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Cleaning Up:  did 2 loads of laundry at my kitchen sink!!  |
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westernhorse51
True Blue Farmgirl
1681 Posts
michele
farmingdale
n.j.
USA
1681 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 01 2006 : 08:08:09 AM
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I was supposed to go to the laundramat today. UGH! I hate the laundramat. I love doing laundry from home. At this moment my washer is in storage. With a septic here we cant have our washing machines. I put everything in the laundry bags (alot) and knew today was going to be at least a $30.00 day. To spend that and more on laundry drives me crazy. SO, I sat down for a minute & decided to wash a few things out in the sink. Just getting back from Florida, things are a bit tight & I'd rather spend that money on something else. BEFORE I knew it I had washed 2 whole loads. I had fun. My hands hurt a bit but it was fun. I put everything on my drying racks in the kitchen where it's warm. I use Borax w/ detergent and my kitchen sink is spotless & the kitchen smells great. Not saying I will do it all the time but I really enjoyed it today & saved at least $30.00.
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
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Libbie
Farmgirl Connection Cultivator
3579 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
3579 Posts |
Posted - Mar 01 2006 : 09:18:37 AM
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CONGRATULATIONS! That sounds like a lot of work. Way to take matters into your own hands, literally, and do it yourself. As I think about it and re-read your post, I think that it sounds sort of like a meditative way to do laundry. I know I have a few hand-washables that have waited a while, and now I'm inspired to do them... thank you!
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
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thehouseminder
True Blue Farmgirl
361 Posts
USA
361 Posts |
Posted - Mar 01 2006 : 10:04:16 AM
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Hi Michele,
Have you ever used a "stomper." It looks something like a toilet plunger but it is made of galvanized metal with a baffle inside.
When I was a kid we used these things to wash our clothes while we were camped in the mountains of Montana in the summer. We just put or clothes in a bucket of soapy water and aggitated them with the stomper.
I still use one occassionally but I use a medium sized washtub. I use it to wash rugs and the occassional odd item of clothing which just doesn't seem to go with anything else to made a load.
You can get them from Lehman's (my favorite source for 'natural living" prducts).
http://www.lehmans.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=2758&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=673&iSubCat=674&iProductID=2758
They also have great options for drying racks. My favorite is the one you mount on the ceiling, load up, and then raise it out of your way until the clothes are dryed.
http://www.lehmans.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=6465&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=673&iSubCat=728&iProductID=6465
It's a little expensive but it sure does free up the floor space and save on utility bills. SECRET: I bought one and my dad and I made three more from scratch in the woodshop :)
Lucinda
When we were young, there were moments of such perfectly crystallized happiness that we stood stock still and silently promised ourselves that we would remember them always. And we did. --Holly J. Burkhalter , "Four Midwestern Sisters' Christmas Book"
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westernhorse51
True Blue Farmgirl
1681 Posts
michele
farmingdale
n.j.
USA
1681 Posts |
Posted - Mar 01 2006 : 10:28:41 AM
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Thanks Lucinda, I havent heard about the stomper but im interested. I have Lehmans, I'll look. Thanks, Michele
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Mar 01 2006 : 10:30:05 AM
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In the spirit of laundry tales- I just have to share this...
A month or so ago, I was putting out the trash, when I realized the funny looking object that was on top of my neighboors trash was a wooden drying rack!!! I couldn't believe it! These people throw out the most useful things! They even threw away a child's picnic tabel (one of the yellow and red fisher price ones) once! Seriously! They need to know about good will!
Anyway- I saw the drying rack and I waited a few days debating with myself weather I should snag it or not- but I did! It is in perfect shape! I couldn't believe my eyes!
I have wanted a drying rack for a long long time, but they are rather expensive around here and I don't have tools at my apartment to build one. So Viola! Now problem solved! |
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Libbie
Farmgirl Connection Cultivator
3579 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
3579 Posts |
Posted - Mar 01 2006 : 10:39:29 AM
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What a find!!! You know, things show up in the craziest places - when I was looking for fluorescent light fixtures for my plant stand, i "just happened to see" one in a neighbor's garbage can - a admit - it grabbed it! Durn it, however, it turned out not to work! But really, it's sooo cool to find stuff sometimes. It's like a treasure hunt...
