Your New Portable Washing Machine

If you are considering getting a new portable washing machine, let me give you a little push....There is nothing more tedious than having to hand wash a few shirts or slacks and hang them around the bathroom or over the radiator.  No, I take that back.  How about wasting an hour or so at the laundry mat when you could be home doing homework, working or just relaxing while doing a quick load of clothes. 

With a small investment, you can have the convenience of a Laundromat in your kitchen.  Compact washing machines are available at larger department stores like Target in prices ranging from under $200 to up to $800 depending on the features, brand and size of the machine.  Two main manufacturers are Haier and Wonderwash.  These portable washers are perfect for a small apartment, cabin or larger RV since they are just over two feet in length and width and under four feet in height. 

The washer connects to the sink with the option of using hot or cold water to wash your clothes.  With removable casters, the compact washing machine can be easily moved for use and stored to keep the kitchen area open for other uses.  What is really nice about these machines is that they have many of the same options as full size washers including settings for water levels, temperatures, and even separate dispensers for fabric softener and bleach. 

The washing is done with an agitator which I like better then the ones that just slosh your clothes around in the water.  Noise level is relatively low making them perfect for apartment buildings. 

Some things  to consider before purchasing a compact washer are space available, the amperage in the apartment (you might not be able to use the air conditioner or microwave at the same time as the washer is running), and reported difficulty in removing or loosening the rear casters in order to level the machine.  If the hoses that come with the machine are not long enough, you can go to the local hardware store to get longer hoses and even a Y-adaptor if you choose. 

Besides the portable compact washing machine, there is actually a hand-operated counter top machine that can be found for under $50.  This would be a great addition to the camper or RV or if you have an extremely small efficiency apartment.  You can wash a five pound load of clothes in a few minutes.  There are comparable dryers offered to add to the washer to complete the at home Laundromat.