Niles H.

Here is part of one system:

Scrubbing brush: A lady in Peru showed me that the sort of ineffectual swilling and waving that most of us travellers do to wash clothes is useless, and that brush and elbow grease is a complete substite for enzymes and hot water when removing stains.

More here: https://www.mark-ju.net/juliette/domestics.htm

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It seems that a fairly soft brush is advisable. I once tried a stiffer brush, and it made holes in the fabric -- it was just too abrasive or harsh, and resulted in accelerated wear.

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What other systems might be useful while touring?

What have you tried or seen?

What works well?

Also, what doesn't work particularly well?

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This might be a bit bulky for some; but for others it might be a good solution; it looks light (and it's so nice to have clean clothes -- it does something for morale):

CAMPING/BACKPACKING: We realize that many of you bring extra clothes when you go camping; however, there inevitably are occasions or accidents that that cause you to find yourself in need of clean clothing items. "The BreatherTM" efficiently serves that need. When backpacking, you will definitely travel lighter when you bring fewer clothes....

And don't forget students in dorms, apartment residents, folks in assisted living, and athletes or musicians - anyone on road trips!

https://www.breathingwasher.com/default.htm

https://www.breathingwasher.com/3.html

https://www.breathingwasher.com/4.html

It seems as if something lighter (aluminum?) and possibly shorter -- maybe even something already onboard, or something that would serve more than one purpose -- could be used as a handle.

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Buckets (or something similar) and grape-pressing actions with the feet is another technique that has worked for some people.

valygrl

Sink wash with whatever soap is available every night until the rest day, then laundromat.

imi

wow! excellent... that Ortlieb wash basin looks wicked!

I usually just wait a few days till I find a shower at a campsite, river or the sea and just shampoo myself and my riding clothes (still on me), yepp and tie things on the bike if they haven't dried overnight
In between I guess I do smell of good healthy dried in sweat ('though I will change clothes in the evening if not crashing directly). A wet towel rub down can do wonders aswell.
I have a sheet liner for my sleeping bag to keep the worst from the bag... And when I find a washing machine maybe once every couple of weeks or so then shampoo works fine in there aswell...

"old hippies never die... they just smell like it"

Machka 

"A lady in Peru showed me that the sort of ineffectual swilling and waving that most of us travellers do to wash clothes is useless ..."


Speak for yourself!! I use a laundromat.

Niles H.

Just came across these sidebars,

Customer Comment:
My husband needed his Pharmacist smock washed at the last minute--I thought of your product--washed his smock in less than two minutes--put it in the dryer and sent him out of the door in plenty of time-thank you
Housewife in Nebraska

Customer Comment:
This saves me many trips to the laundromat.
Apartment resident in England


Wow. Freedom from washing machines and laudromats and other facilities -- more self-sufficiency and independence....

(For those who are off the grid most of the time when touring, it sounds great to have something that actually works well, and is reasonably efficient, and doesn't take too long to get the job done.)

I wonder what else is out there.

Cyclesafe

I bring a large zip-lock bag to use as a laundry tub. I use liquid camp soap and empty rinse somewhere away from surface water. I then press small items needed the next day in my camp towel and hang them on a clothesline I bring. If stuff is still damp in the morning (it always seems to be!) I use it as signal flags on my bike as I ride.

niknak

Campsites usually have wash basins. When I get to shower I bring my shorts and socks along. If needed, Ortlieb and other waterproof panniers would work as basins. I try to pack so that most gear has more than one use. That device you listed looks unnecessary, although it could double as a toilet plunger !?!

imi

From the "breathingwasher" website:

EMERGENCIES: Hurricanes, tornadoes, strong winds, snow and ice storms can all bring down power lines. What happens when your electric washing machine breaks, and it will be days before yours is fixed? Never be caught unprepared again! "The BreatherTM" is perfect for those short-term or long-term emergency cleaning needs.

ROTFLMAO! Yeah right! In the middle of a hurricane I'm gonna worry about keeping my clothes squeaky clean! love the marketing hype

... and it does look suspiciously like a bog cleaner...

jamawani 

Huh?
You guys have never washed in the shower??
It doesn't replace the laundry, but is quick and effective.

Wear all your clothes into the shower.
Soap up you clothes as you shower.
Peel off layers if you have multiple layers and continue soaping.
(It's the best way to get all the important areas soaped.)
Rinse and hang out clothes over shower bar.

After you get out. Wring clothes thoroughly.
If you are in a damp area, roll into towel and wring a second time.
Hang to dry.

nun

I wear merino wool tops and socks as they don't smell after a day's ride. I wear andiamo padded underwear as this can be washed every day and dries quickly. I don't wash my cycling knickers or shorts every day.

If there is a shower available I take clothes to be washed in with me add a bit of shampoo and stamp on them on the floor under the shower. I'll them rinse and wring out as much water as I can before hanging them out to dry. If a shower isn't available I do the same thing in a basin.

downtube42

Wash?

imi

jepp, jamawani, you've got it down but downtube42's query certainly has merit

Ranger Dan

Right on, downtube42! If I don't wash my clothes at home, why should I wash them while on tour?!?

staehpj1

I use different methods depending on when and where. Most often I either wash them in the shower or sink. Once in a while I use a washing machine if one is available, but that usually isn't that often. In the absence of a sink, shower, or washing machine they get a good rinse in a creek or nothing. If I have to wear clothes a few days without washing it isn't the end of the world.

On the comments about wool, I have to say I don't get it. The only wool I took on my last long tour was the stinkiest item I carried (1 pr. smartwool socks) . My synthetic socks smelled much less. I used to use a wool sweater when camping, but again it stunk. Years ago some synthetics smelled very bad (poly-pro underwear like LIFA used to absolutely reek), but I have not found that to be the case with most of the synthetics i have worn in recent years.

I don't know if it is a difference in body chemistry or what, but when I wear wool it winds up smelling worse than my synthetic garments.

MadMabel

So how does this gizmo differ from a plain old toilet plunger?

AsanaCycles

i havent used a washing machine in many years.

simply i pick clothing that is easy to wash by hand

typically i use a bucket for washing

in the past i've used things like BOB trailer bags (which I've also used to sit in, and toss hot rocks into. along side of a creek, as if to create a quick, makeshift bathtub)

anything that holds water, is a plausible wash basin.

the trick is to avoid buying cotton
typically i wear clothing that is made of polyester
stuff like Patagonia, many items from REI, etc...
wool socks.

tpelle

When I saw this thread I was going to suggest using a plain old sink plunger - this is a technique used by cruising boaters. Just add a little laundry soap to a small amount of water, put each clothing item in to soak for a couple of minutes, then use the plunger to force the wash water through the fabric. Transfer the clothes to a fresh water bucket to rinse, and when that bucket gets too soapy, add another fresh water bucket to do another rinse cycle.

Of course you probably want to use a plunger dedicated to laundry, and off-limits for any other plunger uses.

Niles H.

Good question.

I haven't used one yet, and don't know if I will or not; but the best way of seeing how it differs is by scrolling down here (to the short video, and the photograph on the righthand side of the page): https://www.breathingwasher.com/index.htm

It looks as if the main difference is that the water is allowed to escape up through the (plastic) mesh. With a plunger, the action would be different.

How much better (if any) this would work than a plunger is a reasonable question.

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There are some good ideas in this thread.

More are welcomed as well.