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
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SmallTownGirl
True Blue Farmgirl
117 Posts
Rose
USA
117 Posts |
Posted - Mar 01 2006 : 12:24:24 PM
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I love doing my own laundry by hand. I have done many loads in the sink when we didn't have a washer. The laundromats are so icky and expensive. Plus it nice in the winter to get some humidity in our home with wet clothes all over the place. I am definitely looking at getting a wringer washer. Sounds like you gals are finding good things dumpster diving.
Remember what you now have was once among the things only hoped for. |
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westernhorse51
True Blue Farmgirl
1681 Posts
michele
farmingdale
n.j.
USA
1681 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2006 : 04:43:34 AM
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I hope this doesnt gross anyone out BUT, I furnished my first apt. by "garbage picking". my sister & I took her truck to a very wealthy neighborhood on garbage day. The peices I didnt like I stripped down & repainted country colors. It was great. They threw things out that didnt even have a scratch on them. It was fun & I saved alot of money. I still go to the flea markets(love them. I bought a great bench for my living room that matches one of my looms for &2.00 Im glad you got that drying rack, thats great, now it has a useful home. Good on you! Michele
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2006 : 07:32:37 AM
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In about a month or so our town will have their annual "yard cleanup week" and we are able to put almost anything out at the street for free pickup. Things are supposed to be separated into types of things in piles and EVERYONE goes around and looks for things they want from other folks..it is so fun and I have got alot of neat things that way...our swing set for instance..it was in great shape..the family had just "out grown" it. I got hanging chicken feeders and buckets one year, a rabbit hutch just like new another time and shelves, tools, all sorts of things..oh..and a folding camp table that I love. My brother in law and his family really get into it and drive around each day...people keep adding to their piles all week and then it is pick up day...which is a different day for each type of thing..and you never know what order they will pick up..so it is about 2 weeks total of good "pickin's". I can hardly wait!! Good chance to put things you need to get rid of out too. I got a kick out of my husband putting our old lawn mower out there the first spring we were here and our little neighbor boy down the road asked if he could take it...we said of course,but it dosn't work...well, this little boy got it working and sold it to his dad for $25. I thought that was so cute. My husband was a little embarrassed since he had just got a new one and sure spent alot more!! BUT..it was mower that had been GIVEN to us several years before and I loved the resourcefulness of that little boy!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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cajungal
True Blue Farmgirl
2349 Posts
Catherine Farmgirl Sister #76
Houston Area
Texas
2349 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2006 : 11:42:54 AM
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Great thread, gals!
I've gotten almost all my wood for coop building and such from driving around before big trash pick up day and scooping it up. Ya' have to be careful because it's illegal around here. Construction areas keep round the clock security not just for protection against theft but also because it's illegal to go "dumpster diving". Crazy! I don't know when that ruling came into affect but it's held pretty strictly.
Michele....about the septic issue with your washer. Are you renting and the landlord won't allow it? If you could hook up the washer, you could just drain it out to the yard. A neighbor of mine collects it in a big container and then uses the gray water to water her garden. I suppose you'd have to make sure you use appropriate cleaners and such if you want to keep your garden chemical free.
Blessings
Catherine
One of the best compliments from one of my daughters: "Moma, you smell good...like dirt." |
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sleepless reader
True Blue Farmgirl
1022 Posts
CA
USA
1022 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2006 : 3:50:57 PM
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Hey Catherine, I was just going to suggest the same thing with gray water! Great minds, eh?! Michelle, I think you have found the "zen" of laundry!
Sharon
Life is messy. Wear your apron! |
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LadyCrystal
True Blue Farmgirl
593 Posts
Alicia
Rhode Island
USA
593 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2006 : 4:23:44 PM
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HI Michele,
When my son was a baby we had very little money.I got a second hand wash board and I used it all the time to save on going to the laundry mat.I found that some of the clothes would get even cleaner because I would scrub and rinse until the water would run clear.Were as in a washer machine you have no idea if it is rinsed properly.I found it very rewarding to stand at the sink and wash all the clothes.I felt like I got a ton done on wash day.
