There's something else you can make and thats home made sanitiser/ disinfectation. Have a look at benzalkonium chloride known as BAC50. 1-2ml is enough for a 500ml bottle and a litre is about £10 so you'll have enough for a lifetime.
This type of demo video is exactly what most of us Preppers will benefit from. I have done laundry by these methods a few years ago and have the confidence in knowing that me and my family can stay clean and healthy. Thank you Kris, for the great information.
Last week, I told my husband we were "official" prepping homesteaders when our washboard, clothesline carousel, clothespins and clothespin bag were delivered! This is such an important topic to consider... thanks for sharing the info Chris!! 🙌🏼😊💪🏼
😄 I love that! It's important to hold yourself acountable and to have goals set. Im glad you could complete your list and start the rest of your lives as homesteaders!
The small washer and scrub board are fine for small items, such as socks and underwear. More is needed for clean sheets, blankets, coats, work pants and such. A full size washboard, and a laundry (utility) sink (double bowl is best) should be considered if space and water are available for them. I grew up on a farm without running water (pre-grid). Water was heated in a cast iron washpot. Lye soap and a washboard kept clothes clean. Don't forget a clothes line and clothes pins to make life easier. Above all, make sure you have water available to do laundry. If grid down, your options may be a well with a manual pump and/or a nearby stream. If having to haul water, a kid's Radio Flyer wagon, appropriately sized, is great for pulling 2 5-gal buckets. (I have 2 of those wagons, for this purpose. ) Another asset is a commercially sized mop bucket with a wringer. Wash the clothes and use the wringer, for many of the items. Practice as there's a knack to how to use it for the best advantage. Bucket catches expelled water that can be returned to the wash pot or rinse pot. Rinse water for first "load" can become wash water for the second. I've used this bucket several times when we've had extended power failures. Well worth the investment in that situation. Learn to make lye soap. Learn to make lye from wood ashes. Learn to use the sun to bleach stains and sanitize laundry, as well.
I would have loved to use this today! I want to go buy it at Lowe's this week, since I had to hand rinse and wring out today, because my washing machine went on the fritz today! I can't believe that this video came out today.. I attribute it to God's giving me a little gift.
@@choochalah Yes, laundry can be done in a bathtub. But it's not easy for several reasons. Work height for one thing. Bending over or working on one's knees isn't easy. Especially for old folks, like myself. Utility sinks, 5 gal buckets, plastic storage totes, trashcans, etc.can be put on benches, steps, patio tables, etc to have a better working height. A clean wheelbarrow can work as a washtub. Depending on the size of the bathtub, it may take much more water than what would be needed with smaller containers. When using a bathtub, soapy water must be emptied and more water added to rinse the items. Yes, wringing out large items by hand is a pain, regardless of what washing container is used. In some situations letting the item drip dry may be the best solution.
One key item that may be overlooked in keeping the clothes clean is directly related to keeping the body clean. We will more than likely be routed out of our homes, leaving most of our preps behind, so we can't really drag a bathtub with us. With that in mind, I prepped a spray bottle of vinegar. Vinegar is cheap and kills germs. Even if you don't have the privacy to disrobe and give yourself a sponge bath, you could spray vinegar on one section at a time and just wipe it on and leave it there, that becoming your new way of bathing. I also set up a way to sponge bathe in a backpack. Dilute some peppermint bath liquid (Walmart has a cheap version of Dr. Bonners) in a pint jar which you also put your wash rag in. Squeeze the wash rag out back into the jar since it's still clean and wipe your body with it from the cleanest section first to the dirtiest. Between each section, rinse the rag before you put it back into the jar of clean, soapy water. This way, even if it's freezing cold, you're not getting your body wet while you're cleaning up. A clean body goes a long way to decreasing your laundry. Then all you have to wash is the clothes that touch your body when you can slow down enough from running to do that.
I hand- washed all my laundry for 2 1/2 months in early 2020. It is excellent exercise, especially with the heavy winter clothes, sheets and towels. I recommend everyone to try it for a month, just as an exercise of living without a washer & dryer. I leaned a lot!!
Excellent demo Chris. This really brings home just how dependent we have become to "luxuries" like washing machines. I learned a lot from your commenters as well. Thanks!
I hand-washed my laundry all my life when I traveled. I only need to do it in bathroom sink , then I need one more container to hold the the washed. Hand-washed clothes can last longer. I dry the clothes by clothesline or hangers.
If water is a concern, give yourself a sponge bath from a bucket of water, then use that water for laundry. You're going to add detergent, agitate, and rinse it well, so a little body grime from a sponge bath shouldn't be an issue - unless you're disgustingly dirty - lol. I've seen the plunger method before, didn't know about drilling some holes in it - makes sense! Thank you. p.s. yes on detergent making, please!
Cup of laundry detergent, cup of bicarb, cup of white vinegar. Put it in a bathtub with water and leave it to soak. They will come out looking new. Great solution if you have a supply of water sorted. You can also use the old water on your garden
Great video: Additional tip for temperate climes: English Ivy contains saponin, that can act as a laundry detergent. Rip up the leaves, bring to a rolling boil for 10 minutes, leave to cool, strain, squeeze out all of the remaining suds from the leaves, store the liquid in a bottle, add a cupful for each load. English Ivy is also evergreen, so it’s available all year. Add some citrus rind/lavender for aroma.
I use a modified spin mop bucket in our camper for washing - its a bit time intensive but I have the added advantage of using the centrifugal force to spin out the water when I step on the pedal.
Yes! More info on homemade detergents is always welcome! On long field exercises, we used wet weather bags and powder detergent to wash our under layers every few days, and our uniforms every couple of weeks. It takes much LESS detergent than you think!
@@nrob450 eeehhh... I don't agree. You can get the loose stuff out, sand and some dirt, but it doesn't get the smells out. You gotta have at least a LITTLE soap.
Old trick from my parents who lived in the mountains for a few years: two tubs and a never used toilet plunger. The plunger can be used as an agitator while washing in soapy water, then you rinse in non soapy water. Pulled us through no electricity for 6 days during a hurricane.
👍Yes, please make a video on home made detergents. We live in the High Desert 🏜, so, the tips and ideas in this video are appreciated. If there was a grid-down situation, regular cleaning would be important.
Awesome video. I’m teaching my kids (and any of their friends who listen) “old people skills” (as they call it) hand sewing, washing clothes, drying, handing to dry. How to properly sweep and mop with low water supply (we do have creeks on our property though) I even bought a push lawn mower for $40 used because we have 2 acres and about 1/4 of it is front yard we use frequently. I think as preppers always learning and teaching is key. I will be showing the kids your “old people” washing skills lol. Thanks for sharing!
My mother had her first washing machine in her 40's. I remember she whased the clothes by hand with the help of my older sister. We were lucky because there was a small river not far from home. She had a work saving method. She put the clothes in barrels with water and a little detergent overnight, without stirring. She made three separate groups, dark clothes, light clothes and white clothes. The following day she just had to stir up a bit, dump the dirty water, and rinse everything in the river.
This is pretty cool. I’ve totally done the old toilet plunger clothes wash thing when I was a cheap college student . It works in the bathtub and I didn’t even need to drill holes in the plunger. It just shoves the soapy water through the clothes.
I've done a few 10+ day hikes and my friend brought a Scrubba Bag to do laundry. It's light weight, no power and got my laundry clean 😃 It's a good off-grid option.
