RSS FeedAug 03 2009
The Wonder Wash Offers Something New and Useful in the Laundry Department
Many of you might be familiar with my Coming Unmoored Blog posts on tiny houses and sustainable housing. This week I thought that I would mix it up a little and cover some topics related to small space living.
Obviously, if you are trying to decide on your appliances for a tiny house, it is key to start paring down the big things. Things like full sized washer dryers and massive refrigerators are simply going to take up too much space and will need to go by the wayside. (Yes, if you have a grand piano, you very likely might need to say goodbye and take up a smaller instrument!)
In keeping with this theme, a company called The Laundry Alternative, based in Middletown Springs Vermont, has come out with a very tiny and also very green approach to doing laundry in small spaces. The Laundry Alternative is selling their Wonderwash washing machine for only $42.95. This gadget, which you can basically fit on a countertop, claims to easily cleans a 5 lb load of laundry in just a few minutes.. and with no electricity. Thus, not only are you reducing space, but the amount of energy necessary to do laundry is also dramatically reduced.
The Wonderwash measures about 12″ x 12″ x “16, and has a patented pressure system. What happens is that detergent is forced into the fabric at a very high speed. You simply add hot water to the Wonder Wash and the air inside the drum expands from the heat. The high level of pressure is created as a result. In the process, the machine also uses 90% less water and detergent. The Laundry Alternative makes the assertion that this device pays for itself through your savings after only 8 weeks.
The Wonderwash is being marketed to a crowd that includes college students, rv owners, environmentalists, singles and frugal people. And their logic definitely makes sense. If you are trying to reduce your power consumption or if you are just one person doing laundry for yourself, the standard sized washer and dryers are indeed excessive.
The company also makes an energy efficient and compact Spin dryer as well.
Many of you might be familiar with my Coming Unmoored Blog posts on tiny houses and sustainable housing. This week I thought that I would mix it up a little and cover some topics related to small space living.
Obviously, if you are trying to decide on your appliances for a tiny house, it is key to start paring down the big things. Things like full sized washer dryers and massive refrigerators are simply going to take up too much space and will need to go by the wayside. (Yes, if you have a grand piano, you very likely might need to say goodbye and take up a smaller instrument!)
In keeping with this theme, a company called The Laundry Alternative, based in Middletown Springs Vermont, has come out with a very tiny and also very green approach to doing laundry in small spaces. The Laundry Alternative is selling their Wonderwash washing machine for only $42.95. This gadget, which you can basically fit on a countertop, claims to easily cleans a 5 lb load of laundry in just a few minutes.. and with no electricity. Thus, not only are you reducing space, but the amount of energy necessary to do laundry is also dramatically reduced.
The Wonderwash measures about 12″ x 12″ x “16, and has a patented pressure system. What happens is that detergent is forced into the fabric at a very high speed. You simply add hot water to the Wonder Wash and the air inside the drum expands from the heat. The high level of pressure is created as a result. In the process, the machine also uses 90% less water and detergent. The Laundry Alternative makes the assertion that this device pays for itself through your savings after only 8 weeks.
The Wonderwash is being marketed to a crowd that includes college students, rv owners, environmentalists, singles and frugal people. And their logic definitely makes sense. If you are trying to reduce your power consumption or if you are just one person doing laundry for yourself, the standard sized washer and dryers are indeed excessive.
The company also makes an energy efficient and compact Spin dryer as well.
I picked up a version of that a little while ago, called a presawash, on Ebay. Same design but made of aluminium, which I plan to use for the laundry in my tiny house. I’m currently trying out the Ecoball washing balls which would give me a soapless wash with no power use, and the water can be used to water plants afterwards.
I also found a mangle (wringer) on ebay for very little, which will mean I don’t need a spin dryer, just wash, wring and hang on the line.
Justin.
Have both and use the spin dryer for washer, hand and soak-wash items too. Use the washer to tumble-wash knits and for soak-washing.
Caveat: Avoid residue – rinse first – don’t spin soapy-water items
The Spin Dryer is a neat idea, they spin the clothes SO FAST that they come out almost dry!
Then just put those ‘almost dry’ clothes on a clothes drying rack like this one that is set up under a ceiling fan and you will have saved a ton of energy by not using the clothes dryer at all.
I picked up a version of that a little while ago, called a presawash, on Ebay. Same design but made of aluminium, which I plan to use for the laundry in my tiny house. I’m currently trying out the Ecoball washing balls which would give me a soapless wash with no power use, and the water can be used to water plants afterwards.
I also found a mangle (wringer) on ebay for very little, which will mean I don’t need a spin dryer, just wash, wring and hang on the line.
Justin.
I don’t use detergent in my wash. The pressure does the job. A quick spin in the centrifuge and they are hanger ready and dry in no time (even sweaters). I do have to do some ironing, but very little and it takes no time to iron, as I do it while watching TV. I love this alternative, even tho I’m on the grid – in the inner city.