Washing - Off The Grid

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Clothes will need to be washed into the foreseeable future.  I own washing machines but most people wash by hand.  They do not use wash boards, the wood costs money.

Photo 1 - Standard metal wash basin still used but for single items that arrive late for the early morning washing machine.  The basin is approx 40cm wide and 20cm deep.  Agitation is achieved by hand.

Photo 2 - Standard 20lt bucket and a pipe plunger used to clear drains.  The plunger is pushed down and forces water through the clothes.

Photo 3 - As the plunger is pulled up, the water is forced through the clothes.  I found this to be a very efficient and quick way to wash clothes.  After using soap, you still need to rinse the soap out of the clothing.  A wash and rinse takes less than 5 minutes. Agitation is achieved with the plunger forcing water through the clothes.

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Another washing method is by filling a bucket which has a lid, add soap, place the bucket in a vehicle (boat or car on the deck or roof rack - a higher centre of gravity will give better agitation). Agitation is achieved by water washing around in the bucket as you travel. Don't forget change water and rinse.

Photo 4 - 30lt Bucket with lid.

Don't discount the wash board, if available and be careful, go easy, don't damage clothes.