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Cleaning Up:  alternative to washing machine  |
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patchworkpeace
True Blue Farmgirl
478 Posts
Judy
Jackson
Michigan
USA
478 Posts |
 Posted - May 21 2010 : 07:11:16 AM
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Our washing machine gave up its ghost and died yesterday. So, I'm looking at alternatives and came across this Wonderwash, a non-electric, hand-cranked machine. I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with this or knows someone who has one? Is it durable since its made out of plastic?
Judy
Link: http://cleantechnica.com/2008/07/01/clean-alternatives-to-everyday-machines-choose-your-washing-weapon/
Success is measured not by the position one reaches but by the obstacles one has to overcome to reach it. Booker T. Washington |
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KanMogirl
True Blue Farmgirl
349 Posts
Katherine
Rock
Kansas
USA
349 Posts |
Posted - May 21 2010 : 2:47:08 PM
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How much laundry do you have to do weekly? I can't believe a plastic one would last long???????
I would rather wear out than rust out.----Richard Cumberland |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - May 21 2010 : 7:21:20 PM
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when we would dry camp in mexico with our rv. we used one. i found them not that durable. i broke mine. just a thought sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farmgirl #1014
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patchworkpeace
True Blue Farmgirl
478 Posts
Judy
Jackson
Michigan
USA
478 Posts |
Posted - May 22 2010 : 4:37:09 PM
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Thanks for the input. We were looking for ways to conserve, but we do have a fair amount of laundry so decided on buying one of the new energy star washers instead.
I was considering getting the Wonderwash for small loads and delicates, do you think it will hold up for that, Sherrye?
Judy
Success is measured not by the position one reaches but by the obstacles one has to overcome to reach it. Booker T. Washington |
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N@n
True Blue Farmgirl
223 Posts
Hackett
Arkansas
USA
223 Posts |
Posted - May 23 2010 : 05:07:55 AM
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Hey Judy,
How about a big bucket and a new plunger? Don't laugh, it works. Of course you do have to hand wring the rinsed clothes unless you can find a hand crank wringer. Maybe Lehman's. I think I may have seen a picture of the plunger/washtub thing in a Mary Jane book or magazine.
N@n
keep searchin'-it's out there somewhere. |
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katalind
True Blue Farmgirl
177 Posts
Kathy
Chapin
SC
USA
177 Posts |
Posted - May 25 2010 : 03:39:40 AM
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| Check out Lehmans.com it features self reliance equipment and non electric supplies. Includes personal care items, appliances, water pumps, toys, and natural goods. They actually have a 115V Home Queen Wringer Washer with a Stainless tub and it looks pretty sturdy. |
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somethingticking
Farmgirl in Training
20 Posts
Sara
River Ridge
LA
USA
20 Posts |
Posted - May 25 2010 : 5:02:45 PM
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| I read a review of this and the hand non-electric dryer that is its companion once in a magazine. The reviewer said that the dryer took a very long time to work, but that the washer was effective. I don't have any first hand experience with this or know anyone who has used one, but the reviewer seemed to think it was pretty effective. |
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Dawniamw
Farmgirl in Training
24 Posts
Dawnia
Mapleton Depot
PA
USA
24 Posts |
Posted - Jul 04 2010 : 6:28:40 PM
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This might work in a pinch, but perhaps not for the long haul, but what about putting clothes in the bathtub, and stomping on them? We had to do that on more than one occasion when the power went out. For general dirt it worked great, but it does take a little more arm muscle work on those heavy stains, but hey, it builds endurance and helps to get rid of the "batwings" right?.
Also, if you have the time, perhaps a washboard? One of the sisters on here preferred the use of a glass washboard over a metal one though, as she also had a heavy washload.
Blessings,
Dawnia |
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Yart
True Blue Farmgirl
143 Posts
MI
USA
143 Posts |
Posted - Jul 04 2010 : 6:51:46 PM
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If you have a mop bucket you can use that to wringing out the clothes.
Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie. ~Jim Davis
http://urban-eco.blogspot.com/ |
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Lida
True Blue Farmgirl
157 Posts
Lida
Rochester
NY
USA
157 Posts |
Posted - Jul 09 2010 : 12:27:32 PM
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When my 2 oldest chilidren were still in cloth diapers the washer died and couldn't be repaired. With no funds to buy another washer or go to the laundromat on a regular basis I had to wash clothes by hand. I put water and detergent in the bath tub and then used a plunger to agitate. For the really dirty clothes I used an old scrub board. I had a wonderful old wringer that I attached to a sink and wrung out the clothes with that then hung them on the line to dry. I learned the hard way that if you tighten the hand wringer too much it will crush the zippers on baby sleepers and it will pop the buttons off blouses. I cleaned our clothes this way for about 4 months until we moved to an apartment with laundry privileges. Those were the good old days!
Lida |
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MagnoliaWhisper
True Blue Farmgirl
2817 Posts
Heather
Haysville
Kansas
USA
2817 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2010 : 08:12:01 AM
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I don't know what brand mine is, but I've had one like you describe for a long time. I did laundry in it for years! I loved it! It also did dry cleaning. I had one of the first generation ones of it though.
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
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patchworkpeace
True Blue Farmgirl
478 Posts
Judy
Jackson
Michigan
USA
478 Posts |
Posted - Jul 11 2010 : 02:51:18 AM
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Thanks for the input everyone. We tried washing clothes in the bathtub, but DH said not again. I have some health problems so it is difficult for me and would need his help. We ended up buying a washing machine, but I'm still considering the other as a backup or for delicates.
Judy
Success is measured not by the position one reaches but by the obstacles one has to overcome to reach it. Booker T. Washington |
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Violets November
True Blue Farmgirl
342 Posts
Violet
Exeter
California
USA
342 Posts |
Posted - Jul 11 2010 : 09:49:07 AM
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My .02 worth, if you have the means, buy a washing machine. If you have lots of laundry, buy a washing machine. At one time, through no choice of my own, I used a washboard, and it was a lot of hard work!
I have a new energy efficient and I'm thankful for it.
And for a back up, if ever needed, I have a very old energy efficient machine. A Maytag washer/ringer! Works like a charm.
~Violet~
Farmgirl Sister #1669
My blog, http://hiddenacre.blogspot.com/
Our Organic Jewelry, http://www.etsy.com/shop/GaelicForge |
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phonelady
True Blue Farmgirl
323 Posts
Carla
Loveland
Colorado
323 Posts |
Posted - Jul 15 2010 : 08:00:11 AM
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I had to handwash our clothes in the bathtub when I was in Georgia. Yuck!
One thing about the modern machines, I think they clean better than by hand [at least when I am washing by hand anyway!]. Takes alot less time too.
Smiles!
Carla
It's not just life-
It's an adventure!
http://familyhistoryfindings.blogspot.com/ |
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Cleaning Up: alternative to washing machine |
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alternative to washing machine
