[Redcap]

Oh, I dream of finding one. That’s just gorgeous! My husband is maybe going to build me something like a James washer, but then I’d have to find a wringer to go with it. I have my stepmom’s old washer that didn’t fit into her new place when she moved after my dad passed. But when it breaks, we’d better have something (preferably) off-grid to replace it so we’re looking around now. I have always hung my laundry on a clothesline.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 6 months ago by  Redcap.

[HammysHomestead]

Hope you find one. It’s not as fast as throwing it in my regular washer but I enjoy the slow peaceful way. If you make your own laundry soap you can use the water for fruit trees, growers, or the garden. It’s a win, win.

[Carlene]

Where did you find that beautiful tool? Would love something like that for our off grid homestead

[HammysHomestead]

Facebook marketplace. 🙂

[Grampa-J]

I used one as a kid. Think it was a maytag. It worked great. When coming back from fishing in the river my clothes were so mud packed my mom would not let me put them in the regular washer. I wish we would have kept it. I tried finding one several years ago with no luck

[Christine1162]

My grand mother used to have one of those!! Who would have known they would be needed now

[HeidiRainCountry]

While my set up is more for back up, I do enjoy using it when necessary like in 2020 when we needed a new washing machine and it took 6 weeks to get it, my off grid set up got used daily

[Redcap]

I love your set-up. Very traditional. I was thinking hubby could make something like you have under our carport. I can bring one of the garden hoses to it for washing. I was given one of those old dashers by a friend. It’s not rusted but old and dirty and looks hard to clean, but I’m going to try. I used one of those new metal ones from Lehman’s years ago but this looks much bigger and sturdier.

I had thought a DIY James washer or tumbler would be nice but then you lose your wash water you could use for a second load since you have to refill it with the rinse water. Plus they are tubs! No moving parts to break. The fewer moving parts, the happier I am.

[HeidiRainCountry]

My wringer is now 99 years old (one year shy of being considered antique) and when I had to fall back on it in 2020, I wore out the bearings but considering how old it is, I would say that is pretty good. Patrick did get new bearings for it, he just needs to replace them.

[Redcap]

What a wonderful old lady your wringer is! She has a good home where I’m sure she is much appreciated. 🙂

[HeidiRainCountry]

I love it! My agitator (original version of what they now call the Rapid Washer that is made of plastic rather than metal) is also vintage as it is from the 1940’s. It is a super handy tool to have for washing clothes like this. While Patrick built the frame and the tubs were bought new and Patrick put drain holes in the bottom, it was important for me to have a very rustic, vintage look especially by having antique or vintage working pieces. It makes a nice piece of decor when not in use

[Ss6]

Heidi how do you get things to dry on the line in our damp climate? Summer I can see but Fall-Winter-Spring you never know when it might start raining for days or weeks even.

[HammysHomestead]

Heidi, I remember your video when Patrick put that together for you. I look at that picture and see simplicity and beauty.

[KramitDreams]

We have a wringer (just the top) we did clothes like that for 3 years then I broke down and got a washer no dryer and still hang dry clothes every other day👍

[HammysHomestead]

I love the fresh smell of laundry that’s been dried outside.

[MartHale7]

I run my washer off my solar system, backup to that would be a 5 gal bucket if I had to….

I would imagine that one could run their washer off those portable battery bank systems.

What ever gets the job done!

[HammysHomestead]

Cool. We have the delta mini and that won’t run ours. 😞