Daniel and Abby Jo are off grid, so they are always looking for excellent products to help their family achieve an off gird lifestyle. But the good news is, they pass that knowledge on and have started a home based business, selling those great products. And this is just one of those items.
Even if you're not off grid, having a hand plunge washer is a VERY good idea. If the electricity is out for more than a week, most of us would need to do some laundry, if at all possible. And that's not such a far fetched thing, is it? I'm thinking this hurricane season, some of you had a week "off grid" whether you wanted it or not!
It's also great for camping. We took our hand plunge washer along on our recent trip to the river to give it a test run. Thankfully, my oldest daughter had a bit of experience since she had to hand wash all her clothes in Indonesia this summer, so she did my demonstration.
We started with some very dirty items. Not hard to do when you're camping. Here's a pair of pants and a wash cloth that needed some attention...
Kate used a bucket and the little water we had along with some of my homemade laundry soap. We probably should have used more water, but I didn't have any more other than what was left for drinking and river water, but it was enough to do the job. I figure this would replicate a real life water shortage!
You simply work the plunger up and down like you would a toilet plunger - only this one is a hard plastic that is durable, with a bit of a different design to it... and it's CLEAN! You may wish to periodically move the clothes around.
Kate likes to check for spots that need a bit of extra attention. She says you just rub the fabric together where the spot is and it works to loosen the stain. (This is after it's been in the soapy water).
When you feel they're clean, just rinse in clean water and then wring out the excess water. Forgotten Way Farms also has a hand wringer for those who plan to use the hand plunger regularly for a lot of clothes. It would definitely come in handy!
Looking at the results, I'd say it did a pretty good job. This pair of pants were old and had been stained from outdoor play long before we ever went camping, and the rag is an old one I had discarded from the kitchen drawer, so it had permanent stains in it before the trip as well. But you can see the majority of the dirt is out. We could have worked on the rag more, but dinner was calling and we were ready for a good meal after a hard day playing! (For more on washing with a Hand Plunger, visit Abby Jo's blog!)
Enter The Give-Away
1. Visit Forgotten Way Farms and meet Daniel and Abby Jo if you haven't already. Come back and leave a comment telling me how you would use a hand plunge washer. I'd love to hear some creative ideas!
2. Follow Forgotten Way Farm Blog and then leave a comment telling me you've done so and I'll enter you again!
This give-away ends Saturday, September 17 at 11:59 p.m. PST.
Good morning- Thank you for blogging about this. I have been telling people that I would love to have one of these. The racks are pretty nice too, and, I didn't know you could still purchase a ringer! We're trying to do as much as possible to reduce our costs as we used to have a construction business until the economy changed so restructuring our lives is high on the list- canning, hanging laundry, anything making us more self sufficient. I am now following Forgotten Way Farms and Liked them on FB.
ReplyDeleteI would love a hand plunger washer to do those items which you would just rather not put into the washing machine...like bath and kitchen mats...cleaning clothes etc...kids clothes caked in mud....Yup could definitely make use of one of these on our farm.
ReplyDeleteBlessing Kelsie
I would love to follow Forgotten Ways Farm Blog, but alas could not find a follow button...Not in the side bars or along the top of the page...I checked each one of their pages but to no avail.
ReplyDeleteBlessings Kelsie
Wow, that blog took me all over the place, so exciting!
ReplyDeleteAs we build a new barn, I decided to put a non-electric wash tub/wringer out there, for back-up and washing laundry generated out there. The plunger would be a fabulous addition to that idea!
I'm also following....
I subscribe to them and have for a while. they have a great blog. I would love to have it for the hurricane season (now) and also just in case. Thanks!
ReplyDeletei am wondering if it would work well for delicates. things that you really dont want to put through the washing and drying (i live in an apt and the only line drying I can do it hanging things in my bathroom, not really too good for unmentionables but works nicely for shirts or pants that can be hung up). I always worry that they will fall apart faster if I put them through the washer and dryer and I think this would be a nice alternative. Just need to figure out how to dry them when I don't have much space....
