Many apartments may come with a Washer Dryer hookup and allow you to easily hook up a regular washer and dryer but if yours doesn’t have that option or if you want to install a washer in your RV or at your Cabin or wherever you don’t have dedicated hookups then one of the easiest options is to go with a Portable Washing Machine.
Portable Washers come in a variety of types. Some are fully automatic while others have a separate wash and spin bin. For ease of use it is best to go with a fully automatic washing machine this way you just set the cycle you want then add your clothes and soap and the washer does all the work. You will pay a little bit more but in the end its going to make life a lot better.
What Size Portable Washer Should You Buy?
Portable washers normally range from about 1 cubic foot to 3 cubic feet. The larger the washer the easier it will be to wash larger items like towels, sheets, jackets and to wash more clothes at the same time. Unfortunately the larger you get means the harder it is to move around. If you live in an apartment and will be washing in the bathroom or kitchen you probably don’t want your washer in those rooms all the time so you still need to be able to move them out of the way. Most will come with wheels or you can purchase a small dolly stand that the unit can sit on.
You can expect the smallest units to weigh as little as 25 pounds which is very easy to move around but larger ones might weigh up to 100 pounds which means you probably will want help when it is delivered or if you move.
For best functionality you should consider washers that are in the 2 to 3 cubic foot range and a 3 foot unit while smaller than conventional washers will give you a much better experience. Just remember the larger you get then the closer you get to conventional units which might not be much more in price.
Water Supply and Drainage Hookups
All portable units will be designed to attach to a regular faucet with removable aerator so if you have a fancy spray head model it might not work. For bathroom hookups you can install a splitter or diverter valve on the shower head that allows you to attach you washer’s hose. When you use a single line you will need to adjust the water temperature at the sink. You will also need to hook your hose to the cold water hookup on the washer if you have both hot and cold water hookups. If you do have both hot and cold water hookups on your washer then you can use your unit with a regular washer hookup and drain.
Water draining can be with the aid of a water pump on larger Automatic models or it will be a gravity drain which you could have problems with getting all of the water out of the unit between uses. Units without pumps will drain the water when the bin spins but can leave water in the line.
Extra Lint Filtering Is Very Important
All washers will come with some type of lint trap but additional lint catching is very important if you are draining your washer into a sink or tub. Lint catchers do not catch all of the lint and if you were to do many loads that drain into a sink or tub you are likely to cause a clog.
Lint catching socks that are placed on the end of the drain line are available and come in packs of 10 or some might be specifically designed to be reusable and easily cleaned.
Final Note
Portable washing machines are really a great advantage for most people and they come in a variety of types and prices to meet your needs. If you are going to be spending significant money for your unit then you must make sure that it is easily returnable. Some merchant sites sell from third parties and that means the return process can be very difficult. Buying the extra warranty may or may not be worth it depending on what options you have for service.
Washers can also be paired with portable dryers that only take normal house current to run however for larger items it can be very difficult to get good results. They are normally best for undergarments, tshirts and light items. Hang drying is also an option and many people will use a small portable fan to help dry clothes that are hung dry.
Whatever unit you select its always good to get a specific product review and a follow up review that tells you how the unit worked over time.
And it might not be a bad idea to check with your landlord to see if there are any restrictions.