How to Make an EASY DIY OFF-GRID WASHING MACHINE 

During a shtf situation, you will probably want 2 solid bottom buckets. One to wash in and save the water for reuse and one to rinse in and save the water for reuse.

Years ago, I thrifted what I think is a restaurant quality salad spinner. A heavy plastic bucket, with a basket insert and a crank on the lid. Very useful for washing and spinning out hand laundry.

My washing machine broke last week and we had someone come out today to try and fix it - not a chance of it being repaired as the motherboard has fried itself ( along with several other components ), and when the guy added up the cost of the 4 parts we needed, plus his labour, it worked out to £65 more than buying a new machine would cost ! So until we have the money in about 6 weeks, this video is a litteral godsend for us, as the only thing we need to buy is a plunger, as we have all the other stuff. Thank you so much for sharing your skills and knowledge with us all, it's really gonna help us out more than you can realise as there are no laundry centers in our small town to use.

when i was a little girl my mum used to wash blankets in the bath, me and my sisters used to bet in and stomp on it to wash it, it was great fun. we had very clean feet that day and mum had clean blankets. lol

Id check the holes inside and out for any burrs that couls catch skin of fabric. A little sandpaper will smooth them off.

yes, as Bobby Burch suggested, you should definitely put holes in your plunger. There will be the added bonus that you will not accidentally use the plunger in your toilet because of the holes in it.

My old fishing buddy lived in his pickup camper.... he just tossed his clothes in a lidded bucket with water and soap hung with bungee clothes in his shower.... bounced them around from fishing hole to fishing hole, drained them and rinsed them the same way... hung the wet clothes in the same shower until dry. Might not work for everyone, but it worked for him. 😅

To help start getting the water out of the clothes, you can place the inner tub on an elevated surface like a clean cinder block or a few bricks, place the outer bucket inside the "drum" and press down firmly. It will help remove a good bit of the water and make wringing less messy. Also, if someone has arthritis and has difficulty wringing, a new, clean janitor's mop bucket with the mop wringer on the top can eliminate the need to wring. Just place one or two items of clothing in at a time and pull the handle to mash the water out.

To squeeze out the water, pull the drain bucket out and pour the water off the bottom one. Then put the bottom bucket on top of the clothes in the strainer bucket and press down or sit on it to express the water.

Hobo tip of the day... The bucket with the holes in it works good as a live well for bait...... Or live well to keep your catch fresh for cooking later.

Check with your local Wal Mart Bakery. Sometimes you can get 5 gal frosting buckets for $1.00. Lids included😊

My daughter has no washer leaving her to go to the laundromat. I told her just do what I did when starting out on my own….. Fill the tub with water and get a plunger… 😂❤…. Save the big bulky items for the laundromat……

Always love your plog. A mop squeezer that is on the janitor bucket works great for wringing out clothes.❤

I use a homemade stain remover 1 teas dawn, 3-4 Tablespoons peroxide, 2 T bake soda I have used this on old old stains and it works, use a scrub brush

Great idea! After handwashing a ton in the bath tub I learned wringing the clothes was the hard part! I invested in a wringer. The mop bucket wringer looks like a good option as well.

industrial mop bucket works as a ringer ...

"You know there is nothing worse in life than when something fun, turns into work." -Red Green. It is all fun and games right up until the washing began! :)

Great use of simple products! Enjoyed reading through the comments and different tips or suggestions offered. Mine is the same as Eileen - soaking for several minutes first before plunging is very effective for helping to release soils, etc. And I have to say the wringer washer had many good points (my mother had one on which I learned to do laundry) - mainly water conservation. She did several loads of washing with one washer load of water (starting from white loads and ending with dark). Then when the clothes were rinsed and wrung, it was out to the clothesline to hang and dry. I started out married life wiht a little washer/spin dryer. It was a step up from a wringer-washer where you didn't have to feed each piece of clothing, etc through the wringer - you could just load the wet pieces into the spin-dryer side of the washer and the water could be returned to the washer basin. In today's world of water shortages, these kinds of options should be more available. Thank you for your well presented tutorial.

I love your vintage camper behind you. I like to restore them and turn them into concession trailers. I have a 1966 Oasis that I am working on right now. I finally decided on the color scheme. I am going with 50s/60s look with black and white floor, red and white checkered curtains and a black marble countertop. Now I just need to get it finished to that point so I can get it decorated up. So much fun.

I have done one of these years ago. Though, I had the holes on the bottom of the top bucket. Now I will add the extra side holes. Good to know. I taught this to my neighbours and they are using this method too.

