Urban Survivor Cleanliness is next to Godliness, unless you’re washing sheets.

No dryer for us.

Using the grape-crushing method does work to get the clothes clean, but doesn’t work for rinsing. So we had the brilliant idea to use the garden hose on the deck to rinse the clothes. Messy but effective. We hang the laundry on the railing around the deck. Of course the neighbors are wondering what we are doing. It helps to have the reputation of being a writer. It gives you an excuse to cover just about any situation.

“Washing machine broke and we’re blogging about it.” That’s the answer we give when we get those quizzical looks.

The sheets are the most challenging. It takes two of us to twist the soapy water out of the sheet and then twist it again after we hose it down.

One more thing. We have to keep the birds away from the drying laundry. That’s not a problem if I keep my office sliding door open. Kate, our springer spaniel chases the birds away.

We did three loads today. My back aches, my legs ache, my stomach muscles ache.