I saw that on dragons den & thought it looked like an awesome idea! SO much more portable & easy to store than the regular options & looks as effective, if not moreso than regular options too
Method 2 is great when you have a child being potty trained. Poopy underware is a mess and expensive to just throw away. Your child tends to get particular about what they wear at that age and get upset when a favorite piece of clothing is suddenly gone. During grid down empty your wash into a 5 gallon bucket. You can use that water to fill the tank on your toilet for a flush.
I had a Wonder Wash 20 years ago. It was okay, but the new design with a drain on the bottom would probably make it a lot more convenient. Better, IMO, is a plunger-type agitator like the one you demonstrated, Kris. I have one of these in a hard molded-plastic version and I use it once a week or so "just because." Next on my list is an old-fashion washboard, something I saw my grandmother using when I was a child. Something to consider if you're limited in storage space is to get about three collapsible buckets or basins like the ones used in camping, or three 5-gallon plastic buckets that nest together. I store a lot of Fels-Naptha soap, washing soda and borax, but I know how to make soap. Hmm, guess this is my next area of concentration for 2022.
I made the bucket system years ago and found it highly efficient. I put it by the kitchen door and agitated throughout the day every time I passed it, took it outside to drain,rinse, drain and hang.i also have a washboard for work clothes. that's the best washing machine ever. just a little work but the best.
Already have 5 screwtop bucket full of powdered laundry detergent. Along with a tote of liquid laundry cleaner and an assortment of items. The video gave me a few other ideas to put in the tote. Another great video!
I needed to manually wash a couple of loads last summer at a time when shipping issues left zero kiddie wading pools in stores. Hardware store heavy plastic cement mixing vessels work great! Old school agitation with bare feet and + is a bed sheet will fit. I like your 5 gal bucket idea and a commenters floor mop bucket with wringer idea +!
I have used a “Scrubba” bag on Van trips before and it works really well if there is just one or two of you. Takes up no room at all and super light. Could be a good option for a hotel go bag or something similar.
Excellent video! Was planning on getting the galvanized tub & a washboard. Now, with your information in this wonderful video, I will use the bucket method because we have lots of cat litter buckets (I guess it doesn't matter if the bucket is round or square). So, thank you so much for bringing this to the community - it will save much needed money. Judi
Will the cat litter buckets handle sheets, bath towels and other large items? Please do take into consideration the size container you'll need to wash your sheets, for example.
@@oldtimerlee8820 I honestly think something like an inflatable kids pool is the only really practical option for stuff like sheets & blankets & even towels if you really need to agitate to get clean
My husband's grandmother thought I was crazy when I asked for her old wash tub and board. It actually still has soap at the bottom of the scrub board. It is precious to me because it was hers, but I was also thinking ahead. Last winter, our power went down for 2.5 weeks and the laundry room doesn't go on the generator. We don't have that many clothes so it was hand wash time. Now, I have a deep appreciation for my washer and dryer but I can scrub those clothes!
YES on laundry soap tutorial/walk-through! I have been storing soap bars for the sole purpose of making my our detergent since the p demic started, just havnt actually made it yet. PS. That would be AMAZINGLY Thoughtful gift for folks for Xmas, 4th of July, Bday, anything😅 really! Who wouldn't want to receive a healthy amount of Home Made laundry soap so you dont have to worry about buying it(especially for those that are watching their budget carefully!). It'd be a blessing to recieve 6 months to a year of detergent. Add a little essential oil of their preference to a little extra love!
I grew up doing laundry the hard way: 2 wash tubs, an oar, a washboard, a hand wringer, and line drying (even in winter) I remember being so excited when mom got a used wringer washer, it did half the work. Yes! I would love to make my own laundry detergent, I am allergic to all the ones on the store shelves but one, hypo allergenic arm and hammer.
I’ve used the plunger and bucket method before. There is also a device very similar to the plunger, but a bit larger that I’ve seen folks use. Definitely gets to be exercise! Just another thought...an old toothbrush is great for scrubbing smaller stains too. A detergent making video would be awesome! Any new skills are good skills!
Bathtub, bin or bucket, yellow janitorial mop bucket with ringer, Barrel crank tumble washer, washboard, clothes line, clothes pins and even paperclips. Super cheap bag powdered detergent made into a liquid watered down liquid detergent goes really far. Baking soda, borax, salt, bleach tablets, lime power, essential oils, dish soap, vinegar and lemon or lime juice, glycerin..all these help clean.. but some may be caustic to hand and fabric. A little goes a long way. Soak load for atleast an hour to loosen dirt. It helps to reduce physical work. Wash cleanest to dirtiest to get the most of your water. You can also boil water for certain things.
My wife used the bucket method for years before we moved into a home with laundry hookups. It was by far her favorite method compared to the 2 store bought units she tried before. Mainly because it was the only method that would properly clean heavily soiled clothes like diapers and such.
My washing machine broke some time ago, and for lots of reasons, I've been doing my laundry in buckets inside the bathtub ever since. A couple of things struck me, like how brown and dirty the water was when I dumped it out, the first time or two I washed an item. Apparently, my washer had not been cleaning the clothes well at all. The other thing was lint. Since my dryer is still working - once the "fluffy" things like towels, sweatshirts and things like that were partially dry (I have been hanging most things to dry for a couple of years), I would finish and fluff them in the dryer. (I never use softeners) with bucket washing, there is almost no lint!! It makes me wonder if the washer beats the clothes to pieces, breaking the fibers, and making the clothes wear out faster?
Thank you! As someone who has done the laundry by hand and now a mother of three, I do not take my washing machine for granted as I think about the times ahead. I feel a sense of satisfaction when I get the wash done, just in case the power goes out soon! I think my biggest problem would be hauling water from a low creek up the mountain where we live. I will just have to do the best I can with the circumstances I am in.
I used a 10liter dry bag with water and soap. Shake well. Drain and add water then shake. Repeat if needed. Drain then air dry in the sun. This great for bug out bag
I currently use the bucket and plunger system...hint is to drill slightly larger holes in the plunger it will work better to force the water through the holes also make plunging easier...another hint to wring out the clothing is to drape it over a rod and twist the clothing...it's easier than wringing out using both hands...and yes please do a video on homemade laundry soap
Awesome Video Kris! A detergent/soap making video would be awesome. As we know if the supply lines are cut for an extended period of time and soap becomes a high marked up product, making soap at home will save $100s of dollars down the road, or when none is even available to be bought. Sanitation Support videos could be awesome when you have to deal with high soiling situations like blood loss. What do you do if the gauze and towels are all dirty and your supply of pool shock is depleted? The answers would make for a very helpful video for the prepper community.
If no washing soap / detergent available just boil in plain water just like before soap and detergent was invented .will sanitize the material and get the stains out for you just like with soiled cloth nappies
when we first went off grid, my husband made me a wash board out of a board & the ridgid base of a dish strainer.. washed all the laundry on this( not sheets or blankets) Worked awesome. After couple years we were able to put in a washer
Ditch the plunger and get a breathing mobile washer. It's my backup plan for cloth diapers. I've done a small load of laundry with that and spinning out items in my spin mop bucket. The homemade detergents don't contain surfactants and enzymes that normal detergents contain. They require more friction to get things clean like using the washboard.