As a guy I fill a bucket with 2-3 gallons of warm water, detergent, dirty laundry, put the lid on, then violently shake it, and with the first few shakes requiring to "burp" the pressure (warm water + air space expansion = requires burping) for about 1-2 minutes sometimes even doing this more than once (if the laundry is really dirty). I tried the multiple buckets, plunger, drill holes in the second bucket/plunger, etc but for a combo of speed and effectiveness violent shaking if you're strong enough is the overall most effective. I do the laundry over the bathtub therefore I scoop the wet laundry and use a simple plastic basket from dollar tree to put the wet clothes in over the bucket to drain majority of the liquid (usually about 10-15 minutes), dump the bucket, fill with clean water, and shake/refill/rinse about 2-3 times (draining between each load to get as much soap out of the laundry) before hang drying the clothes. I notice my clothes coming out very clean but air drying it in the shower even with a fan blowing will build a smell over time unless you dry the load under sunlight or a dryer about once per month. The only thing that makes this pretty impractical is the amount of rinsing that has to be done but it also shows how actual washing machines leaves soap in the clothes (I do my laundry at a laundry mat once per month to mainly access the dryer but I notice when manually washing test that the laundry machines leave a decent amount of soap in the clothes, even after doing two cycles there).

Half a 30 or 55 gallon plastic barrel can do a regular sized load with that plunger. Or make a wood laundry paddle. Half full, cover with soap n water, thrash a bit, soak , thrash drain rinse & drain. It's like this but much bigger. You can leave off the second layer if you like. This is what I do If I dont care to drive to town.

You can always use rinse water to wash a new load to conserve water. Remember to go easy on soap if you have suds youve added too much.

You can get FREE plastic pickle buckets at sandwich shops. I get 4 and 5 at a time from a shop close to me, FREE and they are food grade. I make and sell compost/sawdust toilets that I use the buckets in. FREE buckets are great.

All you really need is 1 intact bucket. You wash our clothes is some elbow grease wrong them out . Rinse twice or how long it takes to get soap out , wrong shake out and hang to dry. It's how our grandparents did it and how we've done it during power outages.

Hi sister Crista. My grandmother taught my brothers and I how to do that back in the 60's when she also used an old ringer washer. Great video. ❤

Great job! I recently purchased a small battery powered "washing machine " for a loss of power situation. You put the clothes in a bucket with water and soap and drop this guy in for 15 minutes or so I tried it once, it seems to work okay. Yours is a nice backup.😊

I have a clean plunger and keep my Tidy Cat litter tubs. Lots of uses. Will work just square.

I have used a bucket and plunger a few times to do laundry and I really like your idea with the second bucket with holes in it. It occurred to me, that this set up would also be good to wash a load of produce from the garden.

i bought a wringer a couple years ago and it helps a lot. I rinse 3-4 times cause my clothes are really dirty and the wringer saves my wrists and hands. I even do sheets. Water drains into the garden. best design is to have your laundry station elevated and then channel the water into your garden plots. Hot summer days are nice to do the work, don't mind getting wet. Frozen winter time I do go to town to the laundrymat

You're one clever lady. Love seeing you!!

Christa!!!!!!! I am so very happy that you are back - was beginning to get worried! What a cool idea! Thank you and take care...Robin

With all due respect, but in all honesty: What a beautiful woman you are! Your warmth and femininity cannot be ignored. This is not learned, trained or faked. It comes straight from your core. Thanks for brightening my otherwise depressing day.

Due to the soap residue in your clothes, the first load or so may not need detergent at all. Then, use very little ,especially with doing such a small load- like a teaspoon.

What a clever idea! I swim, and the vinegar will remove chlorine too. I like the bucket idea a lot. May I add that if you have some solar power you can run a small spinner which will extract all water out very fast, so clothes dry fast. They run $60 or so from Laundry Alternative or Amazon. I've had one for years and still works like new. Very effective!

It’s great seeing you again

Hello from the Netherlands, this is my first time watching your channel, loved it and suddenly realized i have the original Plunger in the attick, this one is a more fancy one,probably for the well to do households, made of copper and a system that makes it easier to plunge, i bought it many years ago at a thrift store, i tried it ones . It is a real antique and i love it, so, when neccessary in these crazy times i will use it. Really nice to watch your channel so i subscribed, see you at the next one, bye!!!!

Thank you for the scripture. It was a good reminder in these troubled times. Blessings.

Soaking and using potato masher work wonders too. The only drawback of washing this way is, in fact, the rinsing : it iakes time and never comes out as dry as from a tumble dryer.

When you pour out the water, it can be used to water certain plants. I use mine for roses and Lantana.

Been there done that. Wonderful Christa. Love your version. Looks like a butter churn as well. Love Rebecca (tTt)

looks great for camping too

I have been doing a lot of canning this season (2023). White vinegar has been going up in price dramatically EACH WEEK! It's now the price of GASOLINE per gallon. Walmart, at last viewing, was $3.74 per gallon. And has been going up about 30 cents each week. That may be just because it's canning season. Other stores are around $4 to $5 per gallon. I'm in Eastern Washington/Idaho Panhandle region

This is brilliant. Just knowing physics, having a "larger" load would actually agitate it more vigorously, so I think this would work really well!