ReplyDeleteI would have loved having this when my kids were little and had food caked on their clothes. Now it would be handy to clean up farm clothes so I'm not putting mud ,and other stuff, in my washer.
ReplyDeleteI am following Forgotten Way Farm blog.
ReplyDeletethis is great! they seem like lovely people. with a beautiful gardeN!
ReplyDeletei would wash clothes when we are camping outback ! :)
I would love to try there racks, and I would the plunger for all KINDS of things from socks to napkins...
ReplyDeleteI follow their blog and love their site...!
ReplyDeleteLordy. Why? I'll take the luxury of a machine any day. God bless her for having that pioneer spirit. If Abby Jo would like any tips on how to hang a proper line of wash, just...well how does one keep in contact if you're "off the grid"?
ReplyDeleteHey this is Holly from Tucker's Homestead Blessings. My husband and I are always looking for ways to get us closer to our ultimate goal of going off-grid. This hand washer would be a great asset to us! I would use this to do our daily laundry. Really hope to win this!
ReplyDeleteI would love to have this! I would use it for those small super dirty loads that even "partial" on the machine is wasting water :) We have been line drying exclusively (family of 6) for two years now and this is a great step towards more sufficiency.
ReplyDeleteKathy W.
I would love to have this :) I would use this to do those small super dirty loads that using the machine, even on partial would be wasting water.
ReplyDeleteKathy W.
Following the Forgotten Way Farm blog :)
ReplyDeleteKathy W.
Mybelline ~ LOL!! I understand. But definitely good to have a back up - Just in case!
ReplyDeleteRebecca, ~ FWF has 3 sizes of drying racks; the smallest would probably work great for an apartment.
Kelsie ~ there is an orange square RSS feed button (doesn't say that) just above where it says Grab Our Button on their homepage. It will feed to your google reader.
I'd like any of the items they offer! We live rather unconventionally and in times of rain and flood, we can get trapped into our property. Having back up plans for the unexpected is something we try to prepare for. With 11 of us, laundry is a h.u.g.e. issue for us, either in normal times or not so normal times.
ReplyDeleteThats great that they can do this I to prefer to us a washer though I guess everyone has their own way and preference lol I commend them though ! Have a wonderful day !
ReplyDeleteCamping would be one great way to use this hand plunge washer, as you have shown! Also many times during a snow storm in the winter our power goes out. This would be a great item to have then. Also, life on a farm, even a small one, gives many an opportunity to use it. AND I have a husband ~ they get dirty! :~D
ReplyDeleteI am considering one of their drying racks, also, for drying clothes indoors in front of the woodstove in the winter; my clothesline outdoors works perfectly on the dry days of summer.
The wringer does frighten me a bit though ~ when I was a wee lass, my brothers ran my hand through one (it was not tight, thankfully). It didn't produce the results they had hoped for (flat hand!). We watched far too many cartoons back then! :~}
Thanks for sharing the giveaway, Amy!
I would love a hand plunge washer! My family is just beginning in our homestead journey, and we will eventually work our way "off the grid". But in the meantime, that's a great idea to use while camping!
ReplyDeleteFollowing Forgotten Way Farms! I think I am anyway. That is, if I subscribed correctly! lol.
ReplyDeleteI think this would be great for camping and also on some property we bought and we don't have a washer there yet.
ReplyDeleteslrdowney at hotmail dot com
I subscribe to the Forgotten Way Farm blog.
