Thursday, November 6, 2008

EP: Make Your Own Washing Machine!

Have you ever thought how you might be doing the laundry if electricity and/or your washing machine was not available? Maybe on an old-fashioned scrub board in the creek out yonder? Here's a great idea that's cheap and easy, and probably works better than any little contraption out there that costs too much money anyway.

HOMEMADE WASHING MACHINE
All you need is a 5-gallon plastic bucket and a plunger...that's right, a plunger (a clean one)! Cut out a hole that is slightly larger than the plunger handle in the center of the bucket lid. Slip the plunger handle through the hole underneath the lid, fill the bucket with hot, soapy water, then attach the lid securely. Could it be any easier?

In Emergency Essentials, they sell a little tiny washing machine that you turn by hand. The rotation is all the agitation the clothes get, so I can't imagine they'd get that good of a washing. The plunger idea seems so practical and much more efficient, and it undoubtedly holds more than than E.E.'s little unit.

This is one of the easiest things to assemble and put away for emergency preparedness--just don't forget to store lots of laundry soap too!

No comments: