Doing Laundry on Board

[Captain Smollett]

Chamios work good as towels.

[CharlieJ]

What we use aboard for many many things are a gold colored "thing" called a "Magic Cloth"

We bought the last ones from a tool sale, but Laura thinks they have them at Wal Mart now. Probably in the auto section, but I could be wrong. You can even mop up spilled oil with them then wash it out.

We use one on the bridge deck as a rug, another to lay out to put freshly washed dishs on. One to wipe down the boat early in the morning to dry off the dew.

They would work very well as a personal towel too.

Really neat things.

[s/v Faith]

What we use aboard for many many things are a gold colored "thing" called a "Magic Cloth"

  I use the same thing, I found mine in the carwash supplies section at Walmart.  I forget the brand, I will try to remember and check the next time aboard.

[BobW]

Thanks!  I'll look for the gold colored "thing" called a "Magic Cloth".  Probably tomorrow!

[MJWarner]

I read w/ interest the old thread concerning washing clothes on board. I (notice I don't say "we") will be hand washing on our boat when Al and I head to the Bahamas for 3 months this Nov. I did some searching as the prices mentioned for a wringer seemed steep. I found one at $79.93 at cardealerdepot.com
That we could do, so I ordered and now must build a contraption to hold it firmly while I crank. Drier clothes w/ less hanging time is surely in my future! ;) Martha     s/v Journey, a 1977 Islander28

[Captain Smollett]

Hi Martha,

What I've read a lot of people do, and I've done it - it works!, is to wrap the wet clothes around a shroud once or twice then twist the tails.  The more you twist, the more you squeeze and you can wring a LOT of water out of the clothes this way.

And...it's FREE.   ;D

[Lynx]

Life line works well to. Or just put them in the sun fully wet. it does not take long.

In the Abacos I used the public washers. About $ 10 for 2 loads. Water was $ 0.25 a gallon. Not much differance. Do not do on weekends.

[MJWarner]

Hi Guys, thanks for the tips. I should have said though, that one of the reasons I needed this sort of solution is that my hands are starting to get mildly arthritic (ahhh... the "rusty" years) so since I have done the wringing on the shroud routine in the very distant past (baby diapers) I know better than to push my luck nowadays. Also, the expense will be (I think) a lot less when I prorate the wringer for several years, against the shore machine option. I justify... I mean PRORATE everyting this way. :D

[Amgine]

Besides, twisting things up on the shrouds results in clothes with a distinct spiral to them. Pretty well ruins t-shirts, socks, knits (like underwear) in short order.

Not that I have a solution. The wringer sounds great! A camp I went to every summer as a kid had a wringer and it worked extremely well (and was almost enough fun to make laundry enjoyable.) We did cloth diapers too, and the last of them are still being used as engine room rags as the youngest is about to be a senior in high school.

I'm of the 'wear it until it stands up on its own' school; I've been living aboard a week now and just switched to my 'other clothes'. When I do get around to washing, I try to find a stream/lake ashore if I'm away from civilization, a laundromat with a bathroom to change into my swimsuit otherwise. My entire wardrobe aboard is about one largish load, mostly underwear and socks.

[s/v Copacetic]

Don't laugh. The best camp and boat towels are artificial chamois. You can get them at Walgreens or other places as ChamWow.

[AdriftAtSea]

The new microfiber towels, which are available in both camping stores and regular department stores, in both terry cloth-like and flat versions are excellent choices as well.  They absorb a lot of water, but can be wrung out and then dry quite quickly. :)

[s/v Faith]

Yet another advantage of small boats.

Doing laundry right now... Guests just left.  Only 3 loads this time, did 5 loads last time...  I can do mine in a bucket, but bedding for 5 ain't going to be done in a bucket without emptying the water tanks!

[s/v Faith]

Update:

  Another important consideration.  If you are doing laundry, do not even look at the sky, or the forecast.  Simply BRING a large garbage bag ashore in the dingy.  Yes, I said no matter what.

  If you DO NOT bring a large garbage bag, rest assured that it WILL rain on you... Your laundry that you have just paid $ 2.50 a load to wash, and $7.00 a load to dry.

  It WILL happen....   Ask me how I know....   :P

[CharlieJ]

And carry it in in the bag too. In Mexico, laundry is done by the pound, and they don't care if the clothes are wet or not