How to Do Laundry By Hand

 

 

Our washing machine broke a few weeks ago. At first we thought it was just a belt that needed to be replaced. After the new belt blew up in cloud of smoke we found out the real problem was a mangled bearing. It is not an easy fix, and our landlord (the guy we are housesitting for) is not interested in getting a new washing machine or spending any more money on fixing this one. So basically, we are on our own. 

The nearest laundromat is a 30 min drive into town. So, we've gotten pretty creative with washing things by hand. I taught Michael the basics, and thought I'd share them with you too. This is a life skill everyone should have. In fact, this could become the next trend in green living. Save electricity, water, soap, and build arm and hand strength at the same time!  (I know you are jealous of our life in Costa Rica. Don't deny it.)

Before you get started there are a few things you should have on hand:

1. A sink, tub, or bucket for washing

2. Water

3. Soap

4. Strong muscles (looking at Michael)

5. A clothes line

Step 1: Whine and cry a little because your washing machine is broken. It might help to make chocolate pancakes. Just sayin'.

 

Step 2: Put on your big girl pants, roll up your sleeves and gather your dirty clothes. Sort them into small loads according to color, etc.

 

Step 3: Fill the sink/bucket/tub with a little water, and add soap to get it dissolved and bubbly.  

 

Step 4: Put your clothes in the soapy water, and continue to add water until all the clothes are submerged.

Step 5: Wash. This is where personal preference plays a part. I don't like to spend a lot of time with my hands in the water, so I prefer the "long soak" and gentle wash version. Basically swish the clothes around a couple times, and let them soak for 15-20 mins.  If there are any obvious stains use friction and rub the fabric together on that spot. After soaking, swish everything around again, kneading the laundry like bread dough.

Step 6: Rinse. Again, do this however you want, but you basically need to get the soap and dirty water out.  I like to drain the dirty water (or use the other side of the sink), then cover the clothes with clean water.  Swish, and knead everything a few times, and repeat. I find that it takes about three rinses before the water comes away clear.

Step 7: Wring out. This is where you need hands of steel. After doing laundry this way for a few weeks my hands and forearms are getting ripped. Unfortunately, wringing out your clothes is hard on them too. Cotton especially is very stretchy when wet, so wringing it out can actually permanently stretch clothes. Especially baby clothes. The voice of experience... listen to it.  Also it is hard to take a picture of yourself wringing out clothes when you need two hands to do it. So, here's a one-handed version:

Step 8: Hang dry. We have an outdoor clothes line (pictured above), but we also use this part of our countertop for drying clothes indoors.

So there you have it! I've just shared my dirty laundry with you!  Heh.  Another day in paradise. Thank God for clean socks.