46 replies to this topic

[kate]

I was having a chat about the rigors of wash day when one doesn't have a washing machine. Recalling my mom's and grandmother's trusty old wringer washer and dreaming of my own hand-powered wringer for those horribly heavy jeans, towels and blankets that are almost impossible to wring dry by hand!

Here's my dream washing machine, complete with its own tubs!
http://www.lehmans.c...823320#32823320

I told my kids that this is the gift for me!

[godarna]

Great gift. Oh my, I still remember I had to help my mum with the old hand wringer. Was always wondering if they still exist.

[zararina]

I have not seen such kind of washing machine/equipment but since it was manual, its good for the environment and could be a good workout equipment too.
We do hit clothes with a plank (palo palo) to remove dirt from big/huge laundry easily. And hand washing some other clothes pieces if there is no washing machine.

[kate]

I've actually got two big galvanized tubs that I took outside this summer to wash some of the heavy stuff. But my washboard gave up the ghost, and I really need a new one. Soon it will be too cold here to wash clothes outdoors, and I am grateful for my washing machine! I've decided that the problem is just too many clothes! We have a baby here though and he needs his things clean. For a guy who doesn't get around much on his own, he sure knows how to get dirty.

[Hayden]

I was reading the reviews and trying to picture them based on the description. The crank handle seems too short vertically but its a start. Wonder how the competition compares.

[kate]

Hayden, on 27 October 2011 - 06:44 AM, said:

I was reading the reviews and trying to picture them based on the description. The crank handle seems too short vertically but its a start. Wonder how the competition compares.

Really? I'm a pretty short person LOL, would that matter? I've not really shopped around. Now you have me curious.

[mariaandrea]

I love the concept and have friends whose parents or grandparents had machines like that. The reviews are a little disappointing because Lehmans products are usually pretty awesome. I've been thinking about getting one of their grain mills for a long time now. I love the idea of doing laundry this way....

[wneely]

I love that! Actually, the whole site is great.

In the past I would wash clothes in the tub. I'd put on some lively music and have the kids dance on it. We wrung them out by hand and hung them out in the yard.

I wish we'd had a wringer; it would have made that part a lot easier.

[kate]

I'm still very interested in getting something like this and agree, the reviews are disappointing. If anyone finds a similar product that's better, I'd love to know about it.

[Mon-Jes]

I love Lehman's. I'm thankful for modern conveniences like powered washing machines and dryers, but I love how well-made and useful their stuff is.

You might want to look into spin extractors. These do require electricity, but they spin out a lot of water in just a few minutes. You can get them on Amazon, but it looks like they follow "you get what you pay for" -- i.e., you will pay more for better quality.

[zspuckl]

WOW that is pretty darn cool, I have never seen anything like it before besides in an art store, that potters use to roll out there clay!

[Mon-Jes]

zspuckl, on 29 October 2011 - 10:36 PM, said:

WOW that is pretty darn cool, I have never seen anything like it before besides in an art store, that potters use to roll out there clay!

What's old is new again, eh?

[kathie_san]

If these were available in the earlier days in my country it would be my mom's best friend! Good thing spin dryers have already been invented.

[kate]

Mon-Jes, on 29 October 2011 - 08:35 PM, said:

I love Lehman's. I'm thankful for modern conveniences like powered washing machines and dryers, but I love how well-made and useful their stuff is.

You might want to look into spin extractors. These do require electricity, but they spin out a lot of water in just a few minutes. You can get them on Amazon, but it looks like they follow "you get what you pay for" -- i.e., you will pay more for better quality.

I'm really hoping for something that doesn't require electricity, at last until we can get our solar-and-windmill-to-battery system in place, and that's several years into the future! My heart is set on a wringer set-up, maybe because I'm familiar with them!

[Jabsfreelanceworld]

kate, on 22 October 2011 - 01:48 PM, said:

I was having a chat about the rigors of wash day when one doesn't have a washing machine. Recalling my mom's and grandmother's trusty old wringer washer and dreaming of my own hand-powered wringer for those horribly heavy jeans, towels and blankets that are almost impossible to wring dry by hand!

Here's my dream washing machine, complete with its own tubs!
http://www.lehmans.c...823320#32823320

I told my kids that this is the gift for me!

That is not a bad idea for when you want to save electricity by hand washing. I wouldn't mind having one myself, as there was times when I had a bathtub full of clothes I would swish around, rinse, and wring. I know how tough it can be to try to get all the excess water out, but you have to get it out. Otherwise, it could take two or three days for certain items to dry.

[mangobunny]

That's so awesome! I don't even have a washer now so I have to hand wash once a week. The part I hate the most is wringing. This machine would be great to have! Gives your arm a workout too!

[Mon-Jes]

kate, on 31 October 2011 - 08:02 AM, said:

I'm really hoping for something that doesn't require electricity, at last until we can get our solar-and-windmill-to-battery system in place, and that's several years into the future! My heart is set on a wringer set-up, maybe because I'm familiar with them!

Ah. Yeah, the spin extractors look like they don't use much wattage, but they do need some. Hey, at least with the wringer, you'll get a workout.

[kate]

Jabsfreelanceworld, on 31 October 2011 - 08:45 PM, said:

That is not a bad idea for when you want to save electricity by hand washing. I wouldn't mind having one myself, as there was times when I had a bathtub full of clothes I would swish around, rinse, and wring. I know how tough it can be to try to get all the excess water out, but you have to get it out. Otherwise, it could take two or three days for certain items to dry.

I remember, even in winter, my mother and grandmother would hang clothes they'd wrung through the wringer out on the line to dry. We'd bring them in after a few hours,stiff as a board, then roll them up tight and put them in a big basket to be ironed while still damp. I've tried hand-wringing towels and jeans-- nigh on impossible!

[Mon-Jes]

How did you finally get those dry? Was the heat from the iron enough, or did you have to hang them up a second time by a heater?

[wneely]

Mon-Jes, on 08 November 2011 - 01:26 AM, said:

How did you finally get those dry? Was the heat from the iron enough, or did you have to hang them up a second time by a heater?

Actually, hanging them by a heater in the winter would also help to humidify the air, which could help keep everyone healthier.