Now to be fair, I do not always do my laundry like this as our solar power is enough to run my electric machine most of the year round. However, there are those dark days in mid winter where we get little collection or even power outages on the public service side of things, and I also do not have any great illusions that nothing with ever go wrong with our solar power to where I cannot even use that in the summer. Thus, it was important for me to have a back up plan.
Believe it or not, I actually enjoy washing the clothes this way when time allows and I am not swamped with sewing orders and other chores so it was a real treat for me to do this today. I love the natural movement of the agitating and the wringing. It is just another way I can get exercise while also getting something else productive done. Much like using my hand crank grain mill or my treadle sewing machine.
Both the wringer and the agitator are from the early 1900's and we found them on eBay. The rack was built for me by my amazing and talented husband. He also fabricated the tubs, that we purchased new, to have drain holes at the bottom with hoses attached to each.
Now on to how I use it. I start by filling the wash tub up with my homemade laundry soap, water, and the dirty clothes. Patrick installed a hose just behind our electric washer, which sits on the opposite side of the non-electric set up, for the sole purpose of making it easy for me to fill the tubs. I am currently using city water, making today's laundry not completely off grid, because I am wanting to conserve our rain water for consumption and watering my garden with since we are expecting a couple of dry months ahead (yes, we do get those on occasion here in Rain Country).
I agitate the clothes for a total of about 15 minutes allowing two times in the middle of those for good soaks. I then run each piece through the wringer and into the rinse tub where I agitate for at least another five minutes. I add a bit of white vinegar to my rinse water for a cleaner rinse and deodorizing.
Since my laundry set up is inside, Patrick formed a piece of flashing to channel most of the water back into the tubs rather than running straight down onto the floor. I also have a pan directly under the wringer to catch whatever still gets through but it is a pretty small amount.
I then place a rack over each tub for the next wringing. Since the water drains very slowly or I am going to reuse it for a second load (if clean enough), I need the racks to prevent the longer items from falling back into the water. At this point, I run the items through the wringer at least twice then toss into the basket for hanging.
When I am done, I pull out the hose that is hooked to a splitter and two smaller hoses that connect to the bottom of each tub and drain them into a watering can for use on garden areas where my outside rainwater hose does not reach. I have no concern for the soap in the water because I know exactly what is in it since I made it completely from scratch with all natural ingredients.
The obvious next step is to hang them on the line to dry. This time of year it means hanging them outside but I do also have two indoor clothes lines in front of my wood stove. These are what get used 90% of the time, so it is always wonderful those rare times I get to use my outdoor line and the fresh summer air!
I hope you enjoyed this blog and thank you so much for your time! Have a blessed day! ~Heidi
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I love the way you balanced out the wringer washer with the miracle hose.
Something old, something new.
If you ever need to replace your agitator, I've had a Breathing Mobile Washer as a backup for a few years.
Here's the website: http://breathingwasher.com/ and Amazon has them for less than going directly though the manufacturer.
Yes, I have seen those before and almost was gong to buy one. Then I found I could buy an antique one and that was what I chose. This thing is very solid and should last me for the rest of my life, then I can hand it down to my children and grandchildren if they have any interest :)
That's even better, unless they're going to fight over it.
You might need to start watching the thrift stores & antique markets for another one if you have more than one kid.
I have loved that set up Mr did from get go! I still think rent a Pat is a viable solution ;-) Resteem, upvote!
That would certainly be a great way to get more income! haha
haha wonderfull
Great invention man
Hi Heidi, we made it to steemit! We love your setup, great post.
-Doug & Ashley
Old school, very awesome!
Haha! Thanks!
Wow, cool, we are moving off the grid next month and we're really excited about it. Thanks for sharing!
O wonderful! We are not completely off grid. We live in town in a neighborhood and make the best of both worlds. We still seriously consider buying a chunk of land and building an off grid cabin, but we are also content where we are at and have been able to do quite well in our small (and paid off) place :)
wow really clever laundry set up.
Thank you!
Wonderful system you have there. The racks on the tubs are ingenious! I ❤️ how you have it all set up!
Thank you Oily! Mr. Rain is pretty handy to have around! :D
I bet!
Love that you use solar energy too! Looks like a great way to get exercise!
Beautiful craftsmanship!! I need an exact or similar set up for the off grid project/life my wife @leemlaframboise and I are building. Don't get how we have accepted disposable walmart $h!^ as consumers, instead of high quality heritage products. I know allot of folks including my self, that would love to pay the extra money for long lasting quality. Great post thanks
I bet that laundry on that line smells Ah-Mazing. SO. COOL.
Don't you know it!
Genius !
Love this set-up!
Awesome
That is a very nice setup you have there! Thanks for the post. Upvoted and Resteemed.
Thank you very kindly! :D
Us city folk take a lot for granted
I think you should try batteries in the winter season when there is not enough sun light
How solar works is you have a battery bank that is charged by your solar panels, so when we are running things off of solar, it is really running off battery power. In mid winter, we do not collect enough solar to keep our bank fully charged. We can run some things, but not all.
When I left the city with my young family, we packed up in a school bus and high tailed it for the woods. In order that my already tolerant bride did not have to use a rock and creek to do our laundry, I procured an old wringer washer.
My children were well provided for by her ample 38HH mammary glands, however that very amplitude proved to be an impediment to laundry, as well as providing an unforgettable illustration of the old saying 'to get your teat caught in the wringer'.
The old washer didn't see much use after I managed to pry her out of it.
Do be careful!
Heidi, that setup reminds me a lot of the one my Mom used when ai was a small child. Nice memories. Thanks.
Will
I love this. I need to add it to my wish list. Your fabric under the tubs dresses it up. Great post!
Mr. Rain is amazing! This is one of my favorite things he made for you. Love and prayers❤