Washing Laundry By Hand
Recently my washer was mistakenly disconnected and moved by a neighbor. Then there was the fact they took the hoses off my washer and hooked their washer up to my hot water. So, things happen. Then it was decided that the landlord should hook up and fix the washer situation. This left me about 5 days without my washing machine. Not a huge deal, but yes it is.
My washer is 36 years old, a Kenmore relabel bought from Sears and Roebuck. It doesn’t owe me a thing, given all the laundry that bringing up children entails, all the quilts, clothes, etc. it is a best friend. So, I panicked, what would I do without my washer.
I started to price washers, just in case when they moved it, it had decided it was done. $600.00 to 999.00 for a washing machine. This led me to an easier solution. I think people take their washing machines for granted, I know I did. Here is a wonderful video by a family that lives “ off the grid” demonstrating how to do laundry with a washboard. Yes, a simple washboard.
So a new washer isn’t in the foreseeable future, and even though my current washer was reconnected, and does work, it is, after all, 36 years old. So I started looking at washboards, wash tubs, washing plungers, and at laundry soap. I have to say, some of it is expensive because of a recent hip lifestyle of “ off the grid”. I feel some of the items should be more affordable.
I started with a bamboo washboard for 11.99 to get the feel of a washboard. It’s beautiful and works very well, but I didn’t’t stop there because wood wears down with use. There is one company in the United States that has been making washboards since 1895. The Columbus Washboard Company out of Logan, Ohio. THey have a few different washboards, and some are mentioned in the above video. I purchased the “Standard Family Size” for 52.00. I will be using this one for the general laundry including jeans, sweatshirts, sheets, etc. I also purchased an 11.00 plastic washboard because the surface is very smooth, I can use this for more delicate items.
What I did not purchase is the galvanized washtub, nor a heavy clothes wringer. These are more pricey, and maybe in the future if I have no washing machine at all, I will make these investments, but I don’t think so. Unless you are homeless, you more than likely have a kitchen sink and a bathtub. I feel these are the modern day washtubs. Just in case I am camping or homeless, I purchased three 5 gallon Home Depot buckets that will specifically be for laundry. Wash, Rinse, Carry to clothesline.
