Summer Outdoor Bulk Laundry Experiment

Posted on 2023-07-20
  1. Home
  2. /
  3. Sustainable Living
  4. /
  5. Life & Personal Skills
  6. /
  7. Summer Outdoor Bulk Laundry Experiment

Ideas for washing bulk items (sheets, towels, blankets, T-shirts, jeans):

How hot can the sun warm water on an average day? I had all the wash items in the black 50 gal trough soaking in a homemade enzyme cleaner while the water warmed by the sun. The kiddie pool had no wash items and was used for the clean rinse. The pot had a heavily soiled (from an extreme bloody nose incident) Large T-shirt also with enzyme cleaner.

Beginning temperature outside 75°F.

Outdoor high was 85°F and the wind started to pick up and cool the ambient air temperature around 2pm.

In less than 30 mins I was able to hand wash and hang out to dry on a clothesline a fitted twin sheet, wool socks, toddler denim overalls, 3 large T-shirts, 3 boys underwear, 2 washcloths, and a kitchen hand towel.

Laundry soap was added to the black trough and the clothes were agitated inside the trough. Since I was using such a wide container on the ground, one agitation technique that could be used was to walk in the trough and stomp the clothes down. Scrunching with hands was also done. Clothes were individually gently squeezed out and then individually rinsed in the kiddie pool. Items were then hand wrung and hung on a clothes line. Clothes are significantly wetter than when using the washing machine.

Final smell test after dry: No discernible difference between the hand washed T-shirts and the machine-washed T-shirts (2 of each, both washed the same day and dried at the same time). If anything, the machine-washed ones smelled less fresh than the hand washed ones. Smell test was conducted by the washer and a double-blind volunteer. Results were the same.

Conclusion:
If you are looking for heating water using this passive solar method the smaller dark, tin canning pot was the most efficient. You could consider putting a few of those out in the yard if you want more warm water. None of the water actually got hot. The extended sun exposure killed more germs than the temperature of the water. Using a larger kiddie pool or trough makes it much easier to wash large items like sheets, compared to a pot, bucket or some of the portable washers you can buy. My set-up was in a full sun, but very exposed area. If you have a full sun but protected area, you could probably improve the heating potential. Another option to try for heating water is snaking a very long black hose in the sun, but you would need pressure to get water in and out of the hose.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

SEARCH INDEX

________

ImageTitlePublished dateCategoriesTagshf:categories

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

The latest posts from CORAC.

________

The Beginning of Fulfillment

The Beginning of Fulfillment

Advent, America – The jury has found Daniel Penny, the man who rescued subway riders...

Get Up and Do Your Job

Get Up and Do Your Job

Charlie's Brief #61 - Some thoughts on optimism moving forward, and our big...

Who We Are >

Watch the videos here to learn more about CORAC - the guys that do stuff!

What We Do >

Learn how we're defending the traditional values of Faith, Family & Freedom!

Who Can Join >

We're open to all people of goodwill who support traditional values.

Your Region >

We're organized by regions from coast to coast in the U.S. and beyond.

The Next Step >

We make it easy to connect with like-minded people and get involved in your community.

Attend one of Charlie's free talks in your area.  Please Note:  You must be a registered site user to view meeting specifics.

Find an upcoming event online or in your area and see how we're actively working for renewal around the country.

Please utilize these extensive resources before contacting us for tech support.

Our t-shirts feel soft and lightweight, with the right amount of stretch. They're comfortable and flattering for both men and women.

A good long-sleeved shirt is a fashion must-have. Add this wardrobe essential to your collection, and have a great go-to option for a casual look.

Whether you're drinking your morning coffee, evening tea, or something in between – this mug's for you! It's sturdy and glossy with a vivid print that'll withstand the microwave and dishwasher.
Corps of Renewal and Charity (CORAC) is a non-profit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(4) organization. Donations to CORAC are not tax-deductible.

Click above to access the customer portal where you can manage your account including your monthly donation subscription.