Loved the 3 bucket system with the plunger!, I'm used to hand wash clothes when I can't use the washer and I must say that it looks like the perfect solution for towels and bed sheets. As for the detergent making, I think you should do a video. Looking forward to it. Thanks!
I use a Canadian product- Tru Earth detergent wafers - wash water is safe to dump out onto ground afterwards, and an Australian product - Scrubba Bag - to do the wash in when no access to machines or basins and water scarce. Very nice in both cases because their space and weight negligible. Good to save the used wash water for toilets, if they are still working.
@Beverley Lynne Harris Does the Tru Earth wafers work well in the Scrubba? Funny I just received my 1st order from Tru Earth and have yet to try them out. And was just looking into potentially buying a Scrubba Bag. Much appreciate any info.
The Wonder Wash works great! One tip though, if you remove the cotter pin that holds the cranking handle in place and reattach the handle so it's starting or resting position is NOT in the "down" position, you won't have to finagle around the handle when you put on the drain tube.
I think hardest part of laundry is ringing the water out. Maybe add one of those old fashion roller ringers that you manually crank to squeeze the water out, and that would make it a lot easier. Like your options, but think scrub board and swishing around by hand does fine , isn't so hard that requires a special bucket or agitator. Love your detergent bar.
Pamela, I dont remember where I saw or heard this, but if you have the bucket type mop wringer, that works great to wring the water out of clothes. I checked in my old storage barn, and sure enough I have one. I'll be saving that baby for sure!
5gallon bucket, hole in middle of lid, insert clean, new toilet plunger to use to agitate. One bucket for washing. One bucket for rinsing. Jinni at Homestead Corner gives her recipe for homemade laundry soap. Thank you for info.
I have that blue plastic plunger unit from some Wiseman(men?) company. Still been going with semi-regular use for ~2 yrs. I use it with almost the exact same set up (no lid, same Lowe's buckets) placed in the tub for easy draining and to contain splashing. Keep backup buckets on hand though. If you inadvertently overload the main wash bucket with clothes, the bottom will blow out and crack over time. I repurposed those buckets to collect/develop compost.
I bought a Lavario when my washing machine stopped working during the lockdown. It is so well constructed and works great. Because of this, I wasn’t in such a hurry to buy a new washer. I see they now cost $40 more than I paid though
Omgoodness, I love that bucket method and will be re-watching this video to follow the instructions when it's time make some of my own - Especially for larger loads when there's multiple sets of jeans, multiple towels, and or a set of queen-size sheets -TY City Prepping! :)
This brings back when we used to go camping for weeks at a time and dirty/sandy socks got washed in a large salad spinner. It was cheap and we laughed our butts off about it but it did a good job of washing, rinsing and then spinning a good deal of the water out.
Yes please on the detergent video, even just for cutting costs! I use a washboard for my feminine hygiene products and I'm looking at getting a plunger as it will also allow you to clean blankets and duvets in the bathtub off grid.
I have simply used a large tote full of laundry & soap at the downspout when it rains hard & "agitated" them with a pole. Dump soapy water & let the rain rinse them! I let the tote overflow to ensure a thorough rinse! This works best in warm weather! It rains a lot where I live! Life saver when your well pump is down...
Firstly, this is one glaring weakness that was not covered in my prepping planning so thank you for this. Secondly, in a prepping situation that's a LOT of water that's being wasted. Have you done any videos on how to turn dirty water into clean water via evaporation devices? The water purification tablets and filters are great; don't get me wrong but they have finite uses. Knowledge on how to set up an evaporation device though? That's infinite. Just some food for thought and thank you!
@@CityPrepping nice! i really didn't mean to come across as 'armchair prepper'; i'm just a concerned citizen asking someone i respect about their thoughts on x. i'd sub twice if i could! :)
I appreciate your sane views on the world situation and love the collaboration with Nate, etc., in Think Preparedness, but I do love videos on how to do something even more. There are always a lot of different ways to do laundry, etc., so these are my favorites to learn from. May I suggest more of these types of videos on your channel, and the 'world events/news/what it could mean' type in the collaboration with the other guys? Just a thought, they are all good!
Yes indeed. Many years ago we camped out alot. Heated water on fire to bath, washed clothes in creek, plunged clothes in bathtub with plunger. Many years made my own soap with shredded Phelps napa soap, Borax and Laundry Baking Soda.(only need 1-2 Tbls. Per load). Yes important to cleanse daily if possible. There are light weight flakes of hand soap. Common Sense and common knowledge helps. Thank You again for important video. God Bless.
Oh I love that countertop washer! My handy dandy washboard serves two purposes. Not only can I wash my clothes, I originally got it because I'm a felter. A true preppers dream, More than one use!
One of my earliest memory as a toddler was the electrically powered ringer that still was in the basement of my parents home circa 1962. It had apparently been in use within a couple of years, since my older brother had a skin graft from his thigh to the inside of his elbow after getting caught in it. With better safeguards, this seems like a practical addition to an after SHTF scenario. Thinking back, it seems incredible that my parents still had it around after this accident, even if it wasn't being used. The 1960s are a different country...
I have done many loads of laundry in the bathtub… Not too hard to throw a few items of clothing in while you’re washing yourself…. But I’ve never really thought about the bucket and plunger method. Great idea!
I have 3 ways to do laundry. 1) A twin tub washer/spin dryer and a dedicated solar generator that I can do 3 complete loads of laundry with before the generator needs to be charged. The 3 loads is the capacity of the twin tub, not 3 loads of a regular household washer. 2) The Wonder Wash, but I also have a manual spin dryer to go with it. The spin dryer does need to be on a solid and secure surface or else it will wobble the table. I use mine on my counter top and it’s fine. 3) Last resort, plunger and 5 gallon bucket, which I would also use with the manual spin dryer.
Good info. I have a wash board and practice with it often along with an outside clothes line, clothes smell so much better from outside. I also have a fold up clothes hanger for inside, I also use it to dry homemade pasta. God Bless and stay safe.
i would love a homemade laundry soap video. I have seen others, but they left a film or streaks on the cloths, not sure if its from not rinsing well enough or the soap itself. I really appreciate all the information you provide Chris and the way its presented. Keep up the great work
Good video. It's actually pretty amazing how many people have no idea how to handwash something. I basically handwashed most of my clothes when I was student and the only laundry was a block away and I had no vehicle. Sure, larger loads require much more time, but for 1 person, if you plan out your wardrobe effectively you can manage with minimal clothes. My newborn and her onesies give me plenty of practice handwashing poop explosions :P
I have had several different years, and droughts, that I have handwashed my whole family's clothes. I used a Coca Cola crate upside down for the washboard. Worked Fabulous! I think my handwash was cleaner than the HE Washer I have. :D I have made my own detergent with the Fels Naptha, Borax, Baking soda recipe. It works Very Very well. Thank you for all this information. I look forward to more information.
I had already chosen the bucket/plunger method but your video clarified the best way to do it, better than the 1 bucket method I was prepared for, huge improvement, thank you! I would love to learn how to make my own laundry soap, please make that video 😁👍👍
another idea for you my friend .you don't have to buy detergent for clothes everyday or every week.. this use dish detergent like Dawn that will wash your clothes as well..