ReplyDeleteslrdowney at hotmail dot com
I'd use it on the heavy stuff like jeans and rugs. Our missionary relatives say they made their children spit and rub out the grass stains, which made them think twice about getting grass stains on their jeans. Leaving the jeans on the grass overnight may get them out as well I've heard. Hopefully I wouldn't have to use the hand plunger on grass stains! And I only follow by my bookmarks to reduce email clutter ;-)
ReplyDeleteMonica
I am so excited to see this! Our washer broke a couple of weeks ago and we have decided Not to purchase a new one. We have just started our homestead journey and this would be a great way to reduce our dependance on our electrical "necessities" :) We found this product last week and we are thinking it is our best option. We plan on using a mop bucket to wash in and squeeze the water out. I have read about others using it, but have not tried myself. We shall see :) I have had my eye on those drying racks for a while now. One just can't find something like that in any store :) It would be nice to use in the winter months. I can just see it now next to the wood stove :)
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful I found your blog. Thanks for sharing all your wisdom...and giving us peeks at your projects :)
Chris
@Rebecca - I wouldn't use it for delicates. You probably could, but I would soak them in the clean soap water and then hand scrub them (rub them together) and then rinse.
ReplyDeleteKate
I would use it to wash dirty items that I don't necessarily want in my washer but it would come in handy for those times when the electricity goes out.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
I would love this for camping! Thanks
ReplyDeletemolly mhrn97 at yahoo dot com
I also follow forgotten way! i plan to buy all of their products over time.
ReplyDeletemhrn97 at yahoo dot com
I'd use mine when we are snowed in and the power gets knocked out,could always melt some snow for extra water.Warm Blessings!~Amy
ReplyDeleteI would love to have this for everyday use and be able to unplug my washer! I have already unplugged my dryer.
ReplyDeleteI figured out how to subscribe to their blog...I love the photos. Did you know homemade noodles dry nicely hanging over the clothes drying racks? We are planning on doing lots of traveling and camping in the future (through US and Canada) and the washing would be easier like this! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGreat blog! I'm so excited that you sent me over there! We are just beginning our journey and all great homestead blogs are full of great information.
ReplyDeleteOur dream is being off grid, so we would be using the "plunger" for all our washing!
I just subscribed to Forgotten Way Farm's blog!
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking of getting one of those for in the motorhome. Laundry piles up quick with 4-6 kids along!
ReplyDeleteI have a rapid washer on my wish list at Lehman's, so to win one would be awesome!! I wash a lot of my laundry by hand with just my hands so this would really speed things up!
ReplyDeletei am hoping to go offgrid someday and this would come in handy!
ReplyDeletei follow them!!
ReplyDeletewe are trying our best to prepare ourselves for self sufficiency if the need arises. I've seen washboards and such, but nothing like this. I want to use it to wash cloth diapers, especially. I try to keep an extra stash of CDs so if we are ever in a shortage situation and my loved ones ever want to eat their words about cloth, they can come over and use some CDs in the mean time.
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE to win one of these!!! I have always wanted to hand wash my clothes, but didn't know of an effective way of doing it and think this product is PERFECT!!!
ReplyDeleteI would love to eventually go off grid, so this would be a wonderful start! <3
Blessings,
Miss Antoinette
PS. I'll be sharing this giveaway to a few of my friends!!!
I subscribed to the Forgotten way RSS feed. Wait a second... if they are off grid, how do they blog? Alternative energy? I will have to look this up on their blog.
ReplyDeleteFollowing their blog! LOVE their products...wish I could have one of everything! :)
ReplyDeleteMiss Antoinette
I visited their site!
ReplyDeleteIf I had this I would use it to hand wash my clothing that I usually hand wash with just my hands. :)
Seeing this brings back happy memories being with my grandmother and grandpa they had a plunge washer similar to this they would use to wash if they had a small load to do instead of setting up the wringer washer . I would love to have one of these or any other items they offer thanks
ReplyDeleteI have been eyeing these in catalogs and online but have not had the funds to purchase one yet, this giveaway is amazing!!!! Thank you soooo much for offering it and thank you to the wonderful family offering it!!! : ) : ) : ) I have a young daughter (shes 3) and always have tiny loads of clothes she dirtys soooo fast! This would be just perfect to make quick work of those small loads of small clothes : ) I hope I win!! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWow, that is really cool! I love seeing photos of before and after. We are attempting to start more "off grid" habits and this would be an excellent addition. Thanks for having a giveaway!
