DIY: Hillbilly Washing Machine

This is a great method for off-the-grid low-tech clothes washing or, in my case, diaper washing as part of the Second Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge.

The total cost to make this washer was around $6, and about 10 minutes. The amount of time it takes to operate depends entirely on the quantity of clothing and the type of material being washed. Denim, for example, will take more effort than t-shirts.

Flats Handwashing Challenge: Day 1

Today is Day 1 of the Flats Handwashing Challenge, hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry. This year, there are over 450 participants from around the world.

For 1 week, I’ll be using a one-size cloth diapering system with an approximate retail value of $154 (24 cotton flat diapers and 5 one-size covers) and washing them by hand, as an exercise to show just how easy and affordable cloth diapering can be. Did you know that $154 buys just 2mos’ worth of disposable diapers (figuring $20/wk)? For low income families, that money could be better allocated to food, utilities, clothing and other necessities, yet there is very little government support available to encourage families to use cloth diapers.

Do You Doodle?

I’m not an artist, nor do I ever expect to become one, but I sure like to doodle. Sometimes I forget just how much I enjoy it and go months (or years) without putting pen to paper, but I always rediscover it just when I need something new on which to focus. It’s a great way for me to free my mind of clutter and de-stress.