(no longer) Looking for a portable washing machine

David Mary

David Mary

pass the mustard - after you cut it
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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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I live in an apartment, and going out to do laundry is a real inconvenience. Anyone have suggestions for a portable washing machine?
 
That's cool. I guess I should have specified I am looking for a washer/dryer combo that I can hook up in my apartment so I can do laundry without taking time away from the shop and other responsibilities.
 
Sorry. When I look online eBay and Walmart, all these small washers with "dehyrators" built in are called "portable". It does seem like a bit of a misnomer.
 
Basically looking for someone who has used one and can give their experience with it.
 
Yeah, it sucks buzzard butt not having your own clothes washer/dryer! When I got divorced, I wouldn't even consider an apartment without clothes washer/dryer connections.
 
Probably worth looking at reputable review sites like wirecutter for something like that. From what little I've seen, some of the "apartment" sized units are only good for a couple of shirts at a time and are very energy inefficient. Of course that only matters if you are individually metered I guess.
 
I can't help, I have no idea If the tiny combos work?

But honesty, other than comforters, I'd just suggests soaking in a bucket, and maybe a washboard......

In the brewing industry, there is a glorified oxy-clean called PBW.
Powered Brewery Wash.

It works hot or cold.
It soaks and cleans the Heck out of everything.
I also use it for baked on lasagne....

It's reusable, not just a one time use. Just filter out the Chunks.

I bet Lots of soak cleaners would work. Just then rinse, wring, and air dry.

Honesty probably better than ANY machine.....
 
Couple of good leads, thanks.
 
If you drive a pickup or something with enough cargo space, fill a 5 gallon bucket halfway with water, add soap and clothes and drive around about a day as usual. The bumps, turns etc. will wash the clothes, you just have to rinse them with a garden hose. Not ideal and you still need a way to dry, though. I was looking for the same kind of thing years ago and one thing I found was that "actual" washers and dryers in 110v and capable of washing what normal people consider a load of clothes are more expensive than full size ones on 220v. Most of those "portable" washers that claim to wash might be okay and most will spin the clothes but none really dry them and most of the dryers are just spinners with no heat.
I know this may sound crazy but try rent to own stores-they actually have 110v washers and dryers. Make it clear you're not wanting a payment plan, you don't mind dents, crayon marks, stickers and the like you just want them to work and a reasonable warranty like 90 days. They'll attempt to rake you over the coals but if you're willing to let them make a reasonable profit they may work with you. If not, it would be a good place to get actual make and model numbers. You'll want the washer on casters and the dryer will need to sit by a window or have an exhaust box setup. Window is much better.
 
They make small washer/dryer combos that you fill with water and it empties into a sink or tub drain. The dryers are spin dry only, and you need to hang the clothes up afterward. I used one exactly two times when I briefly lived in a small place, and it worked ok. Ended up buying a smaller stackable washer/dryer unit.
 
I found one, and for only thirteen bucks Canadian. A tote. Just did my first "load" tonight consisting of one pair of pants, one T-shirt, one pair of socks, and two pairs of shorts. Wrung it out as well as I can (gratuitous grip strength training!) and it's going to hang until tomorrow night, by when it will hopefully be dry.
 
David Mary said:
I found one, and for only thirteen bucks Canadian. A tote. Just did my first "load" tonight consisting of one pair of pants, one T-shirt, one pair of socks, and two pairs of shorts. Wrung it out as well as I can (gratuitous grip strength training!) and it's going to hang until tomorrow night, by when it will hopefully be dry.
Click to expand...
That works. You can always do them in the bathtub and agitate them with a (hopefully) new plunger as well.
 
So I have been doing this for a week now, and I can't believe I didn't start sooner. All the time and money I could have saved!!!! Definitely recommended for a bachelor.
 
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