Clean clothes without electricity – The best methods and tricks for washing clothes in an emergency

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👉 The key facts from this guide

In our modern daily life, we are used to relying on electrical household appliances such as washing machines, dryers, or irons.

But what happens when there is suddenly no power, for example due to a natural disaster or a power outage?

In such situations, it is important to be able to provide for ourselves and become independent.

This also applies to clothing care. In this blog post, I want to show you how to wash your clothes without electricity in case of an emergency.

Methods for washing clothes without electricity

Hand washing: How to wash clothes by hand with soap and water

The probably best known and simplest method for washing clothes without electricity is hand washing.

All you need is a bowl or sink, soap or detergent, and warm water.

Divide the clothes into a smaller amount and soak them in the water. Add the soap or detergent and rub the clothes thoroughly. Then rinse the clothes and wring them out to remove excess water.

If you want to do less massaging and manual work, let the clothes soak for a long time. I sometimes let my clothes soak for 12 hours or more.

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Sand washing: How to clean clothes with sand and water

Another way to wash your clothes without electricity is sand washing. This method is especially suitable for thicker fabrics such as jeans or jackets.

All you need is fine sand, water, and a bowl or sink. Divide the clothes into a smaller amount and soak them in the water.

Add the sand and rub the clothing thoroughly. The sand helps remove stains and dirt particles from the fabric. After cleaning, rinse and wring out the clothing to remove the sand.

Dry Cleaning: How to Remove Stains from Clothing Without Washing Them

In some situations, it may not be possible to thoroughly wash the clothing, such as when no water is available or when the clothing is particularly delicate.

In such cases, dry cleaning can be a good alternative. There are various methods you can try:

• Stain remover: There are special stain removers that you can apply directly to the stain. Let the product sit for the recommended time and then remove the stain with a damp cloth.
• Baking soda: Baking soda is particularly effective for grease stains. Sprinkle the baking soda on the stain and let it sit. Then thoroughly vacuum or wash out the stain.
• Alcohol: Alcohol is particularly effective for blood stains. Apply the alcohol directly to the stain and let it sit. Then thoroughly vacuum or wash out the stain.

What items do I need to clean my clothes without electricity?

To clean your clothes without electricity, there are various items you need, depending on which method you want to use:

• Handwashing: Bowl or sink, soap or detergent, warm water
• Sand washing: Bowl or sink, fine sand, water
• Dry cleaning: Stain remover, baking soda, alcohol

In addition, it is recommended to have a towel or clothesline ready to be able to wring out and hang up the clothes after cleaning.

Tips and Tricks for washing clothes without electricity

How to make your own laundry detergent

Looking for a way to make your own laundry detergent while being as environmentally friendly and sustainable as possible?

One option to achieve this is to make laundry detergent using ash. Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Collect ash from charcoal or firewood. Ash contains sodium carbonate, which acts as a cleaning agent.
2. Mix about 8 tablespoons of clean white or gray fluffy ash with one liter of water.
3. Let the mixture stand for at least six hours. An alkaline solution (lye) is produced in the process.
4. If you let the lye sit for 10 to 11 hours, you will get a full laundry detergent. But do not let the lye sit longer, as it may become corrosive.
5. Use the laundry detergent by applying it directly to the stained areas or adding it to the laundry before putting it in the washing machine.
6. Wash the laundry as usual.

It is important to note that laundry detergent made from ashes is not as strong as conventional laundry detergent and may not remove all stains.

Therefore, it is best suited for lighter stains or refreshing clothes between washes. However, you can experiment with different additives to improve the cleaning power of the detergent.

Try it out and you will see that it is an environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative to conventional laundry detergent.

How to dry clothes faster

If you have to wash clothes without electricity, it usually takes longer to dry than in the washing machine. However, there are a few tricks to dry clothes faster:

Hang the clothes in a breezy place: A clothes stand or outdoor washing line is best suited for this.

Use a hairdryer or fan: These methods are especially suitable for smaller items like underwear or socks.

Use a towel: Place the damp piece of clothing on a towel and roll the towel together. This will press the water out of the fabric and the clothing will dry faster.

How to store clothes without a washing machine

If you have to wash clothes without electricity, it is important to dry them thoroughly to prevent mold formation. Even when the clothes are dry, there are a few things to keep in mind when storing them without a washing machine:

• Use containers that allow air to circulate: Plastic containers are great for transporting clothing but not ideal for storage. Containers that allow air to circulate such as baskets or fabric bags will help clothing breathe, making it less susceptible to mold and mildew.
• Choose the right storage location: Avoid storing clothing in dark, damp areas. Instead, hang it or store it in a well-ventilated closet or bright, airy location.
• Air clothing out regularly: To prevent mold and mildew, it's critical to air out clothing regularly. You can hang it outside or in a well-ventilated room.

Follow these tips and you can store your clothing without a washing machine worry-free.

Naturally, there are some clothes that are particularly delicate and are rarely worn. For these pieces, you'll want to store them in air-tight containers to protect them from mold and dirt.

Conclusion: There are many ways to wash clothing without electricity in an emergency

As you can see, there are several ways to wash clothing without electricity in an emergency.

Whether it's hand-washing, sand-washing, or dry-cleaning – there's a solution for every problem.

It's critical to research and gather the necessary materials beforehand.

It can also be advantageous to use eco-friendly laundry methods in everyday life, such as saving electricity or extending the lifespan of clothing.

Why not try out one or two methods and find out which one suits you best?