Laundry Alternatives for Non-Electric Washing Machines

Before Electricity

• Before the advent of electricity, clothes washing was not only a major endeavor involving large outputs of time and energy, but it was also hard on the materials being washed. First came the pounding of garments on rocks at the river's edge, or using an object to beat the dirt and grime out of clothing. The washboard was something of an improvement on those methods, but still difficult work for the launderer. Large kettles of water had to be heated to boiling, and clothes transferred from a clear water kettle to a boiling kettle and then to a rinsing kettle, depending on the individual system for cleaning. It was backbreaking, hot, exhausting work.

Sink Method

• A small amount of laundry, such as a handful of delicates or a single outfit, might warrant nothing more than a sink full of hot tap water and a dash of laundry soap. Fill your sink with water, adjusting the temperature according to the washing instructions for the garment or garments. Wet the items. Add in some soap and swish it with your hand to distribute it and get some suds going. Scrub the items between your hands, paying special attention to parts of the garment that are heavily soiled. Empty your sink. Refill with clean water, and rinse. Continue to drain, refill and rinse until the water is clear. Wring the garments out to remove excess water and dry.

Homemade Plunge Method

• Mimic the agitation of an electric machine by using a plunging method for laundering. Use a 5-gallon bucket that is watertight and has a lid. Cut a small hole in the top of the lid. Fill with a few clothing items, being sure to leave space for movement of air and water. Fill to about two-thirds capacity with water and a small amount of laundry soap. Put the lid on the bucket and allow the wash to soak for a few minutes. Use a small handheld drain plunger over the hole as though you were attempting to unclog a sink. Plunge for a few minutes. Empty the bucket and refill with clean water, and plunge it for a few more minutes. Repeat until the water remains clear.

Commercial Tubs

• There are a few inexpensive and environmentally friendly man-powered washing tubs available on the market. Most use a hand-cranked method that requires you to manually turn a crank on the side of the tub to toss the laundry inside. Some models may hold up to 5 pounds of laundry. In addition to saving electricity, you also save up to 45 percent in laundry detergent costs, and use up to 80 percent less water over a year's time than with conventional washers, according to Treehugger.