Laundry solution for SHTF

[Libertytree]

I've been using these things for awhile now because I don't like lugging around big jugs of detergents. They work very well from my experience but today it dawned on me, these things would be great to store as preps. Lightweight, takes up very little space and is both a detergent and a softener (plus static thingee). Can be cut up for smaller loads, I just cut mine in half usually because being single I ain't doin' laundry for coxey's army. Just throwin' it out there.

http://www.purex.com/products/detergents/purex-complete-3-in-1

[big country]

Looks good, are you going to be doing laundry in a machine wtshtf? I mean presumably, if it hits hard, it will all be by hand over a wash board. Would that thingy be useful for that?

Why not just stock the supplies to make your own detergent if need be? Super Washing Soda, Borax, and a bar of bath soap (any kind or smell you want). We make our own laundry detergent that way, way cheaper then buying jugs of detergent or fancy all-in-one thingys



1 quart Water (boiling)
2 cups Bar soap (grated)
2 cups Borax
2 cups Washing Soda
Add finely grated bar soap to the boiling water and stir until soap is melted. You can keep on low heat until soap is melted.
Pour the soap water into a large, clean pail and add the Borax and Washing Soda. Stir well until all is dissolved.
Add 2 gallons of water, stir until well mixed.
Cover pail and use 1/4 cup for each load of laundry. Stir the soap each time you use it (will gel).

Or if you prefer powder


2 cups Fels Naptha Soap (finely grated – you could also try the other bar soaps listed at the top)
1 cup Washing Soda
1 cup Borax
Mix well and store in an airtight plastic container.
Use 2 tablespoons per full load.

We make ours in liquid form, cleans our clothing just fine and dandy! Havent even noticed a difference since switching from "All" brand detergent we used before.


Recipes taken from http://tipnut.com/10-homemade-laundry-soap-detergent-recipes/

[Libertytree]

Big country, these will work by hand, of course a wash board or a rock will work fine along with them too.

This ain't a solution for everybody, depending on the situation I think it works fairly good. If we all run out of preps we'll happily dunk our laundry in a muddy hole to try and get the rotten stink out.

[muffin]

Little things.... I've thought about this too. Thanks, big country, for the recipes. I think I was trying to make my own soap at one point but one of the ingredients was hard to come by (can't remember which one it was now). I've been looking for washboards and tubs in junk/antique stores and, I tell ya, they aren't cheap!! Then I thought maybe I could find one of those old crank machines. Not sure if that's gonna happen tho.

I do see metal antique versions of these all over the place tho....

[big country]

Big country, these will work by hand, of course a wash board or a rock will work fine along with them too.

This ain't a solution for everybody, depending on the situation I think it works fairly good. If we all run out of preps we'll happily dunk our laundry in a muddy hole to try and get the rotten stink out.


I agree, those are neat and I had never seen them before. But I guess my point was why pay extra for the Anti-static and the softener when doing it in a hand washer doesn't cause those problems? I agree that it would be nice to have it ready made, maybe that for a short-term solution and stocking the supplies for a more longer term solution?

[Panoptimist]

All you need is two things:

1. Water

2. Dr. Bronner's

-----

big country's 1337 post solves the problem even better.

I don't have no pigs or nothing. Maybe you'll have to barter for lard and lavender.

[ximmy]

that's a great idea for traveling around with...

[solid]

Anyone try the wonderwash?

http://www.laundry-alternative.com/products/Wonderwash.html

This is something I plan on getting soon.

[madfranks]

Anyone try the wonderwash?

http://www.laundry-alternative.com/products/Wonderwash.html

This is something I plan on getting soon.


Looks kind of neat - how does the hot water/high pressure system work? Does it need electricity?

[solid]

Looks kind of neat - how does the hot water/high pressure system work? Does it need electricity?


Not sure how the pressure system works, but it does not require electricity. For this reason, a lot of cruisers (sailors) recommend it. Electricity, or lack of it, is common amongst the sailing community.

