Laundry? Without electric?

Another project I decided to try was laundry. In case you haven't noticed, I've been trying to made small but significant changes around here, but changes that I can sustain on my own for the most part until I can get the rest of the family convinced!

In the case of laundry, we actually do have washing machine (top load) and dryer. They are both kenmores and neither shows any signs of kicking the bucket, even after 20 years.

Top loading machines use an enormous amount of water. I read of a great idea though. Use 2 5gal buckets, a new toilet plunger (not an old one...ewwww), and a hand wringer. I had everything except the wringer. I looked everywhere for a used one but could'nt find one at the right price. I finally bit the bullet and bought a dynajet.

Last week I did my first load of handwashed laundry. UGH. It was 2 king sized sheets. Double UGH. I have since done a load of clothes, and it is much easier to do clothes than king sized sheets. Never the less.....its a very sloppy job.

Transferring the laundry from the wash bucket to the rinse bucket, sloshing water all over my legs, etc. Having to refill the buckets because of water loss on my legs....it seemed like too much and not much savings in the way of water. PLUS, how was I going to do this in the winter???

And remember, although I'm trying to live a more sustainable life, I also want to be comfortable. I'm not crazy after all!!! And I want to encourage others to live more sustainable lives. That won't happen if they think its too hard or *too* inconvenient!

So, I've ordered the "Wonder Clean" from Lehman's store for $45. Its a small cannister. You fill it with your clothes, a very small amount of detergent, and a small amount of water. You hand crank it around and around and the pressure created in the drum forces the soap and water into the fabrics. its all physics.

From all the reviews I've read, it really works. Its small (maybe even tiny). But it works. It is far less messy. When I'm done cranking the handle to wash the clothes, I drain the water into a bucket and recycle the water if I want. Then put in clean water and rinse, drain, and repeat if I want. No mess.

And I can still wring the clothes dry before hanging them up on the line. So the wringer was not a waste of money. I think I've found my answer to the laundry problem.

Just think. If I don't need my washer and dryer, thats extra space in my laundry room for other possibilities!