Alicia
http://fromcitytocountrygirl.blogspot.com/
follow your dreams |
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westernhorse51
True Blue Farmgirl
1681 Posts
michele
farmingdale
n.j.
USA
1681 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2006 : 4:49:28 PM
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yes, were renting until we find our few acres. My landlord wont let anyone have a washer because of the septic. I do have a washboard thats very old but I will try to use it. When the weather is nice I put the clothes out on the racks, cant have a clothesline either just the umbrella kind.
I was so happy to see im not the only one who goes out on garbage day. Jenny, I want to go to your town, that sounds great.
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
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LJRphoto
True Blue Farmgirl
760 Posts
Laura
Hickory Corners
MI
USA
760 Posts |
Posted - Mar 09 2006 : 8:09:56 PM
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I guess I don't understand your landlord's rule on washing machines. I have a septic and a washing machine. Am I doing something bad?
"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it's time to pause and reflect." -Mark Twain
http://ljrenterprises.blogspot.com/ |
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Libbie
Farmgirl Connection Cultivator
3579 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
3579 Posts |
Posted - Mar 10 2006 : 9:56:49 PM
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We have a cesspool and a washing machine - it seems to be working just fine, but I think maybe some septic tanks might be small enough that a washer may overload it? I'm not sure, as our cesspool happens to be the fairly large basement of an old rock building that burned down and was covered with cement and who knows what else! I have these latent fears that sometime we're going to have to "service" that thing and it almost gives me panic attacks! Please keep in mind that this was done prior to our moving here - a LONG time (like 50 years) prior...
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
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Photobugs
True Blue Farmgirl
363 Posts
Pamela
Post Falls
Idaho
USA
363 Posts |
Posted - Mar 11 2006 : 3:03:57 PM
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I found a "stomper" at an antique store last fall. Have not used it yet, but I have some great laundry room antiques and hope someday to have a place to use and display them. I have two of those galvanized sinks, I guess you call them. They are both doubles. I remember my mom using one on the back porch of my grandmothers Victorian house when I was little. There was an old wringer style washer and the tubs. They have a spiget on the bottom for letting the water out. So you can dump water in and wash the clothes in one side and then rinse in the other and then let the water out. I found both of these at yard sales. One has plants in it in my yard.
I also have several scrub boards, although I don't recall every using them to do wash with. But I sure could if I needed to.
I always wash any delicate or lace linens in the sink...usually if they are old and from a yard sale they can smell bad. Sometime I soak them in oxy clean.
Hand washing can be great therapy as is ironing for me. Did you have to wash jeans? That would be a little harder.
Pamela
"I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!" |
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bboopster
True Blue Farmgirl
1140 Posts
Betty Jo
West Bend
Wisconsin
USA
1140 Posts |
Posted - Mar 20 2006 : 11:30:42 AM
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Hello,
My husband and I do what we call dumpster diving. You know those dumpsters out side of consturction sites or homes that are being cleaned out. Well we have found the coolest things from furniture, books, household items, kitchen items, stationary and old cards, recipes, and the list goes on. I have a jumpsuit just for the dives. He's 6'5 and I'm 5'4 so in he tosses me (of course we scope it out before hand to see what inside and ask permission if we can)I toss out the goods and we fill our van. We have even used construction wood to heat our house. I am looking forward to moving to our new house as I will have an 1/2 hour drive one way everyday to work and with any luck I can find a new garbage route to work 5 days a week. We have even refurbished the things we find and made extra cash on the side. One persons trash is another persons treasure. 
Pray for our troops to come home safe and soon.
Enjoying the simple life :>) |
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HorseyNut
True Blue Farmgirl
78 Posts
Allena
MO
USA
78 Posts |
Posted - Mar 22 2006 : 10:08:19 AM
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| My Mom taught us to wash our clothes on a wash board. When I was little we spent every summer in the deep woods in a trailer so we could be with my Dad while he worked. We washed on a wash board. Summers coming you can switch to light skirts that are easy to wash! I think your land lord skimped on the septic and hooked several apartments up to one, that's why you can't wash clothes, it would over flow because it's probably too small for the number of people using it. |
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Cleaning Up: did 2 loads of laundry at my kitchen sink!! |
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did 2 loads of laundry at my kitchen sink!!
