Hand Crank Washing Machine

Fox hunt · 08-07-2018, 05:33 PM

My step father gave me this little clothing washing machine (hand cranked). He used it on his boat and thought it worked well. He sold his sail boat so he thought i might like it. Probably would only take it on certain long trips anyone used one?

cpaharley2008 · 08-07-2018, 06:14 PM

You have a picture?

**rbryan4** · 08-07-2018, 06:40 PM

Don't see why it wouldn't work. The idea of a tiny hand crank washing machine for RVing isn't new. There are several on Amazon that will do a 5 lb load. I'm told the trick is to not crank it too fast so the clothes will agitate properly and not just be slung to one side by centrifugal force.

Patrol35 · 08-08-2018, 06:27 AM

Though I have not tried the following technique, several years ago I recall reading about it. Put water, detergent and clothes in a bucket or flat plastic bin with a lid, preferably on the bathroom floor. Do this just before you are starting out on your days travel with your Escape. The passive agitation action from the road’s bump and turns will do the cleaning work for you. At some point down the road, go through the rinse process, then ring out the water and hang up to dry. I have to believe this will work and the plastic bin can be used for other tasks afterwards. Safe travels.

**Donna D.** · 08-08-2018, 08:18 AM

I think the biggest deterrent from using any of the 'washing machines' when boon docking is water. Up to 5 gallons to wash and rinse. For tiny loads.

escape artist · 08-08-2018, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fox hunt

My step father gave me this little clothing washing machine (hand cranked). He used it on his boat and thought it worked well. He sold his sail boat so he thought i might like it. Probably would only take it on certain long trips anyone used one?

Hi: Fox hunt... We use the system that's easier IMO. Store the dirty laundry till we get home. Longer trips require coin ops and those coins store in a pill bottle. I guess it'd be ok as long as the bucket does multiple duties and there's room to keep it.

Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

MyronL · 08-08-2018, 08:53 AM

I usually can't go more than 10 days before I have to change my socks.

**Donna D.** · 08-08-2018, 08:59 AM

IF I was going to boon dock for more than 10 days, rather than a washing machine, I'd take more: deodorant, foot powder, hats and panty liners. As a former back packer, I distinctly remember everyone started smelling like 'bad fish' after a week

escape artist · 08-08-2018, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyronL

I usually can't go more than 10 days before I have to change my socks.

Hi: MyronL... Usually socks that old help me to remain standing!!!

Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

NCBill · 08-08-2018, 09:22 AM

We plan on doing laundry every 7 to 10 days on our trips. Typically we will be at a commercial campground during that time window. If not we find a laundromat. Always take a small jug of laundry detergent with us as the stuff they sell at laundromats is $$.

Learned to include laundry as part of our travel routine back in our motorcycle travel days.

wetzk · 08-08-2018, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by escape artist

Hi: MyronL... Usually socks that old help me to remain standing!!!

Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

I bet those socks are strong!
Did you know you can tell an ant's sex by dropping it in the washing machine? If it sinks it's a girl ant...if it floats it's buoyant

citabria90 · 08-08-2018, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wetzk

I bet those socks are strong!
Did you know you can tell an ant's sex by dropping it in the washing machine? If it sinks it's a girl ant...if it floats it's buoyant

And you can tell boy frogs from girl frogs because the girl frogs always sit on the back of the motorcycle.

You can tell girl pancakes from boys by the way they’re stacked!

Thanks to Laugh-In, 1968.

(Hey! You started it)

Chuck

Fox hunt · 08-08-2018, 06:04 PM

yea i don't think i'll get a lot of use out of it. i can see it being more useful in a boat not many washing machines out there! but i might use it boon docking just a small load of intimates.

dfandrews · 08-08-2018, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyronL

I usually can't go more than 10 days before I have to change my socks.

Shouldda had the 10 day socks on when walking round that cattle guard!!

barry · 08-08-2018, 06:50 PM

Having seen what some people put in public washing machines has put me off for life for ever using one. I always bring along my washing machine along, it's only 23lbs and sits nicely behind my truck seat. My wife and I are keen road cyclists so need to wash or rinse our kit after each ride. I originally was looking for a spinner but the whole washing machine was only $15 more. In 3 minutes of wash time it does a better job than my home machine that has all the flashing lights and songs at the end of the cycle. Rinsing is accomplished by pouring a small amount of water into a inlet over the spinner. In 1 minute of spin time the clothes so dry they are nearly wearable. Within 30 minutes of hanging them on a warm day they are bone dry. The bonus is when we are boondocking it will run off of my 300 watt invertor.
Barry

Old Fulica · 08-08-2018, 08:25 PM

On long trips we use a toilet plunger and pail. Just sit in the lawn chair and slowly plunge away. Works great. Just use the plunger for this purpose though. Nice to have a water source handy for rinsing.

War Eagle · 08-08-2018, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donna D.

IF I was going to boon dock for more than 10 days, rather than a washing machine, I'd take more: deodorant, foot powder, hats and panty liners. As a former back packer, I distinctly remember everyone started smelling like 'bad fish' after a week

The operative word there is "everyone"! When everyone stinks the same, no one notices the others' odor. But when your dog, who doesn't hesitate to eat dead things, refuses to lay his head on your lap, you know it's time to dig out some soap.

sclifrickson · 08-08-2018, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Fulica

On long trips we use a toilet plunger and pail. Just sit in the lawn chair and slowly plunge away. Works great. Just use the plunger for this purpose though. Nice to have a water source handy for rinsing.

I’ve read that the plunger and 5 gallon bucket method was tested against a bunch of fancier portable units and ended up producing the best results. Also the cheapest option.

TZBrown · 08-08-2018, 09:00 PM

I also am a fan of the bucket and plunger.

At home that is how I clean the polishing rags for the cars and trailer.
On trips we always have a bucket of some type along so the plunger is the only addition.
It is amazing how well it works

Iowa Dave · 08-08-2018, 09:21 PM

I don’t know about Loretta Lynn’s mother and her washboard but I remember my mother scrubbing gear grease and oil spots from my dads coveralls using Fels Naptha soap cut in slivers with a butcher knife with her washboard propped in one of two wash tubs next to the Maytag wringer washer. We were not poor, we just did not have much money, we were rich in many different ways.
Iowa Dave

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