Washing machine recommendation

eyebrowsb
eyebrowsb Forum Participant Posts: 554
edited February 2016 in Parts & Accessories #1

There seem to be a few different portable washing machines available, with mixed reviews Undecided  Does anyone have one that they would
recommend?

 

Comments

  • rogher
    rogher Forum Participant Posts: 609
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    edited February 2016 #2

    My washer scrubs up nicely!

    What did you want one for/to do?

  • eyebrowsb
    eyebrowsb Forum Participant Posts: 554
    edited February 2016 #3

    Thanks rogher Laughing  We're planning a trip to some fairly remote CL's in Scotland with no laundry facilities (and miles away from any launderettes)  I don't mind hand washing, but need to spin dry, otherwise the clothes will probably still be wet when we get home Laughing  We will have EHU,so a portable twin tub type washer would be very useful.  

  • rogher
    rogher Forum Participant Posts: 609
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    edited February 2016 #4

    For a good holiday I’d recommend you give washing a rest. Who’s going to notice in the remote parts of Scotland?

    I’ve seen ‘camping’ twin tubs and have just about everything else but have never been tempted to buy one. To spin dry, put your clothes in a net bag and spin it around your head on the end of a short rope. We take walking clothes that are designed to be
    easy to wash and quick to dry. 

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited February 2016 #5

    We have not needed to wash clothes other than "smalls" while away,we just carry enough other clothes and wash on return,and thats with up to 4weeks away in uk

  • eyebrowsb
    eyebrowsb Forum Participant Posts: 554
    edited February 2016 #6

    We have not needed to wash clothes other than "smalls" while away,we just carry enough other clothes and wash on return,and thats with up to 4weeks away in uk

    We have not needed to wash clothes other than "smalls" while away,we just carry enough other clothes and wash on return,and thats with up to 4weeks away in uk

    I must be doing something wrong then Laughing  It would be easy if I just had to wash "smalls".  If I packed enough clothes for 4
    weeks, and enough dog towels (and human towels!)  the caravan would be well overloaded!!

  • rogher
    rogher Forum Participant Posts: 609
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    edited February 2016 #7

    Have you tried microfibre towels?

    No, neither have I.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited February 2016 #8

    We have not needed to wash clothes other than "smalls" while away,we just carry enough other clothes and wash on return,and thats with up to 4weeks away in uk

    We have not needed to wash clothes other than "smalls" while away,we just carry enough other clothes and wash on return,and thats with up to 4weeks away in uk

    I must be doing something wrong then Laughing  It would be easy if I just had to wash "smalls".  If I packed enough clothes for 4
    weeks, and enough dog towels (and human towels!)  the caravan would be well overloaded!!

    Write your comments here...We do carry some in the car and put "dirty"clothes in black bag in car 

  • eyebrowsb
    eyebrowsb Forum Participant Posts: 554
    edited February 2016 #9

    Have you tried microfibre towels?

    No, neither have I.

    I have actually (for the dog) but they're not as good as 'normal towels' in my opinion.

  • rogher
    rogher Forum Participant Posts: 609
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    edited February 2016 #10

    When it comes to 'camping washers', is there a choice? I wouldn't expect it to be a very large market.

  • eyebrowsb
    eyebrowsb Forum Participant Posts: 554
    edited February 2016 #11

    When it comes to 'camping washers', is there a choice? I wouldn't expect it to be a very large market.

    There are a few choices rogher.  It would appear that some people who take long trips, do use them.  Particularly people who spend a few months at a time in France, Spain etc.

    Still hoping for a recommendation from someone who has one Smile

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,672 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #12

    Yes, we have one, a twin tub.  Ours is the one that takes a 1.5kg load.

    Another David and Nellie also have twin tubs but I think theirs take a heavier load.

    They work well but do get through quite a bit of water for the rinsing, but you can use alternatives to soap powder so you need less rinsing.

    The spin is good.

    They are not particularly heavy, but quite bulky.  Ours travels under the bed.

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,672 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #13

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Twin-Tub-Portable-Washing-Machine-Spin-Dryer-Camping-Caravan-Motorhome-/222004801085

    This is like our one.  We cannot use it for bath towels, my jeans, or our king size duvet cover as they get too heavy when wet, but the model that takes the heavier load should be able to handle those too.

  • eyebrowsb
    eyebrowsb Forum Participant Posts: 554
    edited February 2016 #14

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Twin-Tub-Portable-Washing-Machine-Spin-Dryer-Camping-Caravan-Motorhome-/222004801085

    This is like our one.  We cannot use it for bath towels, my jeans, or our king size duvet cover as they get too heavy when wet, but the model that takes the heavier load should be able to handle those too.

    Thanks for replying Smile  It looks like the one that takes the heavier load would be best for us then.  It would be good to be able to wash
    bath towels.  

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,585
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    edited February 2016 #15

    If you are in the North and off the beaten track you should be able to get away with casual almost anywhere.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited February 2016 #16

    I'd have thought that if washing became essential, a visit to a laundrette would save carrying a load of extra gear with its weight penalty.

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,672 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #17

    Laundrettes are not always available, as OP said.

    Other considerations are convenience and cost.

    On a long trip, the cost of using site machines soon adds up. We have saved the cost of ours several times over in the last 7 years as we spend 3-4 months away each year.

    Washing a full load maybe once or twice a fortnight means you have a lot of wet things to get dry at once.  Not easy with a small rotary airer. So you either spend even more on the tumble dryer, or you have to hang stuff out in 2 batches, taking ages to
    get things dry.

    Much easier to wash a smaller amount as needed and get that dry in one go.

    We also find some of these rapid wash site machines do not give a particularly good result, especially on the rinsing.

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited February 2016 #18

    Never  used  a  Camping  W/M  just  (very)  occasional  'On  Site'  facilities.  I  do  carry  a  couple  of  Laundry  Bags  which  have  the  markings  ==>    One  Week        Two  Weeks      Three  Weeks        Naked.       And   they  do   seem  to  be 
    fairly  accurate  !

  • rogher
    rogher Forum Participant Posts: 609
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    edited February 2016 #19

    If it's just the drying that's a problem, wht not get a spin dryer? It'd be lighter and take up less space, also more choice.

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,672 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #20

    If it's just the drying that's a problem, wht not get a spin dryer? It'd be lighter and take up less space, also more choice.

    Which means hand washing?   I can just see Mrs K agreeing to that!

    The macines are not actually that big.

    We only take it on long trips, up to 4 weeks we can carry enough clothes with us.

  • eyebrowsb
    eyebrowsb Forum Participant Posts: 554
    edited February 2016 #21

    I don't really mind hand washing, but find things go 'out of shape' if they're not wrung out enough.  So, if I'm going to carry a spin dryer around, may as well take a reasonably light weight machine that'll do the washing as well Wink 
    I know they are a bit bulky, but we have plenty of room in the car.