I like Marlins thinking on 2 work shirts and 2 camp shirts.
Come on Santa!

I especially like ST idea of using a waterproof stuff sack to do laundry in. JJcanoeguide first breached the subject with using a ziplock but I think ST has taken it one step further.

I have never done laundry before but think I might start.

I always forget to bring some type of clothes pins. Socks especially always seem to end up on the ground. Just wondering what clever ideas the QJ crowd has. Regular clothes pins seem bulky and not quite versatile enough.  

No clothes pins needed if you double your clothes line and include several twists. Hang laundry so it is pinched in the twists. It holds pretty good and saves those precious ounces that add up to pounds eventually.

mastertangler wrote on Dec 17^th, 2010 at 2:10am:


When I was in the Philippines, they did all their laundry by hand. They used a sort of corrigated bar of soap (made by Tide) which they scubbed the clothes with. I brought home a couple bars to try out on a conoe trip. I too have never really washed anything in the bush... Rinsed yes, but never had to use soap. Of course I'll do it away from the lake and dispose of water away from the lake. I'll have to try the double rope trick too...

Kingfisher wrote on Dec 17^th, 2010 at 6:30am:

Yep.  That's also a solution.  I've used it backpacking on several trips ... when a few ounces really make a difference.  

Its amazing how many of my early-learned backpacking techniques translate well for canoe trip use.  For example, footwear for backpacking is like paddles for canoeing.  On this board and elsewhere, you will hear discussions of using light-weight carbon fiber paddles to reduce the weight associated with each paddle stroke.  You hear the same about hiking boots ... "How many ounces will I have to lift with each step and what does that translate into over a day's travel?"  So, one of the reasons why people go through several pair of hiking shoes/boots on a single AT-thru hike is because they are going light weight.  You might have to go through a re-tread on a good pair of hiking boots, but I finally tossed one pair after over 5,000 miles of use.

So, if you are REALLY into cutting weight, backpacking venues are a very good place to do research.  (That's one reason I have a subscription to Backpacker Magazine as well as BWJ.)

However, for me, cutting the last ounce from weight on a canoe trip is (in many cases) a secondary concern to convenience and comfort of travel.  After all, I haven't had to hack the handle of a toothbrush in half in quite a few years now and drilling holes in the handles of my lexan eating implements has more to do with ease of hanging to dry than weight savings.

dd

I love the twisted rope clothesline.  Every item added to the line holds everything tighter.  Paddles, pants, whatever should be kept out of the dirt.

Clothespins are just garbage to break or go moldy or get left behind.

I bring lots of rope.  Some may say too much rope.  I'd rather be looking at rope than looking for rope.