Comments on: Approaching a Steady State Economy, Part 2 — Clean Clothes

By: Bruce Ritchie

Bruce Ritchie — Sun, 29 Sep 2013 19:38:32 +0000

I am sorry that someone here doesn’t care about Rob’s method of washing clothes. It DOES matter, since EVERY piece of our lives adds up to the total impact.
I have NEVER owned a drier, nor have my parents. Folding clothes racks are especially good for the winter months when indoor humidity goes down to problematic levels causing nosebleeds and respiratory stress. An auto-off timer on my water heater saves energy too. Another relief from furnace-induced dryness is more moderate use of heating systems, and the use of more clothing to keep warm inside. A colder bathroom is quickly heated by a warm shower, if you let the water remain in the tub for several minutes. The added humidity is welcome as well.
It is NOT unusual to find multiple synergisms from more mindful living, nor is it unusual to find multiple negative impacts from blindly following the habits handed to us by the consumer culture. Using your noggin is often the best use of energy that one can choose for that day. It is almost NEVER a waste of time.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 16:32:51 +0000

This sounds really nice, but… doesn’t the soap in the wash bucket hurt the plants in your backyard? I don’t know a whole lot about gardening but I don’t think soap is particularly good for plants.

By: Karen

Karen — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 14:49:58 +0000

RV’ers have long used an easy method. Using a plastic 5 gal bucket with lid… fill half way with water and appropriate amount of detergent, add clothes. Cover tightly, put in (RV), back of car or truck. The motion of the auto/RV agitates much like a washing machine. A half hour trip is good for most things. Heavy, ground in dirt will take longer.

By: George

George — Sun, 22 Sep 2013 16:05:05 +0000

Rob,

Use a longer handle on your plunger/agitator instead of the one that it came with. Examples would be a broom/mop handle or a long handle for paint rolling a ceiling. It’ll be easier on your back.

By: Podargus

Podargus — Sun, 22 Sep 2013 07:00:42 +0000

What has been described in this article is just plain,ordinary thrift. Note that I didn’t say common. In much of Western society thrift is either unknown or is a dirty word.

Just as in conventional (as in dysfunctional) economics where it is fashionable to equate household with sovereign nation so equating steady state economics with household thrift is not doing any service for CASSE.

While I wholeheartedly support a steady state economy I couldn’t care less about how Rob does his laundry.

By: Jess

Jess — Fri, 20 Sep 2013 22:20:55 +0000

I salute you for going beyond the machine for your laundry. Few will venture there, and for many it is an overwhelming amount of work (larger family, poor water, inappropriate climate, etc.). And, yes, icebreaker and similar ‘new wool’ are odour free, long wearing and quick drying.

For another perspective of ‘the laundry issue’ see the global impact in http://www.gapminder.org/videos/hans-rosling-and-the-magic-washing-machine/

By: Rob Dietz

Rob Dietz — Thu, 19 Sep 2013 03:06:48 +0000

Hi Tim,

I scrounged the bucket and lines. I couldn’t get the agitator and wringer locally, so I ordered them here:
http://www.getpreparedstuff.com/

The wool shirt is from Icebreaker (got it at a warehouse sale that was going on when I was in Portland).

Hope that helps,
Rob

By: Tim Reynolds

Tim Reynolds — Wed, 18 Sep 2013 19:08:04 +0000

Hi Rob,

Where did you purchase your clothes washing items?

Regards,

Tim

By: Pia Elworthy

Pia Elworthy — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 20:03:09 +0000

You will find that your clothes drying method will be much more difficult once the cold weather sets in, yet take heart in the fact that your whites will appear all the brighter, lol.

By: betsy shipley

betsy shipley — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 18:37:30 +0000

Enjoyed reading your article re laundry. I haven’t used a clothes dryer for probably 30 years and have not missed it once. Even when living in both Ohio and Michigan I just strung up some line in the basement and hung the clothes to dry, yes it may have taken one extra day not a problem for me.
I live in a senior community where most residents have never heard of the word conservation. They love their driers and their lights and their big autos so it’s up to the younger community to save what is left of this planet if my grandkids and your child have any hope for a decent future.