Has anyone had any experience with one of these? http://www.laundry-alternative.com/faq.html They also have a centrifugal dryer they offer, and I've used a similar one in the Netherlands to good results. http://www.laundry-alternative.com/spin_dryer_faq.html But I was specifically interested in the washing machine. Anyone?
Washing machine alternative
- Thread starter MasonMcD
- Start date
- Status
Several of the cruising sites
have discussions about the washer and the folks seemed pleased with them. No experience myself.
have discussions about the washer and the folks seemed pleased with them. No experience myself.
They are quite large and seem hard to store
I was interested myself untill I saw one. They are bigger than you think. (I saw a couple at a local salvage yard) While it is a nice thought, i decided I already have too much stuff on the boat.
I was interested myself untill I saw one. They are bigger than you think. (I saw a couple at a local salvage yard) While it is a nice thought, i decided I already have too much stuff on the boat.
Make your own
Take a large plastic bottle (~2 gal) with a large lid that seals well. Add clothes, water, and soap. Throw the bottle in a mesh bag and tow through a light chop to agitate, or anchor it within the breakers. If you feel that the pressurization adds anything to the wash cycle, cut a threaded metal valve out of a bicycle tube (presta type). Mount it in your lid with nuts and o-rings and pump it up with a cheap portable bike pump. This'll save you some money and, when not in use as a clothes washer, is a great place to store your munchies!
Take a large plastic bottle (~2 gal) with a large lid that seals well. Add clothes, water, and soap. Throw the bottle in a mesh bag and tow through a light chop to agitate, or anchor it within the breakers. If you feel that the pressurization adds anything to the wash cycle, cut a threaded metal valve out of a bicycle tube (presta type). Mount it in your lid with nuts and o-rings and pump it up with a cheap portable bike pump. This'll save you some money and, when not in use as a clothes washer, is a great place to store your munchies!
I got one
Works fine. Store unit with clothes pins and soap inside it. Does an amazing job of getting dirt out. Lots of hand cranking. I was amazed at how much dirt came out of a pair of jeans that had been washed in an regular electric full size washing machine. Takes samll loads though. One pair jeans, tshirt and socks are about all it can handle at a time. But it'll do two t-shirts, two tighty whiteys, two pair shorts in one load no problem. Uses very little soap per directions. Would recommend it.
Works fine. Store unit with clothes pins and soap inside it. Does an amazing job of getting dirt out. Lots of hand cranking. I was amazed at how much dirt came out of a pair of jeans that had been washed in an regular electric full size washing machine. Takes samll loads though. One pair jeans, tshirt and socks are about all it can handle at a time. But it'll do two t-shirts, two tighty whiteys, two pair shorts in one load no problem. Uses very little soap per directions. Would recommend it.
- Status