DIY Plunger Clothes Washer

Simple non-electric clothes washer made from scrap, for less than 5 dollars.

We started this in the event we have kids, because I don't want to buy disposable diapers, but I don't want to throw soiled diapers in my washer either.

Check out the post online at: http://www.tngun.com/?p=617

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• DIY
• Plunger
• Clothes
• Washer
• tngun

[Nueroactive]

I have been washing clothes with plungers in a mop bucket and squeezing the water out by the mop wringer. Countless loads were washed this way. The only problem with the use of plungers to wash clothes is that cheap ones will tear easily. When a person plunges and turns in the tightening direction of the handle to plunger, the plunger will not fall off. Every so often you will have to tighten the plunger onto the handle. After a summer of washing this way your forearms will bulge like Popeye's.

[TNGun]

@Nueroactive Thanks for the comment, I would imagine it would be a workout, I only have done this once or twice just to see how, but not enought to figure out the tighning of the plunger.... Thats a great idea thanks again.

[reaghlene]

C-lick

[TNGun]

@reaghlene ? 

[1TacticalMedic]

David, great idea man!! Keep em coming

[TNGun]

@BOSHclassic6 I use liquid - and I have a video on making that. I use a mix of washing soda and borax in my dishwasher as a powder - that may work in clothes washer, but I haven't tried it.

[DrunknShooter]

After your clothes are clean you could churn some butter. ; -)

[gagafreakbeiber]

Get a salad drier from the op shop + drill holes in the bottom = Spin drier!

[earthchild8987]

My problem is the actual wringing part. When our washer broke and we had no washer for 2 weeks (fam of 4 w. 2 kids).. I had to resort to a large laundry bucket on the back porch for washing, and a canning pot for rinsing. I swished and churned the clothes with a plastic mop handle. Wringing out the soaking wet towels by hand about broke my wrists. That was the hardest part.

[inkerbell]

Love the idea to do this as a pre-wash for really dirty work clothes. My husbands work clothes don't come clean enough in the washer, especially when he's doing roofing. I think this may be the perfect solution!

[Lostfalls]

Been thinking about doing the same thing myself, you saved me time having done the work and testing thanks. Also I have often wondered why preppers are so drawn to plunger washing, when I think the wash board is so dang easy...?

[NioushaXD]

i used to hand wash my work uniform using a washboard, but i tried this out and it works much better. my hands don't get all wrinkly, i don't hurt my knuckles on the stupid washboard, I can use very hot water, and i can get more of the soap out. It took me about 3 dollars to make it. I didn't have a bucket like that, so i used an old tidycat container. yup.

[SparklesGlam]

Thats kinda gross.

[dave1234madmax]

good idea another idea would to put a drain valve near the bottom