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ViolentKisses |
Laundromat
May 23 2010, 10:26 AM EDT
Has anyone here ever actually used a washboard or other method than an electric washer?I'm certain that clean clothing will be much more than a just nice to have. So what happens if during any extended emergency where there is no power? The situation is even worse when or if you have to leave your home and 98% of your clothing. Here is a couple videos on a bike powered home washer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fktpd1ymE8A http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Le85KjalzwM&feature=related And a plunger looking travel washer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYY7pfAjGIk Tell me your experiences with washboards or other methods, Or If you got any other videos on alternative washing methods please post them here! :D Good luck and clean clothing! Do you find this valuable? |
timberrattler |
1. RE: Laundromat
May 23 2010, 10:39 AM EDT
Wow. I have to admit it never crossed my mind. Finding a washboard in this day and age would be a headache.Do you find this valuable? |
Oakspar77777 |
2. RE: Laundromat
May 23 2010, 10:45 AM EDT
If you have modern detergent, then mild agitation is all that you need. Some Tide and a bathtub will do most everything you need for reasonable hygene (smell, stiffness, pathogenic brain splatter, etc). For worse stuff, boiling works well (but can rapidly degrade the fabric). Rubbing the cloth against itself will work most stains. A washboard is usually unnecessary. The reason is because modern detergents work with enzymes as well as soaps. Soaps break up oils, enzymes "eat" various kinds of stains and break them down (blood, tannin, etc). Soak, wring, rinse, hang will do everything you need it to do apart from vanity. Of course, a few years post Zed, you are back to dripping lye, a chemical process that will only create soap - not the enzymes - which puts you in need of a washboard once again. Do you find this valuable? |
EdOfTheDead2 |
3. RE: Laundromat
May 23 2010, 12:31 PM EDT
I have actually tried it, with my swim trunks. Got the chlorine smell out and washed it a bit.
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nate121 |
4. RE: Laundromat
May 23 2010, 1:21 PM EDT
well couggated glavinized steel could be a makeshift wash board... thats how i washed my clothes when i went camping
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JunkCollector |
5. RE: Laundromat
May 23 2010, 3:45 PM EDT
"Wow. I have to admit it never crossed my mind. Finding a washboard in this day and age would be a headache.I have 3 wash boards hanging in my shed, right now. You can also wash your cloths by using a large tub, fill with water, dump in some soap, and use a stiff stick to move it around. You can also do this over a fire, for hot water. This is how many cultures yet today wash their cloths. Do you find this valuable? |
Filadog |
6. RE: Laundromat
May 23 2010, 6:50 PM EDT
Old washboards are very common at flea markets and auctions, I see them everyweek and most unless something special could be bought cheapAlso see thouse old "agitator" washers. Basical a tin cone on a stick that you use in a wash tub to move the clothing around. Sort of looks like a plunger I have a girlfriend that washes her clothes in an antique wringer washer powered by it's original maytag gasoline engine I see lots of these old wringer washing machines , unlike her's most I see today have electric motors though. Around here they are popular with the Amish who replace the electric motor with a small gasoline (lawn mower) one Have seen them worked off dog and goat treadmills too Do you find this valuable? |
TheSecondShooter |
7. RE: Laundromat
May 23 2010, 7:40 PM EDT
"Has anyone here ever actually used a washboard or other method than an electric washer?i have used the plunger type many many times. they are commonly used in the horse industry to wash tack cloth's and leg bandages. they can be bought in almost every feed store or tack shop for around $20 Do you find this valuable? |
Knuxz |
8. RE: Laundromat
May 23 2010, 11:58 PM EDT
I already have homemade lye soap before. My grandma and I might end up trying to make a few bucks off of it eventually.