In fact, I just ordered one. :) I've been wanting to get one for awhile, but keep forgetting about it.

I'll post a review once it gets here and I've tried it out.

[TheNocturnalEgyptian]

All you need is two things:

1. Water

2. Dr. Bronner's

-----

big country's 1337 post solves the problem even better.

I don't have no pigs or nothing. Maybe you'll have to barter for lard and lavender.


Vote of confidence for this (Doc Bronners Soap) being one of the best true soaps around, and not just a 'detergent'.

I hope this turns into a good thread about making soap.

[ximmy]

Looks kind of neat - how does the hot water/high pressure system work? Does it need electricity?


Not sure how the pressure system works, but it does not require electricity. For this reason, a lot of cruisers (sailors) recommend it. Electricity, or lack of it, is common amongst the sailing community.

In fact, I just ordered one. :) I've been wanting to get one for awhile, but keep forgetting about it.

I'll post a review once it gets here and I've tried it out.


I had one, the stand (frame) broke after a few months, I epoxied it back together, then the handle broke... I guess it lasted for about 9 months

The "pressure" is just a sales gimmick... when you close the lid it is "sealed"... there is no pressure. The clothes flop back in forth in the water as you turn it...supposedly making the water push through the fabric... ridiculous. You can do that better by hand in a sink. :) yes it cleans clothes

[zap]

I have a couple of the old Maytag ringer washers from my MIL, I actually used them for about 5 years when I first moved up here.
Yes they do use electricity, but they will run off solar just fine.

[solid]

The "pressure" is just a sales gimmick... when you close the lid it is "sealed"... there is no pressure. The clothes flop back in forth in the water as you turn it...supposedly making the water push through the fabric... ridiculous. You can do that better by hand in a sink. :) yes it cleans clothes



Supposedly the hot water creates the pressure since it is sealed, ie expansion of heat, pushing the detergent through the fabric for ultimate cleanliness.

Or maybe I just got taken... :)

Your review is disconcerning, Ximmy. I've read a lot of good reviews. It has a 30 day guarantee, if it sucks, I'll send it back.

[ximmy]

The "pressure" is just a sales gimmick... when you close the lid it is "sealed"... there is no pressure. The clothes flop back in forth in the water as you turn it...supposedly making the water push through the fabric... ridiculous. You can do that better by hand in a sink. :) yes it cleans clothes



Supposedly the hot water creates the pressure since it is sealed, ie expansion of heat, pushing the detergent through the fabric for ultimate cleanliness.

Or maybe I just got taken...

Your review is disconcerning, Ximmy. I've read a lot of good reviews. It has a 30 day guarantee, if it sucks, I'll send it back.




Just my experience, I would still use it if it didn't break...when you open the lid it does make a little vacuum sound... :)

[solid]

Just my experience, I would still use it if it didn't break...when you open the lid it does make a little vacuum sound... :)


Well, as long as it has a little vacuum sound to reassure me that my clothes are clean, I am good to go! ;D

I have this feeling like I just spent $40 on a plastic bucket... :lol

Thanks for your input, Ximmy. If anyone is thinking of ordering this product, best hold off. I'll give my 2 bits when it gets here as well. I am not expecting much at this point. :)

[Glass]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33OHmWckcDc

I could imagine somehow strapping a hyper preschooler to one of these to get the "agitation" happening.

I think the pressure comes from the expansion of the soap suds when agitating. I notice when cleaning bottles with detergent that the pressure builds quickly when the suds start forming. More pressure than your thumb can hold back.

My grandmother had what was basically a larger copper boiler that she heated the water in and the agitated the clothes in. It also had a hand cranked wringer attached to it. Eventually it was replaced with something electrical that was basically the same except it didn't have a heating capability but it did have an agitator and wringer which were electrically powered.

[Half Sense]

I'm just gonna wear asbestos pants and throw 'em in the fire every few weeks to burn off the dirt and skid marks.