ReplyDeleteMy son plays football and he has football practice every single night and this stuff "REEKS" and we have to run a load no matter what every single night to get his practice football jersey, socks, football pants et....all clean! This would save us soooo much money as I already make our own homemade laundry detergent. Thanks for having this giveaway!!!
ReplyDeleteI subscribed to get the blog reader however I could not find a follow button.....I might just be tired though...;)
ReplyDeleteAnd I liked them on Facebook too!
ReplyDeleteHi there, I have never seen anything like this before, It's great!!
ReplyDeleteI think I would use it on a regular basis, might help me burn some calories, LOL!!!!
Shalom,
Moira
Would use it for emergencies. Visited the blog and read about drying rack care.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking that laundry plunger would be fantastic for rugs and other items I wouldn't want to put in the washer. How handy! I always enjoy visiting Forgotten Way Farms blog! -Tammy
ReplyDeleteAmy, thanks for sharing this giveaway! I remember my mother washing our clothes with the ringer washing machine, I loved it. But I've never tried using the plunger. I know my daughter would love using this as well. Of course there is always clothes that need washing but I'm thinking now that we are using family clothes, the plunger would sure come in handy!
ReplyDeleteI was just talking to my husband last night about this family designed sturdy wooden clothes racks (something else I grew up with). I do enjoy visiting their site.
I would love to win this! I would use this on smaller in between loads that really need it fast, and can't wait until I have enough for a full size load for the washer. I also think it would be fabulous to save us money on our expensive town bill!
ReplyDeleteI checked out their blog, I forgot what I was supposed to loof for but I read that you should keep your rack unfinished with no stain or paint on it.
ReplyDeletesunniewoodyplus2 atmsn.com
I don't have any creative ideas. I would just use it for laundry! I have a list of things to get us more prepared for emergencies, and laundry hand washing equipment is definitely on it (I do a LOT of laundry!)
ReplyDeleteThis is great, I have some items that I hand wash, like others have said the rugs is a great idea and that plunger/washer would come in handy for that, I always hang my clothes and just give them a few mins in the dryer if its like jeans or towels to soften them. So I have always admired their drying racks too!
ReplyDeleteI have been a follower of Forgotten Way farms blog since you introduced them, and really enjoy what they blog about, thanks for this giveaway opportunity!
ReplyDeleteAmy I just subscribed to receiving Forgotten Way Farms posts.
ReplyDeleteOur area of Virginia is prone to power outages. In an attempt to prepare for emergencies and to "weather the storm" of short-term outages, we are searching for products to help us live "off-grid" for short periods of time, which may lead to long periods of time. Plus, preparedness is economical and keeps the kids busy! I'd love to win this laundry plunger!
ReplyDeleteI have subscribed to The Forgotten Way farms blog and am learning so much by having a glimpse into your lives. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI would love to have the plunger to wash small loads of diapers. I hate running the washer when we just have a few, but don't like saving them so they get smelly. This would be perfect. (That, and when my son is head to toe muddy, I could pre-wash his clothes!) Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteI followed the blog on yahoo, but wish they had a direct to e-mail way to subscribe.
ReplyDeleteI could have really used that last week when our fancy HE washer finally kicked the bucket after only four years. Now, I'd love to have it for when the power is out, or when our inexpensive Craig's List washer gives out.
ReplyDeleteOh! I had seen this on their website and have been thinking about that and their wringer. This would work great for emergencies. Although I could do it by hand if needed, it'd be especially wonderful to use with cloth diapers and such. You know, things you'd rather not have to by wash by hand if it could be avoided. :0). mamabear2four (at) att (dot) net
ReplyDeleteI would start by using it to wash the cloths that we use to clean the cows' udders with before milking. When it has rained they can be mighty dirty! Washing them in my wringer washer becomes a chore because I have to clean the mud out afterwards. We are trying to cut down on costs as much as possible here on the farm, also.
