Making Do!

[benshelpmeet]

Guess What?

My washer broke! My other one broke last Feb, I bought a camode plunger and a plug for my shop sink and washed my clothes by hand for two weeks until my sweet friend gave me her new reg size Kenmore washer, she was moving to Tx in a month and did not want to take it and the dryer with her. After I wash the clothes I put them into the washer and use a hose to fill the washer tub, Then I push them up and down by hand to rinse them, then I put it on spin and it slings them dry. :

I lost my plunger sense last Feb. Who knows I probably packed it to move. We have been going through stuff and packing up things so we can move.

I guess my washers can't handle 4 loads a day or it's our off level floors or the fact our breaker pops alot ( maybe it messes up the computer or something) Who knows.

Please keep us in prayer that God will give us wisdom on how to fix it.

Like sister Glenda, I think washing by hand is a blessing, when you have your precious hard working husbands shirt in your hand and the sleeves and collar needs special scrubbing attention, it makes one reflect on how thankful they are and all the children's socks and underware, and the dirty little and even big dresses and my oldest and youngest sons very dirty pants, the little guy even gets his shirts pretty dirty, it's truly a blessing to serve your family in this manner and have the time to reflect and pray.

I do not wish to do this for ever and I sure wish I had my plunger or a wash board. My hands are rubbed raw.

Sister Glenda has a really nice set up...A wash board and wringer, she has a 2x4 structure that brother Gerald built her that holds two Rubber made tubs and her wringer attaches to it. In the future I'm going to purchase a wash board and a wringer and if and when my washer ever breaks I'll have a good set up. It would be nice to wash like this in the warm months. I really admire her she washes like this all year around.

I just thought I would share that with yall.

~ Sister Darlene ~

P.S. I use powder detergent but I use a bar of Zote soap to was out those tough stains. I love Zote Soap.

[glenda]

Thank you sister Darlene for sharing with us. I wish i could help you on the washer. I know how hard it is to wash by hand.. However i am blessed to have a set up and everything i need to wash our clothes by hand... I sometimes wonder how the women of years past did what they do in a day time.. I know sometimes when it is cold out side well below freezing I think to myself oh boy there has to be a easier way.. Of course we have came to the point where on those days now we bring the buckets inside and wash the clothes in the tub.. it is back breaking work but in the end just like you are finding it is nice to hold those wonderful clothes in your hand and see the growth of each child.

We will pray that your washer can be fixed and that you find out what is wrong with it soon..

glenda

[Deleted]

Thanks for sharing your trials and struggles with us, Sister Darlene. It's an encouragement to see you make them into blessings.

I've only had to handwash a couple times in the past, but wanted to tell you about Argentine style washing.

They have a laundry sink that has a built in scrub board. It's all porcelin like a regular sink but has a sloped scrub board on the front. It's a neatest thing and so practical.

I have seen some women washing by hand in a plastic tub and bar laundry soap is a common item in the grocery.

There are also little washers that are really nothing more than an oversized 5 gallon bucket with an agitator inside. You put the clothes in, add water, turn on the agitator and let them wash, then you have to take them out ring them, dump the water and rinse.
But we also have the European style front loaders. They are a smaller capacity, mine will hold about 10 pounds, but they work so well.

Clothes dryers are a new thing here and I have only seen one model at the appliance store. Electricity is expensive so a dryer is a big luxury item. Most folks have a clothes line of some sort outside or in the garage and they also have small drying racks. I love hanging clothes out to dry and they always smell so fresh and clean.

I hope you get your washer fixed soon.

Beverly

[pastorsmate]

Bless your heart sister, keeping you in my prayers, I remember when my children were young, I had a wringer and wash board too, Praise God all that scrubbing gives time to meditate on Godly living, amen, hugs and praying you get it fixed real soon, and your hands will hold up..

[benshelpmeet]

Thank you sister Beverly for that neat explanation of how they do things in other countrys. We are spoiled fat Americans! It does a body good to get bloody knuckles.

I know this sounds funny but I'm really begining to enjoy it! I do need to get myself a wash board and a plunger, then I'll be fixed up real good for the task ahead.

