How can I wash clothes in the shower?

7roland8

Just had a wacky thoguth - you don't need special washing powder or anything - why not just put the stuff on and shower that way - tehn they can be rinsed on you - do a few at a time. If you use shower gel etc you don't have to be too meticulous about the rinsing.

jackieglasgow

Genius!!!! :rotfl: could dry it with the hairdryer too

tanith

If you have stains buy some of that spray on stain remover (I forget the name) and spray the stains before you wash

mandragora_2

We camp for all of August usually, and I hand wash the (few!) things we use in that period.

If you can, I'd suggest getting a bucket (or similar 'tub' type container), and using a liquid handwash detergent to soak things in overnight - Ariel used to do a great one if you can find it, but I haven't seen it around for a while now so I tend to buy whatever's not too expensive. Get the water as hot as the clothes can stand, add some detergent, then drop the washing in - put a small load of items in at a time. Agitate and leave it to soak overnight.

Next morning, when you shower, scoosh it all out on the floor of the shower, and run water through it, while you 'grape-tread' it. This is especially satifying on towels, as they come out great, you burn off a few calories in the process, and your feet will never have been cleaner!! In reality, I think it's the agitation that gets the dirt out of clothes more than the detergent, so building in a stamping, scooshing and grape-treading session is what does the trick, I think. As the process can be quite time-consuming, you might not want to do this every day, and smalls, to be honest, can just be soaked and hand rinsed the next morning. They come out fine.

All the best - and don't forget, it's not too long till the next break, when you'll get home cooking, and to take a bin-liner's worth of washing home to put through the machine there!

Loanranger

http://www.flickr.com/photos/andysouthwales/2799544784/

Paulie'sGirl

Hi,

I would recommend a tube of travel wash. You need an amount about the size of a 10p piece for a wash, and its meant to be used in the unorthodox manner you describe! Dr Beckmann or some-such. You can also use it neat as a stain treatment for cuffs/collars etc.

I agree that even if you only have a shower cubicle, the grape treading is the way. Its fairly easy to stop up the drainage hole with a plastic bag and create a shallow pool. Not so helpful if its a wetroom though

PGxx

Shysarah

When I first left home this is exactly how I managed. Throw the clothes in the bottom of the shower cubicle, walk in some soap and also shower over them which meant they smelt nice too. Then gave them a really good rinse out.
Was incredibly hard work as my partner at the time worked on the land and in dirty factories but we got by and laundrettes were out of our reach.
It worked well enough until we got some money together. Good luck to you hun x

stilernin

Could you ask for a baby bath on Freecycle? You could put this under the shower to catch the water, leave the clothes to soak for as long as is needed and then use the bath for the grapetreading method. It will give you a greater capacity for easier rinsing too.

Have to say that you seem to be pretty switched on and innovative so far. Well done you :beer:

valk_scot

Orange builders bucket, 99p from B&Q. Get two and you can have one filled with soapy water (Value shampoo is cheap and won't rot your clothes like strong washing up liquid type detergents will) and one with clear water for rinsing. You swish/stamp and soak clothes overnight in hot soapy water, squeeze out the dirty water, drop in rinse water (can be cold) and repeat in now empty first bucket. Allow to drain if you can't wring them ...I balance the pile on an upturned bucket in the bath...then squeeze out as much water as you can, gently, and hang up somewhere that doesn't mind getting water dripped on it, like over the bath or outside.

7roland8

Also these days clothes arn't realy 'dirty' and often only need a quick rince out to freshen up - aprt from satins a quick rince through should do the trick.

Also after wrinsing wrap stuff in a towel to soak up excess water.