ReplyDeleteI have been following them!
ReplyDeleteNancy at www.familycirclefarm.blogspot.com
(For some reason my link doesn't work here
They don't have a button to follow. Is there something else we are supposed to do?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThe hand plunge washer is just a great idea and it is very reasonably priced. The power goes off at our house in the country pretty frequently. Since we will be moving there in a couple of years it makes a lot of sense to me to have things like this in place for those (when and not if) times when the lights go out. I'm so glad these folks are coming up with these products and I hope they think of many more.
I did subscribe to their blog in my Google reader.
I already read at forgotten way farms blog...that's how I actually, became aware of this fun giveaway! :) I would love a chance to use this to wash some of our clothes by hand! It would come in super handy in the case of a power outtage, as well!!! :) Thank you for the chance!
ReplyDeletethecountryblossom at hotmail dot com
I follow Forgotten Way Farm through my Google Reader!! :)
ReplyDeletethecountryblossom at hotmail dot com
To follow FWF, just click the orange square RSS feed button right above the picture that says "Grab Our Button"; it's on their right sidebar on their blog.
ReplyDeleteMy family (husband, two boys, 2 dogs) and I have just THIS WEEK pulled up roots and moved into a small travel trailer. We're planning to move in March or April to some small acreage in Missouri. We gave away everything we owned just before we moved including our washer and dryer. If I had one of these plunge washers I'm sure I could put it to good use immediately! I'm already putting money aside for a frying rack. This would complete the matching set! Washer and dryer! YAY!!
ReplyDeleteThx for the contest!
I already follow their blog in my Google Reader. Does that count?
ReplyDeleteI've yet to make an emergency clothes washer with a bucket and plunger for our preparedness. This plunger looks like it would work a lot better than a new toilet plunger.
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower of the Forgotten Way Farm blog!
ReplyDeleteSince we are too a camping family with a newly acquired 1984 travel trailer I would so use this during our camping adventures, or god forbid a electricity out have to bug out of area evacuation. I am also saving up for a drying rack from them that I can put into the trailer.
ReplyDeleteI am now a follower. I finally figured it out, and it's hooked to my email.:)
ReplyDeleteI love their Hand Plunge Washer and am now starting to think about getting a clothes rack. I wonder if my husband would think I am nuts if I asked him to get rid of my washer and dryer. Probably not he did it by hand in Brazil for a few years. Hmmmmmmm.........
ReplyDeleteAnd I am now following them too!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the wonderful info! I would love to have one of these! I am always interested in finding ways to be more self sufficient and less dependent on modern technologies! I would love nothing more than to live more "off the grid"!
ReplyDeleteI am now following Forgotten Way Farms!
ReplyDeleteFor some reason my comment of yesterday didn't show up...I think this device is really neat and I'd love to use it outside to show my little ones how to do laundry the old-fashioned way!
ReplyDeleteLaura
ljbourque at gmail dot com
I came across this product a while back and was quite excited! Washing clothes by hand is something I would really like to do.
ReplyDeleteMegan
megan (at) p7sales (dot) com
I would love a hand plunger washer thingy! When Hurricane Irene came thru power was out in our area for a week or more.
ReplyDeleteWe use cloth diapers so it would be nice to have an option to wash our diapers if there were no electricity.
I went to their blog and am following them thru my yahoo reader.
ReplyDeleteI would love a handplunger to wash small loads of clothes! I can see that being super useful for my toddler son's clothes, especially now that he's so active and gets dirty so quickly. Toddler clothes don't really make a full load for the washing machine though and I can't bring myself to use the washer without a full load, yet, the little man needs clean socks. :-)
ReplyDeleteI visited and am now following Forgotten Way Farms. I never really thought duck eggs would be yummy but now I want to try them!
i would love the washer! Its been on my list for awhile now, as we are trying to start living more simply and smartly for the future with our 3-soon to be 4-kids.
ReplyDeleteI am also a follower at Forgotten way!
ReplyDelete