if I need to wash little things like socks, undies, bra, tank top I use a gallon zip lock baggie, and will wash them either in a public bathroom, put what I need to wash in the bag, put a smidge of detergent, fill with hot water about half way, seal up, letting extra air out and shake for about 2-3 minutes, drain refill, rinse, and then again. If I want to add softener I will add a pinch in the last rinse shake, open bag, roll the bag out leaning and squeezing the clothes out, inside the bag, when I get back to the van I will spin my clothes out outside the hang to dry.<br /><br />If no public rest room can be found, I will put small articles of clothing in a baggie fill with water,and detergent, and place on dash board if it's cold out or on hood if it's not or if the sun is strong. let sit in the sun till nice and hot, give a few shakes, empty , do my squeeze roll, refill with water again, shake, squeeze out roll add fabric softener if wanted and shake, roll out squeeze again.<br /><br />If I need to wash larger clothing I will use a larger bag, I love the construction black bags except ya can't see inside them, I have my rubbermade tub with lid that acts as a dish washing station, laundry box, and storage when not needed for it's other jobs. If I am driving the vibration of the vehicle kinda makes natural aggitation, soaking is the trick for me.Again it's laundry , detergent, depending on how dirty I tend to wingit, and squeeze out my clothing, and rinse, squeeze out and rinse. I don't mind doing laundry If I am jusy sitting around not doing much, but I do have enough clothing to go at least a week, and I really enjoy the laundry mat, but there have been times when money was so tight that I needed to do only 1 load a week, so if needed I could do that. but if not I would wash where and when I could for as little monies as possible.<br /><br />my sleeping bags, pillows, and blankets always go to the laundry mat, there is really no way acceptable for me around that. <br /><br />The bucket and plunger work just fine, but I like squishing my laundry around with my feet and if the bag is closed up my feet stay dry, my legs get excersise and my laundry gets cleaned. Second a 5 gallon pail does not make a good dish washing basin, and whatever else I need it for , I think it's the 14 +/- gallon size, it's about 12" tall 16 wide and 20 long (my best guesstamation)<br /><br /><br />
