Washing your clothes, towels, and blankets — the RV life

Living off-grid offers freedom and connection to nature, but it comes with unique challenges, especially when it comes to keeping clothes, towels, and blankets clean. The dirt, sweat, and grime of off-grid life—whether from dusty trails, pet fur, or sandy winds—can quickly accumulate, making laundry a critical task.

Without the convenience of modern washers and dryers, you’ll need to rethink how to maintain hygiene and cleanliness sustainably.

From laundromat costs to hand-washing with limited water, the realities of off-grid laundry demand careful planning and resourcefulness.

Often times you may come from a place where you had a washer and dryer, and you don’t really think about laundromat costs. In Arizona, for instance, you can expect $4-$6 for a small washer and $8-$12 for a large washer. A dryer will cost $2-$3 per load if that’s long enough to dry them. If you’re lucky, you’ll find a place that has lower-cost facilities. But don’t count on that.

This little guide explores practical, eco-friendly strategies to keep your fabrics clean while navigating the constraints of off-grid living, which can be very, very dirty.

Keep your clothes, towels, and blankets clean off-grid

Living off-grid requires careful planning for washing clothes and blankets, as you won’t have access to conventional utilities. Here are serious considerations to ensure effective, sustainable, and safe laundry practices.

1. Water source and conservation
   • Availability: Identify a reliable water source (e.g., well, rainwater collection, nearby stream). Ensure it’s clean or can be filtered for washing to avoid contamination.
   • Conservation: Washing requires significant water. Use water-efficient methods like hand-washing with minimal rinse cycles or low-water manual washers. Calculate water needs (e.g., 5-10 gallons per load for hand-washing).
   • Graywater management: Plan for safe disposal or reuse of wash water. Use biodegradable, eco-friendly detergents to avoid polluting soil or water sources if reusing graywater for irrigation.
2. Washing method
   • Manual options: Hand-washing with a washboard, plunger-style agitator, or portable manual washer (e.g., WonderWash) is common. These require physical effort and time. I typically use my hands. I’ll presoak any heavily soiled items.
   • Equipment durability: Choose sturdy, non-electric tools designed for long-term use. Plastic or metal wash basins and galvanized tubs are durable and rust-resistant.
   • Blankets and bulky items: Large items like blankets require bigger tubs or a community laundry setup. Consider washing in batches or using a nearby laundromat for heavy items if feasible. Washing a blanket by hand is a chore!
3. Detergent choice – I’m a strong proponent of using eco-friendly methods. If you’re camping on public land, be respectful of others. No one wants a nasty campsite.
   • Eco-friendly options: Use biodegradable, low-sudsing detergents to minimize environmental impact, especially if graywater is reused or drains into natural systems.
   • Homemade alternatives: DIY detergents (e.g., using soap nuts, ash, or borax) can reduce reliance on store-bought products but can be less effective for heavily soiled items.
   • Skin sensitivity: Test detergents for skin irritation, as hand-washing increases exposure. Remember, you’re possibly off-grid in the middle of nowhere.
4. Drying clothes and blankets
   • Clotheslines: Set up a sturdy outdoor clothesline or indoor drying rack for wet seasons. Ensure good airflow to prevent mold.
   • Weather dependence: In humid or rainy climates, drying can take days. Plan for backup drying spaces (e.g., near a wood stove) to avoid damp, musty fabrics. If you’re in the Deep South or Florida, air drying can be a BIG pain.
   • Blanket drying: Large items need ample space and strong lines or racks. Rotate them to ensure even drying and prevent stretching.
5. Energy and labor
   • Physical effort: Hand-washing and wringing are labor-intensive, especially for blankets. Plan for time and energy demands, particularly if you have limited physical stamina.
   • Alternative power: If using a compact electric washer (e.g., for small solar setups), ensure your off-grid power system (solar, wind, generator) can handle the load (typically 200-500 watts per cycle).
   • Maintenance: Manual tools require minimal upkeep, but check for wear (e.g., cracked tubs). For powered systems, maintain batteries and inverters to avoid disruptions.
6. Sanitation and hygiene
   • Cleanliness standards: Off-grid laundry may not achieve the same cleanliness as modern machines. If you’re an overly particular and clean person, this life is probably not for you. To help, prioritize washing heavily soiled items (e.g., shirts, underwear [for some people], towels) frequently to maintain hygiene. Don’t mix muddy items with other clothing or towels. Always wash them separately. Shake and brush off all the dirt you can before washing. This will help you save water.