I washed 8 loads of clothes Saturday! Boy was I exausted. Then I had to take my to oldest to town. That night I came down with flu like symptoms.

I find the heavy stuff to be hard and jeans, especially those of Benjamins because he does all our farm work and rides the 2 horses daily.

We have Zote bar soap that I use for washing the stains out. The clothes come really clean.

I sure wish I could find me a sink with a scrub board in the front, built in. I would by it. I'm real tired of my washers breaking. It's costly and frustrating and it uses tons of water.

Maybe the Lord want's me to wash by hand.

Hey I'm courious, What do their hands look like all that contact with detergents? Do they wear gloves?

I sure would like a set up like Glendas. Maybe Bro. Ben would make me a set up like that.

How many children do Argentinan's have? Washing for 10 people is a challange but I am serious about begining to enjoy it and thinking about washing like this forever. It kills my poor back but I think it might be strengthing muscles.

God knows best!

Thank you ''all'' for your prayers and encouragement.

Love your sister and friend, ~ Darlene ~

[Sister Penny]

Sister Darlene,
I would invest in a good pair of neoprene gloves, they are pretty much indestructible and your hands and skin are saved with that much exposure to soap and water.

I used to handwash all of our clothing as well, I find that homemade soap was great for that..and I didn't have to wear gloves then...we had a utility sink that had a built in scrub board..how convenient :-)

I am grateful for all I learned :-)

God bless you and keep those hands covered if you can and use a good moisturizer on them.

Sister Penny

[benshelpmeet]

Dear Penny,

I am going to look into investing in a scrub board in the near future, maybe we could find a sink like you used to have.

Was the scrub board a good one?

Did it work well?

Was your shop sink plastic?

Thank you for the glove advice, I'll get me some on pay day.

I'm really begining to enjoy washing this way.

Hope your having a good day sister!

Love your sister and friend, ~ Darlene ~

[Sister Penny]

Hi Sister Darlene,
The scrub board was actually part of the sink..it was molded out of plastic of some sort but more heavy like thick fiberglass..in any event, I handwashed all of our clothing, a family of 5 with 2 in diapers mind you...I did soak those.

I am doing ok...so far today's not great..but I am going to rest and hopefully just take it easier...

Thank you and God bless
Sister Penny

[Deleted]

In answer to your question about Argentine families, they are small for the most part. The folks we know have 2 or 3 kids. I don't know anyone with a big family. The families are close though and its normal for a single person to live at home until they get married, whatever the age. The grandparents, aunts and uncles are all involved in family live. Living here reminds me of the way things were in the states in the 1950's, at least as far as family life.

The neoprene gloves are wonderful. When Jeff had a pool cleaning service in Florida, he used that kind of gloves also in the wintertime (yes, some folks want a clean pool all year round) and they kept his hands warm and dry.

Beverly

[benshelpmeet]

Dear sisters,

Thank you for all the good advice and Beverly for the information about Argentina.

I have found that I truely love hand washing our clothes as crazy as it may seem washing for 10 people is alot but it is a joy and it is a peaceful, meditating time and good for ones soul and the bloody knuckles and tired back and arms and wet front is good for ones character it's humbling and it's good honest hard work and a good work out! ;D

I talked to Bro. Ben about it last night and he said I can wash our clothes by hand, he is all for the idea, we are going to move my fairly new washer to the outside back porch and get it repaird soon and only use it for the comforters and heavy things, then we will purchace a plunger, washboard, and wringer,, and long rubber gloves! ;D and I'll have a real nice set up that will work fine. Untill then I will just tough it...I enjoy washing by hand it's a joy to me.

I am as puzzled as you when I think about it, why I would feel so strongly about washing all our clothes by hand and not washing them in my washing machine??? But the Lord is teaching me something...I need to learn...That's why he has me do this seemingly crazy thing. We do not always understand the ways of the Lord but we must obey and we know His ways are good for us.

Who knows He might be using the workout to strengthen my back! I'm sure He has many reasons and will teach me many things.

Keep me in your prayers sisters,.

