Laundry?

[Mckelley]

Hi all, any advice on laundry techniques? Rain water? Ive heard of people making drums that they put their clothes with detergent and water, then drag behind the boat for a few hours. Has anyone tried this with any success?

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by Mckelley

........... Ive heard of people making drums that they put their clothes with detergent and water, then drag behind the boat for a few hours. .............

Someone asked my wife what we do about laundry and that's pretty much what she told them. She was joking of course.

We use laundry facilities at marinas.

[Blue Crab]

20 pages of posts on laundry, can you say "search?"

here's one

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ry-128638.html

Come on man. get with the program.

[Mckelley]

Thanks Blue Crab. This was my second post just joined and trying to figure out this whole forum thing. Didn't need the passive aggression. But appreciated the advice about using the search.

[Greg4cocokai]

Big rain catcher, big bucket! Only use the washer downstairs when all else fails.


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[s/vAngel]

If you're out cruising away from land-based facilities for long periods, everyone I knew just handwashed their stuff in a small bucket with detergent (or any soap- i used shampoo a few times after running out of laundry soap. Worked just fine) I worked in a clothing store & from what i've seen, fabrics and thread seams would get torn or stretched out if towed.
Of course, unless a boat has a watermaker, have to be conservative. I catch rainwater & filter it & purify it. It works cleaning clothes, but after they're dry they're stiff as hell. One cruiser i met washed his clothes in ammonia, then let them dry without rinsing (he says the ammonia evaporates)...I haven't tried this. You're just stuck washing a few choice items to feel presentable until you can lug the pile to a laundry.
Or, cruise naked....

[Hudson Force]

I was wondering why we never have this laundry problem. ....and then it came to me. When we are in port there's always some place to have laundry done cheap,- either on our own at a coin laundry or given to some ladies on the island that will do it all for a nominal charge.

....and then we we are not in port we wear very little. Maybe shorts and a T-shirt. These are easily scrubed in the remnants of our bath water on the transom where we usually bathe offshore. ... a little rinse, a little twist, and hung out to dry and then good for a couple more days. Let's see, I must have about ten T-shirts and five pairs of shorts plus a couple of swim suits. There's an easy month and then I've already reached the coin laundry and the ladies that will wash a load for a few bucks. We also have the habit of bathing late in the day. This keeps the bed sheets fresh for a week and we do have several sets of bedding. We are also very careful not to bring any salt from seawater below. Salt is the demon when it comes to laundry. Once you have saltwater in your clothes, bedding, cushions or upolstry below the game is lost. Salt attracts moisture and these items will remain clamy and uncomfortable until they have a good cleaning with fresh water. 'Big Rule! No Salt Below! All these opinions apply to cruisers in warm climates. I have no experience with what is done or managed when people wear more than shorts and a T-shirt!

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by Blue Crab

20 pages of posts on laundry, can you say "search?"

Come on man. get with the program.

I suppose that's true but on the other hand, just about everything related to cruising has been covered before so there's no need for any new posts. Just search.

[jongleur]

"No Salt Below" Not in the head, not in the galley,
nowhere below.
We have always had this rule on our boats.
Makes life much nicer below.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Mckelley

Hi all, any advice on laundry techniques? Rain water? Ive heard of people making drums that they put their clothes with detergent and water, then drag behind the boat for a few hours. Has anyone tried this with any success?

I have never asked the Laundry if they use rain water or not. Maybe I should. Perhaps they use natural spring water, organic, of course.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by Hudson Force

All these opinions apply to cruisers in warm climates. I have no experience with what is done or managed when people wear more than shorts and a T-shirt!

You end up with salt below, oilies don't dry even when hung in a wet locker, the boat gets damp, sleeping bags clammy etc. But it doesn't matter, if you are on a 4 on 4 off watch as the warmth below is a welcome change from what is going on top side.

Pete

[hellosailor]

Wait a minute now. Are you guys telling me that your cruising budgets are so tight that you actually launder and re-use USED CLOTHING ?!

That's just, so heart wrenching....

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

Wait a minute now. Are you guys telling me that your cruising budgets are so tight that you actually launder and re-use USED CLOTHING ?!

That's just, so heart wrenching....

Worse, its having to buy it from a charity shop in the first place.

However, a top tip; hand your clothes in as a donation and they will wash, iron and display them. you can then buy them back at cents in the dollar freshly laundered.

Pete