Washing Clothes on the move

Vic41 · Senior Member

Washing Clothes on the move

Rolly · Guru

In days of yore the shearers would have a 44gallon drum on the back of the ute which they would half fill with soapy water, chuck their clothes in, put the lid on and drive to the next shed.
If there was a water source en route they would change the suds for fresh water and continue to their destination.
The vibration over the rough roads would provide perfect agitation and the clothes would come out better than from any washing machine.

A modern variation would be 20l plastic drums (with lids) and generic 'napisan' instead of soap.

Just make sure that the drum is well secured!!!

I've done it a couple of times with great success.

Ma · Guru

and elder statesman that I know (86 years old) did just that Rolly. On his six trecks around the island he had a drum that he secured in the middle of his van and reckoned as you do that the clothes came out better than any washing machine. I might add that he did this back in the 1960's

Vic41 · Senior Member

Rolly & Ma,

Apparently if you have the right size plastic container (nappy soaking bucket with lid?) it fits in the step well of most vans which keeps it in place during travel. I saw mentioned once a recyled bucket of some kind that had a more secure lid, but can't remember what it was....pool chemical bucket????

Vic

Rolly · Guru

Vic,

There's a lot of different types available for purchase but the kind that the deli's get their bulk goods in - feta, olives etc. - are good and often available for the price of a kind smile and a polite request, and the plastic 20l. pots that builders get their plaster/fillers and surface treatments in can be used if you get to clean them before the remains of the contents have had time to solidify.

Vic41 · Senior Member

Thanks Rolly,

I will have to see if I can get hold off one.

Vic

Rolly · Guru

Vic41 wrote:

Thanks Rolly,

I will have to see if I can get hold off one.

Vic

Or 3 or 4 then you can rotate the wash and rinse cycles 'on the fly'. smile

twobob · Guru

I support Rollys idea, have done it myself.

Clothes come out good enough for a bloke to wear. Hang them on the bullbar, to dry, and Bobs your uncle.

ps watch out for wirlies, else you have to start again

Rolly · Guru

twobob wrote:
ps watch out for wirlies, else you have to start again

Yeah! Right back at the op-shop 'cos the willy willy has ported them all away! confuse biggrin

Vic41 · Senior Member

Hmmmm.........I remember at Wittenoom Township before it was closed, I had a dome tent in the caravan park (ground covered in asbestos fibre tailings of course.....same as the roads) and a willy willy hit my tent. I was outside and just had time to dive into the tent (which was straining at the pegs) to stop it taking off into the wild blue yonder. Ha Ha.

pawsoz · Senior Member

Well I do the bucket with lid thing in the back of campervan when on the road between towns and it seems to work quite well.
In any town with a laundramatte I like to use them as there is no better way to learn something of the town than to sit in the laundramatte and whatch it go by, talk to the locals and read all the notices! (well I guess the local pub is the alternitive for the fellas!)
Oh Vic41 your tale of taking a shower with your clothes on made me laugh as I used to share a flat in Sydney years and years ago with two chaps from the Office where I worked and that was how they washed their business shirts!

Annie

Vic41 · Senior Member

If there is a short cut Annie, us blokes will find it.........like folding your trousers lengthwise etc and putting under your mattress overnight.......in the morning all ironed, ha ha.

Vic