12 Effective Ways for Washing Clothes on a Sailboat

Whether you are planning to go sailing for a week, a month or perhaps you are going to liveaboard your sailboat as a full time cruiser, then doing laundry on your sailboat is a huge consideration. I did some research and found some great options for doing laundry while living on a sailboat. If you are a seasoned sailor or boater and have experience with doing laundry on a boat, we would love to hear your methods for washing your clothes. Please add your comments below.

So How do you do laundry on a sailboat? I came up with 12 Effective Ways for Washing Clothes on a Sailboat ranging from washing by hand to using washing machines. The major influencers to the type of washing method used were onboard space, availability of a fresh water source and availability of power.

1. Onboard Electric Washer / Dryer Machine

This may be every sailors dream, other than having the mermaids do your laundry. If you are fortunate enough to have plenty of fresh water, ample electricity and the space for it (as many catamarans have), an onboard Automatic Washer / Dryer is a great option. This machine combines the washer and dryer into one appliance, but other than that is basically like doing laundry onshore at your home. There are different models available, but the one that seems to be mentioned the most is the Splendide 2100XC AC Washer Dryer Combo.

Reviews. The Splendide receives mixed reviews for quality, but overall is a good option for those wanting the conveniences of home. The pro’s are the convenience of using a machine to wash and dry. The clothes came out clean and wrinkle free. The cons are the cost (around $1100.00 US), seems to have some minor repair issues, though one review was from an owner who had it for 5 years with only minor issues and was overall satisfied. Another con is that is consumes a fair amount of water and electricity so if you are at an anchorage or on a crossing, requires running the engines or generator and either uses your fresh water supply or you are running your water maker.

2. Five Gallon Bucket and Plunger

The Five Gallon Bucket and Plunger seems to be one of the most tried and true options for washing clothes on a sailboat. This is a great option for boats that don’t have space, power or an endless supply of fresh water. Simply fill the bucket with approximately 1/3 full of fresh water, add 1/4 cup of detergent (will vary depending on which type and brand of detergent you are using), then use a toilet plunger to agitate the clothes in the water. After a few minutes for lightly soiled clothes (a little longer for heavily soiled clothes), transfer to another bucket for the rinse. Then hang up to dry.

Review. This method is effective, simple and takes up almost no space because every boat has a bucket and plunger on board. The big con on this one was the effort it took to agitate the clothes, some plungers may have the rubber part separate from the handle and it can spill a little bit of the soapy water out of the bucket.

3. Bucket with Tight Lid and Rope

The Bucket with Tight Lid and Rope option is much like the bucket option above, except you need a lid that attaches securely to the top of the bucket. Tie on a rope and throw overboard while sailing. The action of the bucket skipping off the waves provides agitation. The rinse and drying are the same as in number two above.

Review. This method could work out and save the plunging part of the bucket and plunger option. The cons are that you need a strong bucket with a strong lid and a strong handle or you may lose your clothes. If you don’t have a plunger or are grossed out by using your plunger to wash your clothes, then this could be an alternative. There is also a plunger available on Amazon, made with plastic with holes in it made for doing laundry and not using in the toilet.

4. Is it OK to Wash Clothes with Salt Water if you Rinse with Fresh Water?

Use Seawater by Rinse with Fresh Water is another option for washing clothes while out to sea. Yes, I know this isn’t really a method of cleaning, but I discovered a lot of discussion and debate when doing my research about using salt water VS using fresh water and thought it was worthy to add to the list.

Arguments for using fresh water. Salt holds moisture (doesn’t dry completely) and makes you itch. Fresh water gets the salt out, makes your clothes cleaner and will dry more completely. It doesn’t make you itch.

Salt water can and has been used by sailors for washing for centuries and may be the only option on a long passage or with a shortage of water onboard. It is better than wearing dirty and smelly clothes.

The compromise. One compromise between fresh and salt water laundry options is to wash with salt and rinse with fresh. The biggest negative I learned doing this is that it takes more fresh water to get the salt out so that you are better off just washing with fresh and rinsing with fresh if you are considering this option. The other way to conserve fresh water while sailing is to only wash your t-shirts and underwear with fresh water and use salt water on your other clothes. This keeps the parts that will touch your sensitive areas clean and fee of salty irritants.

