My idea to wash clothesis to put clothes, soap and water in a 5-gallon bucket, use a screw-on lid, put it the back of the trailer where it really bounces (with bucket secure) and let the road agitate the wash.When I drive, it is to another state, so time on my side.Dump, add rinse water and repeat. May need another rinse at a water source.I searched, but no post yet.I am on the road a lot, and will drive before I run out of clothes, so I either do this or a laundromat, sometimes hard to find, and not always on schedule…I only have 25 gallon fresh tank, so do not want to use any of it for clothes. Stops at gas stations or rest stops usually have enough for a bucket.

So 1-2 shirts at a time1 pair of pants at a time3 pairs of underwear at a time4 pairs of socks at a timeCouple weeks should have enough clean clothes to change out of the dirty ones5 gallon bucket ....not a lot of capacity Hand washing tools....link2 hours at Laundry Mat and enough clothes for 2 weeks of wearing

ajriding wrote:My idea to wash clothesis to put clothes, soap and water in a 5-gallon bucket, use a screw-on lid, put it the back of the trailer where it really bounces (with bucket secure) and let the road agitate the wash.When I drive, it is to another state, so time on my side.Dump, add rinse water and repeat. May need another rinse at a water source.I searched, but no post yet.I am on the road a lot, and will drive before I run out of clothes, so I either do this or a laundromat, sometimes hard to find, and not always on schedule…I only have 25 gallon fresh tank, so do not want to use any of it for clothes. Stops at gas stations or rest stops usually have enough for a bucket.Ah yes, John Steinbeck "Travels With Charlie". I remember that book, thanks for bringing up the memories. :)

Half hour at a laundry mat and you can have them all clean with a lot less hassle...make it an hour and they can even be dry.I've seen people do similar things on cruising boats but that is typically because they are in remote areas with no laundry mats.

I agree with Old-Biscuit, a 5 gallon bucket doesn't have much capacity at all. Put too many clothes in it and you won't get any agitation. I would think a 5 gallon bucket will hold 1 days worth of clothes for an average size man.There are plenty of portable washing machines, that use electric or man power, that will probably do a better job.-Michael

This might work better.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_lKF9g7-60&t=14s

Mobile, bounce-powered bucket washer | Good Sam Community

17 Replies

SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Feb 26, 2019
Been doing the bucket thing for years now. Not much capacity but it works.
Fizz
Explorer
Feb 26, 2019
A handy hint for the ladies.

After hand washing your 'delicates' give them a twirl in a salad spinner. They come out almost dry.
harryjr
Explorer
Feb 26, 2019
This might work better.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_lKF9g7-60&t=14s
mgirardo
Explorer
Feb 26, 2019
I agree with Old-Biscuit, a 5 gallon bucket doesn't have much capacity at all. Put too many clothes in it and you won't get any agitation. I would think a 5 gallon bucket will hold 1 days worth of clothes for an average size man.

There are plenty of portable washing machines, that use electric or man power, that will probably do a better job.

-Michael
valhalla360
Navigator
Feb 26, 2019
Half hour at a laundry mat and you can have them all clean with a lot less hassle...make it an hour and they can even be dry.

I've seen people do similar things on cruising boats but that is typically because they are in remote areas with no laundry mats.
opnspaces
Navigator II
Feb 26, 2019
ajriding wrote:
My idea to wash clothes
is to put clothes, soap and water in a 5-gallon bucket, use a screw-on lid, put it the back of the trailer where it really bounces (with bucket secure) and let the road agitate the wash.
When I drive, it is to another state, so time on my side.

Dump, add rinse water and repeat. May need another rinse at a water source.

I searched, but no post yet.

I am on the road a lot, and will drive before I run out of clothes, so I either do this or a laundromat, sometimes hard to find, and not always on schedule…

I only have 25 gallon fresh tank, so do not want to use any of it for clothes. Stops at gas stations or rest stops usually have enough for a bucket.

Ah yes, John Steinbeck "Travels With Charlie". I remember that book, thanks for bringing up the memories. :)
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Feb 26, 2019
So 1-2 shirts at a time
1 pair of pants at a time
3 pairs of underwear at a time
4 pairs of socks at a time

Couple weeks should have enough clean clothes to change out of the dirty ones
5 gallon bucket ....not a lot of capacity

Hand washing tools....link

2 hours at Laundry Mat and enough clothes for 2 weeks of wearing

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Mobile, bounce-powered bucket washer

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