Years ago I bought a Maytag gasoline wringer washer at a amish yard sale in northern Missouri, when I got it home I went in the house and told the wife I got her a new washer, when she saw it, she didn’t think it was funny at all. I also bought a double set up of galvanized wash tub‘s to uses for rinsing. The wringer was the hand crank type. This all stayed in the shed till some time in the 90’s when the wife had a garage sale. At lease she got more for than I had paid in the 70’s?
Thank you very much for this informative video on something as fundamental and necessary as laundry because it is a critical item for long-term health. I would really be interested in a video on how to make your own laundry soap and/or body soap, that would complete the knowledge necessary to have for this topic.
I live off grid and my clothes have never been so clean and smelt so good washing by hand. I use a washing wand you can get em for about 20 bucks. Works wonders. I use zote bars. Take 1 zote bar and grate down w/ cheese grader add to warm or hot water in a 5 gallon bucket, the whole bar. Let set over night and take 1 gallon from zote mix and 1 gallon water and mix in another bucket making 2 gallons. Your 5 gallon bucket makes 10 gallons of detergent. Zote bars are only 1 dollar or more depending where you get em. So 1 dollar ='s 10 gallons of laundry detergent. 😉
I have a Wonder Wash and love taking it on our long road trips when we travel to National Parks and National Forest. It works great! It's only about $60.
Love,love,love that you went through the step by step and not just talked about. I'm a visual learner, so this hugely helpful....and yes I would love to learn how to make laundry detergent.
I used my own homemade laundry soap for a number of years, then somehow bought some when Tide Pods came out and forgot homemade ever existed. Oops… convenience won over cost with that for a while. :) But I think I’ll gather the ingredients for homemade soap and keep it in the house, for when I have some time to do some detergent making. Thanks for reminding me! And, the plunger-pail washer is something I’ve never seen. I love it! I’m going to make that too!!
We actually have a miniature mangel , essentially a well built childs toy . It's cast iron and wood. It may not do large items but for wringing out clothing will work absolutely fine.
I have the wonder wash. It is good for two dresses, or five to six pairs of underwear. You can't do jeans or heavier laundry in it. I do like it, though
My mom used a washboard when I was a child and she didn’t have a washing machine. Your methods seem a lot more efficient. Please post a video on making your own clothes washing detergent. Thank you so much!
Blowing someone's mind but our washer died a few months ago and I used my dang salad spinner until we got another washer. Worked like a charm even though I could only wash a few things at a time. I have been doing my delicates with it ever since. Blessings
I do that for delicates too. It’s great for the “spin cycle” especially if something shouldn’t really be rung out either, otherwise it takes forever to dry.
I tried that the other day (due to a currently broken washing machine). Mine didn't work :( I couldn't figure out why, but no matter how much or little washing I put into it, as soon as I got some speed up, it jammed :( It doesn't do that with lettuce etc, just with the heavier clothes & weirdly it seemed to jam against the lid, having lifted up somehow when heavy stuff was put into it. I have no idea what the problem was :( Mine is a basic ikea one Anyway I ended up finding that just piling clothes on top of each other on a hanging towel overnight caused the water to wick out & dry them as well as spinning, but yeh, I thought I'd come up with a great idea on the salad spinner, but it was a serious fail for me :( If anyone has a clue why mine did that & how to fix it, please share!
I would like to see a video on making my own laundry soap. The 3 bucket system you demonstrated is very clever and achievable for anyone, thank you. I originally subscribed to your channel after viewing the first Think Preparedness discussion. I subscribed because I enjoy most of your content and the practical nature of said content. There are so many channels that discuss all the possible disasters that could happen to humanity. I feel like those channels are problem focused. I appreciate the solution focused videos you produce. It would be helpful if the titles aren’t sensational because when they are I can’t share them with any of my family without them thinking I’m a crazy prepper. Your calm and practical nature is your superpower.
Word of advice. If you are wringing clothes out by hand can easily cause your hands a lot of pain ( carpal tunnel). The three bucket wash system is a great idea. I use Zote soap and make my own laundry soap. Very cheap and I think it works great. I've heard that clothes will dull after long term use. So I still buy detergent for white dress shirts. But towels, sheets, jeans ect. I use the homemade laundry soap.
Good info Kris have used all, my favorite is one that you did not mention, it's not cheap, but it works pretty good the name is a LAVARIO portable clothes washer we also ran across a manual wringer that was made in the late 1800 to early 1900 it has wooden rollers if i remember they are about 24 inch long, and it's a beast and it will give ya a workout Stay Safe & Good Luck
I make my own laundry detergent. I bar of zote soap & cup of borx. Grade the soap into 5 gallon bucket, I fill half way with water & leave outside for a day (I am in Fl so I use the sun to warm the water). Stir well & fill rest of bucket. Works great 😊
We have used the bucket system here in Florida during post hurricane power outages. It is really helpful and keeps you from getting too behind with laundry, especially as you often use extra towels to absorb water that inevitably comes in through windows and doors. No matter where you live Turkish Towels are great to switch too. They are soft, super absorbent, and much easier to wash and dry when the grid is down.
My laundry station is two 5 gal buckets in use regularly! We have to haul water and heat on a camp stove or a camp fire if need hot water for laundry or bathing!!! Get use to it folks as hard times are coming!
Download the Start Preparing! Survival Guide here: bit.ly/3xWhVwZ
Not sure why, I clicked all 4 links and got 3 of them "currently unavailable"...
There's something else you can make and thats home made sanitiser/ disinfectation. Have a look at benzalkonium chloride known as BAC50. 1-2ml is enough for a 500ml bottle and a litre is about £10 so you'll have enough for a lifetime.
Just made my first batch of laundry soap its fantastic
Thank you for bringing up what most preppers forget to post. :)
Loved this vid and the comments also. So much good advice.
This type of demo video is exactly what most of us Preppers will benefit from. I have done laundry by these methods a few years ago and have the confidence in knowing that me and my family can stay clean and healthy. Thank you Kris, for the great information.
Glad to hear you will be ready.
Yes, these techniques really work, plus homemade laundry detergent can be much less expensive than commercial detergents.
Really if you need a video to show you how to wash your clothes you must be a liberal
@@hillbillyhomestead1966 And you must be a bell end
Last week, I told my husband we were "official" prepping homesteaders when our washboard, clothesline carousel, clothespins and clothespin bag were delivered! This is such an important topic to consider... thanks for sharing the info Chris!! 🙌🏼😊💪🏼
Our pleasure!
😄 I love that! It's important to hold yourself acountable and to have goals set. Im glad you could complete your list and start the rest of your lives as homesteaders!
The small washer and scrub board are fine for small items, such as socks and underwear. More is needed for clean sheets, blankets, coats, work pants and such. A full size washboard, and a laundry (utility) sink (double bowl is best) should be considered if space and water are available for them. I grew up on a farm without running water (pre-grid). Water was heated in a cast iron washpot. Lye soap and a washboard kept clothes clean. Don't forget a clothes line and clothes pins to make life easier.
Above all, make sure you have water available to do laundry. If grid down, your options may be a well with a manual pump and/or a nearby stream. If having to haul water, a kid's Radio Flyer wagon, appropriately sized, is great for pulling 2 5-gal buckets. (I have 2 of those wagons, for this purpose. )
Another asset is a commercially sized mop bucket with a wringer. Wash the clothes and use the wringer, for many of the items. Practice as there's a knack to how to use it for the best advantage. Bucket catches expelled water that can be returned to the wash pot or rinse pot. Rinse water for first "load" can become wash water for the second. I've used this bucket several times when we've had extended power failures. Well worth the investment in that situation.
