Second Attempt with the Breathing Mobile Washer

Ok, so today was my second attempt with the Breathing Mobile Washer (see previous post for a link).

This time I had two 5 gallon buckets.  I must say, that was way nicer than using the square container I had used last time.  This time I didn’t have to look down to make sure I was covering the different areas.  This time the Washer was able to move around the bucket without fear of hitting corners nor missing spots.  That definitely released the straing on my neck.

This time I was also able to sit on the edge of my bath tub with the two buckets in there.  I held the bucket between my knees/calves as I pumped the Washer.  With sitting down, this helped put my shoulders and spine into a more relaxed angle, enough that I could even square my shoulders as I was working.  This also didn’t aggravate my carpal as much as I had more control over the angle of my wrists as I pumped the Washer.

I had one bucket with our regular detergent in it (just a tiny bit), and the other bucket was used for an initial rinse.  Once the detergent bucket got way too dirty for comfort, and the rinsing one was looking kinda iffy, I’d dump the detergent water, then add detergent to the “rinse” bucket, then add new water to the new rinse bucket.  Rinsed clothes got rolled up, some water squeezed out, and set aside in a tub waiting for the final rinse.

After I got all my clothes done (3 pants, 7 tops, and underclothes), I put some clean water into the buckets and added some white vinegar, then put clothes into each of them and let them sit for a while.  I guess I could have done two different loads this way, using the same water, and thus saving water.   Just one of a few mistakes I made.  Anyways, after they soaked in the rinse water for about 5 min or so, I pulled them out and stuck them into the regular washing machine on spin to get the water out of the clothes.  I don’t like having to use it, but for now it’s all I got.

Then, I hung the clothes up.

Very simple process.  I was surprised how dirty some of the clothes were.  I’m thinking I need to wear shorts in the house more often, lol.  To reduce how big the items are that I’m washing.  I made a few mistakes, or rather, I could have done a better job at conserving the water.  I also need to figure out how I can use the dirty water for some useful purpose, or even the vinegar water for some purpose.  Other than my food garden, which is in boxes, we don’t have any plants to use the water on (and it’s been raining for days already!!).  But, I’ll figure it out.  Maybe look into using it for the toilet or such.

Meanwhile, I’ve got plenty of room on the lines, due to using hangers to hold the shirts.  I didn’t use much electricity.  And I still don’t know how often I’m going to do this, lol.  But, with music playing and noone else around, I actually found it fun.

Breathing Mobile Washer

The Mobile Washer came into the mail yesterday.  I ordered it Friday afternoon, and it arrived Monday afternoon.  Talk about fast delivery.  

Prior to ordering I called their number because I misread and thought it would take 4-6 weeks to get here, but that could add $2 for priority mail.  But on the ordering process there wasn’t an option for me to do priority mail  I called them because I didnt want to wait 4-6 weeks, and maybe i’d missed the option somewhere.  Turns out that I had misread.  The 4-6 weeks was for alaska and hawaii.  She told me if I ordered it today (friday) she’d have it out to me by Monday.  I’m thinking it’ll be sent in the mail monday (the next business day from friday).  But it actually came in on monday.  I’m still wowed about that, heh.

Of course I had to check it out.  First of all, I ordered two because I thought it might be a kind of flimsy plastic.  Looking at the images, it’s that bottom part with the holes that looks a little flimsy.  But seriously, this is actually some pretty sturdy plastic.  I think it would take either some heavy weight falling on it or some major beatings before it would finally break.

I looked around for a tub to use.  I hadn’t purchased the 5 gal buckets because I thought I still had time to get those supplies.  So I found an extra square plastic container that we’ve been using for storing books or such in.  First lesson?  square isn’t the best tub shape for a round hand washer.

I put the fabric shower curtain in the tub, and then added water and a small bit of laundry soap.  The water came to just over the curtain, I didn’t need a lot of water, though having it deeper might have been better..the same amount of water, only in a container that would make it deeper.  

