How to do laundry : Without any machines!

 

We have all been there. Its 11 pm on Sunday. You are getting ready for bed ( 9 pm if you are me.) and it dawns on you. YOU DON'T HAVE ANY CLEAN UNDERWEAR/CLOTHES.

No need to panic, just  use your washer and dryer. Don't forget to follow my directions.

 

What ? You don't have a washer? The local Fluff-n-Fold is closed? You are out of quarters and the creepy guy from Apt C5 is doing his laundry in the basement?

 

NEVER FEAR: GGTL is here!

 

I will walk you through step my step on what to do. I'll emphasize on what you can do RIGHT NOW , as well as what you can do to make it easier on you ( without moving into the laundrymat) in the future.

 

Side Note: I once lived on the 4th floor of a walk up. Over christmas break , our washer/dryer broke and our landlord refused to fix it until after Jan 15. I have "made do" and so can you.

 

Step one : Evaluate and Prioritize.

It's getting late and you probably have class or work in the morning. So think necessity. Tonight is about getting the bare minimum done. Now is not the time to attempt hand washing a heavy quilt.

 

What do you need dry (or semi dry) by morning?

 

For me it is jeans or pants, underwear, tank/camisole and a cardigan.

 

First off look in your closet or dressers. Is there any usable article of clean clothing you could possibly wear?

 

DO NOT WEAR YOUR JIM BEAM SHIRT TO WORK. Unless you work at a bar. However could you wear it as a under shirt with your dress shirt buttoned up over it? 

 

 If there are any articles of clothing you can wear, even if it is not your style or is dressier than you normally wear, do it. Less clothes to wash = more sleep for you.

 

The heaviest items for me are my jeans and cardigan; these will also take the longest to dry. If you have a pair of lighter weight pants (dress pants, khakis, etc) even if they are dirty, Wash them, not the jeans. They will dry faster.

 

Okay so in my example, I have to wash my tank, black cardigan, panties, and thin dress pants.

 

Step Two: Gathering Supplies

You will need:

 

·        Dirty clothes

·        Water

·        Soap (more on this later)

·        Wash Tub/Rinse Tub

·        Washboard -optional

 

 

This is a Japanese Style Washboard- While not necessary to do laundry with, it does help. I’ve seen them at the local Asian market for less than $5. Or you can buy them here->

 

Step Three: Finding your "Wash tub"

Really a Wash tub?  A Washboard? The only Washboard around here is my ABS! * I wish*

 

Calm down, I know most people do not have a washboard, but if you live in a residence hall, you have at least one wash tub and most apartments have two!

 

Here they are:
      and    

 

 

Bath tub and Sinks make great Wash Tubs! If you have both in the same room, you won’t have to empty the tub to rinse your clothes!

 

A Word about Soap:  Any soap will do in a pinch. Bar or liquid hand soap, body wash, shampoo, dish soap or even laundry detergent!

Step Four: Starting the Wash

Put your dirty clothes loosely in the tub. Be sure to unwrinkle/fold sleeves, legs and collars. Fill with cool to luke warm water until it covers your clothes. You do not want too hot or too cold water, because you will be elbows deep in it shortly. Also you will probably get water on what you are currently wearing, be advised. Add soap. If using bar soap, grab an article of clothing and soap it up like a wash cloth. Place soapy article back in tub.

 

STEP FIVE: Scrub-a-dub-dub, clothes in the tub

No matter what soap you are using, start mixing up the water until suds form. Start scrubbing any stained parts together, Scrub and then plunge under the water, scrub and plunge. Next focus on the potentially stinky/unhygienic /stained areas. Under the arms of all clothing, collars on dress shirts, crotches of pants and underwear, socks and so on. After giving them a good 5-8 minute scrub, walk away. Leave them to soak. Go brush your teeth, check facebook, eat the last slice of cake. After about 10 minutes, return to your soaking wardrobe.

 

  Step Six : Time to Rinse.

Transfer your clothes to the sink, drape them over the shower rod, or shove them to the far side of the tub.  Drain the water. If you drain the water , with the clothes still in the tub , the dirt you just scrubbed/soaked out with get back on the clothes.

IF Using the Tub to rinse: Refill the tub with slightly warm water. Add clothes. With the water running, rinse each item of clothing and set aside ( end of the tub, draped over the shower rod yadda yadda)

IF Using the sink to Rinse: Same procedure as above. Keep soapy/clean clothes in the tub until ready to rinse.

 

Step Seven: Wring away

Wring out water from your clothes. Twist clockwise, then counter clockwise. Squeeze down legs/sleeves like squeezing the last bit of sweetness from a July Popsicle. The more water you remove ( into the tub or sink and hopefully not your floor), the quicker they will dry.

Step Eight: Time to dry

Hang your freshly washed clothes up to dry. Heavier items that still may drip, I suggest hanging over the curtain rod or on clothes hangers over the tub.  Clothes hangers holding damp clothes can be hung on doorknobs, edges of desks, dressers and shelves and even in your closet. TIP if hanging damp clothes in the closet scoot all other clothing away from them and leave the door open so air can circulate, otherwise it will get a musty/mildew smell.

Turn on your ceiling fan, bathroom fan and any other fan you have, as it will speed up the drying time.  Let dry over night.

If this is going to happen regularly, I recommend a  drying rack or a retractable clothesline. They are fairly inexpensive and do help quite a bit

 

NEXT MORNING:

Your clothes should be dry or nearly dry, depending on the humidity levels of your home. They will be stiffer than normal and may need a bit of ironing depending on the material. So get dressed and enjoy your clean clothes!