Make sure you use warm water but hot water if clothes are greasy. I use shampoo and vinegar. Takes out everything.

When my washer stopped spinning I used a sturdy round laundry basket hung from a tree, twisted the rope as much as possible and let it spin a most of the water out ( a well drilled bucket would work as well). It’s not as effective as a washing machine spin cycle but it’s way easier than trying to hand wring laundry especially the towels and bedding ❤

Winter is coming and I dread the trek around the apartments and lower level to use the community laundry room when we have 2-3 feet plus of snow and icy sidewalks. I fell twice last winter. I was thinking I might start washing my things in the bathtub. Your idea might be easier and safer! Still it is very hard to wring with arthritis and I really don’t have space for a janitor mop bucket to wring.

I'm getting a commercial.yellow mop bucket with a squeeze handle. To extract water.❤

I have lived off grid in a national forest for 8 yrs. Ive tried it all. ,If you gave me one of these, i would cry and throw it at you. Lol.... It was my first experiment. The plunger does not agitate the clothes. It packs it into the bottom. Its cute. Not practicle. Take off the lid. Take the plunger off the stick. Use the stick, if you dont like getting your hands wet, and push the clothing from the sides, down. The opposite side will get pushed up. Use the stick to then Draw those accross and push them down. Round and round....wash rinse repeat. I have long abandoned this but it gets the job done in a pinch.... Good luck with that.

Every since Tractor Supply sponsored that dragfest I have quit shopping there. Dang. Thanks for this terrific video.

Yes🙂 while back my brother told me about it. When eléctrico was out in Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 he made it to wash clothes. It was a good workout on his jeans👍

I bought something like a plunger for $40 which is designed for washing clothes. It works great, though I usually use a Rubbermaid container to fit more clothes than a bucket.

It was my 1st time here, and I thoroughly enjoyed u teaching us. I do a lot of hand wash and believe that using your great ideas, my wash will benefit. I have bad arthritis in my hands as I've gotten old, so thank you. I love your prayers, and you made me laugh (plunger).

You can also use a would burning tool also, I did a load of clothes and this was the cleanest my clothes ever was

My goodness! You are beautiful! Outside and in! Thank you for being proud of your faith, standing strong in it and letting Jesus shine through you. I pray God blesses your channel abundantly and that you bring souls back to Him.

When I was deployed to Egypt, I used a large dry bag to wash my clothes. It was a very popular item in the camp.

This is fantastic. I have used the bucket and plunger or sink and plunger method many times to clean clothes. I don't ring them out because fabric will be permanently wrinkled. I pick them up as straight and smoothly as possible and put them on a line over the bathtub and let them drip dry. They look beautiful and smooth.

Simple, inexpensive preparation. ❤️ it!

I live in the middle of nowhere off solar power, it is 24 Mi just to get to Pavement, I should have bought a washing machine but I started doing my laundry in my cement mixer😂 it works pretty good and I still do it that way to this day😊 just got to be careful and don't reach in there for any reason whatsoever unless you shut it off😮....❤JOHN 3,16 ❤

You just showed me my old washing machine I used in Mexico on my boat in the 80ties. We also trailed the in a laundry bag behind the boat underway. Wish I knew about the vinegar though, hard to get soap out of salt water.

Why oh why do i hit that like button before i watch the video? I cant help myself.

Its not just a "grid down" situation that this is useful for. In my case, a divorce left me with nothing but an RV to live in. My washer and dryer are in storage for the foreseeable future as I'm a disabled senior on SS. I wash my clothes in my kitchen sink when I'm able. A 5 gallon bucket is out of the question for me because i can't lift it when I'm on crutches. But, if I was able, I'd forget about wringing the clothes by hand, that's not easy on arthritic hands. Buy a paint mixer for your drill, dump the wash water, use the paint paddle to spin dry in the bucket, rinse, then spin dry in the bucket again after dumping the rinse water. You need enough material in the bucket for the paddles to get a grip on them to spin. God bless you for teaching people how to survive using a mix of old ways and newer technology.

I have very sensitive skin, and residual soap causes rash and irritation. I keep a squeeze bottle of diluted vinegar in my shower. I squeeze a bit over my skin and it removes the residual soap. Its also a natural antifungal and helps keep the shower clean. Its not for everyone, but it may help if you struggle like I do. Note, this is especially great for soft water use

The vinegar also help remove the fuzz or white bits if you do whites then colored clothes.. some will remain in the tub even in your actual washing machine

I absolutely love you and your content!! Thank you!! I dearly needed this!

