A Laundry Experiment

[Raz]

A while back someone (Roger CH perhaps?) suggested using a 5 gallon pail for doing laundry on the road. On our fall trip I gave it a try. In the evening we filled the pail half way with water, about 2 tablespoons of liquid laundry detergent, and the articles to be cleaned. A couple T shirts, shorts, and a couple pairs of socks or one pair of jeans is about the load limit. We put the bucket in the back of the pickup to slosh around during the next days travel. That night drain, and rinse several times. Wringing out the small stuff was easy but the jeans took both of us. While cotton underwear will pretty much dry over night, jeans take quite a bit longer. I used the cross bars of our pickup tonneau cover as an impromptu drying rack when needed. I was happy with the results and it sure beats having to stop at a laundry mat. Raz

[cpaharley2008]

necessity is the mother of invention… good to know.

[Kevin K]

I did this also on my last 4000 mile trip to the east coast. Worked very good for small items.

[Letitia]

Is that considered grey water?
Just wondering....

[ShawnKK]

Originally Posted by Letitia

Is that considered grey water?
Just wondering....

Yes it is and I like the idea. But the soap you use comes into play. I use soap that after the home washing machine is done can be put on the lawn. I also use rain water for the washer.
I get double use from our water if you use the right soap.

[Bob Miller]

I tried to do this and, after washing, I tied the jeans to my trailers wheels to spin dry them. Can't say if it worked or not because I lost them about 100 miles back.....

[Letitia]

Originally Posted by Bob Miller

I tried to do this and, after washing, I tied the jeans to my trailers wheels to spin dry them. Can't say if it worked or not because I lost them about 100 miles back.....

[Carol H]

If your shocks on your tug or good and you may find you get more movement on the agitation cycle if the bucket sits on the floor of the bathroom in the trailer.

[Bob Miller]

Ya... tried that "Extra Agitation" idea and all I got after everything splashed out was a well washed floor as the soapy water and the jeans washed back and forth for about 137 miles.

[Camper Dave]

I read about this washing method in Steinbeck's "Travels with Charley" from back in the early '60s. I wonder how many times it has been re-discovered; I'd imagine that those Conestoga wagon sure bounced around a lot!

[Bobbie Mayer]

Works great for washing, and then on the second day you can tie them to the back of the trailer and let them blow dry.

[carlkeigley]

Originally Posted by Bob Miller

I tried to do this and, after washing, I tied the jeans to my trailers wheels to spin dry them. Can't say if it worked or not because I lost them about 100 miles back.....

We used to attach gunny sacks to the wheel lug nuts.
When the aggravating dog that chases cars bites the sack,
then they get the spin cycle. And no longer will chase that
vehicle (if they survive).

Would dry the jeans, but might stretch them out........lol

[Richard Hayes]

Old trick in the ocean sailing world - the laundry `tub`gets lashed to the stern pulpit, and Mother Nature provides the rock `n roll...

[Ev in Oregon]

Brilliant! Avoidance of laundromats is always a good thing.

(You haven't by any chance read Steinbeck's, "Travels with Charley," have you?)

[Raz]

Originally Posted by Ev in Oregon

Brilliant! Avoidance of laundromats is always a good thing.

(You haven't by any chance read Steinbeck's, "Travels with Charley," have you?)

The idea was suggested by another member. I just borrowed it. Raz

[Ev in Oregon]

Originally Posted by P. Raz

The idea was suggested by another member. I just borrowed it. Raz

Still brilliant, no matter who's responsible! And, in case you have not read "Travels with Charley," I highly recommend it. I first read it in high school 100 yrs. ago & have re-read it every few years since. It always makes me want to hook up the Bigfoot, fire up the Jeep, pack ingredients for s'mores, and just GO.

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by Ev in Oregon

Still brilliant, no matter who's responsible! And, in case you have not read "Travels with Charley," I highly recommend it. I first read it in high school 100 yrs. ago & have re-read it every few years since. It always makes me want to hook up the Bigfoot, fire up the Jeep, pack ingredients for s'mores, and just GO.

I've looked for Bigfoot too, but haven't been able to find him. Does s'mores work pretty good for bait?

[Ev in Oregon]

Originally Posted by Byron Kinnaman

I've looked for Bigfoot too, but haven't been able to find him. Does s'mores work pretty good for bait?

Bigfoot only shows himself to true believers...it helps if you have a boatload of s'mores to share.

[Bob Miller]

Bu aren't Laundromats where all the local inteligencia hang out?

In Long Beach, CA it was called "Dud's and Sud's" and the suds were in a schooner..... or, if you preferred, vino was also served.

Entertainment included: "Poetry to Dry For" and that popular tune "Baby You Can Wash My Clothes" and there was always the group in the corner that just came in to stare at the front loading washers doing their thing. Very cooooool.

Before I forget (again): c.1975

[Ev in Oregon]

Originally Posted by Bob Miller

Bu aren't Laundromats where all the local inteligencia hang out?

In Long Beach, CA it was called "Dud's and Sud's" and the suds were in a schooner..... or, if you preferred, vino was also served.

Entertainment included: "Poetry to Dry For" and that popular tune "Baby You Can Wash My Clothes" and there was always the group in the corner that just came in to stare at the front loading washers doing their thing. Very cooooool.

Before I forget (again): c.1975

LOL, sounds like my kind of place! In my little seaside town, that would be THE night spot.