usually dry by the next morning. |
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| | Also see [[https://lennyflank.wordpress.com/2018/07/09/laundry-in-the-van-3/|this blog post]]. |
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| === dry bag === | === dry bag === |
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| | [[https://amzn.to/30RlW5t|{{https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91u2sE8hJ8L._AC_UL320_ML3_.jpg?75 }}]][[https://amzn.to/30RlW5t|Scrubba]] and similar camping wash bags work by filling with clothes and washwater. As the hiker walks or van moves the water sloshes around and cleans the clothes. |
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| [[https://amzn.to/30RlW5t|{{https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91u2sE8hJ8L._AC_UL320_ML3_.jpg?75 }}]][[https://amzn.to/30RlW5t|Scrubba]] and similar camping wash bags work by filling with clothes and washwater. As the hiker walks or van moves the water sloshes around and cleans the clothes. | >I use a dry bag. Load with a handful of clothes, add soap, then water, close it up and play hackey sack with it for a few minutes. Open it and roll out the soapy water, then fill it again with water for a rinse cycle. Repeat last step until the water coming out is clear. Wring, then hang dry. -- tatertom((https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/f0iozg/portable_laundry_machine/fgujzl3/)) |
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| SunnySouthTexas uses a washboard.((https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/f0iozg/portable_laundry_machine/fh1892v/)) | SunnySouthTexas uses a washboard.((https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/f0iozg/portable_laundry_machine/fh1892v/)) |
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| | === washing machine === |
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| | There are [[https://amzn.to/3blxRNH|small electric washing machines]] that may be workable for vandwellers: |
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| | > I have a washing machine with a spin dryer. $100 and is better than home machines. Ped2000((https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/bcir5p/how_do_you_do_laundry/ekrsjga/))... Runs on 400w inverter...barely uses any power. Especially used [[electrical:solar:nonessential|mid-day]]. |
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| ===== wringing ===== | ===== wringing ===== |
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| Wring is removal of excess water before drying. | Wringing removes excess water before drying. This speeds drying time, reducing the opportunity for mold/mildew to grow, and keeps water from dripping in the drying area. |
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| ==== roller ==== | ==== roller ==== |
| ==== centrifugal ==== | ==== centrifugal ==== |
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| Salad spinners and similar devices may be used to fling out some water, but they are difficult to balance. The largest item Secessus was able to spin-dry was a pair of calf-length socks. | Salad spinners and similar hand-powered devices may be used to fling out some water, but they are difficult to balance. The largest item Secessus was able to spin-dry was a pair of calf-length socks. |
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| | Some have reported good luck with powered spinners. |
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| {{http://img.mousetrap.net/pm/IMG_20180108_123151.jpg?200 }}Clothesline drying is the most common method of off-grid clothes drying. Lines can be stretched across open doors, tent poles, hung from awnings, etc. | {{http://img.mousetrap.net/pm/IMG_20180108_123151.jpg?200 }}Clothesline drying is the most common method of off-grid clothes drying. Lines can be stretched across open doors, tent poles, hung from awnings, etc. |
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| | ===== storing dirty clothes ===== |
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| | Allow clothes to dry out a bit before putting them in a ventilated (mesh?) bag. This will prevent them from mildewing. |
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| | ==== further reading ==== |
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| | * CaneyJ describes [[https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/3ofvsn/a_frugal_resource_onboard_laundry_option/|testing serveral laundry methods]] |
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