Learn to make lye soap. Learn to make lye from wood ashes. Learn to use the sun to bleach stains and sanitize laundry, as well.
Great info. TY!
I would have loved to use this today! I want to go buy it at Lowe's this week, since I had to hand rinse and wring out today, because my washing machine went on the fritz today! I can't believe that this video came out today.. I attribute it to God's giving me a little gift.
I use a large storage bin (no top) to wash bigger loads.
could one do large items in a bathtub? wringing out would be a pain
@@choochalah Yes, laundry can be done in a bathtub. But it's not easy for several reasons. Work height for one thing. Bending over or working on one's knees isn't easy. Especially for old folks, like myself. Utility sinks, 5 gal buckets, plastic storage totes, trashcans, etc.can be put on benches, steps, patio tables, etc to have a better working height. A clean wheelbarrow can work as a washtub.
Depending on the size of the bathtub, it may take much more water than what would be needed with smaller containers. When using a bathtub, soapy water must be emptied and more water added to rinse the items.
Yes, wringing out large items by hand is a pain, regardless of what washing container is used. In some situations letting the item drip dry may be the best solution.
One key item that may be overlooked in keeping the clothes clean is directly related to keeping the body clean. We will more than likely be routed out of our homes, leaving most of our preps behind, so we can't really drag a bathtub with us.
With that in mind, I prepped a spray bottle of vinegar.
Vinegar is cheap and kills germs. Even if you don't have the privacy to disrobe and give yourself a sponge bath, you could spray vinegar on one section at a time and just wipe it on and leave it there, that becoming your new way of bathing.
I also set up a way to sponge bathe in a backpack. Dilute some peppermint bath liquid (Walmart has a cheap version of Dr. Bonners) in a pint jar which you also put your wash rag in. Squeeze the wash rag out back into the jar since it's still clean and wipe your body with it from the cleanest section first to the dirtiest. Between each section, rinse the rag before you put it back into the jar of clean, soapy water.
This way, even if it's freezing cold, you're not getting your body wet while you're cleaning up. A clean body goes a long way to decreasing your laundry. Then all you have to wash is the clothes that touch your body when you can slow down enough from running to do that.
I hand- washed all my laundry for 2 1/2 months in early 2020. It is excellent exercise, especially with the heavy winter clothes, sheets and towels. I recommend everyone to try it for a month, just as an exercise of living without a washer & dryer. I leaned a lot!!
Excellent demo Chris. This really brings home just how dependent we have become to "luxuries" like washing machines. I learned a lot from your commenters as well. Thanks!
@@marktapp5408 you left this as a reply and not a comment lol
I hand-washed my laundry all my life when I traveled. I only need to do it in bathroom sink , then I need one more container to hold the the washed. Hand-washed clothes can last longer. I dry the clothes by clothesline or hangers.
If water is a concern, give yourself a sponge bath from a bucket of water, then use that water for laundry. You're going to add detergent, agitate, and rinse it well, so a little body grime from a sponge bath shouldn't be an issue - unless you're disgustingly dirty - lol. I've seen the plunger method before, didn't know about drilling some holes in it - makes sense! Thank you. p.s. yes on detergent making, please!
Cup of laundry detergent, cup of bicarb, cup of white vinegar. Put it in a bathtub with water and leave it to soak. They will come out looking new. Great solution if you have a supply of water sorted. You can also use the old water on your garden
If you have to abandon your house and live in a city without electricity...its game over
Or am I mistaken?
@@EriPages Why would your bug-out location be a city?
Thanks for the tip!
leave the detergent and bicarb out and you can refilter the water
I also add a bit of Borax to the wash, and the clothes come out softer. And YES! Don't waste that water!!
Great video:
Additional tip for temperate climes:
English Ivy contains saponin, that can act as a laundry detergent. Rip up the leaves, bring to a rolling boil for 10 minutes, leave to cool, strain, squeeze out all of the remaining suds from the leaves, store the liquid in a bottle, add a cupful for each load.
English Ivy is also evergreen, so it’s available all year.
Add some citrus rind/lavender for aroma.
I had to double-take my mind interpreted poison-ivy when I read that the first time. Haha sortof
Nice !
Great knowledge. It's a great way to use and get rid of this nuisance weed
I use a modified spin mop bucket in our camper for washing - its a bit time intensive but I have the added advantage of using the centrifugal force to spin out the water when I step on the pedal.
Yes! More info on homemade detergents is always welcome!
On long field exercises, we used wet weather bags and powder detergent to wash our under layers every few days, and our uniforms every couple of weeks. It takes much LESS detergent than you think!
There's another prepper that swears you can get your clothes clean even with plain water by using agitation.
@@nrob450 eeehhh... I don't agree. You can get the loose stuff out, sand and some dirt, but it doesn't get the smells out. You gotta have at least a LITTLE soap.
Old trick from my parents who lived in the mountains for a few years: two tubs and a never used toilet plunger. The plunger can be used as an agitator while washing in soapy water, then you rinse in non soapy water. Pulled us through no electricity for 6 days during a hurricane.
Sounds exactly like the “trick” he showed in the video…
👍Yes, please make a video on home made detergents. We live in the High Desert 🏜, so, the tips and ideas in this video are appreciated. If there was a grid-down situation, regular cleaning would be important.
Awesome video. I’m teaching my kids (and any of their friends who listen) “old people skills” (as they call it) hand sewing, washing clothes, drying, handing to dry. How to properly sweep and mop with low water supply (we do have creeks on our property though) I even bought a push lawn mower for $40 used because we have 2 acres and about 1/4 of it is front yard we use frequently. I think as preppers always learning and teaching is key. I will be showing the kids your “old people” washing skills lol. Thanks for sharing!
My mother had her first washing machine in her 40's. I remember she whased the clothes by hand with the help of my older sister. We were lucky because there was a small river not far from home. She had a work saving method. She put the clothes in barrels with water and a little detergent overnight, without stirring. She made three separate groups, dark clothes, light clothes and white clothes. The following day she just had to stir up a bit, dump the dirty water, and rinse everything in the river.
👍
Yes. Time can replace effort.
This is pretty cool. I’ve totally done the old toilet plunger clothes wash thing when I was a cheap college student . It works in the bathtub and I didn’t even need to drill holes in the plunger. It just shoves the soapy water through the clothes.
lt is obvious, that the more things, recipes ect. you share, the more diverse is our knowledge, and we can have more options to choose from.
Great point!
I've done a few 10+ day hikes and my friend brought a Scrubba Bag to do laundry. It's light weight, no power and got my laundry clean 😃 It's a good off-grid option.
That is awesome! Haven't heard of it before...checking it out now.
I saw that on dragons den & thought it looked like an awesome idea! SO much more portable & easy to store than the regular options & looks as effective, if not moreso than regular options too
Yes please do video on scrub board and making your own laundry soap!!
Method 2 is great when you have a child being potty trained. Poopy underware is a mess and expensive to just throw away. Your child tends to get particular about what they wear at that age and get upset when a favorite piece of clothing is suddenly gone.
During grid down empty your wash into a 5 gallon bucket. You can use that water to fill the tank on your toilet for a flush.
