How to Wash Your Clothes in a Developing Country

Some more doing of nothing:
Well, actually, doing this takes quite the bit of energy and effort to accomplish, not to mention time. What do I speak of? Laundry. That's right. Laundry.

Now, yes, it is true: if you have a lot of money, you could do your laundry with a washing machine. The interesting thing, though is that I have yet to see any dryers for sale.

Anyhow, to the point:

(Optional) Step 1: Fill a plastic (or iron) basin with water and clothers. Soak and rinse.
Step 1: Fill large plastic (or iron) basin with laundry detergent and water.
Step 2: Fill another plastic (or iron) basin with water.
Step 3: Rub t-shirts and light cloth materials with bare hands.
Scrub collared shirts (inside and out)
Scrub slacks (inside and out)
Step 4: Wring each piece of clothing of its water and soak in basin readied with water.
Step 5: Wash out soapy/dirty water of basin no. 1, and then refill. Add fabric softener.
Note: without fabric softener, your clothes really do stiffen and smell not so great.
Step 6: Soak clothes in fabric softener
Step 7: Let soak for 30 min - overnight (dependant on preference. I typically soak for 1 1/2 hrs)
Step 8: Wring out clothes into dry basin
Step 9: Hang clothes to dry for
(Optional) Step 10: Ride your bike really quickly back home to retrieve your clothes as it rains
Note: As you live in Cambodia, you develop a 6th sense for when it's gonna
rain.

This process can take anywhere from 30min to 3 hours. (Just the washing part) It really depends on how many items you are washing and more importantly, what kind of clothes you are washing. Slacks take longer than t-shirts. I usually like to do laundry every other day, that way I don't have to spend hours doing it. I've recently gained a habit of bringing my iPod with me into the bathroom or outside (where I do laundry) and listen to NPR; it makes the time fly.

Well, there you go. There is washing your clothes in a nutshell.

Talk to you soon,
Garrett