   • Water quality: If using untreated, questionable water sources, consider boiling or filtering it for washing to kill pathogens, especially for items like bedding that contact skin.
   • Mold prevention: Ensure thorough drying to prevent mold, which can ruin fabrics and cause health issues in humid environments. In the winter, be sure to air out your home or RV by opening doors and windows for at least 15 minutes a day. Open cabinets and closets. Don’t let a mold nightmare happen to you!
7. Storage and fabric care
   • Storage space: Store clean clothes and blankets in dry, pest-proof containers to avoid mildew or insect damage. Use cedar blocks or natural repellents for added protection.
   • Fabric durability: Choose durable, easy-to-wash fabrics (e.g., synthetics, wool) over delicate materials that require special care. Avoid overloading blankets with heavy soils to extend their lifespan. With clothing, try to avoid cotton.
   • Repair skills: Learn basic sewing to mend tears or fraying, as off-grid laundry methods can be rougher on fabrics, especially if you are an avid hiker like me.
8. Seasonal and environmental factors
   • Cold weather: In winter, water may freeze, and drying is slower. Plan for indoor washing and drying near heat sources, or stock up on clean items before cold spells. Again, be sure to air everything out for at least 15 minutes a day.
   • Rainy seasons: High humidity can complicate drying. Use covered outdoor lines or indoor racks with dehumidifiers (if powered). Living in areas with high humidity or monsoon rains is a good reason to avoid cotton.
   • Dust and dirt: Off-grid environments (e.g., rural areas) can be dusty, requiring more frequent washing. Remember to shake out items before washing to reduce the dirt load.
9. Time and lifestyle impact
   • Time commitment: Laundry can take hours per week, especially for large households. Schedule tasks to balance with other off-grid chores (e.g., food prep, wood chopping).
   • Community support: If living in a remote area, consider coordinating with neighbors for shared laundry setups (e.g., communal tubs) to reduce individual effort. I was able to use a washing machine and dryer that belonged to another camper one summer. He even had a water tank dedicated for clothes washing.
   • Minimalism: Reduce laundry needs by owning fewer clothes and blankets, rotating them strategically, and spot-cleaning when possible. Does it look dirty or smell dirty? Reuse it.
10. Health and safety
    • Physical strain: If you have back issues, such as myself, you need to remember that certain motions or the usage of muscles you don’t typically use can cause a flare-up. Repetitive motions (scrubbing, wringing) can cause strain or injury. Use ergonomic techniques and take breaks. When bending, bend at the knees and lift with your legs. If you bend over and are physically able, try to kick out one of your legs to the rear as you bend. As I have lower lumbar issues, this helps reduce any pinching of the sciatica nerve. Learn to listen to your body. No one knows you like you. Find out what works.
    • Chemical exposure: Avoid harsh chemicals in detergents or stain removers, as off-grid setups may lack proper ventilation or disposal systems. For this reason, I almost always wash outdoors or at a laundromat.
    • Waterborne risks: If using natural water sources, test for contaminants (e.g., bacteria, heavy metals) to avoid skin infections or health issues.

Practical tips

• Start small: Practice hand-washing small loads to build skills before tackling blankets.
• Choose clothing that is easier to keep clean and dries quickly. This means cotton is sort of your enemy.
• Invest in a portable manual washer (e.g., hand-crank model) for efficiency if your budget allows.
• Create a laundry schedule to avoid overwhelming water or energy resources and to keep you organized.
• Monitor water usage and adjust habits to stay within your system’s capacity. If you have 20 shirts and 20 bottoms, plus your socks and underwear, do you want to spend hours straight washing?

Conclusion

Maintaining clean clothes, towels, and blankets off-grid is more than a chore—it’s a balance of resource management, environmental respect, and personal resilience. By prioritizing water conservation, choosing durable tools and eco-friendly detergents, and adapting to seasonal challenges, you can create a sustainable laundry routine that fits your off-grid lifestyle. Whether you’re hand-washing in a tub, rigging a clothesline, or occasionally visiting a laundromat, the key is preparation and adaptability. Embrace minimalism, learn from each wash, and you’ll find that staying clean in the wild is not just possible but empowering.