On Sat, 29 Jan 2011 17:14:27 -0500, "Wilbur Hubbard"
wrote:

"Justin C" wrote in message
...
In article , Jessica B wrote:
On Sun, 23 Jan 2011 17:48:35 -0600, CaveLamb
wrote:

I'm guessing that on a two or three year cruise it might be nice to
processionally have clean clothes.

But that's just me. YMMV?


Doesn't the boat ever stop somewhere? Seems like all you have to do is
pull in somewhere and deal with it.

What happens in the middle of the ocean? You're going to do laundry in
your bring-along system? Seems at odds with sailing some how.

I've heard of two suggestions... actually, three.

1. A big bucket into which you put water, detergent and the offending
items (they're likely to be offending the nose of others after a while,
I'm sure). You then 'tread' them for a while, like the French used to
with grapes.

A seamanlike arrangement.

Also when camping. Put the clothes in a 5 gal bucket, add water, some
detergent, and stomp for a while. Works fine. It's not like I'd be
bringing chiffon dress or something (well maybe for a shore
excursion).


2. All that needs washing ends up in the shower stall. Whoever takes a
shower 'treads' the clothes as they do so. I am not certain of the
efficacy of this method.

Shower stall? C'mon. Real sailboats don't waste space and water with a
shower stall. That's way too lubberly to even consider.

Can't you just use one of those solar showers? I think they make 5 gal
sizes, and that's plenty of water, even for a shampoo. Well, I guess
the salt water wouldn't be good for my hair... it would turn it dull
and I wouldn't want that.

3. Small mesh netting (small enough that your smalls don't go through
the holes) from which you make a bag, into which you put your laundry.
The neting bag is then towed behind the boat for a while.

That should work and I've heard of that method, too.

That sounds good, but wouldn't it be better to do the stomp method,
then use that to rinse? It seems like the clothes could use a quick
dip in fresh water to keep them soft.

The very best way, however, when cruising is to just say no to clothes. If
you don't wear them then they don't get soiled. But, you still have to wash
sheets, towels, etc.

Well, minimal clothes... lol