Have you wondered how you would replace traditional appliances if you lived off grid? Washing and drying clothing is an important part of our lives, and we're used to modern appliances to get the job done. We have so many options now with our technology, but the roots of manual washing machines go back a long ways. There have been many inventions over the decades past to take care of this daily job.
[vop id='63']
Using Your Off Grid Washing Machine
Non Electric washing machines are really very effective at cleaning your clothes, but we're so used to how modern washing machines work that it seems like it would take a lot of time for clothes washing. That's simply not true, but here are some specific changes you will need to consider:
- Off grid washing machines do small loads
- Soft water works better for cleaning – like rain water
- You will use much less detergent
- Homemade detergent works great
- Replace “spin” cycle with a clothes wringer
- Use a clothes line to dry clothes
- Clothes will last longer and stay brighter without long wash cycles, using soft water and natural detergent
There are a lot of advantages to using a non-electric clothes washer including doing small loads often, like young mothers may do, camping and travelling in an RV, and staying in motels. These washers are really cheap, lightweight and easy to maintain and use.
Using Soft Water To Wash Clothes
Most of us are just hooked into the main water supply for our clothes washing needs, and if you don't have a water softener then you are washing your clothes in hard water. Hard water contains relatively high amounts of calcium and magnesium which happens when the water comes in contact with rocks or soil. Soft water, like rain water reduces the need for detergent by more than 50 percent because it doesn't contain the minerals that interact with the cleaning products.
For the prepper or those who wish to live off grid we already know about collecting rain water in barrels, and this is an excellent way to use some of that water. It's not just for preppers though – anyone can collect rain water from the gutter spout, where it's legal, and use it for clothes washing, watering plants and pets and any number of other uses around the homestead.
Wring Your Clothes Dry Instead Of Spin Cycle
One of the big hangups with doing laundry the manual way is how to get them dry. In our modern washing machines we have the “spin” cycle that does a great job of getting most of the water out so they are ready to throw in the dryer. But with manual washing machines you don't have such a luxury.
Back in the day the old washing machines had a wringer attached to them. I remember my mom washing clothes in and old power washing machine with an agitator and a manual drain. She let the clothes wash until clean, then ran them through the wringer and into a wash tub. That got most of the water out.
Good News! Clothes wringers are still available today and work just as well. Just run your clothes through the wringer and they are ready to dry. Then you can put them outside on the line or use an inside drying rack.
Use Natural Laundry Soap
Most commercially sold laundry detergent is made to use in hard water. It's part of the reason your clothes get steadily duller and wear out faster. The reason many people use hot water for clothes washing is to reduce the effect of hard water mineral deposits on the fibers of their clothing.
Using cool, soft water and natural detergents for clothes washing can make them last longer, reduce the effects of stains and even help with your family's laundry soap allergy problems. Here's the recipe for making a great natural laundry soap:
Ingredients
- 1 bar shaved bar soap like Fels-Naptha
1 cup borax
1 cup washing soda
Directions
Stir together or blend in a food processor to create a powder that will dissolve easily even in cold water. Store in a sealed container with a small scoop. That's it! Definitely cheaper and more wholesome than commercially sold laundry detergents.
Off Grid Clothes Washers Are Great For Everyone
You don't have to be ready for SHTF or going Mega-prepper to use one of these handy little machines. They can be really handy for travelling or just in case of a power failure. We had an ice storm a few years ago that put us out of power for 14 days. That's when you really learn if you are prepared or not. Take a look at these washing machines and put one in your stash.