5. Marina Laundromat / Laundromat in Town

Ok This isn’t a method for washing clothes on a sailboat, but one that many mariners choose to do. Pack enough clothes to last until you reach your next marina stop or anchorage in a town with laundry facilities. The advantage with using a laundromat is that you can often do several loads of laundry simultaneously, which minimizes your time waiting. The other advantages are obvious with getting clean clothes without using the electricity or water on board the boat. The cons are cost and having to carry your clothes to the laundry – especially if you have to take the dinghy and then walk to where the laundry is in the town. If you are in the marina this isn’t much of an issue.

6. Old Fashioned Washboard with Bar of Soap

I remember watching old movies and tv shows where an old fashioned washboard with a bar of soap was used to do laundry. The method is simple. Soak the cloths in water and use the bar of soap then scrub on the washboard.

Review. This is a very effective method for cleaning – especially stains and soiled clothing, uses minimal water and doesn’t take up much space. It is a step up from the bucket and plunger option. The cons are the muscle power used (it takes some effort) and can be a little hard on the clothes.

7. Dragging a Mesh Bag Behind the Boat

Dragging a Mesh Bag Behind the Boat uses the seawater for cleaning. The motion of the bag bumping around the waves provides agitation. The water penetrating the mesh provides constant rinsing.

Review. So this method isn’t a preferred one, but some hardcore sailors say it is effective and they have been doing it for years. It also preserves your fresh water assuming you are not doing a fresh water rinse. The cons is that either you dry as is (without rinsing) and have salt in your clothes or you still need to rinse with fresh water. We have already discussed the amount of fresh water needed to remove the salt (perhaps more than you save by washing in salt water). Could be an option for your outerwear if you are able to wash your undergarments and t-shirts with fresh water.

8. Wonder Washer

The Wonder Washer is a step up from the methods of 2 – 7, but short of having an electric washing machine. For around $50 you can have a small hand crank wash machine that holds around 5 lbs of clothing.

Review. Seems to work pretty good and as long as you don’t over fill it, is quite easy to crank. Gets the clothes nice and clean. One review I read provided detail of around 200 cranks for a load. It is easier than the plunger or washing in the sink options and gets the clothes clean. It is 16″ x 12″ x 12″ and weighs 5.5 LbS. The con is that you still need to use water for both washing and rinsing. Also, if you have a smaller boat, you may be challenged to find space for the Wonder Washer. You also need to ring out before hanging to dry. If you have $50 and space, but don’t want to go with the electric washer/dryer, then it could be a good alternative.

9. Wash in Bottom of Shower

Washing in the Bottom of the Shower is another low tech solution. If you have enough fresh water for the shower, but don’t want to use extra water for laundry, then you could put the dirty clothes in the bottom of the shower so your soapy water drops down on the dirty cloths. A few stomps provides agitation and a quick rinse and you are done. Hang up in the shower to dry away from the salt air.

Review. I don’t need to do much review on this one, but if you don’t have enough water for fresh water showers, then this one is out for you. If you have water for showers, then not a bad option and certainly is much easier than bending over a bucket. I have personally done this for a few of my clothes (especially bathing suit and rash guard after snorkeling) when on a charter catamaran in the Bahamas. We had eight on board for a week at sea so we had to conserve water. We had the option of refilling our tanks, but water isn’t cheap in the Bahamas so this did help.

10. Wash in Sink

Washing your Clothes in the Sink is another one that has been done for many years. Nothing too much to add here. You get the picture. It’s a little messy and you are limited to one or two small garments at a time (sinks on sailboats aren’t very big).

11. Dinghy Stomp

The Dinghy Stomp is one that I learned about while doing research. Yes, sailors are creative and some wait for a rainy day to fill up the bottom of the dinghy with water. They add a little laundry detergent, sit and stop. Rinse with the fresh rain water off your boat, wait for the rain to stop, then hang to dry.

Review. If it doesn’t rain, you’ll need to use one of the other methods. The other issue can be if your dinghy has sand or dirt in the bottom, you may be washing with not-so-clean water. On the positive side, it is a good way to conserve water.

12. The Scrubba

Last but not least is The Scrubba. The Scrubba is basically a dry bag with ribs on the inside. It was made as a light weight portable option for backpackers to do laundry out on the trail. Put in your clothes, add a little water and detergent, squeeze the air out and work the bag like you are kneading dough to make bread.

Review. The cost is around $50, which some consumers thought was more than it was worth. It works OK, was well made, but the boaters that provided comments thought it was no better than using the sink or one of the bucket methods. On the positive side, it doesn’t take up much space, is lightweight, stores easily and is effective.

Sailing A Catamaran

12 Effective Ways for Washing Clothes On a Sailboat?