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Freelancer47 |
9. RE: Laundromat
May 24 2010, 12:38 AM EDT
I like the Plunger thing! That would be incredibly handy!I also like the Bicycle Washing Machine from 'The Colony'. It's a very simple design & very effective as well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEVZSOcmiEs Do you find this valuable? |
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ViolentKisses |
10. RE: Laundromat
May 28 2010, 9:44 AM EDT
"I like the Plunger thing! That would be incredibly handy!Yeah the bicycle gear drive could be adapted to tons of projects including just generating electricity and charging batterys for normal plug in devices. I bet you people would choose energy efficient appliances even more readily if they had to power them with bikes XD Do you find this valuable? |
Frag-12 |
11. RE: Laundromat
May 28 2010, 10:04 AM EDT
I know where you can find plenty of washboards. Since the Russian citizens have been replacing their Soviet Era washboards with washing machines, I saw plenty of washboards there. Some local artists were converting them into works of art... lol
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timberrattler |
12. RE: Laundromat
May 28 2010, 10:06 AM EDT
This has got me all jacked up to go to a local flea market to buy me a washboard. Until I really needed it it would make a good wall hanging.
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Maricely |
13. RE: Laundromat
May 28 2010, 10:33 AM EDT
I would imagine washboards would be simple to find online, but either way when I wash clothes by hand I just rub it against itself.
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zachy_vengeance |
14. RE: Laundromat
Jun 18 2010, 12:46 AM EDT
| Post edited: Jun 18 2010, 12:49 AM EDT
Get a few bucks and go to an antique auction. *Looks over at my parents collection of washboards hanging from the back porch wall* Trust me. You could also try my grandpa's method for when he would go black bear hunting for 2 weeks. Get a 5 gallon bucket, put your clothes in, add soap and water, mix it up with a plunger. Tadaa. Clean clothes Do you find this valuable? |
TheHobbit81 |
15. RE: Laundromat
Aug 3 2012, 10:53 AM EDT
I found this today, thought it was cleverhttp://tinyurl.com/giradora-pedail-power-washer I make my own laundry powder: 1 part soap flakes 2 parts Bi-Carb 2 parts Electric Soda (the fine powder, not the crystals) I make mine in a large glass jar, $15 AUD and I've got enough for 6 months (only needs a tiny scoup per wash. (.5 kg soap flakes, 1 kg Bi-Carb, 1 kg Electric Soda = 2.5 kg of powder) To remove blood use cold water (ice if you have it) and cooking salt (paramedics told me that one, works!) Fill a glass jar half full with soap flakes, add hot water to fill. Stir and allow to cool. Use a little on stubborn stains. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
zombie-master |
16. RE: Laundromat
Aug 7 2012, 5:35 PM EDT
colloidal silver "magic bullet lol"Do you find this valuable? |
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Zero_Mostel |
17. RE: Laundromat
Aug 9 2012, 11:39 AM EDT
my wife and I bought a hand crank washing machine.http://www.amazon.com/The-Laundry-Alternative-Wonderwash-SpinDryer/dp/B002C8HR9A/ref=sr_1_1?s=appliances&ie=UTF8&qid=1344526533&sr=1-1 it works quiet well and when we had to watch every dime we washed our clothes in that for about 3 months. You need very little soap, and a wringer is a good help as well as a clothes line or rack Do you find this valuable? |
Zee-Man |
18. RE: Laundromat
Aug 9 2012, 5:16 PM EDT
Lots of good thoughts so far. A washboard is easy to make as well. One could construct one using a bunch of furring strips, nothing says it has to be fancy mill work.As a few have pointed out washing machines and tools are all about agitation. Rub clothing together as Maricelly pointed out, use the "plunger" agitator, slap 'em on rocks, what ever. I actually love the "plunger" device. It uses the principle of pressure balance to "pump" the water around the washing vessel. Really neat low tech there and believe it or not the same principle used for direct vent gas fireplaces. Do you find this valuable? |
Will77 |
19. RE: Laundromat
Aug 9 2012, 9:12 PM EDT
Out in the field we used a cardboard box with a trash bag in it to hold water and washed our clothes in it by rubbing them together.
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