It sounds like you and your wife are looking to make the most of the situation by reducing the amount of trips to the laundromat. It might be helpful to invest in some items that can help make washing clothes by hand easier and more efficient. For example, a collapsible laundry bag or a portable drying rack can make the chore of washing clothes by hand much simpler. Additionally, you can also look into buying a portable washing machine or a washing machine that hooks up to your sink. This could help you save time and energy when it comes to doing the laundry.