Introduction: Off-Grid Washing Machine
In just a few short minutes, you can make your very own clothes-washing system that doesn't require electricity or running water. This system will go great in your emergency preparedness supplies!
*PLEASE NOTE: This is not a new idea... it has been around for many years. I'm not sure where I first heard of it, but thought I'd try to make something worth your time with clear pictures and instructions. We all enjoy the shade of trees planted by others we have never met. Whoever came up with this idea originally, we salute you!
Step 1: What You Are Going to Need:
(1) 5 Gallon Bucket with Plastic Lid
(1) Rubber Plunger
(1) Drill
(1) 3/8’’ Drill Bit
(1) 1 1/8’’ Hole Saw Bit OR
(1) 1 1/8’’ Spade Bit OR
(1) Razor knife
(1) Hammer (for getting the lid on tight)
(1) Bucket Opener (for easier opening)
This is not an exhaustive list of tools for this particular project.
You can get creative with what tools you use to get it done.
Step 2: Drill/Cut a Hole in the Bucket Lid
There are a variety of ways to get a hole cut out of the middle of the bucket lid.
The hole just needs to be big enough for the plunger to fit through, with a little wiggle room.
I used a 1 1/8’’ hole saw bit, but you can use a spade bit, or even just a sharp knife.
It is pretty easy to center the hole right in the middle of the lid
Step 3: Drill Holes in the Plunger
Drilling holes will prevent the plunger from sticking to the bottom of the bucket and allows water to flow more freely.
This makes the agitating process more efficient.
Step 4: Get Washing
Very little laundry detergent is needed in such a small load. We prefer using TOUGH-GRID Laundry Liberator to get the job done. ¼ Tablespoon of this stuff will be plenty. If you use other detergents, be sure to follow proper measurements. Please note that anything you put in your clothes will need to be rinsed out.
Step 5: Agitate Well for Several Minutes (wash Cycle)
Sasquatch Arm Not Required ; - )
Step 6: Empty the Grey Water Out of the Bucket, Wring Out Clothes
Since you will probably be dumping this water outside, it is a good Idea to use a detergent that won’t harm the environment. Be sure to use a soap that is biodegradable AND good at cleaning your clothes
Step 7: Rinse Cycle
Place the clothes back in the bucket with fresh, clean water
Agitate well for several minutes to rinse out the suds
Wring out your clothes (if permitted by your clothing care instructions)
Hang clothes out to dry, or put them in a dryer
Voila! Clean Clothes Off-The-Grid!
Visit us at www.TOUGHGRID.com for friendly Prepper tips and advice
There are all kinds of great ideas floating around out there that can make this off-grid washing machine even better! Thanks, EricB10 for sharing this great video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtbkXyWFFm8 (copy and paste this URL) with a few tricks on how to better rinse your clothes with an improvised spin cycle! This simple trick can save you from wringing out your clothes by hand.
45 Comments
Tip 4 years ago on Step 7
I would add a rinse cycle to get the soapy water out of the clothes, THEN wring or hang out.
8 years ago on Introduction
All and any laundry detergent is biodegradable. If the label says "green" and "environmentally friendly" that is just a ploy to get people to pay more.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Yes but you don't want to add more phosphate do you?
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
This is just a bucket of soapy water. The phosphates are a fertilizer when poured onto the ground. Phosphates are good for plant growth. They also help clean more effectively. There is no downside to pouring out soapy water onto land.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Phosphates that run into waterways or lakes are a MAJOR problem.
So, YES, if you live in the middle of a field, and you dump a teeny bit of phosphate into a hole in the ground it's not a problem.
Reply 8 years ago
Phosphates are a major source of eutrophican - the process that destroys lake and stream communities. The excess phosphate (and other nutrients) from pollution runoff causes an algal bloom which depletes the water of oxygen, killing most other aquatic life.
8 years ago
Ok made mine. Its not as nice as yours. I repurposed a bucket that once housed hydraulic oil. They wont let me recycle.
8 years ago
that's a good idea for people in trailers or apartments as well.
8 years ago on Introduction
no way i was at the 2007 scout Jamboree small world was great fun
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Hi rich420,
Two of my sons were at the 2005 Jamboree in VA, Right near where the group got electrocuted. It was quite an event!
It was also their first time experiencing real humidity. The porta-potties were almost unbearable between the heat, humidity and stench from what everyone said.
They washed their clothes in sinks but saw people using a similar bucket washer to this.
All-in-all, we raised over $30K for our whole group to go. It was a great experience for all.
Thanks for Commenting & Take Good Care,
Bill
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
I wonder if that was my troop, but then again I'm sure that there were a few others as the idea was probably copied around.
8 years ago on Introduction
so I guess it's time to add my name to this great invention.
2005, USA, Fort AP Hill VA, National jamboree, Troop 307.
although are plungers had 1, 1 1/2 or 2 inch holes, I believe the larger holes aid in the agitation process.
8 years ago on Introduction
Great idea. Live in Hurricane territory. Could use it to do laundry before the electricity is back on, or else to use up the milk before it goes bad. ;)
8 years ago on Introduction
ohhh and hook it up to a bicycle for the agitation somehow(or pogo stick ?)
8 years ago on Introduction
yeah what he said but they have black buckets, nice job thanks
8 years ago on Introduction
Another enhancement for a really cool ible...paint the bucket black, let the water sit out in the sun for a while, then add a very small amount of detergent. Warm water is thinner and penetrates the clothing better to wash out the dirt and you save detergent in the process as warm water enhances the chemical reaction when you add water to detergents. Warm water also is more effective to remove body oils. Detergents have a bubbling action and enzymes that help release dirt. Also bio-friendly detergents use vegetable oils vs petroleum based detergents.
8 years ago on Introduction
By the way, for those of us who use this to wash our dedicates every week, that Sasquatch arm would be AWESOME! ;)
8 years ago on Introduction
And I'll go ahead and remove this (even thought it was "resolved").
8 years ago on Introduction
Hi Lifeinbeats,
Yeah, I never saw that one but really don't know where I first heard of this some years ago. No disrespect intended. As for improvements, everything I think of just complicates a simple thing. I'll keep working on that and appreciate your feedback. BTW, I have added a note to the first part of the Instructable with a bit of a disclaimer that I'm not the originator of this idea. Not sure where you saw any advertising although I do mention the soap we use... which is our brand. Is that not cool? Should I mention Tide instead? I prefer ours. We do offer to help people with this or other Prepper type things but have nothing for sale on our site. Two of my sons and I help people with all kinds of Prepper stuff every day without any compensation. We just like doing it, and I suppose that is why so many folks like Instructables so much. All the Best to You and Yours, Bill
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
I appreciate your reply, Bill. I apologize if my comment was unwarranted. It's becoming more and more common for companies to sneakily advertise under the guise of posting an instructable, and I rashly mistook this post for one of those. I apologize. I should have looked at your website prior to commenting.