Good idea!! I’ll have to make this. I’m glad you posted. I was just thinking about you the other day and wondering if you were ok. Glad to see you are 🙂

Thank you so much for this video Christa❤ A very simple machine, but so useful in times of need. God bless you 🙏🙏🙏

Glad I found your channel. I will be at Tractor Supply soon!! Love supporting things made in US. Thank you for encouraging us to stay in God's Word. Jesus will bring us through🙋

God bless you sister! Thank you for all you do for us and for the Lord! 😊🕊🔥💖✝️🫂❤️

I’m so glad I stumbled across your channel. I live in an apartment and have to rely on a laundromat. Things are lean right now, and if I can get away with doing less laundry there, awesome!

Yeeessss, love to see new videos from you!

Hey Christa, I think we need to make a video about all the things you can do with a plunger lol!😊

When its cold out you dont want use a washing board this is a good solution. I would also try in addition to the plunger is to take the handle of the second bucket and spin it back and forth. Thank you I'm going to make one today 😍

Yes! She's back!! God bless those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled!!! (Matthew 5:6)

If you tie the dog leash to the inner / top bucket handle and swing a rabbit round and round you have and automatic spin cycle compliments of the hound.

Did this (similar) when working as a missionary in Concepcion del Oro, Zacatecas, Mexico. Later bought a simple you fill it washer in Satillo. Wisht I’d bought a wringer type. Could use one right now.

Have not seen you in a long time. THANK YOU....LOOKS GREAT. The trailer behind you looks like the one we once had it was a FAN. We loved it.

Love the very end. I'm thinking this has to be your daughter. Keep the videos coming.

Great idea! With inflation rising any tips like this will help us save money today and in the future.

Thank you so much we need to learn and people like you are providing valuable lessons that can and will help save life when the lights go out.

I have been washing my clothes out by hand for years. Either in a sink or bathtub or 5 gallon bucket or large bowl. If I hang them to dry inside I ring them with a dry towel. I usually put them in front of a fan to

This brings me back to when I used to live in an ampartment complex with a shared laundry room in the basement with an electronic booking system. Towards the end of my time there some neighbors started disrespecting the booking times and areas, loitering and suspicious criminal activities. Since running up and down from the top floor to the laundry room every time I had to do laundry was a nightmare, and because of neighbors who couldn't behave, I started thinking about using the sink in my little utility room in the apartment. After all, it had a built-in washboard. I tried washing the clothes manually a couple of times, but it was quite a pain. Now that I look back, I should have done it every time instead of running up and down to the unsafe laundry room. I am glad that I have now moved far away and live in my own house with our very own laundry machine. But if a crisis happens in our country I will try this trick in your video. As you said, this is the way of our ancestors. I remember a scene from a tv show where they did the laundry back in the 19th century down at the river.

❤ cool idea and yes I’ll make one just in case never no when you’ll it.

I like the hand crank design more. You can buy one for cheap

After rising clothes, grab the inner bucket by the handle, and spin yourself in a circle fast. There you have a human spin cycle.😂

Thank you so much!!

God's best. Thank you so much. Wish I had this 40 years ago for baby clothes

awesome! subbed. I like people's comments and suggestions too, like putting holes in the plunger to help with washing (and not mistaking it for the toilet one) and hanging the rinse bucket with the holes from a tree branch and use that to spin the clothes.

when i needed to wash my matress cover, but it didn't fit in the washing machine, i just put soap and water in my plastic little bathtub and trampled it with my feet! it was fun and it saves alot of energy. your feet are stronger than your hands, plus you can use your entire body weight. the only downside is you would need rain shoes or something, if you were using a detergent that isnt safe for your skin. but i just used soap and it worked great😊

Our angel is back! 😂❤😂, 🇺🇸🙏🇺🇸

Love the ending!!

What an Awsum way to make a washer. I'm glad that I came across your video. I am going to make one. Thank You so much for sharing your amazing idea.

The plunger and bucket/bathtub have always worked great when in a pinch for doing laundry. Gets the clothes pretty clean actually

Thank you for sharing this off grid washing machine idea. I live in a senior citizen designated apartment building and the cost to do laundry has increased from $1.75 to wash and dry a load to $3.75. On a low fixed income this is not affordable, especially in the summer when clothes need to be laundered more frequently. Unfortunately, i have no place to hang the clothes to dry or store the washer buckets.

Loved this. Thank you! Loved the short bible verse at the end too!

Love the inspirational ending, Lord knows these are times to hear that verse. Thank you.

I like the Idaho towel in the background! We get enough wind here in southern Idaho. It’s good for drying clothes!

Nice, if the electric goes out for a while and you have to get laundry done! Good alternative, nice scripture at the end ❤❤

Good morning from Arizona, I've been watching lot of your past videos, your amazing I've been learning quite a few things that I didn't think of until you brought them to my attention, thank you, and and may I say, you are very beautiful

Good info thanks. Been looking for an off grid washer.