I had a Wonder Wash 20 years ago. It was okay, but the new design with a drain on the bottom would probably make it a lot more convenient. Better, IMO, is a plunger-type agitator like the one you demonstrated, Kris. I have one of these in a hard molded-plastic version and I use it once a week or so "just because." Next on my list is an old-fashion washboard, something I saw my grandmother using when I was a child. Something to consider if you're limited in storage space is to get about three collapsible buckets or basins like the ones used in camping, or three 5-gallon plastic buckets that nest together. I store a lot of Fels-Naptha soap, washing soda and borax, but I know how to make soap. Hmm, guess this is my next area of concentration for 2022.
I made the bucket system years ago and found it highly efficient. I put it by the kitchen door and agitated throughout the day every time I passed it, took it outside to drain,rinse, drain and hang.i also have a washboard for work clothes. that's the best washing machine ever. just a little work but the best.
Already have 5 screwtop bucket full of powdered laundry detergent. Along with a tote of liquid laundry cleaner and an assortment of items. The video gave me a few other ideas to put in the tote. Another great video!
I needed to manually wash a couple of loads last summer at a time when shipping issues left zero kiddie wading pools in stores. Hardware store heavy plastic cement mixing vessels work great! Old school agitation with bare feet and + is a bed sheet will fit. I like your 5 gal bucket idea and a commenters floor mop bucket with wringer idea +!
yeh, kids pool (if you can get one) is a much better option for large items than tiny bucket type things, MUCH better!
I have used a “Scrubba” bag on Van trips before and it works really well if there is just one or two of you. Takes up no room at all and super light. Could be a good option for a hotel go bag or something similar.
Excellent video! Was planning on getting the galvanized tub & a washboard. Now, with your information in this wonderful video, I will use the bucket method because we have lots of cat litter buckets (I guess it doesn't matter if the bucket is round or square). So, thank you so much for bringing this to the community - it will save much needed money. Judi
Glad it was helpful!
Will the cat litter buckets handle sheets, bath towels and other large items? Please do take into consideration the size container you'll need to wash your sheets, for example.
@@oldtimerlee8820 I honestly think something like an inflatable kids pool is the only really practical option for stuff like sheets & blankets & even towels if you really need to agitate to get clean
My husband's grandmother thought I was crazy when I asked for her old wash tub and board. It actually still has soap at the bottom of the scrub board. It is precious to me because it was hers, but I was also thinking ahead. Last winter, our power went down for 2.5 weeks and the laundry room doesn't go on the generator. We don't have that many clothes so it was hand wash time. Now, I have a deep appreciation for my washer and dryer but I can scrub those clothes!
YES on laundry soap tutorial/walk-through!
I have been storing soap bars for the sole purpose of making my our detergent since the p demic started, just havnt actually made it yet.
PS. That would be AMAZINGLY Thoughtful gift for folks for Xmas, 4th of July, Bday, anything😅 really! Who wouldn't want to receive a healthy amount of Home Made laundry soap so you dont have to worry about buying it(especially for those that are watching their budget carefully!). It'd be a blessing to recieve 6 months to a year of detergent. Add a little essential oil of their preference to a little extra love!
I grew up doing laundry the hard way: 2 wash tubs, an oar, a washboard, a hand wringer, and line drying (even in winter) I remember being so excited when mom got a used wringer washer, it did half the work. Yes! I would love to make my own laundry detergent, I am allergic to all the ones on the store shelves but one, hypo allergenic arm and hammer.
I’ve used the plunger and bucket method before. There is also a device very similar to the plunger, but a bit larger that I’ve seen folks use. Definitely gets to be exercise! Just another thought...an old toothbrush is great for scrubbing smaller stains too.
A detergent making video would be awesome! Any new skills are good skills!
Bathtub, bin or bucket, yellow janitorial mop bucket with ringer, Barrel crank tumble washer, washboard, clothes line, clothes pins and even paperclips. Super cheap bag powdered detergent made into a liquid watered down liquid detergent goes really far. Baking soda, borax, salt, bleach tablets, lime power, essential oils, dish soap, vinegar and lemon or lime juice, glycerin..all these help clean.. but some may be caustic to hand and fabric. A little goes a long way.
Soak load for atleast an hour to loosen dirt. It helps to reduce physical work. Wash cleanest to dirtiest to get the most of your water. You can also boil water for certain things.
My wife used the bucket method for years before we moved into a home with laundry hookups. It was by far her favorite method compared to the 2 store bought units she tried before. Mainly because it was the only method that would properly clean heavily soiled clothes like diapers and such.
My washing machine broke some time ago, and for lots of reasons, I've been doing my laundry in buckets inside the bathtub ever since. A couple of things struck me, like how brown and dirty the water was when I dumped it out, the first time or two I washed an item. Apparently, my washer had not been cleaning the clothes well at all. The other thing was lint. Since my dryer is still working - once the "fluffy" things like towels, sweatshirts and things like that were partially dry (I have been hanging most things to dry for a couple of years), I would finish and fluff them in the dryer. (I never use softeners) with bucket washing, there is almost no lint!! It makes me wonder if the washer beats the clothes to pieces, breaking the fibers, and making the clothes wear out faster?
Thank you! As someone who has done the laundry by hand and now a mother of three, I do not take my washing machine for granted as I think about the times ahead. I feel a sense of satisfaction when I get the wash done, just in case the power goes out soon! I think my biggest problem would be hauling water from a low creek up the mountain where we live. I will just have to do the best I can with the circumstances I am in.
I used a 10liter dry bag with water and soap. Shake well. Drain and add water then shake. Repeat if needed. Drain then air dry in the sun. This great for bug out bag
I currently use the bucket and plunger system...hint is to drill slightly larger holes in the plunger it will work better to force the water through the holes also make plunging easier...another hint to wring out the clothing is to drape it over a rod and twist the clothing...it's easier than wringing out using both hands...and yes please do a video on homemade laundry soap
Awesome Video Kris! A detergent/soap making video would be awesome. As we know if the supply lines are cut for an extended period of time and soap becomes a high marked up product, making soap at home will save $100s of dollars down the road, or when none is even available to be bought. Sanitation Support videos could be awesome when you have to deal with high soiling situations like blood loss. What do you do if the gauze and towels are all dirty and your supply of pool shock is depleted? The answers would make for a very helpful video for the prepper community.
Btw, detergent is relatively through the roof as I traverse Costco right now
If no washing soap / detergent available just boil in plain water just like before soap and detergent was invented .will sanitize the material and get the stains out for you just like with soiled cloth nappies
when we first went off grid, my husband made me a wash board out of a board & the ridgid base of a dish strainer.. washed all the laundry on this( not sheets or blankets)
Worked awesome. After couple years we were able to put in a washer
Great idea
I hope he changes the car oil.👍🤣😂
Thank you CP for the great alternatives for laundry, and yes, I would love to see one of your videos on how to make my own laundry soap.
Ditch the plunger and get a breathing mobile washer. It's my backup plan for cloth diapers. I've done a small load of laundry with that and spinning out items in my spin mop bucket.
The homemade detergents don't contain surfactants and enzymes that normal detergents contain. They require more friction to get things clean like using the washboard.
Loved the 3 bucket system with the plunger!, I'm used to hand wash clothes when I can't use the washer and I must say that it looks like the perfect solution for towels and bed sheets. As for the detergent making, I think you should do a video. Looking forward to it. Thanks!
