No washing machine - advice needed

valk_scot

Butterfly_Brain wrote: »

I would either get a camping washing machine or a wonder washer
Here are a few links that may help
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/0198541/Trail/searchtext%3ECAMPING.htm
http://www.worldofcamping.co.uk/shop/WonderWash_washing_machine_-_Wonder_Wash__644
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=camping+equipment+washing+machine

The trouble with most if not all camping washing machines is the water supply. If you're not in a static you're very unlikely to have either a stand tap or a drain on your pitch. Therefore you have to carry in the water from the main tap, heat it up, do the wash, dispose of the dirty water (no you just can't tip it out on the grass, it has to go down a grey water drain), lug in more clean water, repeat as above.

It's easier to carry a box or bucket over to the washing block and do it there, trust me. Or at least next to a drain. Water is heavy!

If you are in a static, however, with proper plumbing, a worktop washing machine plus spin dryer becomes a possibility.

culpepper

I have seen quite small twin tub machines online. You see them on ebay a lot .
That is a smallish washing machine and connected spinner but you can use each independantly of the other.storage might be difficult though.
I have an older version of the wonder washer(hand cranked machine) which washes fine but of course you must drain it and fill it and it doesnt spin so unless you could get a mangle it is a job to hang your drippy washing.
I think you could use a preserving pan or large 5 gallon bucket and just tread wash your clothes quite adequately but the drying is still a problem.
Maplins are doing a small electric washer at the moment for around £25-£29 I think,again no spin .

rosieben

I was hand washing for a few weeks earlier this year. The most difficult part was wringing the water out, I couldnt wring hard enough and drip drying clothes takes forever!

I borrowed an old spin dryer and that made such a difference; I second the weekly or fortnightly trip to a launderette to wash and dry big items like bedlinen and bath towels and/or the gazebo to cover the washing line. I know someone who has a line under their carport and she has no problem drying clothes; any chance you could beg or borrow a spin drier or a gazebo? try your local freecycle? good luck whatever you decide to do

ChapelGirl

Do you have children? A full load of washing every day seems like a lot, unless you have a big family or a small baby... I am with Val on the air and wear again front.

The problem with all the very good improvised washing solutions suggested above is they are probably easily do-able in the summer when you can hang things out to dry but you are going to have real problems getting stuff dry in the winter, even in a big static - especially sheets and towels. You don't want washing draped over a portable halogen heater or whatever, as that's a fire risk.

You say you don't have family nearby. Do you or your partner have any work colleagues who might let you use their machines once a week?

If you use a duvet I would suggest using a top sheet as well as a bottom along with the duvet, so that you have a sheet to wash and dry instead of a duvet cover, which is twice the material. Also, if you used flat sheets instead of fitted you could do what they used to do in the old days and wash the bottom sheet only, putting last week's top on the bottom, with a clean top sheet.

PasturesNew

I lived in a static for a couple of years without a washing machine.

I bought one of those drum washers, where you put a couple of pints of water in with the clothes, screw the lid up then crank the ball round on a handle - I tried to do this in the bath and it was a pain doing the reaching/turning inside the bath, but it did work as you only have to turn it a set number of times at a set rate and then it works on its own pressure on the inside.

Yes, hand wringing is a nuisance. I am small/weak, but you have to do what needs to be done.

I used to have an "over the bath airer" to dry things on. Over the bath most of the time, just pop it off and onto the floor when I had a bath.

Many things can be washed in the sink. It's only towels, sheets and jeans that I had to wash in the bath. Before I got the round washer I'd put water/soap in the bath and start by walking up and down on the stuff. I just used to chuck the sheets/jeans/towels in the bath, walk up and down on them for a bit, then get out and manipulate them by hand, then walk away for half an hour, pop back, give them all a good squidging again, empty the water, then rinse through, then do the same again.

I had a moped back then so couldn't get to a launderette. But then I'd never used a washing machine (except a big old twin tub at my parents'). I was about 32 before I got my first automatic. What you've never had, you don't miss and you just get on and do what you can because it has to be done and there's nobody else that's going to do it for you.

rosekitten

see if you can buy a spin dryer secondhand
because its getting the stuff dry thats a
real headaches.

Look at what your wearing and pick
lightweight things
fleece jackets & tops dry quite quickly
as do those fluffy socks,poly cotton
sheets etc

thisuseridistakenagain

ive been living in an apartment for a year with no washing machine, I have been hand washing the lot. Including bedding, towels etc. With towels ive been ironing them whilst damp to hurry up the drying process and stop them smelling mouldy, also ive been 'airing' t shirts, sometimes hanging up and using cheap febreeze type stuff, that will do the trick. to keep them a while longer without a wash. but other than that, i have managed to wash for two by hand with no real problems.

[Deleted User]

Thanks for all your ideas you've been a great help.

carriebradshaw

Quizzical_Squirrel wrote: »

there was a sort of automatic type of machine, also made of plastic, that sat on the draining board and filled from the tap with a hose. It agitated the load and drained itself into the sink. I did the wringing out by hand until I had the money for a small plastic electric spin dryer - the type where you had to put a bowl under the nozzle for the drainage.

this is what I used to have when I lived in a really tiny flat,it saved me a fortune at the laundrette! They don't take up much space when not in use either just stack the washer on top of the spinner and find a corner for it.You could probably even store outside the caravan as long as you secure them and cover them with a tarp to keep the rain out of the electrics.

barnaby-bear

fairyface wrote: »

Hi I am moving into a caravan in a rural location, while looking for property, for a few months, we have no laundrettes, family etc, any advice on how to wash/dry clothes , I think it will be impossible, has any one been in the same situation, just don't know what to do, at the moment (in my house) I do a full load every day, Advice grateful received.

It's a few months - every so often I have to work on location in industrial sites - heavy staining, sweaty work, oil, grime, muck - Mrs B-B spent a fortune on detergents, dry-cleaning. Nowadays the cheapo clothes of the ilk of MAtalan, Asda, Tesco etc.... it's cheaper to buy new stuff for basic white shirts and t-shirts than wash really dirty stuff - perhaps lots of cheap under cloths like t-shirts/shirts so a laundrette trip is a full load might be the way to go a t-shirt for £1.50 worn 3 times works out at £3 quid a week - if petrol and laundrette costs are high it might be a thought.....