Anyways, so I pumped the washer a few times.  Yes, I’m very much out of shape.   I can see long term usage causing blisters and/or calluses.  I could feel muscle stress happening in my wrists, arms, and neck/shoulder/back area…that little knot up there where they all connect.  I’d pump about 10 or so pumps, then take a small break, and repeat.  The water got surprisingly dirty.  Maybe from the rust of the shower curtain hooks?  It was dirty enough that I didn’t want to wash the other kitchen towels in it.  Anyways, after a bit I pulled it out of the bucket, squished it in my hands, dumped the tub water, and put in fresh water, then put the curtain back in there.  Without soap, I did the pump and rest routine, and then pulled it out of the tub, added a small bit of soap to the water, and tossed in my kitchen cloths.  After rinsing those as well, I put everything into our regular electric washer and did a spin on it.  Within just a couple of minutes, the water was spun out and I hung everything up to dry.

This method will definitely take some getting used to.  My carpal tunnel is acting up already, so I’m going to have to make sure to use the taping method to get blood flowing through and help prevent this weakness.  This was even without wringing the clothes by hand.  Maybe if I put on some kind of padding to thicken up the handle my hands could do it?  I’m not sure.

Next time I go into town I’m going to get a couple of 5 gal buckets.  I’m also going to order a couple of those gamma lids.  The problem with that particular method will be the requirement of hot water for the pressure aspect to work.  At least that’s what I’ve read so far.

And, in all honesty, if I can’t get these methods to work for my and my wrists on a regular basis, then the washing machine doesn’t take up that much electricity.  I can still line dry regardless of which washing method I use. 

All in all, the Breathing Mobile Washer ( http://www.breathingwasher.com/index.htm ) is actually a pretty sturdy item.  Any issues I’m having with my carpal isn’t the fault of the item.  The item didnt cause the carpal, I’ve had that for years.  It just aggravates it.  Something to keep in mind for other potential buyers.

Preparing for Handwashing Laundry

Today I was looking at the Rapid Washer (http://www.lehmans.com/store/Natural_Goods___Cleaning_and_Laundry___Rapid_Washer___66RW?Args=&customField1=W9 ).  I’ve been looking at it, debating whether or not to get it when May finally arrives.  But this morning I was stalling because I’d finally read the “fine print” that says that it will rust.  I did some searching online and read some comments about it rusting but to prevent it from rusting make sure to dry it after using it, and then smearing on some kind of product but having to make sure that you wipe the product off before each use.  Ok, well, that’s just too much for me to even consider.

But then I happened upon this page:  ( http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/003276.php ) and subsequently to ( http://www.breathingwasher.com/index.htm ).  It’s basically similar to the Rapid Washer, but it’s made out of plastic instead of tin…no worries about rusting!!

So I ordered two of them.  Why two?  I dunno.  I’ll have one for if the one I’m using breaks (I’m not sure how sturdy the plastic is).  I’ll have one to loan to friends/neighbors who may want to check it out.  I’ll have one for my daughter to use at the same time as I’m using one.  Were these the reasons why I ordered two?  No.  Ordering two was a spontaneous act.  But so far the above three reasons might be usable for ‘rationalizing’ my decision, heh.

I’ve held off from getting the Gamma lids at this time for making the at home WonderWashing-type thingy.  I’ve also held off from buying any buckets.  I think this Mobile Washer will work fine in the bathtub for now (or longer).  I did buy a scrub brush for scrubbing at stains if needed, so I won’t have to order a washboard yet.  I’m still looking into ideas for wringing out the water from the clothes without using electricity and without messing my wrists up more than they already are.  (I kinda like being able to type and/or write.)  For now, however, I have a strainer for pressing one shirt at a time (grr) or I can use the spin cycle of our washer.  I’m not too keen on the last idea because it’s using electricity.  But, well, the washer is there already and unlike a new item (such as a spindryer) it won’t be taking up more space than it already is.

I have to go over my notes for making my own laundry soap.  I want to try to keep things to their absolute basics.  I’m not concerned about color brightners nor whiteners.  I just want to get an absolute basic, minimal (but easy to obtain) ingredients, and minimal process for making it.  (Just gotta find my notes, lol.)