I use a Canadian product- Tru Earth detergent wafers - wash water is safe to dump out onto ground afterwards, and an Australian product - Scrubba Bag - to do the wash in when no access to machines or basins and water scarce. Very nice in both cases because their space and weight negligible.
Good to save the used wash water for toilets, if they are still working.
@Beverley Lynne Harris Does the Tru Earth wafers work well in the Scrubba? Funny I just received my 1st order from Tru Earth and have yet to try them out. And was just looking into potentially buying a Scrubba Bag. Much appreciate any info.
The Wonder Wash works great! One tip though, if you remove the cotter pin that holds the cranking handle in place and reattach the handle so it's starting or resting position is NOT in the "down" position, you won't have to finagle around the handle when you put on the drain tube.
Great tip!
I think hardest part of laundry is ringing the water out. Maybe add one of those old fashion roller ringers that you manually crank to squeeze the water out, and that would make it a lot easier. Like your options, but think scrub board and swishing around by hand does fine , isn't so hard that requires a special bucket or agitator. Love your detergent bar.
Pamela, I dont remember where I saw or heard this, but if you have the bucket type mop wringer, that works great to wring the water out of clothes. I checked in my old storage barn, and sure enough I have one. I'll be saving that baby for sure!
5gallon bucket, hole in middle of lid, insert clean, new toilet plunger to use to agitate. One bucket for washing. One bucket for rinsing. Jinni at Homestead Corner gives her recipe for homemade laundry soap. Thank you for info.
I have that blue plastic plunger unit from some Wiseman(men?) company. Still been going with semi-regular use for ~2 yrs.
I use it with almost the exact same set up (no lid, same Lowe's buckets) placed in the tub for easy draining and to contain splashing.
Keep backup buckets on hand though. If you inadvertently overload the main wash bucket with clothes, the bottom will blow out and crack over time.
I repurposed those buckets to collect/develop compost.
I bought a Lavario when my washing machine stopped working during the lockdown. It is so well constructed and works great. Because of this, I wasn’t in such a hurry to buy a new washer. I see they now cost $40 more than I paid though
Zote soap is cheap at Walmart. Janitorial mop bucket w/wringer. Clothespins from the Dollar store.
My wife and I use the scrub board method, it does take some time to clean everything but it is effective and a great way to stay in shape.
I'd absolutely love to see how to make that much detergent!!
Omgoodness, I love that bucket method and will be re-watching this video to follow the instructions when it's time make some of my own - Especially for larger loads when there's multiple sets of jeans, multiple towels, and or a set of queen-size sheets -TY City Prepping! :)
This brings back when we used to go camping for weeks at a time and dirty/sandy socks got washed in a large salad spinner. It was cheap and we laughed our butts off about it but it did a good job of washing, rinsing and then spinning a good deal of the water out.
🤣🤣🤣Gotta try it
"Oldtimer Lee" captured it best. The methods shown are good for one person for small amounts of clothes.
Yes please on the detergent video, even just for cutting costs!
I use a washboard for my feminine hygiene products and I'm looking at getting a plunger as it will also allow you to clean blankets and duvets in the bathtub off grid.
I have simply used a large tote full of laundry & soap at the downspout when it rains hard & "agitated" them with a pole. Dump soapy water & let the rain rinse them! I let the tote overflow to ensure a thorough rinse! This works best in warm weather! It rains a lot where I live! Life saver when your well pump is down...
Yes to fels-Nafa video! And more MANUAL applications to day to day life. Love the video!
I'd love to hear more about making laundry soap!
Firstly, this is one glaring weakness that was not covered in my prepping planning so thank you for this. Secondly, in a prepping situation that's a LOT of water that's being wasted. Have you done any videos on how to turn dirty water into clean water via evaporation devices? The water purification tablets and filters are great; don't get me wrong but they have finite uses. Knowledge on how to set up an evaporation device though? That's infinite. Just some food for thought and thank you!
Ja. They work. Think u can experiment with 2 ltr. Bottles.
great questions, especially in regards to water. i need to discuss that more in a future video regarding collecting water for these specific purposes.
@@CityPrepping nice! i really didn't mean to come across as 'armchair prepper'; i'm just a concerned citizen asking someone i respect about their thoughts on x. i'd sub twice if i could! :)
I appreciate your sane views on the world situation and love the collaboration with Nate, etc., in Think Preparedness, but I do love videos on how to do something even more. There are always a lot of different ways to do laundry, etc., so these are my favorites to learn from. May I suggest more of these types of videos on your channel, and the 'world events/news/what it could mean' type in the collaboration with the other guys? Just a thought, they are all good!
Please do the laundry soap video. Totally spaced this out.
Yes indeed. Many years ago we camped out alot. Heated water on fire to bath, washed clothes in creek, plunged clothes in bathtub with plunger. Many years made my own soap with shredded Phelps napa soap, Borax and Laundry Baking Soda.(only need 1-2 Tbls. Per load). Yes important to cleanse daily if possible. There are light weight flakes of hand soap. Common Sense and common knowledge helps. Thank You again for important video. God Bless.
Oh I love that countertop washer! My handy dandy washboard serves two purposes. Not only can I wash my clothes, I originally got it because I'm a felter. A true preppers dream, More than one use!
One of my earliest memory as a toddler was the electrically powered ringer that still was in the basement of my parents home circa 1962. It had apparently been in use within a couple of years, since my older brother had a skin graft from his thigh to the inside of his elbow after getting caught in it. With better safeguards, this seems like a practical addition to an after SHTF scenario. Thinking back, it seems incredible that my parents still had it around after this accident, even if it wasn't being used. The 1960s are a different country...
My grandma lost a little skin from her wrist to her elbow on hers once.
My mother smashed her finger feeding clothes into the ringer.
Some campgrounds had hand cranked ones, work pretty well, bolted down to a table.
Sounds like a great reason to have a have crank version, sorry about your brothers accident 😢
@@durgan5668
Until some dipsh*t smashed a finger.
I have done many loads of laundry in the bathtub… Not too hard to throw a few items of clothing in while you’re washing yourself…. But I’ve never really thought about the bucket and plunger method. Great idea!
I have 3 ways to do laundry.
1) A twin tub washer/spin dryer and a dedicated solar generator that I can do 3 complete loads of laundry with before the generator needs to be charged. The 3 loads is the capacity of the twin tub, not 3 loads of a regular household washer.
2) The Wonder Wash, but I also have a manual spin dryer to go with it. The spin dryer does need to be on a solid and secure surface or else it will wobble the table. I use mine on my counter top and it’s fine.
3) Last resort, plunger and 5 gallon bucket, which I would also use with the manual spin dryer.
Good info. I have a wash board and practice with it often along with an outside clothes line, clothes smell so much better from outside. I also have a fold up clothes hanger for inside, I also use it to dry homemade pasta. God Bless and stay safe.
i would love a homemade laundry soap video. I have seen others, but they left a film or streaks on the cloths, not sure if its from not rinsing well enough or the soap itself. I really appreciate all the information you provide Chris and the way its presented. Keep up the great work
All by hand like our great grandparents, no parts to fail or replace. The sun does wonders too.
Yes, I'd watch a soap making video. Your sunflower videos are done of my favorites. I enjoy the practical topics.
