How to do laundry while overlanding in a 4×4?

I have a simple solution that has been used for many, many years by countless travelers to do their laundry while overlanding in a 4×4 during bivouacs.

The advantage? It’s easy, inexpensive, and requires almost no effort—it’s practically magic! This method is called the barrel washing machine.

The Barrel Washing Machine for 4×4 Bivouacs

All you need is a dry barrel, like the ones used for kayaking and canoeing. They come in different sizes, but don’t choose one that’s too small—you never know how much laundry you’ll need to wash. A 5 to 10 liter dry barrel usually works well, and you can find them in nautical stores, sports shops, or online for around €20 to €40.

How to Wash Clothes in a Bdry barrel?

1. In the morning, before hitting the trails, put your dirty laundry in the barrel.
2. Add some water—but not too much! The laundry needs space to move. Fill the barrel 5 to 10 cm below the lid.
3. Throw in some Marseille or Aleppo soap flakes—both natural and biodegradable, so no worries about the environment.
4. Secure or wedge the barrel firmly inside your 4×4.

As you drive, whether on trails or regular roads, the vehicle’s movement will agitate the water and clothes, just like a washing machine.

Let it slosh around for a few hours. If you’re the driver, you might even be tempted to aim for more potholes and bumps to maximize the washing action… Just kidding!

5. At midday, when you take a break, empty the dirty water and replace it with clean water for rinsing. If necessary, repeat this step once more.
6. In the evening, hang your clothes to dry overnight—and by morning, they’ll be fresh and ready to go!

A Simple, Low-Cost, and Effective Solution for Overland Laundry!