Author Topic: Washing Clothes (Read 7413 times)

baker · « **on:** February 05, 2012, 07:58:44 AM »

Good morning everybody need some information regarding washing clothes while travelling around Australia, i will be free camping a lot and dont want to put a washing machine in my van as they use to much water.i know i can go to a laundromat when im close to towns but what do you do when arent close to towns
Cheers
Baker

bobnrob · « **Reply #1 on:** February 05, 2012, 08:51:59 AM »

We have a 20ltr plastic bucket that we throw our clothes in with so water & soap & movement does the job, but only good while traveling. While stationry, the minister does it by hand.

or you can look around for 1 of these.....

UTE 701 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 05, 2012, 09:00:24 AM »

I think I saw once , an attachment that went on those big white buckets .
They usually have a clip on lid that can be quite hard to get on and off at times .
This attachment ring clipped on but then had a full width , screw on lid to go on that clip on sleeve .

Often thought about chasing one down , even for a rubbish bin .

We had a big round container that had a screw on lid ages ago , and the rough roads actually wash your clothes .

.

shaned · « **Reply #3 on:** February 05, 2012, 09:43:56 AM »

As above, a 20 liter drum or similar that has a lid that can be secured, another thing a friend suggested was to put a smooth river rock in with the washing, the theory is it helps with agitation

lilstookie · « **Reply #4 on:** February 05, 2012, 10:18:03 AM »

We have a metal bucket I fill with water and heat, some pure laundry soap and elbow grease. I was pleasantly surprised at how well they came out. We have two under two, so mess galore and good results.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hairs · « **Reply #5 on:** February 05, 2012, 10:55:58 AM »

We use a 20lt bucket & a 6" toilet plunger that has half a dozen 12mm holes drilled in it.
Use the plunger to force the water and washing powder through the clothes, wring out the clothes, empty dirty water out, refill with clean water and repeat plunging, empty bucket and wring out clothes, better than a washing machine, works even better with a jug full of boiled water add in.

barneys · « **Reply #6 on:** February 05, 2012, 12:31:23 PM »

when hand washing 20 l bucket use wool wash

rossbarb · « **Reply #7 on:** February 05, 2012, 12:49:28 PM »

Hi Everyone,
I use a large decor bucket square shape that fits in the door on the step of the van, fill it everyday with water and soap, if they are really dirty a little bit of cheap napisan, then travel, empty at lunch time at a park or where ever we stop for lunch fill with clean water and rinse, empty when we stop for the day and peg out, if not travelling just twist it using the handle or usual washing by hand. I do the undies ,sox, or whatever every day so the washing doesn't add up. When I do the tea towells etc. I add the napisan just to kill any germs and sometimes if anyone is sick I add a few drops of Detol. The Decor buckets come in pairs I think so I use the other one as a garbage with a plastic bag as a liner so they both sit on the step. This suits me I know others work differently.
Hope this helps.
barb

SteveandViv · « **Reply #8 on:** February 05, 2012, 02:58:31 PM »

We use this http://www.handiwash.com.au/. Used it all over Aus and it was great.

fishfinder · « **Reply #9 on:** February 05, 2012, 03:04:40 PM »

In get the wife to do the washing -- easy

HerGU · « **Reply #10 on:** February 05, 2012, 04:22:20 PM »

I started off using Napisan but found the clothes came out with granules on them and then used too much water to rinse off. In saying this i only have used cold water and doing it by hand in the bucket. So i switched to usiing an eco friendly water friendly liquid detergent (but its a little dearer and comes in 1L).

Looking at everyone else's posts does everyone else use warm or hot water? I have never used warm water (just habit i guess). So Guessing warm water is the key to using Napisan?

How does Napisan go when using bore or tank water to wash the clothes in?

BTW: i use a 10L bucket that doubles as the shower bucket. We have a 4KG gas bottle holder bolted to the roof rack on the camper for washing on the road, and when stopped i just do it by hand. I dont normally need to rinse the clothes i find (not sure if im just not fussy - but i have never had any problems not rinsing the clothes with the liquid detergent).

baker · « **Reply #11 on:** February 05, 2012, 05:08:06 PM »

Hi Everybody thank you all for taking the time to answer my question great response and great feedback.
Cheers
Chris

UTE 701 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 05, 2012, 05:21:04 PM »

You could always get one of these ....

And when the washing is done , take it to the campfire and play some music with it .

Kit_e_kat9 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 05, 2012, 09:12:19 PM »

20L plasterers bucket with lid as I've found they seal better than anything screw on. Agitation occurs on road via 4wd. I make my own powder and this washes better than anything you can buy from a shop, and you use less than 1 teaspoon per bucket, thus saving on weight when travelling. It also leaves everything soft without having to using a fabric softner. As you use so little of it, there is no worries about granular residue and it's safe for senitive skins. I made 1kg of it 2 months ago and still have over 1/2 of it still to use (I do 3 or 4 loads a week at home using 2 teaspoons per 7.5kg load). It can be used with a small amount of water (rubbed on) as a pre-wash for stains, then less powder is required in the actual wash.