Good video. It's actually pretty amazing how many people have no idea how to handwash something. I basically handwashed most of my clothes when I was student and the only laundry was a block away and I had no vehicle. Sure, larger loads require much more time, but for 1 person, if you plan out your wardrobe effectively you can manage with minimal clothes. My newborn and her onesies give me plenty of practice handwashing poop explosions :P
Yes, please make a video on making laundry detergent!
I have had several different years, and droughts, that I have handwashed my whole family's clothes. I used a Coca Cola crate upside down for the washboard. Worked Fabulous! I think my handwash was cleaner than the HE Washer I have. :D I have made my own detergent with the Fels Naptha, Borax, Baking soda recipe. It works Very Very well.
Thank you for all this information. I look forward to more information.
Please do the homemade soaps. We all need to save money. Thanks, Kris
I had already chosen the bucket/plunger method but your video clarified the best way to do it, better than the 1 bucket method I was prepared for, huge improvement, thank you! I would love to learn how to make my own laundry soap, please make that video 😁👍👍
another idea for you my friend .you don't have to buy detergent for clothes everyday or every week.. this use dish detergent like Dawn that will wash your clothes as well..
Great tip!
@@CityPrepping thank you so much my friend you always come up with great ideas I love it.. I used to practice is even for my lifestyle today..
Years ago I bought a Maytag gasoline wringer washer at a amish yard sale in northern Missouri, when I got it home I went in the house and told the wife I got her a new washer, when she saw it, she didn’t think it was funny at all. I also bought a double set up of galvanized wash tub‘s to uses for rinsing. The wringer was the hand crank type. This all stayed in the shed till some time in the 90’s when the wife had a garage sale. At lease she got more for than I had paid in the 70’s?
Thank you very much for this informative video on something as fundamental and necessary as laundry because it is a critical item for long-term health. I would really be interested in a video on how to make your own laundry soap and/or body soap, that would complete the knowledge necessary to have for this topic.
I live off grid and my clothes have never been so clean and smelt so good washing by hand. I use a washing wand you can get em for about 20 bucks. Works wonders. I use zote bars. Take 1 zote bar and grate down w/ cheese grader add to warm or hot water in a 5 gallon bucket, the whole bar. Let set over night and take 1 gallon from zote mix and 1 gallon water and mix in another bucket making 2 gallons.
Your 5 gallon bucket makes 10 gallons of detergent. Zote bars are only 1 dollar or more depending where you get em. So 1 dollar ='s 10 gallons of laundry detergent. 😉
I have a Wonder Wash and love taking it on our long road trips when we travel to National Parks and National Forest. It works great! It's only about $60.
for naptha or glyserine bar, use a cheese geater, about a tablespoon
Love,love,love that you went through the step by step and not just talked about. I'm a visual learner, so this hugely helpful....and yes I would love to learn how to make laundry detergent.
I would love to see a video on making the laundry soap. Thanks for the info.
I used my own homemade laundry soap for a number of years, then somehow bought some when Tide Pods came out and forgot homemade ever existed. Oops… convenience won over cost with that for a while. :) But I think I’ll gather the ingredients for homemade soap and keep it in the house, for when I have some time to do some detergent making. Thanks for reminding me! And, the plunger-pail washer is something I’ve never seen. I love it! I’m going to make that too!!
Yes! I would love a laundry detergent video with different recipes!
We actually have a miniature mangel , essentially a well built childs toy . It's cast iron and wood. It may not do large items but for wringing out clothing will work absolutely fine.
I have the wonder wash. It is good for two dresses, or five to six pairs of underwear. You can't do jeans or heavier laundry in it. I do like it, though
My mom used a washboard when I was a child and she didn’t have a washing machine. Your methods seem a lot more efficient. Please post a video on making your own clothes washing detergent. Thank you so much!
Blowing someone's mind but our washer died a few months ago and I used my dang salad spinner until we got another washer. Worked like a charm even though I could only wash a few things at a time. I have been doing my delicates with it ever since. Blessings
I do that for delicates too. It’s great for the “spin cycle” especially if something shouldn’t really be rung out either, otherwise it takes forever to dry.
@@sheila3936 I like knowing this. Kindred spirits. Thank you. My salad spinner is huge and after one push it keeps running until I push the brake.
I tried that the other day (due to a currently broken washing machine). Mine didn't work :( I couldn't figure out why, but no matter how much or little washing I put into it, as soon as I got some speed up, it jammed :( It doesn't do that with lettuce etc, just with the heavier clothes & weirdly it seemed to jam against the lid, having lifted up somehow when heavy stuff was put into it. I have no idea what the problem was :( Mine is a basic ikea one
Anyway I ended up finding that just piling clothes on top of each other on a hanging towel overnight caused the water to wick out & dry them as well as spinning, but yeh, I thought I'd come up with a great idea on the salad spinner, but it was a serious fail for me :( If anyone has a clue why mine did that & how to fix it, please share!
Got me a washboard, mostly woolen clothes, learnt how to make detergent from ivy leaves. Smells amazing and does the job
I would like to see a video on making my own laundry soap. The 3 bucket system you demonstrated is very clever and achievable for anyone, thank you. I originally subscribed to your channel after viewing the first Think Preparedness discussion. I subscribed because I enjoy most of your content and the practical nature of said content. There are so many channels that discuss all the possible disasters that could happen to humanity. I feel like those channels are problem focused. I appreciate the solution focused videos you produce. It would be helpful if the titles aren’t sensational because when they are I can’t share them with any of my family without them thinking I’m a crazy prepper. Your calm and practical nature is your superpower.
I use the plunger/bucket method for grid-down prep, camping and when my washer is on the fritz.
Please make the video of the diy detergent, probably the one thing I've been wondering about
Word of advice. If you are wringing clothes out by hand can easily cause your hands a lot of pain ( carpal tunnel). The three bucket wash system is a great idea.
I use Zote soap and make my own laundry soap. Very cheap and I think it works great. I've heard that clothes will dull after long term use. So I still buy detergent for white dress shirts. But towels, sheets, jeans ect. I use the homemade laundry soap.
Good info Kris have used all, my favorite is one that you did not mention, it's not cheap, but it works pretty good the name is a LAVARIO portable clothes washer we also ran across a manual wringer that was made in the late 1800 to early 1900 it has wooden rollers if i remember they are about 24 inch long, and it's a beast and it will give ya a workout
Stay Safe & Good Luck
I make my own laundry detergent. I bar of zote soap & cup of borx. Grade the soap into 5 gallon bucket, I fill half way with water & leave outside for a day (I am in Fl so I use the sun to warm the water). Stir well & fill rest of bucket. Works great 😊
We have used the bucket system here in Florida during post hurricane power outages. It is really helpful and keeps you from getting too behind with laundry, especially as you often use extra towels to absorb water that inevitably comes in through windows and doors.
No matter where you live Turkish Towels are great to switch too. They are soft, super absorbent, and much easier to wash and dry when the grid is down.
When I was small grandma had an old wringer washer. Mom used to use it all the time.
I would definitely like to see how to make a year worth of laundry soap!!
My laundry station is two 5 gal buckets in use regularly! We have to haul water and heat on a camp stove or a camp fire if need hot water for laundry or bathing!!! Get use to it folks as hard times are coming!
Yes, please would you do a laundry detergent video
Yes, please show us your detergent recipe. We are all going to need to save money where we can. Thank you!!