Laundry???

[jeffshaw]

just wondering are the laundry matts in campgrounds nice at all??? or has anyone put washer and dryers in their airstreams???

[Ahab]

We find most are adequate.

[Lily&Me]

Yes, most are adequate, some better than others.

Frequently I prefer a commercial laundromat, because of the large capacity washers. Just easier and less expensive.


Maggie.

[Protagonist]

As for installing a washer and dryer, I've seen a couple of Class As and 5th-wheels that have them, but even for full-timers I don't think they'd be worth the expense— or the weight penalty— of carrying them around.

How many loads of laundry could I do in a laundromat for the price of installing my own washer and dryer in my Airstream? And if I had the room for a washer and dryer, how many spare sets of clothing could I carry in the same space instead?

[richinny]

i have also found them to be well cared for. i had one event when i was the first one to use the washer after some plumbing work was done. i'd say the water hardness or sulfur smell might be worth checking before washing.

[mimiandrews]

State parks, etc. may not have a laundry at all, but the nearest town is almost certain to have a laundromat. I find the Yellow Pages app on my phone to be invaluable.

[ckottum]

The laundries are usually pretty clean, it's the prior users' scented detergents and fabric softeners that find their way into our clothes that concern us. He has sensitivities to them that affect his breathing.

cheryl

[weirdstuff]

When we spent 4 months on the road, we used exclusively, campground laundry facilities. The only issue that we had was that they are pretty harsh on our clothes. I think it's just the top loader washers, and the hot as heck driers that did the damage. But if we didn't put the driers on "high" setting, nothing seemed to dry. No big deal, we're just talking about wear and tear on t-shirts, sweatshirts, etc..

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by jeffshaw

just wondering are the laundry matts in campgrounds nice at all???

In my experience, it varies widely from one campground to the next.

or has anyone put washer and dryers in their airstreams???

Large class As and large 5ers sometimes have a Splendide combination washer/dryer -- a single drum machine that both washes and drys. Fulltimers who use them are divided on their usefulness. Cycle time is long and load size is small. They work best for people who wear lightweight clothes and wash a small load every day or two. Not well suited to washing a week's worth of denim jeans.

Occasionally someone reports putting one in an Airstream, but they do use a good deal of space, and in practice, require full hookups.

[Protagonist]

Of course, if must do your own laundry in the Airstream, there's that old reliable standby— a five-gallon bucket with a (clean) plumber's plunger for an agitator, and a clothesline.

[Mrjkq]

Having had a class A motor home with a W/D & a couple RV's without, yes for the W/D combo. My wife is laundry fussy & we both miss that perk. In an Airstream it could be done starting with 50 AMP service & using a lot of precious space. We've found campground laundry facilities satisfactory but often times busy, so we do laundry in the very early AM & beat the crowd.

[Gearheart]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Of course, if must do your own laundry in the Airstream, there's that old reliable standby— a five-gallon bucket with a (clean) plumber's plunger for an agitator, and a clothesline.

You beat me to the draw.
Add a tight fitting lid for the 5 gal bucket and the agitation can be provided by the ride if you're travelling.

[RivetingTrvl]

When we were on the road for 5 weeks, we were happy with the Laundry Pod that we took along with us.

[AWCHIEF]

I like using local Landrymats. You meet the nicest people, sometimes. They are usually in better working condition than the machines in parks.

[mandolindave]

The sink, shower, or a 5 gallon bucket in a pinch. ( Dr. Bonners Soap) I use lawn chairs as a clothes line. I guess some ritzy " resort " campgrounds might have laws against clothes lines, but they will have laundry facilities.

Because of the smell, I bring a designated set of clothes for campfires.

The town I live in has an ordinance against clotheslines

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by mandolindave

The sink, or a 5 gallon bucket in a pinch. ( Dr. Bonners Soap) I use lawn chairs as a clothes line. I guess some ritzy " resort " campgrounds might have laws against clothes lines, but they will have laundry facilities.

The town I live in has an ordinance against clotheslines

Does it have an ordinance against blow-dryers? They'll dry clothes almost as easily as they dry hair. I use one sometimes for that purpose. Especially good for wet socks, since you can slip the top of the sock over the end of the dryer, turn on the dryer (low heat), and let the heated air blow through the cloth like a leaky balloon.

[slowmover]

When full timing with the ex we would sometimes run a cycle of washing machine cleaner without clothing with unknown machines. As hot as possible. Then do our washing. Didn't add a terrible amount of time or expense.

I find that the use of water softener in every load tends to help with unknown machines. And Tide HE liquid in a smaller amount than recommended.

At the park where I am at present the majority here are at work on refinery storage expansion. The park cleans the machines regularly. So I'd ask the management their maintenance on these machines.

That said I can usually find a new laundromat with the truly large front load washers. My experience is that these are the least used, and in best shape due to their expense.

[Plasma800]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

As for installing a washer and dryer, I've seen a couple of Class As and 5th-wheels that have them, but even for full-timers I don't think they'd be worth the expense— or the weight penalty— of carrying them around.

How many loads of laundry could I do in a laundromat for the price of installing my own washer and dryer in my Airstream? And if I had the room for a washer and dryer, how many spare sets of clothing could I carry in the same space instead?

The little all in one washers ARE SO SMALL, we gave up on ours and used the campground laundry, could get it all done at once.

[cwf]

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

I like using local Landrymats. You meet the nicest people, sometimes. They are usually in better working condition than the machines in parks.

I also found if you go by the local wuashateria, there are some folks, usually ladies there, who are 'overseeing' the operation. They will charge you by 'weight' for doing the laundry for you. Turns out they usually know what they are doing.. I get clothes back neatly folded and if I ask, on hangers (I bring hangers to them).. I have even had some do 'ironing' for us...

I like the idea that I can give my wife and I a 'day off' from the chore... otherwise, we hit the Park washing facilities.

[ckottum]

Originally Posted by RivetingTrvl

When we were on the road for 5 weeks, we were happy with the Laundry Pod that we took along with us.

Interesting, a 6 1/2 lb washing machine. Not much weight penalty there and a little exercise too. Not bad at all.

cheryl