Kit_e

staghornflat · « **Reply #14 on:** February 05, 2012, 09:19:48 PM »

Quote from: SteveandViv on February 05, 2012, 02:58:31 PM

We use this http://www.handiwash.com.au/. Used it all over Aus and it was great.

x2

loshde · « **Reply #15 on:** February 05, 2012, 09:35:15 PM »

Quote from: Kit_e_kat9 on February 05, 2012, 09:12:19 PM

20L plasterers bucket with lid as I've found they seal better than anything screw on. Agitation occurs on road via 4wd. I make my own powder and this washes better than anything you can buy from a shop, and you use less than 1 teaspoon per bucket, thus saving on weight when travelling. It also leaves everything soft without having to using a fabric softner. As you use so little of it, there is no worries about granular residue and it's safe for senitive skins. I made 1kg of it 2 months ago and still have over 1/2 of it still to use (I do 3 or 4 loads a week at home using 2 teaspoons per 7.5kg load). It can be used with a small amount of water (rubbed on) as a pre-wash for stains, then less powder is required in the actual wash.

Kit_e

So Kit_e, are you going to share your recipe?

Loshde

welchygq · « **Reply #16 on:** February 05, 2012, 09:47:50 PM »

Quote from: Kit_e_kat9 on February 05, 2012, 09:12:19 PM

20L plasterers bucket with lid as I've found they seal better than anything screw on. Agitation occurs on road via 4wd. I make my own powder and this washes better than anything you can buy from a shop, and you use less than 1 teaspoon per bucket, thus saving on weight when travelling. It also leaves everything soft without having to using a fabric softner. As you use so little of it, there is no worries about granular residue and it's safe for senitive skins. I made 1kg of it 2 months ago and still have over 1/2 of it still to use (I do 3 or 4 loads a week at home using 2 teaspoons per 7.5kg load). It can be used with a small amount of water (rubbed on) as a pre-wash for stains, then less powder is required in the actual wash.

Kit_e

Need a new emoticon - this thread is worthless without recipe!!

Welchy

bobnrob · « **Reply #17 on:** February 06, 2012, 05:11:33 AM »

Quote from: Kit_e_kat9 on February 05, 2012, 09:12:19 PM

I make my own powder and this washes better than anything you can buy from a shop, and you use less than 1 teaspoon per bucket, thus saving on weight when travelling. It also leaves everything soft without having to using a fabric softner. As you use so little of it, there is no worries about granular residue and it's safe for senitive skins. I made 1kg of it 2 months ago and still have over 1/2 of it still to use (I do 3 or 4 loads a week at home using 2 teaspoons per 7.5kg load). It can be used with a small amount of water (rubbed on) as a pre-wash for stains, then less powder is required in the actual wash.

Kit_e

Kit_e...May I remind you, you just can't make statements like that, & leave idiots like me in suspense.
As I'm the chief clothes washerer at home - only cause we have a machine & dryer - I insist you part with your pearl of wisdom!

Roo · « **Reply #18 on:** February 06, 2012, 07:58:22 AM »

try this

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=homemade+laundry+detergent

Kit_e_kat9 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 06, 2012, 11:31:34 AM »

Sorry ... guess everyone just KNEW how to make it. LOL!

500g bicarb
1 cup borax
2 cups grated pure soap (this is relaxing to do whilst watching tele) ... I just use "laundry" soap
1 cup washing soda (brand name Lectrix)

Mix together, you can even run it through a food processor for finer product.

If you do wish to rinse with "something" - use 1/4 cup of vinegar in a full washing machine load. It will also keep your machine sparkling.

Many more ideas on how to save money and stop using nasty chemicals: www.cheapskates.com.au

Kit_e

loshde · « **Reply #20 on:** February 06, 2012, 04:10:52 PM »

Quote from: Kit_e_kat9 on February 06, 2012, 11:31:34 AM

Sorry ... guess everyone just KNEW how to make it. LOL!

500g bicarb
1 cup borax
2 cups grated pure soap (this is relaxing to do whilst watching tele) ... I just use "laundry" soap
1 cup washing soda (brand name Lectrix)

Mix together, you can even run it through a food processor for finer product.

If you do wish to rinse with "something" - use 1/4 cup of vinegar in a full washing machine load. It will also keep your machine sparkling.

Many more ideas on how to save money and stop using nasty chemicals: www.cheapskates.com.au

Kit_e

Thanks Tracey

will try it out.

Cheers
Loshde

PS Only about 11 weeks to go until our AS camper arrives.

Kit_e_kat9 · « **Reply #21 on:** February 06, 2012, 05:36:00 PM »

Quote from: loshde on February 06, 2012, 04:10:52 PM

PS Only about 11 weeks to go until our AS camper arrives.

Very Welcome. And WooHoo btw!!

I get my bicarb in bulk from local produce store or pool supplies as I use it for alot of cleaning. Much cheaper than supermarket prices.

Kit_e

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Author Topic: Washing Clothes (Read 7413 times)