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Original poster

To get second hand washing machine for hubbys work clothes?

33 replies

mrscotton · 09/09/2026 08:49

My husband is a mechanic and often comes home black with oil, grease and general dirt on him & on his clothes. We have always had one washing machine that we wash everything in and clean often due to how dirty it gets (i guess because of his work clothes).

Our son has just started school and now has to wear white shirts 4 days a week (we rarely wear white clothes so never been an issue before, use to do half a load every other month). I have just washed some shirts and as I was taking it out, the sleeve rubbed against the rubber and now has black marks on the sleeve so needs rewashing.

Thinking of buying a second hand washing machine to put in the garage to just use for washing his work stuff. Has anyone else done this? Is it possible to run a washing machine off a hosepipe? It would be a nightmare trying to get water supply out there to run it as would need to take up our patio etc.

OP posts:
Nannyfannybanny · 09/09/2026 09:24

My DH was a motor vehicle technician, same problem. The overalls did go away for specialist dry cleaning, didn't come back on time and although they were labelled with the techs names,big letters,he usually ended up with the wrong ones,a lot of guys were 6 ft tall,to his 5.7ins. I washed them at home, very hot wash, scoop of "vannish or similar and washing powder,always check the rim etc, never had a problem, same with my light coloured nurses uniform. The "allowance" for washing at home is a pittance in tax relief.

Doppe · 09/09/2026 09:22

Horse owner here - we have a second hand washing machine in the stables just for horse 'clothing' (not big horse rugs!) and pet beds - saves mud and hair in our family machine. We use a hose from the tap for water in and a piece of blue pipe firmly shoved in to the out-take pipe to take the dirty water out to a piece of rough ground outside.

TheeNotoriousPIG · 09/09/2026 09:19

Does he get tax relief for washing work clothes at home, OP?

If there isn't a washing machine at work (we have one that is supposed to only be for work-related items, but some people overlook that fact...), a second one would make sense, if you have the space for it. My work clothes smell awful, and dog beds (I have working dogs) get smelly and hairy, and I'd rather keep those away from my "incognito" clothes!

Original poster
mrscotton · 09/09/2026 09:01

Viviennemary · 09/09/2026 08:55

Can't you send them to a local laundry at least for the time being till you've decided what to do. I think you can claim something back re tax. But might not be worth it. Not sure about running a machine from a hosepipe. I hate the way the rubber gets dirty. Didn't seem to be a problem with the older machines.

Our nearest launderette has closed, not sure where there is another one but I can find out. It would be much easier doing it from home as going back to work 5 days a week soon.

OP posts:
bugalugs45 · 09/09/2026 08:56

My friend has a separate washing machine for her dogs stuff, bedding etc as she couldn’t stand the hair getting everywhere 😂

Original poster
mrscotton · 09/09/2026 08:55

Mosaic123 · 09/09/2026 08:52

That's a good idea!

You can get special small washing machines for camping so there might be something suitable that you can fill with water as you need it?

Ooo that’s a good idea. I will look into them as it would only be used twice a week for his work clothes. Thank you

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 09/09/2026 08:55

Can't you send them to a local laundry at least for the time being till you've decided what to do. I think you can claim something back re tax. But might not be worth it. Not sure about running a machine from a hosepipe. I hate the way the rubber gets dirty. Didn't seem to be a problem with the older machines.

Mosaic123 · 09/09/2026 08:52

That's a good idea!

You can get special small washing machines for camping so there might be something suitable that you can fill with water as you need it?