When the Power’s Out, I Still Wash Clothes

by Sister Leah Muhammad

People always ask me how I keep going when things break down, power out, water low, no machine running. Truth is, I’ve learned to do a lot with a little. So here’s how I wash small loads of clothes when the power’s out:

What I use:

• An industrial mop bucket with a wringer
• A washboard
• A plunger-style hand washer (made for laundry)
• A small amount of detergent or soap

How I do it:

1. Fill the bucket with warm or cold water … whatever’s available.
2. Add just a little detergent.
3. Use the plunger to agitate the clothes like a washer would.
4. Scrub tough spots on the washboard if needed.
5. Wring the clothes out using the top wringer on the bucket.
6. Rinse, repeat step #5.
7. Hang to dry, indoors or outside, or bathroom or garage.

It’s not fancy. It’s not fast. But it works. And when you don’t have power, clean clothes can feel like a blessing.

You don’t need a lot of money. You just need tools that last and the will to get it done.

With care,
Sister Leah