Super Wash Pressure Hand Washing Machine

[electricblue2000]

Has anyone used this small nonelectrical washer. This item would mot only save me money om laundary, but also, would not be using energy. I also would like to know of any nonelectrical or low-energy appliances or products others have used and can recommend. I am single and live in a small apartment.

Thanks

[politicat]

1. used one very like it in Kiev when I was a grad student.

I spent 4 months in Kiev when I was in grad school; the building I was in lost power a couple days after I arrived when the power lines were stolen. It was never restored while I was there. (This was a common occurrence, the price of copper and unemployment both being rather high.) About a week later, a peddler came through selling knock-offs of the one you're looking at made out of 5 gal buckets on little tripods. The lid sealed on, and then you tipped it around and around for about twenty minutes. It was kind of zen and very relaxing in a weird way. They used very little soap and cold water. It was not pressurized since it used cold water, so it worked slower than a hot water wash would.

They work great - all the ladies in the building bought one (men really don't do laundry in the former Soviet States) and would get together down in the courtyard where the big taps were after supper with a load of laundry (usually knickers, a blouse and pants or skirt, socks, etc per person). Everyone would gossip for a while (and tease the American etudenskya about her stuffy russian and teach her new cuss words) and then the laundry was done but for drying.

The two things that would have improved the 5 gal bucket version was access to a tin rinse pan and a wringer. We finally figured out rinsing using another 5 gal bucket, but a little tin pan would have been great. A wringer would have saved my poor wrists a lot of strain, too.... (Apparently the pressure washer is very good for making butter, too, but I have not used it as such.)

[OnionPatch]

2. I have one of those.

My family goes on multi-week camping trips and I bought this to take with us. It works pretty well if you really spin it for a long time, but like policat said, you need to have it next to something you can rinse in. I used to just drain out the excess water and add clear water a few times to rinse. My arms got a little tired from all the wringing but I'm spoiled, I guess. One thing, the base on ours is made of plastic and it's a little flimsy. But if you're careful it might hold up alright.

[NMDemDist2]

3. did you see this one?

http://www.laundry-alternative.com/

[melnjones]

4. That is totally going on my christmas list.

Thanks for posting the link!!!