Love, your sister and friend ~ Darlene ~

[glenda]

All I can say is ... I really do understand.. I know it sounds crazy oh boy do I ever. Most people look at us like we are out of our minds... But I also love washing my clothes by hand. The time spend washing really gives me time to think, to talk to the lord, to talk to the girls.. It is a great time to reflect. yes it is hard work, yes it does take up time but in the end really how much time does it take. I mean if we really look at how much time it take to load a washer, then a dryer The time spent washing by hand and then hanging the clothes out is a lot less. And oh the wonderful things the lord is able to show us in that short time. Yes it is hard to do with the cold temps outside, and yes we are buiding good backs doing it.. But that can be a good thing...

One more thing i would say to you sister darlene is dont use store bought laundry soaps they are to hard on your hands, WE use our zoat. For a matter of fact i need to as soon as we can make a run to tennesse and buy more we are almost out of our last bar.. Use it to wash all the clothes, as far as those white items that might need to be well soaked get you a good bucket with a lid soak them over night in water and bleach.. The next morning squeeze them out and wash them last.. We have done all our privete items this way and honestly they come cleaner and well it is better on our skin...

Love you sister darlene. I do know where you are coming from.. WE do this everyday...

glenda

[glenda]

Sister Darlene, How are you scrubing your clothes right now?

I know that you do not have a wash board. I am praying that we can get you one soon... let me know how you are doing your wash right now..

glenda

[benshelpmeet]

Dear sister Glenda,

Here is an update....

I love washing by hand. I know it sounds strange to most who read that statement, but there is a peacefulness that comes with having to take the time, and relax, and wash your clothes by hand, and it brings great satisfaction too when you see the finished, extremely clean product. Words cannot express all the Lord is doing in my life and in my heart ever sense my washer broke and I was forced to wash by hand.

We have had good weather and I've been able to hang our clothes on the line to dry. Thats an added blessing.

Bro Ben bought me a heavy duty plunger, and we called around and found a nice big wash board at a local '' old fashioned'' Hard ware store. Now all I need is a wringer, but no one knows where to find one of those locally. I will have to save up and order through the Internet.

The Lord provided me a three section sink the kind that schools and restaurants use. It's stainless steel and perfect for the task. It needs the pluming repaired on it and it will work good for me. Until then I will continue to use my shop sink, and wring them in the washer on the spin cycle.

I am going to get my washer fixed and move it outside on the back porch and use it for comforters and heavy things like that. I'm going to continue to wash all our clothes and polar fleece blankets by hand.

The wash board really helps get the stains out!

I am going to make homemade liquid washing detergent...

I still need to buy some good gloves, I went to Home Depot and wasn't able to find what I was looking for. Bro. Ben is going to get me some at Harbor Freight in Nashville.

Hope your having a Great Day!

Love, ~ Darlene ~

[glenda]

I am so happy that you were able to get a wash board. How much did it cost if you dont mind me asking? I am thinking of getting another one just to have just in case.. Gerald said that when we get a little extra money he is going to get me another one..It never hurts to have a extra one.. Remember mine is a glass one so it could break...

Using your washer to wring out your clothes is a smart thing really.. I have a friend in ca that uses only her washer for that purpose.. She said that it makes it easier on her. Yet saves a whole lot of money on electric and water. I know that for us our water bill since I started washing our clothes by hand has went down every month. This past month our water bill was done to 32 dollars.. It was up to get this over 60 dollars.. That is a big savings... Now as far as our electric it has saved us about 20 to 30 a month just on that... It really is saving money.. Plus as you said the side effect is the time that it takes to wash the clothes is a great time to reflect on god and the wonderful things he is doing or will do in our lives.. It has also given me and my girls great time to talk.. I have learned more in the last few month hand washing clothes than I have in years honestly.... Plus another great side effect to hand washing is I am building up my arms and back as you have said... Come spring time when we are out side in the garden with our hoes and shovels working the soil it will not be as hard on me this year.... All good things...

[benshelpmeet]

I bought mine for $13.99, It is a Lg one, it's a Maid=Rite by Columbus Washboard Co. from Columbus Ohio, USA. It is crimped galvanized metel. It does a good job.

How much did you pay for your's, I might like to get myself a glass one too. Do they do a better job. Whats the differance? Is your big or small? I forget?