Portable clothes washer?

[RobSpook]

There's another recent thread about clothes washers and dryers in RV's, and my wife and I are moving into a fifth wheel that doesnt have hookups or space for a combo unit. We found the following on Amazon:

Bonus Package Panda Small Mini Portable Compact Washer Washing Machine 5.5lbs Capacity

Has anyone used this or a similar product in their RV? Could you share your experience with us and let us know if you like/don't like or if it cleans the clothes good?

Thanks!

[Olsen236]

Suppose you live in a small house or apartment with no washer – dryer hookups, you likely are a regular customer of your home nearest Laundromat and also paying well over a dollar for each load. So as per my point of view, enter the portable clothes washer a simple and affordable solution to the Laundromat woes. And the main benefit of portable clothes washers unit is their compactness. Now am satisfied with my portable clothes washers, purchased from the site http://www.portablewasherdryercombo.com/review-cats/portable-washers/ which helps me a lot to choose the better one.

[Kidsgone]

RobSpook,
Do you plan on any military campgrounds? If so, we have found many that have free...or really cheap laundry facilities...just an idea.
kidsgone

[cruisingcottage]

Currently using the Haier 1 cubic foot washing machine (no dryer). Spin cycle very good, hang clothes on a octopus looking circular hanger from rod in shower - wash in am, hang to dry, go on with my day, put away by dinner. Use washer as hamper. RV friends with combo RV washer/dryer say it is lengthy to dry clothes, and always wrinkled so elected to buy washer only.

Previously have used the "power washer" - Laundry Alternative product and 5 gallon bucket when caught in remote areas w/o Laundromats. Works well and is good exercise too. But too hard for old hands to wring old clothes. Purchased and used the spinner from Laundry Alternative - simply amazing how much water is extracted in a few minutes. Clothes quickly air dried.

DH didn't like bucket method (I didn't mind) so purchased the Haier machine. Some RVers use it as portable - hooking up to kitchen/BR sink - our 5W came w/preplumbed laundry closet. Placed a water heater pan underneath and use a leak detector to be safe.

I keep a marine dehumidier in bathroom -Airdryer - and will place this in shower to speed clothes drying on rainy/humid days.

It's a personal choice, but I so appreciate doing laundry while drinking my morning coffee.

[brookside]

I have a Wonder Wash with the hand crank. Does the Panda washer spin at all or do you remove the dripping clothes after washing and then spin them in a separate spinner and fill the Panda with rinse water and repeat the process? I read the description on Amazon but it gave little information. I'm wondering if wash day is outside the trailer since water is an RV's worst enemy when it is in the wrong place, which is just about everywhere in an RV.

[rvingman]

I am thinking about getting one of these, also, for our summer boondocking. We have been using the hand crank Wonder Wash for a couple of summers and it is ok, but I find it laborious. Since we boondock the entire summer, I liked the idea of not having to use power to wash the clothes. My experiments with larger items like queen bed sheets didn't work so well, but it did fine for underwear socks etc.

I would like to learn more more about this Panda, since it seems to get the best reviews in an economy model. Does anyone know how much water it uses? I think rinsing might be more of a challenge, since with the Wonder Wash, I can refill with clean water and do a rinse cycle.

We waste very little water, so that part is important. Also, if anyone has tested the power consumption, I would be interested to know that. If it uses very many amps for very long, then it might tax my solar system, a bit.

To the original poster, I really, really like the Laundry Alternative countertop spin dryer and can't imagine using this system without it.

[Gunship_Guy]

RobSpook, it will handle a pair of jeans as long as you fill it up to the top with water. The clothes need to be able to float so the agitator at the bottom is free to cycle without resistance.

Yes, I'm retired AF. Just saw your PM too and sent a reply.

Take care.

[RobSpook]

Thanks Gunship Guy. Like i said the capacity isnt too important because we'll be in the trailer schooling most of day every week, so doing a bunch of small loads during the day isn't a problem or inconvenience.

Question though, is it actually big enough to wash a pair of adult 36x36 jeans? That's probably the single largest piece of clothing we have. Even if it just offsets the costs of coin laundry, it'll help the budget.

Off topic, are you retired AF?

[Gunship_Guy]

The Panda washer does not hold a lot of clothes. If you pack a lot in there the clothes won't get clean because there won't be any movement. It would be the equivalent of just soaking them in a bucket of water.

Ideally, the Panda can handle a few shirts at a time. It worked well for us because we were able to run about 3 loads twice a week. With the 4 of you you'll probably be doing multiple loads every day. I know how dirty 2 boys can get.

The upside is it's convenient to have it right there in the trailer any time you need it. You also won't have to deal with broken down washers/driers at campgrounds. The downside is it's capacity is very limited.

I got both the Panda washer and Laundry Alternative Spin Dryer from Amazon for under $250. I'm very happy with them as they gave us the option of doing laundry in a travel trailer.

[Eycom]

As a solo full timer, I use a lot of laundromats. I'm usually in and out within an hour and 45 mins. Occasionally, I use the ford-o-mat; ie., my version of Steinbeck's method described in his book, Travels With Charley. But, that's not something I'd want to do on a consistent and persistent basis for just one person, much less 4 folks.:)

[DianneOK]

I don't know about the washer, but while we were fulltiming, I built a clothesline out of pvc pipe and clothesline. It hung on the ladder and would hold a load. I did not glue all the pieces together so it came apart for storage and fit into a bag I made out of a pillowcase. Worked well for years and no-one ever objected to it.

[RobSpook]

Yes, I have the magic clothes basket also, and my DW does not read these forums... hopefully!

She is the one that found that small washer and was thinking about it for the RV. We are going to be full timers starting around Jan 22-28. We have two boys (6 and 9) and will be staying at many military famcamps and an occasional state park... but you never know. We homeschool and I'll be doing college work the whole time, travelling to new places every three-six weeks.

We'll use free washers/dryers where found, but would like to offset the machine costs at campgrounds IF some of you have positive experiences with this unit. We'll be living on my E-7 (20 yrs) retirement, Post-911 GI Bill, and possibly a VA disability if I get over 50% (possible but I'll be pessimistic until proven wrong.) SO money will we tight, hence my serious question about that this little unit.

We will be in the trailer a lot doing homeschool/college work so doing many small loads consistently wouldn't be a problem.

[Gunship_Guy]

Bumpyroad wrote:
I have a manual clothes washer. been married to her for over 50 years.
bumpy

At home I use our magic clothes basket. I just throw dirty clothes in the basket and the next day they're clean, folded, and put away.

Everybody needs one of these magic baskets!

[ArmySFCRet]

Bumpyroad wrote:
I have a manual clothes washer. been married to her for over 50 years.
bumpy

And like my DW she does not read these posts! :B

[Bumpyroad]

I have a manual clothes washer. been married to her for over 50 years.
bumpy