Dirty Clothes
by Bob Anderson, PhD, CMSgt(Ret)
Here's a smelly subject for you - dirty clothes!
When your normal ain't normal anymore, who ya gonna call? Problem is there won't be anyone to call for this situation. You're going to have to have a plan and equipment - this is where planning ahead comes in.
What are you going to need? Look at your current washing machine. It has a tub that fills with water. Therefore you will need a tub to put water and dirty clothes in. This might be a galvanized metal wash tub or a big barrel. Remember you'll need one for soapy water and one for rinsing; I'd recommend two for rinsing.
I recommend a plastic 55 gallon tub, it has multiple uses, its easy to move and won't get rust in your water or your clothes.
You will need laundry soap; you may have some left when the electricity goes; however, you might need to know how to make your own if the electric doesn't come back. With a combination of hand soap and Borax (you can find at the store) you're in business. So start saving those useless slivers of used up bars of soap, because they are recyclable.
A clothes wringer is not absolutely necessary, but it sure makes laundry a lot easier. Lay in some extra thread, needles and buttons however; wringers are notorious for breaking buttons. A safer way is wringing by hand but it is messy and works best with two people. As an alternative, just pick up a mop bucket with a squeeze wringer. That will save on buttons and it has multiple uses.
You'll need a clothesline and clothes pins. They don't spoil or go bad so start stock piling. Have a couple of 50 foot lengths minimally and a couple of hundred clothes pins. There may not anymore to be had. A pulley system is a good idea as well as a method to tightening the line after you have used it for a while. It will stretch!
A wash board is simple and very effective; it is almost essential. Get a couple of good scrub brushes; especially if you have boys.
You will become the agitator. However, there is a hand agitator that is a big help, particularly if you're using the barrel. Long sleeved rubber gloves are a good idea particularly if you're using a harsh detergent.
Buckets are a handy help, particularly if a water source is not adjacent to where you'll be washing. You might want to consider a solar well pump or hand pump set up.
You really don't have to have hot water to wash clothes but heated water is more effective. If you use metal buckets, you can heat them over a fire. You also need to think about soapy water disposal. You don't want it flowing downhill into your water supply. Think about that!
Now here are two of the most basic rules for OUTLASTING, have spares and stockpile now!
Another advantage to hand washing and drying in the sun is that fresh smell that nature puts into the clothes and sheets. While these other items can be found usually for $30 or less, that smell is 100% free and brought to you by our Creator. |
