Homemade Washing Machine

A few months ago, I ran across a really nifty idea on Preparedness Brings Peace! You will all want one of these! Now, I know you are all asking yourselves, "What is this really cool, amazingly nifty thing that I have to show you?!" Well, everybody, it's your very own personal homemade washing machine! It's all man-powered, but I can just imagine kids standing around in long lines waiting to try it out! (It reminds me of white-washing in Tom Sawyer, or was that Huck Fin? I just can't remember, it's been too long...) Not only can you use this in an emergency, but you can even take it camping! What a cool idea?!

Clothes Washing Kit

Yet another idea from a Preparedness class I attended...a way to do your laundry in an emergency. You can easily put this together yourself.

CLOTHES WASHING KIT
5-gallon bucket with lid (cut hole in middle of lid for plunger handle to fit through)
Toilet plunger (brand-new, clean)
Store in bucket:
Liquid laundry detergent
Stain remover/stain stick
Vinegar (add 1/2 cup to rinse water) helps remove soap
Rope (for clothes line)
Clothes pins

To Use:
Empty contents of bucket.
Place water, small amount of detergent, and clothes in bucket.
Move plunger up and down for a few minutes or until clothes are clean.
Remove soapy clothes and ring them out.
Dump out soapy water (on your garden or lawn.)
Place soapy clothes in bucket and fill with clear, clean water.
Add 1/2 cup vinegar to rinse water.
Move plunger up and down to rinse clothing.
Wring out clothes and hang to dry.
Conserve water - use rinse water for next load of laundry.

NOTE: You could store two 5-gallon buckets, stack one inside of the other. Use one bucket for the soapy water and the other for the rinse water. You may be able to wash and rinse a couple of batches of clothes without changing the soapy water depending on how dirty the clothes are.